2022 signaled the start of my 28^th year in television and my 22^nd year as a full-time audio mixer. A lot, and I mean a lot has changed in those twenty-two years.

What started out as a mono mixer was soon stereo, and then surround and now Atmos for those that are mixing in it, but I think the key thing in all the changes we’ve seen as audio professionals is that the more things change, the more we stay true to our quirks and habits.

I mentioned several times on the podcast that I have a checklist that I created when first starting out to keep me organized in case something happened and pulled me out of focus.

I’ve included this audio checklist with this article as I think it’s a great resource for when things get hectic.

Let’s talk about a few of the points I’ve included – and just for the record, I still use this checklist for all my events – especially if it’s a truck I’ve never worked on or have files. It keeps me focused.

FACSing time with my A2s is key. I always like to meet with the gang before we start, just to make sure we are on the same page. Everyone has my paperwork for patching and drops and it helps to answer any questions they may have or issues that have come up. It’s especially important on shoots like Toronto Blue Jays Baseball where our truck might be in for 12 days or more. It’s easy to forget about the little daily checks and I find having a little chat helps keep us focused and sane! The MLB season can be loooong! My A2s are the most important part in getting to air. My shows would not be the same without them and I’m always grateful for their help and expertise.

Finally, the great author Douglas Adams wrote in his masterpiece, ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’, the greatest two words put on paper; “DON’T PANIC!” One of my favourite books of all time, Adams references multiple times how complicated the machine is and in saying “don’t panic”, the phrase is meant to reassure those experiencing intergalactic travel that everything will be ok. Just like live audio, everything will be ok if you “don’t panic”.

For those just starting out in their audio journey, feel free to use this audio checklist – edit and modify it for your preferences. It has helped me and continues to help me stay focused and on the task at hand. For those experienced mixers, I’d love to hear more of your ways to keep track of the day-to-day ins and outs of broadcast mixing. I can always learn new things!