sound man

American  

Or soundman

noun

1. a technician who produces sound effects.

2. a technician responsible for the quality of sound that is broadcast or recorded.

3. Theater. a technician responsible for the proper placement of microphones, achieving the desired volume and balance of sound from various sources, and eliminating any distortion caused by amplification.

---

Example Sentences

“Nothing happened with the first one. With the second, it struck under the bridge of the second enemy ship, but instead of an explosion the sound man picked up only a dull thud—another dud.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

Most of their hostages were Iranians but also included BBC sound man Sim Harris, BBC News organiser Chris Cramer and tourists who had stopped by to collect visas.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2025

Yet here he was, looking hale and hearty: “I shall never be a sound man, of course,” he told the astonished Nordhoff, “but this climate has added 10 years to my life!”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2022

I was going crazy on the sound man because he didn’t turn the sound up.

From New York Times • Jun. 25, 2020

Disconcertingly, people were seated all around me, and some of the questions came from behind; a television sound man waded carefully among those on the floor.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover