After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Sound Recording Technology, Kate began her career as a post-production sound effects editor. Over the next several years, she worked her way up to being a supervising sound editor at Warner Bros. and then left to start her own studio, Boom Box Post, with business partner and fellow supervising sound editor, Jeff Shiffman. Together, they lead post-production sound crews for animated television series. In addition, Kate also acts as the re-recording mixer on several series. Recently, Kate and Jeff have launched an additional venture, Boom Box Library, which creates custom sound effect libraries as well as software to aid in the sound design process. Over the course of her career, Kate has been nominated for MPSE Golden Reel Awards, Music + Sound Awards, and a Daytime Emmy. You can read more about her company and enjoy additional blog posts at www.boomboxpost.com.
New Editors: How To Find Your SFX Editorial Process?
It can be both an exciting and terrifying feeling being a new editor. On one hand, you are thrilled to start editing on a project! On the other hand, you don’t know where to begin. I interviewed a few editors on our team who know exactly how you’re feeling and can give you some insight ...Answering Your Questions: Glossary of Sound Effects
One of the most popular blog series on Boom Box Post is Glossary of Sound Effects, of which we have done 3 parts. If you haven’t already, I recommend you check them out. In the original post, we get a ton of questions asking what keywords should be used when trying to find very specific ...Sounds Like Spring
Spring-inspired sounds, that if you have access to, you should go out and record this refreshing time of year!Common Sound Editorial Mistakes That Can Become Big Mix Problems
Here’s a list of some common problems we see on the mix stage. Avoiding these problems will not only make your work easier to handle and more professionally presented, but it will also hopefully save you a snarky email or comment from a mixer!Guerrilla Recording: Be Your Own Foley Team at Home
You can be your own foley team with incredible results. All from the comfort of your home, at little to no cost.Lunch and Learn: Phasing
Now, I bet you are thinking to yourself, “What is phasing exactly?” or perhaps “How does it apply in the real world?”, and most importantly “Do I even need to know this?!” Well, you’re about to find out…The Lowdown On Mixing – Re-recording mixer Jacob Cook
If you’re like me, then you think being a re-recording mixer sounds not only intimidating but also very confusing. I think of the giant mixing board with a ton of buttons and nobs on it. YIKES. I thought the best way to get my questions answered was to ask one of our re-recording mixers, Jacob! ...Building a Library From Home
Building your own Sound Library with veggies and fruits.Sounds Like Summer
With the changing of the seasons comes a whole new world of sound. So, let’s discuss some key summertime sounds to keep an ear out for and record to bulk up your SFX library this time of year!On Current Events and the State of Our Industry
Talk is cheap and donations along with specific and detailed calls to action speak volumes. Now is not the time to be silent or vague.Post-Production Mid-Pandemic – Boom Box Post
Kate Finan and Jeff Shiffman Co-Owners of Boom Box Post share how Boom Box Post is adapting to working during COVID-193 Easy Steps to Cutting Classic Cartoon Sound Effects
Kate shares 3 steps to cutting classic cartoon effects in her latest blog, Check it out!Women in Audio Engineering
Although women from every generation continue to forge ahead in our field, the hard reality of being only five percent of the industry means that women rarely have the privilege of meeting one another.How to Push your Sound Design to the Max
We get a lot of questions about how much you should do in your sound design pass versus how much to leave to your mixer. So, I thought it was time for another brush-up.Whose Job is It? When Plug-in Effects are Sound Design vs. Mix Choices.
SoundGirl Kate Finan discusses job roles in regards to plug-ins in sound design and mix choices.Sonic Memories
Katie Finan shares how she channels her memories to excel at recording sounds; creating emotional ties to the recordings for a better outcome.Glossary of Sound Effects (Part 2)
Part 2 of Kate Finan’s great glossary of sound effects. Check our her definitions of over 30 terms!Glossary of Sound Effects (Part 1)
Refresh your sound effects definitions with this great glossary produced by Kate Finan. Watch for part 2 soon!One Is Not Enough: Understanding Bias in the Audio Community
Kate Finan discusses her first job in a studio, the bias she felt, and challenges all to get out of our comfort zones together.The History of Sound Design
I decided to take a closer look at the history of the term Sound Design, the differences in how it is used across the film and television, interactive and immersive media, and theater industries, and its use and abuse.Creating Monster Vocals with Voxpat
We get to work inside imagined worlds, create sounds for unknown creatures, and image futuristic technology conceived in the minds of the world’s most fantastic artists. These new worlds give us the opportunity to use ever-evolving sound design techniques to breathe life into them.Troubleshooting (and Avoiding!) Common Problems in ProTools
We all have technical difficulties from time to time, especially when using software as intricate as ProTools. But, after years of making what seems like every mistake in the book, hanging out on Avid DUC, and stalking Gearslutz.com, I pride myself in my ability to overhear frantic technical freakouts and supply solid advice on the ...Creative Self-Marketing Ideas for the Audio Professional
In an industry that doesn’t necessarily post jobs on a website, use recruiters, or have a standard interviewing process, how are talented creative people supposed to get their foot in the door? There are so many different ways to answer these questions, but at least one large chunk of this is personal marketing.Career Paths in Film and TV Sound: Stories of Tenacity
A kickass panel with audio professionals from all different backgrounds, with all different backstories and insights, who are at the top of their game. We talked about what drew us to the sound profession in the first place. We talked about working our way up with unerring drive and determination from the machine room, the ...Five Things I’ve Learned About Editing from Mixing
I have been a sound effects editor and supervising sound editor for a long time now. But, I have recently begun mixing a television series here at Boom Box Post. I am enjoying how much I learn each and every time that I sit down at the board, and I am by no means ready ...Designing Signature Sounds
Creating signature sounds is a skill that is absolutely essential to setting yourself up as a high-quality professional sound designer.An Underwater Recording Adventure
At Boom Box Post, we like to consider sound design challenges as creative opportunities. So, when I spotted an episode in which the characters travel via microscopic submarine through a human body, I was excited. Each exterior shot of the submarine illustrated it moving through a viscous plasma-like liquid. I wanted to call upon ...