
Sound Insight with Sara Glaser, CAS posted: 31/07/2020
Though the numbers are certainly on the upward trend, it's still rare to find women in audio, especially one as prominent as Sara Glaser, CAS. Having gotten her start in the industry in college as a recording engineer nearly 20 years ago, Glaser's major successes can be found in her work as a production sound mixer for feature films and episodic television. Some of her most recent credits include Westworld, Grey's Anatomy, Feud: Bette and Joan and the Netflix feature film, Rim of the World.
She shares more about her audio career, and what it's like to be a female in the industry, in the latest DPA Sound Insight Q&A, below.
Q: How did you get into the sound mixing business?
A: Even though I grew up in Los Angeles, I wasn't raised in entertainment like many of my colleagues. I discovered music recording when I went off to college. It was the early days of the internet, and I ended up on some message boards for studio and live recording situations, and I was immediately hooked. I would sit there for hours, soaking up the stories about these guys who had engineered in all these recording studios in the 70s, and I just remember thinking how awesome that must've been.
Eventually, a friend of mine gave me a catalog for UCLA, where I went on to earn certificates in Recording Engineering, Songwriting and Music Business. I attended my first recording practice class at Oceanway Studios and, once I touched a fader, I immediately fell in love. A month later, I got my first job in a recording studio-and that's not as easy as it sounds because, in 1998, women weren't hired to be engineers.
While on my job hunt, a colleague told me to send my resume to Bill Dooley-I was called in for an interview and began my journey in the recording world. From day one, he treated me as an engineer-he trained me and taught me how to troubleshoot. I still use the techniques that Bill taught me, every day.
After that, I bounced around to a couple of other recording studios. Then, Pro Tools came out and completely changed the industry. A lot of studios closed, and there were less jobs available. So, at that point, I decided to get my feet wet in the post-production world. I started as a restoration sound editor before ultimately switching to production sound in late 2003; and Ive been here ever since. It's a crazy road, but it's been awesome and there have been a lot of great people I've worked with over the years. I don't know what else I would do - for me, nothing is as interesting and exhilarating as working in audio.
Q: What challenges come along with being a woman in audio?
A: As a female in a predominately male industry, I've had to overcome hurdles that many of my colleagues have not. Back when I was at UCLA and applying to recording studio jobs in LA for the first time, my peers would tell me to not bother with certain studios as they only hired women as receptionists. Over the years, I've learned to grow a thick skin, as well as keep an open mind. That said, it's awesome to see groups popping up within the industry that promote diversity among our peers.
Q: What advice would you give to other women who are interested in a career in audio?
A: There are a lot of big personalities in this industry and you just can't ever take anything personally. Be nice to people because that's what they are going to notice, but always remember that it's about the job first. The person who's the PA on-set today could be in the production office hiring you tomorrow, so you want them to know you work hard and are a team player. Always do your best, people will remember when you put the effort in.
The sound industry is a very tight-knit community; we love to mentor each other. I have friends all over LA and we're always looking out for each other, whether it's to bounce an idea or share new techniques. So, never be afraid to reach out and ask questions. Also, especially for women, be respectful of those who have come before you and have fought the battle so that you can be here.
Lastly, remember that you are a permanent student when you're in the audio industry. The moment you have the attitude that you're out of school, you're done growing as a professional. As sound mixers, especially as technology continues to advance, we're constantly developing and coming up with new approaches on how to do things. This is where having an open mind will serve you well.
Q: Can you tell us about your first experience with DPA Microphones?
A: From the first time I got my hands on DPA microphones in 2013, I was hooked. I remember I came on to a set where I was going to be booming. Without taking a close look at the mics, I began my sound check and I immediately noticed the difference. I couldn't believe how clear and natural the sound quality was-so full and so beautiful. As it turned out, I was using DPA's 4017 Shotgun Mic. From that moment, I knew that was going to be my choice solution for booms-the sound quality simply cannot be beat. While working on this show, I also had the opportunity to get my hands on the brand's 4061/71 Miniature Omnidirectional mics. They sounded so full and so natural. It was really beautiful-and that's when I fell in love with DPA Microphones. From there, I began to share my love of the brand with other sound mixers, and a bunch of my colleagues jumped on the DPA bandwagon. I'm constantly raving about my DPAs.
Q: What DPA mics do you use, and what are some of the standout features or functions that have been helpful?
A: Over the past seven years, I've acquired an arsenal of DPA solutions. This includes the 4017 Shotgun, 4061/71 Miniature Omnidirectional and 4098 Supercardioid Microphones. I turn to these for all my a
Europe Stories
06/10/2025
France T l visions, France's leading broadcaster, has received the 2025 EBU ...
04/09/2025
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...
07/08/2025
July 8 2025, 22:30 (PDT) Tata Motors & Dolby Bring Dolby Atmos to Harrier.ev, R...
11/07/2025
If you've ever wondered what might be playing in Clark Kent's headphones...
11/07/2025
AI and Multimedia Authenticity Standards Collaboration launches two papers to guide the future of AI integration, today at the AI for Good Global Summit
The...
10/07/2025
The current holder of the prestigious Thomson Foundation Young Journalist of the Year Award has been forced to stop reporting over fears for her safety in Afgha...
10/07/2025
Spotify is turning up the volume on Australian music with a multipronged initiative designed to highlight the dominance of Australian artists on the global stag...
10/07/2025
This is not a drill: Oasis is back on the road-marking its first live performanc...
10/07/2025
The music industry depends on fresh ideas, bold voices, and emerging talent. Yet across the U.K., too many young musicians lack the space to develop their craft...
10/07/2025
10 Jul 2025
VEON and Cohen Circle Secure Investor Commitments for Kyivstar Listing Kyiv, New York, Dubai, and Philadelphia - July 10, 2025 - VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq:...
10/07/2025
Thursday 10 July 2025
The Very Small Creatures
Jaime's Treetop Tales
Emerald
BooSnoo! Christmas Mashup
Pip & Posy's Spooktacular Party
The Very Sm...
10/07/2025
Thursday 10 July 2025
Brand new rewards are coming to Sky customers, with free ...
10/07/2025
Comscore Achieves Full JIC Certification for National TV Measurement Including...
09/07/2025
Wednesday 9 July 2025
Sky Broadband now has the UK's fastest broadband spee...
09/07/2025
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced Jeff Williams will transition his role as chief operating officer later this month to Sabih Khan, Apple's senior...
08/07/2025
In an era where digital threats to journalists are becoming increasingly aggressive and widespread, MediaSafe Africa launches as a vital online resource to help...
08/07/2025
This summer, as the energy builds for one of the biggest moments in women's ...
08/07/2025
UKTV today announces that Richard Watsham, Chief Creative Officer at UKTV and Global Director of Acquisitions for BBC Studios/UKTV, has decided to step down fro...
08/07/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. - July 8, 2025 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced a reco...
08/07/2025
Arvato Systems Optimizes Customer Communication with AOK Niedersachsen
New project in the statutory health insurance sector
Arvato Systems and AOK Niedersach...
08/07/2025
On August 7, Apple Arcade is adding four exclusive games to its diverse catalogue of more than 200 fun games for players to enjoy, all free from ads and in-app ...
07/07/2025
** MEDIA ALERT **
VIZ Media Ignites AX 2025 with Star-Studded Panels, Exclus...
07/07/2025
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA As Apple Music marks its 10th anniversary this year, Apple unveils its most ambitious creative project to date: a brand-new state-of-the...
07/07/2025
RT has announced that Mark Bignell has been appointed Commissioning Editor for Comedy following a public competition. This senior editorial position will drive...
04/07/2025
The Summer Reading Challenge has inspired children across the U.K. to embrace a ...
04/07/2025
Friday 4 July 2025
Watch the trailer here https://youtu.be/Od5WpvWmDr8
Further...
04/07/2025
The Pitch comes to RT Radio 1 airwaves this Sunday at 7pm. The Pitch is a brand...
03/07/2025
For our Vario-Jib, as well as for a repertoire of weights, we now have carts that make transport easier...
03/07/2025
One of our latest innovations: Slider Drive Unit!
Our Vario Slider not only comes with improvements and new features, but also with its own drive unit!
Our i...
03/07/2025
The 360 EVO lives up to its name: 360-degree rotation not only on the pan axis, but also on the roll axis, enables filmmakers to take their creative visions eve...
03/07/2025
What a buzzing few days at BSCExpo in London!
We were thrilled to connect with so many talented professionals from the world of cinematography.
A huge thank ...
03/07/2025
ADOLESCENCE - Shot with Panther Tower"The whole rig had to be detachable mid-episode
Netflix limited drama series Adolescence has been gaining attentio...
03/07/2025
** MEDIA ALERT ** Shonen Jump Store Hosting Los Angeles Pop-up During Anime Exp...
03/07/2025
Thursday 3 July 2025
David Harewood and Matthew Broome in Mozart: Genius for Hi...
03/07/2025
The Sky WNT Fund supports Womens National Team players with a 30,000 bursaryThursday 3 July 2025
Sky Ireland has announced the four recipients of the 2025 Sky...
02/07/2025
Calrec expands ecosystem at NAB 2025 giving broadcasters access to dynamic workflows and ultimate flexibility Helping broadcasters meet the shifting needs of me...
02/07/2025
02 Jul 2025
VEON Raises USD 200 Million in Private Bond Placement Dubai, July 1, 2025: VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator ( VEON ), announces ...
02/07/2025
Brand new factual series follows mechanic and self-taught engineer Dom Chinea as he makes the move of his life to the far west of Cornwall
UKTV today announces...
02/07/2025
Rohde & Schwarz acquires ZES ZIMMER Electronic Systems GmbH and expands its T&M ...
02/07/2025
Wuppertal July 2, 2025
Riedel Communications Launches RefSuite Ecosystem for S...
02/07/2025
Andrew will serve as Chair of ABC alongside his role at NED, APL Media, where he supports the executive team with strategic insight and global expansion plans. ...
01/07/2025
The launch of Code of Silence, coupled with the Britains Got Talent semi final, gave ITV its best Sunday night of 2025.
The first episode of the new crime dr...
01/07/2025
ITV and Mammoth Screen have announced the start of filming for Betrayal, a gripp...
01/07/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
01/07/2025
Vocal-processing plug-in joins NOIZ Hub series
Launched in 2024, KIT Plugins' NOIZ Hub series was created with the aim of providing a range of professio...
01/07/2025
New self-paced learning programme announced
Mastering.com have announced the availability of a new online course designed to cover the fundamentals of maste...
01/07/2025
The Traitors are coming: Get your first taste of the global hit as Season 1 of T...
01/07/2025
cetecom advanced certifies Rohde & Schwarz test solution for the verification of...
01/07/2025
RT has announced that Teresa Smith has been appointed Commissioning Editor with responsibility for Factual Entertainment following a public competition. This s...