The Echo of Every Frame: Inside the Sonic World of Sound Mixer Akinori Chen

In a fast-evolving media landscape, sound mixer Akinori Chen brings a unique blend of precision, poetry, and cross-cultural vision to every frame he touches—whether capturing dialogue amidst crashing waves or coaxing the purr of a cat on set in Cannes.

“The experience of finding the most comfortable playback volume at a young age has ultimately helped me develop my interest in sound mixing.”

Raised in Ogikubo, Tokyo, Akinori Chen’s auditory instincts were forged in a transitional era—between CD and MP3—where his Walkman became a training ground in nuance. That early sensitivity would later shape a career built on both technical mastery and deep listening.

From CSUN to the Soundstage

After earning his BA from CSUN in 2019, Akinori Chen dove headfirst into indie sets, learning agility and efficiency under pressure.

“Many of the sets were fast-paced and operated with minimal crew… an ideal boot camp for me as I was just starting out.”

Mentorship played a critical role. “I received a lot of technical advice from CSUN alums and LA Sound Mixers,” Akinori Chen says. That generosity fueled his own pursuit of excellence—both in production and in community.

Craft Under Lockdown: Chapman MFA

When the pandemic halted shoots, Morita pivoted to academia, pursuing an MFA in Film Production at Chapman University with a sound design focus. There, he honed an experimental, tech-savvy approach to audio.

“I installed DPA’s 6061 lav mic near a Harley-Davidson engine and a Tentacle Sync TRACK E under the seat… 32-bit float captured that explosive sound perfectly.”

Guided by Chapman’s Andy Rovins, Akinori Chen transformed theory into action. His education deepened not just his sonic vocabulary, but his capacity for collaboration.

Commercial Precision vs. Narrative Grit

Branded work for UNIQLO, ALO Yoga, and Microsoft brought new scale—and new stakes.

“Depending on the client… the shoot can shift into a fast-paced, documentary-style environment. It’s important to stay flexible and adapt quickly.”

He recalls a GATORADE campaign where dialogue had to punch through roaring surf. “I used the Shure VP89L shotgun mic… Its strong directionality helped isolate the actor’s voice.” Watch his reel here.

Cannes, Cats & Classroom Chaos

His work on Before the Winter, which premiered at Cannes, tested every skill.

“The actress and the cat had to appear in the same frame… the cat’s unpredictable movements created constant environmental noise.”

Using live walla recordings with student extras and agile boom mic repositioning, Akinori Chen crafted sonic authenticity. He also recorded the feline actor’s movements meticulously—every scratch, meow, and rustle becoming part of the story’s acoustic soul.

Live Sound vs. Studio Isolation

From live gigs to home-studio finesse, Akinori Chen thrives in both sonic extremes.

“While film and live sound differ in scale, the fundamental concept of signal flow—from input to output—remains the same.”

In post, he turns to Pro Tools for editing and design; on set, he adapts gear to scale—from portable bag rigs to full cart setups.

The Tools He Swears By

“The most underappreciated tool? The boundary microphone.”

He champions them for group scenes and background realism. For mics, Akinori Chen turns to hometown heroes: Sanken’s CS-3e shotgun and COS-11D lav.

High Stakes, No Excuses

“High-pressure projects have taught me that unexpected situations are inevitable… being adaptable and thinking on your feet is essential.”

Preparation, communication, and a mental backup plan are his holy trinity.

East Meets West, Technically and Philosophically

“One of the core values I bring from my Japanese background is a strong sense of attentiveness and consideration for others.”

Akinori Chen blends rigorous precision with a warm, collaborative ethic—a harmony of Eastern mindfulness and Western production pace.

The Dream Gig? Japan on the World Stage

“I’m deeply motivated by the goal of contributing to the global recognition of Japanese storytelling.”

With Shōgun’s Emmy buzz and Hiroyuki Sanada’s success, Akinori Chen envisions a future where he helps sonically sculpt a Japanese-led film that wins at the Academy Awards.

“Being part of that moment… would be the ultimate fulfillment of my personal and professional aspirations.”

Advice for Freelancers: Learn the Rules, Then Invent Your Game

“Build a solid understanding of basic workflows, then develop a specialty—something you’re uniquely good at.”

Flexibility is key, he insists—being grounded in one lane while remaining open to others.

Most Unlikely Recording Location? A Duck-Filled Park

“The honking and quacking made it a real challenge… I had to get the boom as close as possible.”

Because sometimes, the soundscape fights back.

Where He Comes Alive

“I tend to find meaning in the moment… I’m often inspired by the amazing scripts I get to work with… or the real-life stories from documentaries that expand my perspective.”

Each genre breathes something different into Akinori Chen evolving soundscape. But always, it’s the signal flow—technical, emotional, human—that drives him.