Spoken Word Sound Engineer for a Calm Bedtime Reading Channel (Paid Trial Episode)

One More Story is a calm, low stimulation children's reading and storytelling channel (One More Story with Gerry and Mr H). We film spoken word episodes of Haydan reading aloud by the fireside, and we need a sound engineer who can take raw dialogue audio and turn it into something warm, clean and genuinely pleasant to fall asleep to. This is not a podcast full of jump cuts and hype. It is a bedtime voice. The mix needs to protect that. What you will receive each episode Two synced audio sources per episode: a Rode Wireless Pro lapel feed (clean, close mic) and a Rode NT1 5th gen room mic (for blending body and warmth). Episodes run roughly 10 to 12 minutes of spoken word. Raw video will also be supplied for reference sync. What we need Dialogue cleanup: hum, room noise, mouth clicks and breath control handled gently, never robotic or over gated. A warm, low leaning EQ that favours natural low mids and gentle presence, not a bright podcast sheen. Consistent loudness across the episode with no jarring level jumps. Light, tasteful compression. The goal is calm and even, not loud and punchy. A final mix that still sounds like a real person by a fire, not a processed voiceover. Someone who understands music and grounded, warm tones matters here too, since the goal is a genuine outdoor, campfire sound, not a clean studio recording. Music moment Some episodes include a short live singing and guitar moment. This does not need music mixing or mastering, just the same gentle cleanup treatment as the spoken word so it sits consistently with the rest of the episode. Reference and process We will send a short written sound brief with reference levels and the fireside warmth target before you start. Please be comfortable taking direction on tone, this is a brand voice we are protective of. Trial episode We would like to start with a single paid trial (Episode 3) before committing to an ongoing arrangement. If the trial lands, this becomes a recurring role, roughly monthly for now, with more episodes likely over time. Budget 50 to 90 dollars per episode, depending on experience and turnaround. Please quote your rate for a 10 to 12 minute episode in your application. To apply Send a short note on your approach to warmth and low end on spoken voice, and if you have samples of narration, audiobook or voiceover mixing (not music mixing), please link them. Experience with intimate, natural sounding dialogue is far more relevant here than big podcast production credits.