[cmaynes]

You did not mention if the tracks are coming from the sound editorial dept, or the picture editor.

If they are from sound editorial, hopefully things will be sensible from the start- If you are doing the mix on a single PT system, the tracks will likely need to be merged into a dubbing session. after that is accomplished, you can either set the outputs according to the output requirement, or preferrably set up a stem arrangement which makes sense- for a documentary, I would have a dialog stem (with separate tracks for production dia, production FX, ADR and Narration). FX stem (edited sound effects, foley and BG's) and a Music stem- when you are doing the the work all of these stems would be routed to your speakers of course. The advantage of this route is that the client will end up with a fair amount of latitude if future release requirements present themselves, such as foreign versions or tv versions where the death metal song "Satan wants to burn your babies" just won't do.

If the sound is being prepared by the picture editor: If there is time, you will likely want to reorganize the tracks. Due to the limitations of sound playback on most picture editing systems, this will prevent the need to change bussing, etc in the middle of the project- Most picture editors have 8 tracks of playback for EVERYTHING) you do not share this limitation, you have the voices- use them.

You can pretty much follow the previous suggestions about track layout for these purposes. Do not be surprised when you see AVID or FCPro audio tracks- the editor probably just put stuff where-ever there was space.

Depending on the length of the project, this could take a little bit of time, (which is billable). Point out though, that the actual mix will be greatly sped up by the investment at the beginning.

good luck-

charles maynes