Audio Editor & Sound Designer

This is a Freelance Job

Audio Editor & Sound Designer (True Crime)

Type: Freelance / Contract (with potential for ongoing work)
Location: Remote (Bonus Points: Nashville, TN)
Reports to: Executive Producer /Host

About the Role
We're looking for a highly skilled Audio Editor & Sound Designer with deep true crime experience to help shape long-form narrative episodes that are emotionally grounded, precise, and immersive-never sensationalized.

This role goes beyond technical editing. You'll be responsible for story pacing, sonic restraint, and narrative clarity, helping each episode land with impact while honoring the seriousness of the material.

If you instinctively know when not to use music, how long to let silence breathe, and how to elevate tension without manipulation-this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities
• Audio Editing
• Edit long-form true crime episodes (30-90+ minutes) from raw multitrack recordings
• Clean dialogue: remove noise, plosives, mouth sounds, cross-talk, and inconsistencies
• Assemble tight narrative edits while preserving authenticity and emotional truth
• Flag story gaps, pacing issues, or clarity concerns for producers
• Design subtle, intentional soundscapes that support tone-not distract from it
• Select and place music with restraint (tension, reflection, gravity)
• Use ambience, room tone, and silence strategically
• Avoid overproduction or melodrama common in lower-quality true crime

Required Experience & Skills
• 3+ years professional audio editing experience, with true crime or narrative nonfiction
• Proven experience editing investigative, documentary, or story-driven podcasts
• Strong storytelling instincts-pacing, emphasis, emotional beats
• Proficiency in Pro Tools, Adobe Audition, or equivalent DAW
• Excellent music judgment and sound design restraint
• Comfortable receiving detailed notes and collaborating with producers
• Ability to work with sensitive subject matter thoughtfully and ethically

Strongly Preferred
• Experience with investigative or advocacy-adjacent true crime
• Familiarity with legal, victim-centered, or trauma-informed storytelling
• Experience working on shows with large audiences or premium platforms
• Ability to turn around clean first passes with minimal revision cycles
• Voice editing experience is a big plus!

What Success Looks Like
• Episodes feel immersive, intentional, and emotionally grounded
• Audio never distracts from the story-only sharpens it
• Producers trust your judgment on pacing and tone
• Notes rounds are efficient because your instincts are aligned

Please submit:
• A brief intro outlining your true crime experience
• 2-3 relevant audio samples (true crime or narrative nonfiction preferred)
• Your typical turnaround time per episode