ZAC SCHMIDT, LLC

MAR 2024 - PRESENT

FREELANCE AUDIO ENGINEER & TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Dialog edit, sound design and audio mix for The Official Jinx Podcast for HBO Podcasts

Technical direction and remote recording for Google’s Release Notes video podcast

Audio mixing and technical direction and for The Brightside podcast from Hello Sunshine

Created a post production playbook for The Athletic which defined robust processes and standards

SPOTIFY

MAR 2019 - MAR 2024

TECHNICAL LEAD - SPOTIFY STUDIOS

Designed new audio systems focusing on user experience and limitless interconnectivity utilizing Q-Sys, Dante AoIP, AES67, Pro Tools, Focusrite RedNet, Comrex and other solutions

Implemented studio video control and ingest systems, including Ross routers, Black Magic switches, Panasonic PTZ Cameras, and Softron Movie Recorder

Owned equipment budgeting, sourcing and logistics for studio and remote recording systems

Built comprehensive video and audio production workflows, from capture to review and approve

Owned enterprise software contracts and support across Spotify production teams, including: Descript, Riverside, Pro Tools, iZotope, Trint, and Dropbox

Established and applied a global loudness standard for all Podcasts and Advertisements on Spotify based on AES recommendations, alongside Spotify’s audio processing engineering teams

HEAD OF POST PRODUCTION & TECHNOLOGY, GIMLET

Created production and delivery standards across all studio and partner productions, emphasizing quality, consistency and reduced friction

Led a team of twelve highly creative Audio Engineers, Composers, Music Supervisors and Technicians

Built strong, trusting relationships with editorial leadership and executive producers across the slate

Transitioned a 100 person staff to remote production and editing during to the COVID-19 pandemic

Managed conference A/V systems including: Q-Sys, Shure Designer, Meets and Zoom Rooms

Led cross-team initiatives for Spotify Studios, Gimlet, Ringer, Parcast, and Advertising

Owned delivery, publishing and troubleshooting across all podcast platforms

Gimlet

NOV 2016 - MAR 2020

Audio Production Lead - Branded Content

Created a scalable post production process for podcast advertising, with a weekly output of 50 ads

Helped create Chompers, an interactive Alexa Skill that won a 2018 Cannes Bronze Lion

Mixed and sound designed branded podcasts for Nike, Lyft, Tinder, Squarespace and Gatorade

Oversaw live productions, ensuring high-quality recording and smooth real-time communication

Ran on-call support and troubleshooting for technical production issues for reporters, producers, and hosts

Created training workshops and guides to help producers and reporters capture the best version of their story, and to teach audio engineers how to edit and use music to create industry leading content

CHICAGO RECORDING COMPANY

APR 2014 - NOV 2016

Audio Engineer / Studio Tech

Mixed and sound designed advertising for national radio, broadcast and web campaigns

Recorded high-profile talent for video games, and audiobooks in client-supervised sessions

Prepped mix sessions, and managed editor communication for senior staff engineers

Built and maintained MacOS and Pro Tools HD systems for post production and music studios

Managed a networked Backup Server, Music Library and SoundMiner SFX Library servers

Owned troubleshooting for remote recording systems including Source Connect, VOIP and ISDN

SAE INSTITUTE

APR 2014 - MAY 2015

Co-Developed Intro to Audio Production curriculum, and taught associate degree track students the basics of digital audio and recording best practices