Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marlowe Taylor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Marlowe, thanks for joining us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.
My parents did something truly special for me they let me chase my passion. When I first fell in love with DJing, they didn’t just support me; they set me up with my own private space where my friends could come over, watch me spin, bust some raps on the mic, and just create cool music. It was so dope. I’ll never forget my dad watching me scratch records, spin around, and even put my mouth on the Dj-mixer, he ask my mom in pure bewilderment, “Why is Marlowe doing that? Over and over? What’s going onnnn?” and who is “Mauly T “, is that some kind of artist name, haha! My mom, always believing in me, just smiled and said, “He’s practicing to be a great, and his name is not Marlowe its DJ. Mauly T”.
As time went on and I rocked countless parties, my dad saw my dedication. Before he passed, he told my mom something that has stayed with me forever: “Let Marlowe do what he wants, Don’t push him toward something he doesn’t love. He’ll be great at this because I can see his future and get that Keyboard he wants.” That meant the world to me, but it was bittersweet knowing he wouldn’t be here to see my journey unfold. Even now, I feel that ache sometimes but I still use that same keyboard, the bass sounds are amazing.lol
That passion for DJing opened the door to my deeper love for audio including wiring, installation and understanding how sound truly works. I didn’t want to go to college, but my mom insisted: “You’re going because your dad and I wanted this for you so get ready!” So, off I went, diving into Audio/Video Engineering, Associates in Radio Television, Bachelors in Telecommunications Audio Production, Masters MFA Track3 Terminal Degree in Sound for Film plus winning Outstanding Alumni Award from the university as well. That decision changed everything.
I went on to build my own recording studio, Studio76 in Cleveland, Ohio, where I recorded some of the biggest names in the industry Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan, and more. That work earned me multiple RIAA Certified Gold and Platinum Awards, something I never imagined possible in my small city. Losing my dad ignited a fire in me. My mom, my biggest cheerleader, kept reminding me: “You’re going to be successful because sound and music makes you happy every day.”
She was right. When I landed my first celebrity recording session and many local artists started paying me for my skills, I finally believed it, wowww! College had given me not just knowledge, but also an incredible mentor, Professor John L. Butler from Ohio University, the best film sound mixer I could’ve learned from. With that foundation, I moved into TV commercials, then documentaries, and finally into TV and film Production.
Now, as an Oscar Academy Inducted Production Sound Mixer, I have the honor of voting in the 97th Academy Awards a full-circle moment. My mom always told me, “I see you at the Oscars, right there with your colleagues,” and I’d laugh, “Ohhh Mom, whatever.” But she saw it. And my dad, in his own way, saw it too.
I miss him, but I’m forever grateful that he took a moment to understand my passion and believe in me. Because of that, I get to live my dream every day. Thanks to them to the stars and back. ❤️
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hey there! My name is Marlowe Taylor, and I’m a Production Sound Mixer which, in my opinion, is one of the best job’s everrrrr (seriously, lol). I have the incredible opportunity to work on movie sets around the world, capturing the performances of actors and bringing their voices to life so that you, the audience, can fully immerse yourself in the story the Director and Actors want you to enjoy,
My journey into sound started with DJing, which then led me into studio engineering and eventually owning my own professional Facility Studio76. I became fascinated with the art of recording voices, learning how different microphones shape sound, how to enhance a voice’s tone, and how all of this supports the cinematic experience on screen.
What I Do & Why It Matters:
Sound is an invisible medium you can’t see it, but you feel it. It carries 50% of the power of any scene you watch! My job is to capture the best sound possible, whether it’s dialogue, ambient tones, footsteps, or action sequences. Every detail matters. With today’s fast-paced productions, remote locations, and large ensemble casts, I rely on the right tools just like a mechanic needs the perfect wrench to get the job done correctly. But beyond the gear, I believe in bringing a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and lots of laughs to set, because a happy sound team helps create a smooth running production.
What Sets Me Apart:
I think what makes me different is my openness to learning, my love for the craft, and my deep appreciation for this career. My background in studio recording gave me a strong technical foundation, and my education combined with guidance from my incredible mentor, John L. Butler helped me build a blueprint for success. I never take this career for granted, and I’m always striving to grow, improve, and collaborate with the amazing professionals in my field, Oh, and yes, I get plenty of sound nerd confirmations about the latest equipment and gadgets that help make our job run smoother.
Proud Moments & The Academy:
One of my greatest honors is being a member of the Cinema Audio Society (CAS) and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences(AMPAS), where I not only get to vote on the CAS Awards and the Oscars, but also had the incredible privilege of being a presenter at the 57th Annual CAS Awards Held in Los Angeles! What an unforgettable and prestigious moment to be asked to present and celebrating the best in sound, alongside some of the most talented professionals in our industry.
But beyond the prestige, the real reward is being part of a global community of sound professionals who exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and push the craft forward. The film industry is constantly evolving, and as Production Sound Mixers, we stay ahead by adapting, innovating, and capturing the best possible sound to support the moving image.
Solving Sound Challenges On Set:
A huge part of my job is fixing sound issues before they become problems. Whether it’s a rustling leather jacket, a squeaky chair, or noisy floors interfering with dialogue, I’m always listening for distractions. By choosing the right mics during rehearsals, I can troubleshoot before the cameras roll and deliver a clean, balanced mix for production.
At the end of the day, being a Production Sound Mixer is one of the coolest jobs in the world. I get a front-row seat to the magic of filmmaking, capturing performances live, watching stunts unfold and things exploding and experiencing all the behind-the-scenes moments that bring a story to life.
And honestly… can it get any cooler than that? Its Truly Digital(aka means awesome) 🎬🎤🔥
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the most rewarding parts of being a Production Sound Mixer is when actors personally thank you with hugs and smiles or get excited to see you on another production. Sometimes, it feels like I just pressed record, but it’s so much more than that. The real reward comes when actors watch the film and realize how we captured their performance and emotion, it’s a win for the entire Sound department. That’s why I love my job!
Getting recognition and respect from A-list actors, referrals, and repeat hires from Producers and Directors is one of the most fulfilling feelings. But the greatest honor is being able to vote for the Oscars, supporting my fellow artists. A powerful example was working on Judas and the Black Messiah, where I mixed a pivotal scene that contributed to Daniel Kaluuya’s Oscar win.
I decided to capture the church scene in real time with the directors permission, there were 350 people chanting and cheering with the acting Cast on set. It was a risk, as it could’ve compromised the dialogue, but I trusted my team and my experience. The result was amazing! The sound was so immersive, it felt like being back in my childhood church with my mom. Daniel and the director thanked me, and I couldn’t have been prouder of my team for making that moment come to life.(see my photo of Daniel Kaluuya and the Director Shaka King at my Studio76 recording session)
It’s challenges like these that keep me inspired, knowing that I can capture the essence of a scene and enhance the storytelling through sound. It’s one of the many reasons why I’m so passionate about what I do.
If you haven’t seen this Film please check it out, we nailed the sound! Its So Digital (aka awesome)!!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One moment that really highlights resilience for me happened during the production of Fear The Walking Dead Season 8. There was a boat scene where the director wanted the actors to deliver their lines while speeding down the ocean with the engine’s roaring, all while being shot at by bad guys. Initially, the plan was to simulate the boat’s movement at the dock with special effects but that just lacked the authenticity the director wanted. And to top it off, we had added a child actor’s dialogue to capture, so I knew this was going to be loud, chaotic, and challenging!
To make things even trickier, the director and Script Supervisor was sitting right behind me on the production speedboat, while we are racing down the ocean alongside the actual scene and watching it on the monitors and listening to every bit of the sound mix. On top of that, we needed a walkie-talkie comm to send dialogue to the actors in real time and record it as well. Then, the wireless antennas for my receivers dropped into the water and stopped working. My team quickly sprang into action, grabbed the backup antennas from my sound trailer rig, and kept production moving. And Just when I thought we had it covered, two more actors were added to the scene, so I had to wire up additional equipment to my mobile sound rig, my heart was racing!
Despite all the obstacles, loud engines, a dead antenna, and last-minute changes my team and I pulled it off with no ADR needed and zero delay to production. It was almost seamless, with nobody even realizing the challenges we were overcoming. That’s teamwork. Later, we even got an article published about the authentic sound in that scene with Headliner Magazine in the UK. It was definitely a challenge, but that’s what makes it all the more rewarding when it all comes together!
So, I’ve built my reputation by always striving to provide the best sound on every film production even when I’m thrown a curveball. I’m incredibly grateful for my success, which is grounded in my daily work attitude and how I lead my sound team. I keep things upbeat, positive, and flexible, no matter what challenges or curveballs we face on set. We always strive to capture the best sound possible. A big part of my approach is laughter, smiles, and maintaining a healthy work environment, it’s all about fostering good communication and strong team ethics.
Some say my good luck comes from me wearing a Star Wars T-shirt every day (I just love them and dream of working on a Star Wars project someday!). It’s funny, but I truly believe having fun with the work helps me lead my team in the best way possible. I often have to remind myself that I’m the head of my department because, honestly, it’s so much fun I almost forget I’m getting paid for such an awesome job, Lets RollSound. Yeahhhh!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Rollsound76.com
- Instagram: MTSOUNDMIXER
- Facebook: Marlowe Mauly T Taylor
Image Credits
1= Judas & the Black Messiah Daniel Kaluuya, Marlowe Taylor & Shaka King at Studio76
2=Fear Walking Dead Zombie and Marlowe Taylor SoundMixer
3=Boat Scene
4=RollSound Mini R2Cart
5=Liam Neeson and Marlowe Taylor on set of “The MarksMan”
6=My Mentor Professor John Butler and Marlowe Taylor on set
7=Studio76 with DJ Mauly T
8= Headliner magazine cover Page