Twenty Thousand Hertz He's Mixed SNL for 40 Years
40 snips
Oct 8, 2025 
In this engaging conversation, Robert Palladino shares insights from his impressive 40-year career mixing audio for SNL, discussing the evolution of technology from analog to digital. He reminisces about the rigorous week-long rehearsal process and the importance of his paper scripts. Meanwhile, Fred Hedemark, the newly appointed A1 mixer, opens up about stepping into Palladino's shoes and his journey to SNL. Together, they offer a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make the show's iconic sound come to life.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From Temporary VR To SNL Mainstay
- Robert Palladino started at NBC as a temporary VR hire during a busy broadcast year and never left the building.
- That short-term gig led him to mix The Tomorrow Show and eventually join Saturday Night Live in 1985.
How Stereo Led To New Roles
- Lorne Michaels pushed SNL to become full-time stereo and added a dedicated music mixing room.
- That shift created new roles and fundamentally changed how the show's audio was produced.
Change And Adrenaline Drive The Workflow
- SNL's constant script rewrites force audio to adapt on the fly through the week and up to airtime.
- This unpredictability creates high adrenaline and demands intense focus from the crew.