Audio engineering careers require versatility and adaptability to work in various sound formats and applications, including recording, mixing, live sound, video game sound effects, and web enhancement. Engineers use multitrack recorders, mixing boards, microphones, and effects to capture and manipulate audio. Patience and diplomacy are essential qualities, and engineers must ensure satisfactory sound quality for the customer. Live sound engineers set up PA systems, speakers, microphones, amps, and effects.
Audio engineering careers require versatility and the ability to adapt to working in a variety of sound formats and applications. One day an engineer might be making an album for a great rock artist; the next day, he or she might edit a film score or mix a 120-piece classical orchestra recording of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Jobs in the field of sound engineering include things like performing live sound at concerts, producing radio and television programs, creating sound for video games, performing audio post-production, or even designing public address (PA) systems and recording studios. .
Recording and mixing engineers use multitrack recorders, mixing boards, microphones, and effects to capture and manipulate audio. Sound engineering jobs for recording or mixing engineers can include work for television and radio stations, advertising agencies, recording studios, movie studios, and internet production facilities. Recording and mixing engineers usually work under the supervision of a producer.
The engineer’s main job is to ensure that the sound quality is satisfactory to the customer. It often takes several tries and different approaches until the sound is right, so patience and diplomacy are important qualities for a recording engineer. An engineer should never lose his cool, even when tempers in the studio flare.
While many larger recording studios may employ one or two full-time engineers strictly for recording sessions and other engineers who specialize in mixing, most small to medium-sized studios expect audio engineers to be proficient in recording and mixing. For example, an engineer working on an album project for a record label or independent artist might be responsible for all aspects of production. These tasks include cutting the initial rhythm tracks, overdubbing vocal and instrumental tracks, adding effects layers, and putting together the final mix.
Other sound engineering jobs include working specifically in the video game industry, creating all the sound effects and musical interludes that make games more engaging and realistic. As Internet sound and video technology continues to advance, an increasing number of sound engineering jobs have become available to talented, web-savvy engineers who can enhance websites.
Live sound engineers can be found working behind the soundboard at local music clubs, or they can tour constantly with mid-level and big-time artists. At the local level, a live sound engineer usually covers all the bases: setting up the PA system, speakers, microphones, amps and effects, and running all the cables to the mixing board. In large concert halls and touring stage productions, there is usually at least one “front house” engineer who runs the main sound system and one or two monitor engineers who focus strictly on providing adequate sound levels for the performers on stage hear each other.
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