1 answer
Liam
Student
Gallup, New Mexico
1
Question
Asked
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What careers are available is sound recording technology?
I am a High School senior and I spoke with a woman at a concert who was doing the sound and the recording for the group performing. She said she had a college degree in sound engineering. I love music and the arts and I wanted to know what careers were available to me with a sound engineering backgroud. #soundengineer
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1 answer
Thomas Sutherland
Associate Continuity and Recovery Specialist, CBCP
207
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
"If you’re interested in starting a career in music production and you believe that you already have both the credentials and determination to work in the music industry, here are a couple of important jobs that you may be able to get into.
Record Producer
We’ve all heard of the title record producer. Also known as the music producer or track producer, this important person is in charge of overseeing and managing the entire production and recording process, whether it’s for one song or an entire album.
His job involves gathering musical ideas for the project, helping with the selection of cover songs or original material that will be recorded, hiring musicians, and closely working with the artists to improve their songs, lyrics, and arrangements in and out of the studio.
Audio Technician
An important person who ensures great sound quality is the audio technician, also known as the audio/live sound/recording/vocal/mastering engineer. He or she works with producers and artists to determine and create the desired sound.
The job involves working on the technical aspects of recording, which includes setting up audio recording devices, editing and mixing different sounds from multiple audio sources using mixing boards, testing and making basic repairs on recording equipment, creating copies of the recordings in other formats, and keeping backup copies.
Audio technicians are also in charge of setting up audio devices, doing sound checks, and sound mixing of audio (including speech and music) outside the studio, such as for music concerts, theaters, sports arenas, lecture halls, churches, and corporate events.
Recording Studio Manager
The studio manager basically oversees and manages the day-to-day operations of business in a recording studio. He or she may be the owner or a co-owner of the company, or an employee hired specifically for the job.
Although studio managers don’t seem to necessarily have advanced knowledge in the technical and artistic aspects of music, they do have to hire qualified engineers to run the equipment in the studio, and have good rapport with producers, band managers, and artists that they will be booking. They also negotiate prices and market the studio to prospective customers interested in renting out the studio.
Sound Designer
A sound designer’s role is to find and create recorded or live audio effects that will be used for a wide range of productions and multimedia performances. They carefully select and produce everything from spot effects (such as explosions) to atmosphere effects (such as traffic sounds) not only for TV, commercials, and theater plays, but also for animations and video games, which is why they’re also referred to as sound/special effects editors.
Sound designers work early on with the director, for script reading and the creation of the cue list based on their desired sound design for a particular production, as well as with other sound editors before filming begins or after the final picture edit has been approved.
Instrument Tech
Also known as an instrument specialist, the job of an instrument tech requires extensive knowledge in using, maintaining, and setting up musical instruments and other equipment for studio recording or concert tours and stage shows. They normally have specific specializations, so they can also be referred to as guitar techs, bass techs, keyboard techs, percussion techs, and so on.
If you’re considering becoming an instrument tech, you’ll need more than the ability to play the instruments. You have to have strong practical skills, good communication skills to be able to get along with others in the industry, and a special understanding of electronic systems and software, which you’ll be working with a lot during music production.
Sound Mixer
Not to be confused with the sound editor, the sound mixer basically manages the volume and sound quality of the audio being played or recorded, especially when more than one microphone is being used.
The job obviously involves technical knowledge in using sound mixing devices, each of which are designed for making different sound adjustments in real-time. A sound mixer is particularly helpful for live music productions, when there’s no chance of making sound adjustments before the audio is fed to a live audience.
Radio Broadcast Engineer
A radio broadcast engineer is responsible for setting up, operating, maintaining, and repairing broken sound equipment in radio stations. It’s overtime work that will require you to be on-call, especially since many radio stations have multiple shifts covering each 24-hour day of the week.
Skills required in being a radio broadcast engineer include being an expert in using broadcasting devices, including computer systems found in radio booths, as well as in editing audio recordings.
Digital Audio Editor
While there are digital audio editing programs, the music production industry often needs a dedicated employee who can operate it. Therefore, the job of a digital audio editor mainly involves making digital audio edits such as cutting, copying, splicing, mixing, cleaning, and adding effects to the recording session output.
Such responsibilities are sometimes included in an audio technician or sound engineer’s extended job description, but some music production companies still hire dedicated digital audio editors who can focus on the post-production while their sound engineer focuses on doing their job during the recording process.
Other jobs include composers, songwriters, voice talents, instrumentalists, music managers, and many others. Whatever it is, the secret to being successful in music production is to first appreciate the makings of music behind the scenes and then find what you’re best at. With the list above, we hope you finally have an idea about which one you’d like to be."
Record Producer
We’ve all heard of the title record producer. Also known as the music producer or track producer, this important person is in charge of overseeing and managing the entire production and recording process, whether it’s for one song or an entire album.
His job involves gathering musical ideas for the project, helping with the selection of cover songs or original material that will be recorded, hiring musicians, and closely working with the artists to improve their songs, lyrics, and arrangements in and out of the studio.
Audio Technician
An important person who ensures great sound quality is the audio technician, also known as the audio/live sound/recording/vocal/mastering engineer. He or she works with producers and artists to determine and create the desired sound.
The job involves working on the technical aspects of recording, which includes setting up audio recording devices, editing and mixing different sounds from multiple audio sources using mixing boards, testing and making basic repairs on recording equipment, creating copies of the recordings in other formats, and keeping backup copies.
Audio technicians are also in charge of setting up audio devices, doing sound checks, and sound mixing of audio (including speech and music) outside the studio, such as for music concerts, theaters, sports arenas, lecture halls, churches, and corporate events.
Recording Studio Manager
The studio manager basically oversees and manages the day-to-day operations of business in a recording studio. He or she may be the owner or a co-owner of the company, or an employee hired specifically for the job.
Although studio managers don’t seem to necessarily have advanced knowledge in the technical and artistic aspects of music, they do have to hire qualified engineers to run the equipment in the studio, and have good rapport with producers, band managers, and artists that they will be booking. They also negotiate prices and market the studio to prospective customers interested in renting out the studio.
Sound Designer
A sound designer’s role is to find and create recorded or live audio effects that will be used for a wide range of productions and multimedia performances. They carefully select and produce everything from spot effects (such as explosions) to atmosphere effects (such as traffic sounds) not only for TV, commercials, and theater plays, but also for animations and video games, which is why they’re also referred to as sound/special effects editors.
Sound designers work early on with the director, for script reading and the creation of the cue list based on their desired sound design for a particular production, as well as with other sound editors before filming begins or after the final picture edit has been approved.
Instrument Tech
Also known as an instrument specialist, the job of an instrument tech requires extensive knowledge in using, maintaining, and setting up musical instruments and other equipment for studio recording or concert tours and stage shows. They normally have specific specializations, so they can also be referred to as guitar techs, bass techs, keyboard techs, percussion techs, and so on.
If you’re considering becoming an instrument tech, you’ll need more than the ability to play the instruments. You have to have strong practical skills, good communication skills to be able to get along with others in the industry, and a special understanding of electronic systems and software, which you’ll be working with a lot during music production.
Sound Mixer
Not to be confused with the sound editor, the sound mixer basically manages the volume and sound quality of the audio being played or recorded, especially when more than one microphone is being used.
The job obviously involves technical knowledge in using sound mixing devices, each of which are designed for making different sound adjustments in real-time. A sound mixer is particularly helpful for live music productions, when there’s no chance of making sound adjustments before the audio is fed to a live audience.
Radio Broadcast Engineer
A radio broadcast engineer is responsible for setting up, operating, maintaining, and repairing broken sound equipment in radio stations. It’s overtime work that will require you to be on-call, especially since many radio stations have multiple shifts covering each 24-hour day of the week.
Skills required in being a radio broadcast engineer include being an expert in using broadcasting devices, including computer systems found in radio booths, as well as in editing audio recordings.
Digital Audio Editor
While there are digital audio editing programs, the music production industry often needs a dedicated employee who can operate it. Therefore, the job of a digital audio editor mainly involves making digital audio edits such as cutting, copying, splicing, mixing, cleaning, and adding effects to the recording session output.
Such responsibilities are sometimes included in an audio technician or sound engineer’s extended job description, but some music production companies still hire dedicated digital audio editors who can focus on the post-production while their sound engineer focuses on doing their job during the recording process.
Other jobs include composers, songwriters, voice talents, instrumentalists, music managers, and many others. Whatever it is, the secret to being successful in music production is to first appreciate the makings of music behind the scenes and then find what you’re best at. With the list above, we hope you finally have an idea about which one you’d like to be."
couldn't have said it better myself
Scott Rosen