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Joshua
Student
Byron, Georgia
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Questions
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In a career like Sound Engineering, what exactly do you do on a normal day to day basis
My name is Joshua Spurgeon and I am currently a Bamberg, SC Job Corps student. I have a very creative mind and I enjoy creating #audio-engineering #audio
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Paul Bordenkircher
Audio Engineer
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Las Vegas, Nevada
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Paul’s Answer
Hi Joshua. First off, your question needs clarification because there are several different major areas of sound engineering. The first major type is being a true engineer, with something like an electrical engineering degree. These people would be responsible for the design and building of electronic components, such as microphones, speakers, audio interfaces, etc. The second major area would be a technician (where the term "engineer" is really a misnomer), who operates this type of equipment. Within this second area are at least two major areas: one is studio recording, and the other is live event production.
In studio production it once again can vary, based on the type of business. Audio for an advertising agency would look very different than working at a music production studio. The major difference between these two would be that an audio agency would likely be a Monday-Friday, 8-5 type job. Music studio could be any hours any time of the day or night. I once did 98 hours in one week in a studio, and that wasn't even close to the most anyone ever worked!
Live event production can also have these major differences. I work in Las Vegas, so here are a couple of quick examples. For one example, working on a show on the Las Vegas strip has a pretty regular schedule - typically 5 nights a week, with a set in and out time. But you can also work conventions, which can be anything from quilters to major automotive shows. This type of work is not steady - you effectively get "fired" from a job when the convention is over - but has very high-income potential. The number of hours and time of day can be anytime. It's not uncommon for people to work 60 hours a week, oftentimes more. But it's highly flexible, and if you want to take time off, you say "no" to the work that's offered to you.
Hope that helps.
In studio production it once again can vary, based on the type of business. Audio for an advertising agency would look very different than working at a music production studio. The major difference between these two would be that an audio agency would likely be a Monday-Friday, 8-5 type job. Music studio could be any hours any time of the day or night. I once did 98 hours in one week in a studio, and that wasn't even close to the most anyone ever worked!
Live event production can also have these major differences. I work in Las Vegas, so here are a couple of quick examples. For one example, working on a show on the Las Vegas strip has a pretty regular schedule - typically 5 nights a week, with a set in and out time. But you can also work conventions, which can be anything from quilters to major automotive shows. This type of work is not steady - you effectively get "fired" from a job when the convention is over - but has very high-income potential. The number of hours and time of day can be anytime. It's not uncommon for people to work 60 hours a week, oftentimes more. But it's highly flexible, and if you want to take time off, you say "no" to the work that's offered to you.
Hope that helps.
Thank you for this. I was wanting to work a a bit in the studio production aspect of it
Joshua
Studio production can split into multiple areas as well - a radio station, advertising agency, or professional recording studio. Bad news, professional studios are almost nonexistent- fact is that over 90 percent of major recording studios closed in the last 20-30 years. That means a lot of unemployed audio engineers with a lot of experience (myself included). So it's an incredibly difficult road to go.
Learn smaller, home and portable studio systems. Next, focus on a genre or subgroup of music. Then, pick a market (a city) and network within that market for music. Work with them, and let them get to know you and your skills. Meet the right people, and a path will probably open up for you. Good luck!
Paul Bordenkircher