In the recording studio, high technology and the arts come together. With a community college or university degree or certificate in music production or recording engineering, you may have a lucrative and fulfilling career in the music business, whether you want to pursue a professional profession as a musician or use computer technologies to create music on your own.
Multiple career paths are possible for games, live sound, post-production for film and TV, network audio, and software development, to name a few.
Most music industry careers can be divided into two categories: performance and production.
- Performance careers include musicians, singers, and conductors.
- Production careers encompass all of the technical aspects of creating and recording music, from operating the soundboard in a live setting to producing albums in a studio.
A good understanding of performance and production is essential for anyone interested in a career in the music industry.
What jobs can audio engineers get?
Here are some examples of the types of jobs that an audio engineer might have:
- Mixing engineer: responsible for combining different recorded tracks into a single track, adjusting levels and EQ as needed.
- Recording engineer: responsible for operating the soundboard and other equipment in a studio setting to capture live performances or record albums.
- Mastering engineer: responsible for the final step in the recording process, ensuring that the tracks are ready for release.
- Live sound engineer: responsible for operating the soundboard and other equipment at live concerts and events.
- Post-production engineer: responsible for working on recorded audio for film and television, such as dialogue editing, sound effects, and Foley.
- Network audio engineer: responsible for designing and maintaining audio systems for broadcast networks and other organizations.
- Software developer: responsible for developing audio software applications, such as DAWs, plug-ins, and virtual instruments.
Who hires audio engineers?
Musicians perform music either as solo artists or as part of a group. For example, they might play in a symphony orchestra, a rock band, or a jazz quartet. Many musicians supplement their income by teaching music lessons. Conductors lead musical groups and ensure that the musicians play together in harmony. Singers use their voices to perform songs either with a band or alone. All of these need sound engineering.
Recording engineers and producers are responsible for capturing music performances and creating recordings. In the recording studio, they operate the soundboard, choose microphones, and adjust levels to get the best possible sound quality. They may also work with the artist to select the material, plan the sequence of songs on an album, and oversee the recording process.
Mixing engineers create the final sound mix for recordings and live performances.
Mastering engineers prepare finished recordings for duplication and distribution.
Live sound engineers are responsible for setting up and operating audio equipment in live settings such as concerts, sports arenas, and conferences. They work with the performers to ensure that the sound is clear and loud enough for the audience. They also mix recorded music with live sound to create a more exciting experience for the listener.
Post-production engineers work in film and television studios and are responsible for adding audio effects and ambiance to dialogue, music, and sound effects. They may also create entire soundtracks for films and TV shows.
Network audio engineers work in radio and television stations and are responsible for the quality of the audio signal that is broadcast over the airwaves.
Software developers create the applications that we use to create and listen to music. They design the user interface, write the code, and test the software to ensure that it is easy to use and meets the customer’s needs.
Sound engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in audio engineering or a related field. Some positions, such as producer or recording engineer, may require experience in the music industry. Most sound engineers start out working in smaller studios or as part of a live sound crew and then move on to larger facilities as they gain experience. Some eventually open their own studios.
Are sound engineers in demand?
Overall employment of broadcast, sound, and video technicians is projected to grow 21 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 18,000 openings for broadcast, sound, and video technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Just take a look at the video game industry and its sound importance in games such as Fortnight. According to the teens who play it, having the ability to “hear” competitors coming is key.
What does a video game audio engineer do?
The audio engineer is responsible for adding realism to the in-game world with sounds. Every game has its own reality and identity, and the audio engineer needs to be able to understand and encapsulate the game’s essence in the audio they produce.
Some audio engineers work on the development team of a specific game title. In contrast, others may be freelance and work on many different games—some work in post-production, creating audio for video games that have already been released.
The audio engineer needs to understand how sound works and how it travels through space. In addition, they need to know how to create realistic and believable sounds yet still fit within the game’s world.
In addition to creating sounds, the audio engineer is also responsible for mixing and editing them. This includes adding effects such as echo and reverb and making sure all of the sounds are balanced and can be heard clearly.
The audio engineer works closely with the game developers and other audio team members to ensure that the game’s sound is of the highest quality possible. They also need to be able to communicate effectively with other members of the development team, as they will often need to ask for input on various aspects of the game’s audio.
What jobs do sound engineers have?
In conclusion. sound engineers have many opportunities to secure employment in a number of different industries as they have the unique responsibility of creating high-quality sound by mixing and editing audio. Again, this can include music, sound effects, and dialog for film, games, and live performances.