sound engineer career

Read profiles of practicing engineers in the I'm An Engineer section and ask someone a question directly, or submit a question here to have EngineerGirl staff try to find the right person to answer you.. We cannot give you actual engineering advice. Sound engineers run live shows like concerts and plays, record and produce in the studio, and work sound systems for radio, TV, and film crews. If you could describe in one word what makes you successful, what would it be? How can I apply for 2020? We use ACS custom molds. They work on the production of movies, music recordings, live shows, or video games.They sometimes work under the job titles "sound engineering technician" and "audio equipment technician." Hey, what do you think about, real quick, trying our new Music Career Finder Music Career Finder? Here you can ask those questions you still have about engineering careers. Live sound engineer Alternative titles for this job include Audio engineer. In most cases, really need a specific education for this job. Current opportunities. Even though it can be hard, don’t think you are too good for anything. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised. His work as an audio professional has been written up in FOH Online, Sound & Vision, and Martin Audio. The salary range for Sound Technicians runs from $25,000 to $69,000. 4 Song Structure Types You Need to Know & When to Use Them, How to Write a Song: A Simple Step-by-Step for Beginner Songwriters, Singing Advice for Beginners: Top Vocal Coaches on Learning How to Sing, Home Recording Studio Setup: How to Build Your Dream Home Studio, Best USB Microphones (2021) for Home Studio Vocal Recording, Best Audio Interfaces for Home Music Recording in 2021. post made realize that it's not just the money or fame that matters; I have to love what I'm doing to be successful! Chris Thoms, Production Manager at London’s famed Ministry of Sound club has extensive experience as a Sound Technician. Be able to problem solve and work quickly because sound engineers tend to work on tight schedules. If they’ve not made a move within a couple of months then it’s time to move to the next gig…If they want you, they’ll call.”. Find out if you could start working with someone who already does it and learn from them. To become an electrical engineer, you should enjoy working with electricity and electrical devices since that's most of what you'll be doing. “Be diverse. “Getting in for 9 am after you’ve been working nights at the weekend is always a bit of a stretch but does help get you into the rhythm of the week.”. Audio engineers use machinery and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects. Freelance Sound Technicians are paid per event. If you can’t string a sentence together, have the personality of a ham sandwich or you regularly say wildly inappropriate things in front of artists and corporate clients, then nobody will care how good at your job you are!”. We're looking for you. I got almost every job I’ve ever had by being in the right place and showing an interest – most places welcome shadowing, and even if you don’t have the experience they’d need to send you out on a job, they will notice that you are keen. Learn to understand what people mean even when they don’t make much sense. To become a sound engineer, find a sound engineer to watch, help out, and take any chance to work with sound equipment you can get. This feature will help you take charge of your RCL career by outlining your potential options. Do I need special schooling to be an audio technician? The degree might also be called Sound Engineering. You have nothing to lose. Where could I get a list of schools that offer sound engineering? I went freelance when I was 18 and started working in nightclubs, theatres, bars, recording studios and on live events as crew. Singers, Songwriters, Music Producers! Luckily, Ministry is one place where our downtime is actually respected, so we tend to work around 45 hours a week – with the weekend trading sessions taking up the bulk of the night hours. This includes personalizing content and advertising. It depends. It’s totally free and could help get your career moving fast! Yes. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Since there are so many different jobs that sound engineers can have, the range of internships may vary a lot. You may want to do some further searching, but here is a place to start:http://study.com/articles/Best_Audio_Engineering_and_Production_Colleges_List_of_Top_Schools.html. Sets up and uses soundboard and other sound equipment during concerts or performances, ensuring that levels are correct and the sound mix is right. What math and literacy is needed when I want to become a sound engineer? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Earning a degree may help you get a job as a sound engineer. This, "I am a sound engineer and going through this article, I agree with what was explained there. This tip will help me, because I want to become a sound engineer. What subjects do I need to study in order to get into a sound engineering university? This course of study may be helpful, but you will need more music training as well. “Do I need to wear earplugs? The choices of technology and products available can be degree in production or audio engineering. And be sure that the program you attend is well-regarded and has instructors with current, real-world experience. Good job! If you're still in school, focus on taking advanced math and science classes, as well as some art classes since they'll help you with drafting and design as an engineer. “Once you know a couple of desks you can very quickly learn others, and eventually, it really doesn’t matter what desk they give you (as long as it’s not an LS9, they’re just horrible),” he says. The salary range for Sound Technicians runs from $25,000 to $69,000. Don’t work for free forever either. Yes, Yes, Yes – get some high quality molded ones. The only education in sound I actually undertook was a Music Technology AS level which was pretty pointless – I ended up helping to teach the course because there was nobody qualified to run it, and I knew my way around Cubase fairly well! If classes are not an option, consider an electrical safety training seminar. If you ruin your ears on the job, then you’ll have to find something else to do for a living.”. Just swallow your pride and take the chance to help out and get some experience. While you can actively work on this, in some ways it is more of a personality trait than an issue of effort. What is one thing I should have asked which I didn’t? Thoms says, “I was a nerdy kid who was always into both lighting and sound and I have always had an interest in music and production. CareersinMusic.comPO Box 43562Las Vegas, NV 89116United Statescim_mail( 'info', 'careersinmusic', 0, false ); This site and your information are secure. There will come a time when you’ll need to start getting paid. Lots of churches have high quality sound systems and people who run them, so this is also a great place to go for an opportunity to watch. If you don’t like people and have a hard time working with others, this may not be the profession for you. Take the free test now Learn more about the career test What is the workplace of an Electrical Engineer like? A degree in production or audio engineering from a trade school or college can also help an aspiring Sound Technician learn the ropes. Hey, what do you think about, real quick, trying our new Music Career FinderMusic Career Finder? Many sound engineers have never gone to school for it, but have learned "on the fly" and through hands-on experience. Check in with your campus theater and see what they require for their sound people. Give it a try. Not all sound engineers mix new music tracks, but being able to do it will make you more versatile. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. “Your personality is the most important thing you can bring to the table. “They’ll be more interested in whether you bring half decent chat to the table, and as long as you know one end of an XLR from the other they’ll find something for you to do. After learning the necessary technical skills to work the soundboard, how do you get a job? What is the question people should ask about this career but rarely do? Take the free test now Learn more about the career test What is the workplace of a Sales Engineer like? Sound engineers rarely get the credit for an amazing concert or great mix on a hit song, so don’t expect to gain fame through this career. If you have been tasked with setting up a sound system for a small band that wishes to reach an audience of 300 to 500 people, there are various elements, both strategic and technological, to consider. Is a certificate enough for sound engineering job? They work with the Club General Manager, Talent Booker, Production Technicians, Maintenance Team, the act’s Tour Manager and the musicians themselves. Staying current on your knowledge is vital. It's based upon how you control the sound of a music production or track, as well as regulating the acoustics of a room. Go out and talk to people who are currently working sound, and build those relationships. Advancement can also mean getting hired to work at a more prestigious venue. Some sound equipment is the same as it was years ago, but many other technologies are continuing to evolve. If you are likeable and easy to get along with, people will want to keep working with you. Career Designer is coming soon! All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Thoms suggests using online resources to further your education and skill set. The only way to get the necessary experience and skills to work as a paid Sound Technician is to get out into a nightclub environment and learn on the job. What is the importance of being a sound engineer? When starting off, he says, “If you’re freelance it’s very much gig to gig, if you’re in-house somewhere then it’s usually salaried with advancement taking place as you progress in your role or take on management duties” (such as his job as Production Manager). Things like “lead guitar,” “feedback,” and “normalize.” In music jargon, some words and phrases may have different meanings than you are used to. In some cases they also assist with lighting and special effects. What’s the #1 mistake people make when trying to get into this career? ), however, sound engineering mainly involves applying the knowledge you have about sound equipment and music and the skills you have in manipulating audio. In college, you also have some opportunities to get involved in running sound, even if you aren’t studying it. This article has been viewed 334,913 times. Once you’re through the door, don’t mess it up by being annoying, lazy or getting too big for your boots. Sound engineers run live shows like concerts and plays, record and produce in the studio, and work sound systems for radio, TV, and film crews. ", "To understand more of sound mixing and joining different sound levels. How can I get a list of sound engine schools? You should find fulfillment through the work itself and not through any accolades you might receive. Be helpful when the situation demands it, invisible when you need to be, and bring some good chat – you’ll probably be working some long hours, so it can’t all be about noise and lights. Resident Sound Technician, Audio Technician, Sound Engineer, Live Sound Engineer, FOH Engineer. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. “Similarly, the job is actually very little about knowing which buttons to press, or even technically doing the right thing all that often – the most important aspect is that you’re approachable, work well in a team and have the ability to put artists and clients at ease, and deliver their show confidently and professionally. I want to study sound engineering in SWGC. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. Thank you for your patience! wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. I’ve done lots of different jobs over the years, and grown my knowledge in several disciplines, which helps to set me apart from the pack a bit. We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. Their work is the finishing touch on the artist’s performance, guaranteeing that the music sounds good for both the performer onstage and for the people in the crowd. Can I become a sound engineer after completing b.com? Music technology, physics, math are all helpful for pursuing a sound engineer degree. You should be flexible, have strong people skills, and persevere through setbacks. Education isn’t for everyone, but there are some great courses out there these days, far more than when I was looking at uni back in the early 2000s.”. Are electronics involved in sound engineering? These degrees will tend to be a mix of music, business, and technical classes which serve to give you a well-rounded education in the field. % of people told us that this article helped them. You are responsible to drive innovation in product development, while relentlessly improving performance, scalability, and maintainability. Maybe they don’t want you in the way. “Be proactive, and take every opportunity to shadow, help out for free, just turn up and make the tea, whatever it takes to get your foot in the door. Very simple – we have a Nespresso machine in front of house.”. Get used to as much of the technical music lingo as possible. “We close at 6 am on Fridays and 7 am on Saturdays so those are usually 12-hour shifts, sometimes a little longer if we have to come in earlier for maintenance or for other events. If you are at a venue and you see people setting things up, ask if you can help. References Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 334,913 times. Learn more... Sound engineers may be known as recording or audio engineers. Sound engineers often work nights and weekends, because these tend to be the times that live performance events happen. If you cause drama, you are likely to be replaced. For more tips, like how to develop the qualities of a good sound engineer, read on! Yes. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. A typical degree might be an Associate’s or Bachelor’s of Science in Audio Engineering. You can be persistent and tell them you’ll do anything and won’t bother them. He has worked as a Producer, Engineer, and DJ at labels and clubs across England. The way sound is processed is based on principles found in electronics (ex. Sound Technicians who work regularly at a venue are salaried. Seek a program at an accredited university or college in sound engineering and obtain an internship to learn on-the-job skills. Freelance Sound Technicians are paid per event. Take our free career test to find out if electrical engineer is one of your top career matches. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Become-a-Sound-Engineer-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-a-Sound-Engineer-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Become-a-Sound-Engineer-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid23141-v4-728px-Become-a-Sound-Engineer-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"