It is easier to understand how to get a job in production and engineering if one knows the nature of the work entailed. Production and engineering used to refer to two different aspects of the audio industry. While production is expected to perform duties commonly done in audio rooms such as dubbing, mixing, and creating sound effects, engineering is expected to take care of the equipments used in recording and other audio production purposes. There appears to be a blurring of the lines of distinction between these two aspects which has largely resulted to educational degrees and job positions that offer the two as a single track or function as that of an Audio Engineer.
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Duties of an Audio Engineer
Audio engineers will find work in any industry but have a special market in the entertainment industry. They are responsible for sound transmission and translation. They are the ones handling audio equipments such as mixing consoles, patch bags, audio monitors, microphones, dynamic processors, and many others related to the attainment of audio perfection. In a nutshell, an audio engineer will be responsible for setting up, getting sounds, recording, editing, mixing, and mastering.
Work Environments
Aside from the movie or music recording studios, audio engineers can find work in home audio stores or an auto store selling stereo equipments that can be installed in vehicles. They can also find work in sports audio, acoustic design for studios, audio for news and talk shows, game development, schools, live concerts, and many others.
More specialized job functions can be performed by audio engineers to command better pay. These functions however, will be required in audio production studios. Possible positions include Studio Sound Engineer who is the main person responsible for all audio recordings in the studio and who sees to it that the final product complies with the required specifications; the Mastering Engineer who performs the final editing of the product; and the Live Stand Engineer who is responsible for finding the balance between voice and sound of instruments. Mastering Engineer should have a complete knowledge of audio engineering while a Live Sound Engineer must possess excellent knowledge of electronics and acoustics to make performances such as those done by live bands great and exciting. Other possible jobs include Broadcast Engineer, Post Production Engineer or a Studio Manager or owner.
Getting a Job in Audio Production and Engineering
The work of an audio engineer involves the use of various artistic areas such as music, acoustics, and psycho-acoustics, as well as vocational areas including electronic, and digital production. Because of the need for an audio engineer to be a specialist in a skilled trade while being knowledgeable in different types of recording media, it is necessary for them to undergo formal training.
Audio engineers are also often referred to as Sound Engineers, Sound Mixers, Audio Technologists, Sound Technicians, and Audio Technicians in an attempt probably to better represent the particular duties of a specific audio engineering position. Aside from education which can come from college coursework or through certified programs offered in vocational schools, previous work experience is one of the deciding factors for employers to hire an applicant. Passing a certification exam provided by the industry is an advantage although not a requirement.
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Landing a good job in the field would necessitate having strong industry contacts. These contacts may refer audio engineers to end clients who can make use of their particular expertise. Finding a long-term career starts in knowing how to get a job in audio production and engineering.
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