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Sound Engineering Technicians

Also called: Recording Engineer, Audio Engineer, Sound Engineer, Mixer

What they do:
Operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in sporting arenas, theater productions, recording studios, or movie and video productions.
On the job, you would:
  • Synchronize and equalize prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles.
  • Keep logs of recordings.
  • Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • computers and electronics
  • product and service development
Communications
  • multimedia
  • telecommunications
Business
  • customer service
Arts and Humanities
  • music, dance, visual arts, drama, or sculpture

Skills

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal
  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing
Ideas and Logic
  • order or arrange things
  • notice when problems happen
Attention
  • pay attention to something without being distracted
Hearing and Speech
  • recognize spoken words

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Persistence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Music or sound editing software
  • Avid Digidesign Pro Tools
  • Avid software
Video creation and editing software
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
Data base user interface and query software
  • Data entry software

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
high school diploma or
some college
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$46,750
per year, on average
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Explore More

See more details at O*NET OnLine about sound engineering technicians.