National
| Median wages (2008) |
$22.83 hourly, $47,490 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
16,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
7,000 additional employees |
27-4014.00 - Sound Engineering Technicians
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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Audio Engineer, Recording Engineer, Sound Engineer, Audio Operator, Sound Technician, Broadcast Engineer, Broadcast Technician, Master Control Operator, Studio Engineer, Dub Room Engineer
Tasks
- Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
- Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances; tear down equipment after event completion.
- Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
- Prepare for recording sessions by performing activities such as selecting and setting up microphones.
- Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.
- Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.
- Synchronize and equalize prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles.
- Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
- Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment.
- Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds later during the mixing or postproduction stage.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Attenuators — Audio filters |
| Audio mixing consoles — Audio compressors; Musical instrument digital interface MIDI sequencers; Noise reduction systems; Reverb devices |
| Equalizers — 1/3 octave equalizers; Channel equalizers; Peak equalizers; Shelving equalizers |
| Microphones — Condenser microphones; Pressure zone microphones; Ribbon microphones; Wireless microphones |
| Multimeters — Polarity checkers |
| Radio frequency transmitters or receivers — Wireless receivers; Wireless transmitters |
| Soldering irons or guns — Soldering irons |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Data base user interface and query software — Data entry software |
| Music or sound editing software — Avid Digidesign Pro Tools; Avid software; Musical instrument digital interface MIDI software |
| Video creation and editing software — Apple Final Cut Pro |
