There are a lot of different audio engineering jobs out there. If you are thinking about possibly pursuing audio engineering as a career then there are definitely some great areas in which you can work. I wanted to add this information since I get a lot of visitors asking me questions about building a career through audio engineering.
The Different Audio Engineering Jobs
Recording Studio Engineer/Mix Engineer
This is probably the most well known type of audio engineer. This is what I do and usually what most people think of when they think of audio engineering. Basically you’ll be running the Pro Tools rig, pushing the buttons and getting the tracks to sound amazing. This work can vary from working with Pop and Rock music to doing voice over tracking for commercials or TV shows. This is a great field to go into if you’re looking to be in the modern music game. Also these skills will help you if you ever want to get into producing.
Live Sound Audio Engineer
This is another really popular field in the world of audio engineering. You’ll be running the show, literally! This can vary from setting up and dealing with mic placements to running the board and making the production sound incredible. This type of work can lead to touring if thats something that interests you. For someone who toured a few times in my life I can tell you, touring is a blast.
TV or Radio Broadcast Engineer
This is a great gig and can lead to a really nice paying career. You’ll be apart of the audio team that deals with the sound production of TV or Radio. This can involve live broadcasts.
Movie or TV Sound Engineer
This can be another great job. It can vary from holding the boom stand during the filming of a TV show to winning on Oscar for sound design in a Movie. There is a lot of different avenues you can go in this field. If you love audio engineering and you love movies this is a very cool profession.
Post Production Engineer
Post production engineers deal with the editing, sound design and over dubbing ect… for TV, movies and radio. I included this as a separate category because this a specific sect of the TV, movie and radio business. Post production engineers are kind of like the mix engineers of the TV, movie and radio world. This is where some of the highest paid audio engineering jobs are.
These are just a few of the careers I could think of. Im sure there are many more. If you are interested in audio engineering then you should start researching which field would be best for you. Dealing with sound is a great job. I do it everyday and I couldn’t be happier. If sound is your passion then there are plenty of audio engineering jobs out there for the taking.
Getting a Degree In Audio Engineering
Audio engineering degrees are a relatively knew thing. It used to be a very specialized type of education that only a few schools offered but these days you can find an audio engineering program at most schools. Many schools will offer a BS in audio production or something along those lines but some will only by 2 year programs. Sometimes these 2 year programs may be more specialized and not as general. This is something to look into if you are sure of a specific field you want to get into.
When getting an audio engineering degree you’ll usually be in a program that will combine elements from fine arts, technology, music, broadcasting and electronics. Different Audio Engineering Schools have different programs but you’ll most likely be required to take classes on music theory, music history, communications and electronics along with the specific audio production courses. This is mainly so you will have a broad general knowledge of the field of audio engineering, sound design and audio production.
You’ll really have to research the schools in your area or the schools you are interested in to see the specific degrees and programs offered. The audio engineering world is so different that each school can sometimes take a completely different approach with their degree programs. Also I would definitely recommend ensuring that your school has some sort of job or internship placement program. The hardest part about this business is getting your foot in the door. If you’re going to invest in your education then make sure the school is going to give you a leg up when all is said and done.
When I was working my way up in the recording business these degrees and programs were definitely not as prevalent. Thats not to say they’re not important today. Seeing as a lot of these degrees are somewhat new you’ll want to make sure you do your research and that you will be getting a valuable education. The audio world is definitely changing and education and knowledge is always going to be a good thing. Taking the time to earn one the many audio engineering degrees just might be the right path for you and your goals.
Audio Engineering Schools
Audio engineering schools are everywhere. Pretty much no matter where you live there are schools that have an audio engineering program. When looking for the right school it is important to have at least an idea of what field of audio engineering you might be interested in. If you’re not sure you can check out Audio Engineering Jobs to get an idea of the different possible fields. Each schools program is slightly different and some schools may specialize in certain fields, so its good to at least have an idea.
Usually these audio engineering schools will give you a general education on all things dealing with audio production and sound design. You’ll learn how things work and the basic ideas of what goes into being an audio engineer. Using compressors, EQs, learning about the different mics and their uses. You’ll also most likely get some in depth Pro Tools training which is very important for an audio engineer in this day and age. You’ll also get hands on experience on the computer, behind the boards and with the different gear and microphones. This is definitely a valuable experience. Some audio engineering schools will also give access to the schools recording and sound facilities which is a very nice perk.
One of the best things that audio engineering schools help with is job placement after you’ve finished the program. Depending on your field these schools can usually get your foot in the door with an internship or entry level position. These can positions can be pretty difficult to get so any help is well worth it.
Going to audio engineer school is always up for a debate. Just like with any career, a degree doesn’t guarantee you anything. Some people may say you are better off pounding the pavement. Going to each recording studio you can find, begging to work for free, make coffee run errands, learn from the experienced engineers and work your way up. This is a great way to build a career also if you are driven like that. I personally don’t think either road is better then the other, its just a different way to go about things. I think it all comes down to what you learn and what experience you get. Studios are going to be looking for someone driven, someone who is ready to learn and someone who has at least a basic knowledge of pro audio and engineering. So whether audio school is your path or pounding the pavement and working your way up, make sure you have the passion for this industry. The music and sound industry is a tough business and no audio engineering schools are going to hand you a successful career on a platter.
