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If you like it its fun but it can be hard as a job.

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Is it hard or easy to find a job as a sound engineer? 

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Is it hard or easy to find a job as a sound engineer? 

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Its hard to find a job as a sound engineer.

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Is it hard to find a job as a sound engineer?

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Answer (1 of 3): It is incredibly difficult to find a job as a sound engineer. There are very few traditional "sound engineering jobs" as it is, and most of them are incredibly competitive and attained through networking. Depending on what you want to do, there are a couple of routes you can tak...

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What training do you need to become a sound engineer?

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What training do you need to become a sound engineer?

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A sound engineer will need A high school diploma and an associate degree from a community college.

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Motivational speakers encourage with speeches, video game designers evoke worlds with environmental sounds and musicians wow with entertainment. But this ear stimulation also requires the efforts of sound engineers, who manage the technology that processes and amplifies audio. These technical professionals must be familiar with sound theory and how to operate control boards, which they can learn through specific training.

Sound engineers are also known as audio engineers, mixers, sound technicians and mixers. Although some may be hired with a high school diploma or equivalent, they typically require a postsecondary education up to an associate degree, which is available from technical schools or community colleges. The audio engineering program at Western Iowa Tech Community College is one example of a two-year course of study. It includes subjects on sound theory and audio principles, computers, sound production, audio electronics, math and the use of equipment. Training occurs in classrooms and recording studios.

As part of their education, newly hired engineers are also trained on the job, if only to learn the equipment specific to their employer and company standards. They typically work with more experienced technicians to gain skills. However, some employers may provide formal apprenticeship programs. On-the-job experience focuses on technology and procedures. Technicians learn such skills as how to set up cables and microphones, what sound levels to use on mixing boards and how to set up recording sessions.

Certification

While voluntary, certification is available from such national organizations as the Society of Broadcast Engineers. It documents educational levels and competence to industry standards, and can enhance job opportunities and increase salaries. The Society of Broadcast Engineers is just one national organization that offers widely recognized credentials. Among its many levels of certification is Certified Audio Engineer, which mandates a minimum of five years of related, full-time experience as the main qualification. Each year of technical education substitutes for a year of experience, so an associate degree equals two years. Applicants must then pay a fee and pass an exam.

Sound engineers earned a mean $56,110 per year, or $26.98 per hour, as of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labors Statistics. Their biggest employers were industries involved with motion picture and video, sound recording, and radio and television broadcasting. Architectural, engineering and related services provided the highest wages, averaging $80,800 per year, or $38.85 per hour. The BLS predicts that jobs for the profession will increase by 1 percent, which is lower than the 14 percent predicted for all occupations. The low numbers are due to consolidation in industries that use sound engineers, and technology that allows one technician to do the work of several.

Photo Credits

Creatas/Creatas/Getty Images

About the Author

Aurelio Locsin has been writing professionally since 1982. He published his first book in 1996 and is a frequent contributor to many online publications, specializing in consumer, business and technical topics. Locsin holds a Bachelor of Arts in scientific and technical communications from the University of Washington.

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Sound Engineering Education Level Requirements

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Sound Engineering Education Level Requirements. Motivational speakers encourage with speeches, video game designers evoke worlds with environmental sounds and musicians wow with entertainment. But this ear stimulation also requires the efforts of sound engineers, who manage the technology that processes and amplifies ...

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How much money does a sound engineer make? 

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How much money does a sound engineer make? 

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In the United States a sound engineer would make an average of $54,000 dollars each year.

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You would work in a recording studio

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A thin sheet of wood over which the strings of a piano or similar instrument are positioned  to increase the sound produced.

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You don'd need to have expensive equipment you just need a computer with a software program

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For those looking to begin a career in audio engineering, gear is the name of the game. Big, expensive equipment, pricey plugins, quality reference tracks, and a large time commitment can appear to place a barrier to entry into the audio engineering. However, by focusing on mastering a few skills and pieces of equipment, future audio engineers can establish themselves as skilled mixers without buying pricier kits.

A music software platform, reference tracks, plugins, and ear training are great resources available to any audio engineer. A student that masters these skills creates a solid foundation for audio engineering. Music software platforms provide a virtual studio to listen to tracks, use plug-ins and practice ear training. Reference tracks enable audio engineers to use existing work as a launch pad for their own work. Plugins give engineers the ability to modify and process audio. Refined listening skills guarantee that the resulting audio track is in line with what the engineer wants.

Music Software Platform

Most equipment you will need will come with a music software. A music software program like Apple Logic Pro will allow you to record and edit audio, use virtual instruments, audio effects, loops and patches. Logic Pro also offers mixing and mastering for your songs. The software costs less than $200. Using this software with a mid-range computer will give you the tools for recording and editing software you need to create a song.

Logic Pro X Certification courses are offered at IPR. The Institute of Production and Recording (IPR) is an Apple Authorized Training Center for Education (AATCE), intensive certification training in Logic Pro X. Logic Pro X instructors are Apple Certified Trainers, chosen to lead these courses because of their industry expertise.

The certification courses at IPR introduce students to the primary features and user interface of Logic Pro X. Students learn how to create audio and MIDI arrangements that will become their own production projects. Students also create songs using Logic Pro's array of virtual instruments, including Apple Loops and DSP effects. In-depth lessons cover MIDI and audio recording and streamlined editing and arrangement techniques. Advanced lessons include user defined key commands, automation, using external MIDI controllers, mixing, and creating final output.

Reference Tracks

Reference tracks are professional mixed, edited, and remastered songs and audio files used for comparison. They give audio engineers a baseline of sound that can be matched and personalized. These tracks can be found almost anywhere and cover an almost infinite range of different genres of music.

Reference tracks are a vital part of an effective mixing workflow. Referencing professional work allows audio engineers to emulate other work, as well as establishing a baseline for tonal balance. This allows the entire mix to come together.

When using reference tracks, it is key to listen critically. Comparing the audio engineer's track and the reference track allows them to understand balance and ensures that the engineer is on track to achieve the desired sound. Also, listen to the reference track from a macro and micro perspective. Sit back and listen to the reference track as a whole and then hone-in a specific track that you are looking to influence your work.

There are many software programs that will compare your songs to your reference tracks. Further, some music software will allow you to break a song into individual tracks, giving you a better ability to isolate sounds and instruments in your tracks.

It is also important to listen to reference tracks in multiple locations to determine audio quality. This is how many consumers of these songs will listen to tracks, so it is important to get their perspective by listening to them through different locations.

Plugins

Plugins are another vital tool in any audio engineer's kit. Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) use plugins that process audio in unique ways. Plugins are powerful tools that include many subcategories. Examples of plugin categories include dynamic plugins that control volume, delay, and reverb. Equalizers enable modification of part of the sound file, while compressors bring together the extreme highs and lows of an audio track. Lastly, autotune offers pitch correction.

Purchasing plugins can be beneficial, but it is important to master the initial tools that come with the software. A understanding of the basic plugins available for a DAW beats a library of hundreds of scarcely-used tools.

Ear Training

Listening is the most fundamental skill of an audio engineer and unfortunately, the most overlooked. Dedicated listening is a vital part of creating music: audio engineering is about making tracks sound good to the ear. It is nearly impossible to know if something sounds good without truly listening to it. Ear training and listening skills take time and is something an audio engineer will do over their entire career.

Mixing can become overly-focused on meters, equalizers, modulators, and dozens of other tools that try to make the sound better to the human ear. An engineer that mixes and produces with their ears instead of what is on the screen in front of him will produce far better material than someone who isn't actively comprehending what his ears are telling him.

Training one's ears to work well in the studio requires a mix of theory and practice. Experienced audio engineers can improve their ear training skill through exposure, but training is invaluable: arranging music as often as possible is a time-proven method for musicians to improve their listening skills.

Finally, t rusting one's ears is the best way to train listening skills. Mastery of music software platforms, reference tracks, plugins, and ear training are all great ways to improve an audio engineer's professional capabilities without breaking the bank.
Did learning about audio engineering tools interest you? IPR is an Apple Authorized Training Center for Education (AATCE) in Minnesota, which is intensive certification training in Logic Pro X. Logic Pro X instructors are Apple Certified Trainers, chosen to lead these courses because of their industry expertise. At the end of the audio production and engineering program, each student presents a portfolio - a selection of his or her best work to date. This serves as a demo reel for potential employers and clients - an audio resume with professional content that highlights the graduate's talent and skill. Contact us today to learn more about the audio production and engineering program and starting a rewarding career in the music industry. The audio production and engineering program at the Institute of Production and Recording is an occupational degree program designed to train producer engineers who are entrepreneurs, musically and technically creative, and proficient in modern recording technology and technique. Throughout the program, students are involved in hands-on exercises and real-world studio projects that enable them to apply their knowledge and refine their skills.

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Audio Engineering: Essential Tools for Beginners - IPR

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For those looking to begin a career in audio engineering, gear is the name of the game. Big, expensive equipment, pricey plugins, quality reference tracks, and a large time commitment can appear to place a barrier to entry into the audio engineering. However, by focusing on mastering a few skills and pieces of equipment, future ...

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Sound engineers put music and sounds into music and shows. They also work in recording studios to help musicians sound good.

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If you've always longed to work in the entertainment industry but prefer a more behind-the-scenes role as compared to actors, singers, and movie directors, you may want to investigate sound engineering as a potential career path.

Not only are sound engineers responsible for accurately and artistically placing music, dialogue, and sound effects in many of your favorite television shows and movies, they have the opportunity to work in a variety of roles on a wide range of interesting and one-of-a-kind film and video projects.

Other sound engineers can work to manage the sound of live theater productions or even installation art.

Read on to learn more about some of the job roles of a sound engineer to help you decide whether this is the right career for you.

Most sound engineers' duties can be split into two categories - production and post-production. On large projects, there may be multiple sound engineers, each handling a small piece of the puzzle on the production or post-production end, while those on smaller productions may handle everything from scoring to mixing and final editing.

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If you've always longed to work in the entertainment industry but prefer a more behind-the-scenes role as compared to actors, singers, and movie directors, you may want to investigate sound engineering as a potential career path.

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Sound engineering began when people started recording sound for movies. They started adding sound to film in the 1920's.

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The first recording devices were scientific devices used to capture and study sound waves. They were capable of recording voices and other sounds before the invention of the phonograph.

From about 1877-1950s, the music industry was pretty much based on phonographic discs. The Phonograph and Graphophone were available for purchase to the public, but the main market was to businessmen, court reporters, lawyers... people who needed to use recording technology to capture thoughts.

Improvements in Technology
Phonograph Era Improvements:

In 1924, the Columbia Company began experimenting with a new technology developed by Western Electric Company. They used electronic amplifiers, instead of an acoustic horn, to drive an electromagnetic cutting head, which resulted the invention of records.

As the radio became more popular, it became more people began purchasing record players with electric motors and amplifiers. Some of these had a built-in loudspeaker, others plugged into special radio sets.

Transcription recorders- later variation of basic electrical recording technology.

Edison developed his own version of this technology.

In the 1920s, people began recording sounds onto photographic film for movies.

Most early "talkies" used the "sound on disc" technology developed by Thomas Edison and Western Electric.

"Sound-on-film" became the standard way to record and reproduce sound in movies through the 1980s.

1968/1969- Ray Dolby developed hiss-reduction technology. It became the technology of choice for people interested in making copies of records for car players.

Sony introduced the "Walkman" in 1977.

Recording Technologies

Technology

Introduction

Description

Magnetic Recording

Introduced around 1899 by Vlademar Poulsen

It was an alternative technology and was little seen by the public, but it became increasingly used in studios. The 1st consumer magnetic recorders appeared around the same time as tape recording.

Tape Recording

Introduced in the late 1940s

Tape made cutting, splicing, rearranging and mixing easier. The 1st consumer tape recorders stole the market from magnetic recorders.

8-track

Introduced as after-market audio players for cars around 1958.

The 8-track was an American achievement in audio. It had poor sound quality, but it marketed on the simplicity of its use. It was invented mainly for use in car audio.

Cassette

Predated the 8-track by a year.

Cassettes were consider a cheap children's technology through the late 60s.

The "Carry-Corder" was a battery operated recorder/player that made low quality recordings in Mono. Cassette sales overtook 8-track in the mid 1970s and overtook LP sales in the early 80s.

Stereo Sound

1930s

Stereo Sound is the recording of music with 2 mics, amps and loud speakers to make a more realistic sound. The first stereo recordings were available in the form of reel to reel tape.

1800s

1896- Emile Berliner, in cahoots with Eldridge Johnson, began the Victor Talking Machine Company.

1899- Coin Operated Phonograph- Recorded some songs onto cylinders and put them into arcades. The public loved it.

1900s

The record industry was in decline before the downturn in consumer spending. At first it seemed like it was only competition, there were over 150 companies made records and record players by 1920.

Although early radios had poor sound quality, people were attracted to the programming and bought less records.

The record industry declined by half in the early 1920s, but stabilized for the rest of the decade.

1930s

In the early 30s, records sold in small numbers

When "talkies" came out, the motion picture industry used discs for a couple years before putting sound on film, so they bought recording equipment.

The record industry began to climb again in the late 30s.

Factors:

Gradually Improving Economy

Growing number in jukeboxes.

1940s

Portable record players appeared around this time. They were pretty much just a smaller version that with a handle that still needed a wall outlet.

World War II

During World War II, the entertainment industries were called to make music for troops.

U.S. Military sponsored the recording of standard 10 inch discs and "V-Discs". A V-disc was a 16 inch disc made of vinyl plastic. They held about 15 minutes of recorded material and could be shipped overseas without fear of breaking.

The Army experimented with magnetic recording for journalists.

1950s

The LP was much more expensive than 45 rpm discs because they were intended for albums.

The sales of the LP were helped by the success of broadway show tunes and mov ie soundtracks.

The record companies also helped with the sales of LPs. They discovered that when a song became popular, if they refused to sell it on a 45 rpm disc, people would be forced to buy the whole album.

In about 1955, small transistor radios appeared and became top sellers.

Columbia Company

Manufactured both cylinders and discs, because they weren't sure which would succeed in the industry.

Bought by the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Introduced 45 rpm discs for singles and the Long Playing (LP) record for albums.

Edison Company

The phonograph division of the Edison Company was the first to go during the great depression in 1929.

Victor Talking Machine Company

Bought by RCA during the great depression.

Introduced 45 rpm discs for singles and the LP record for albums.

Radio Broadcasting began in some parts of the United States around 1922.

In the 1920s, regular broadcasting began in many areas of the U.S. and Europe.

Radio Networks appeared, and began bringing in a profit on advertising. Radio companies spent a lot of money trying to create programs that were better than what was available on records.

In the early '30s, records sold in small numbers.

Petrillo's War- In 1942, James Petrillo, who was the president of the American Federation of Musicians, demanded compensation to musicians for records being played on the radio and in jukeboxes.

He called for a general strike, so no records were produced from the summer of 1942 to November of 1944, except for those intended for the war effort.

Before the tape recorder, musicians performed "live" in the studio. After the tape recorder was introduced, it became possible to edit sound after you were done recording and to make recordings that simply weren't possible live. Multi-track recording made it more common for different instruments, vocals and solos to be recorded separately, but then mixed together afterwards.

This caused a change in the trend of how music was recorded. Psychedelic rock used quite a few studio tricks to create new, exotic sounds in the l ate 60s. An example of a highly produced album is The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album. With all of the added effects, it was only slightly related to what they could play live. A newer example of a highly produced album would be Panic At The Disco's "Pretty Odd." They also added a lot of instruments and effects to their music.

Source:
www.recording-history.org
Contact:

jacobsmithstem@gmail.com

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The first recording devices were scientific devices used to capture and study sound waves. They were capable of recording voices and other sounds before the invention of the phonograph. From about 1877-1950s, the music industry was pretty much based on phonographic discs.