Studio Sound Engineers

STUDIO SOUND ENGINEERS

What is the work like?

Sound engineers in recording studios make high quality recordings of music, speech and sound effects. They use complex electronic equipment to record sound for:

commercial music recordings
radio, TV, film and commercials
corporate videos
websites
computer games and other types of interactive media.

As a sound engineer your work would involve:

planning recording sessions with producers and artists
setting up microphones and equipment in the studio
setting the right sound levels and dynamics
operating equipment for recording, mixing, mastering, sequencing and sampling
recording each instrument or item onto a separate track
monitoring and balancing sound levels
mixing tracks to produce a final ‘master’ track
logging tapes and other details of the session in the studio archive.

With experience, you might also act as studio manager.

What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

To become a studio sound engineer, you will need a good knowledge of music and recording technology, and you will also find it useful to understand physics and electronics. Many sound engineers start by taking a music technology course at college or university, to develop their skills before looking for work in a studio.

You could also start as an assistant or ‘runner' in a recording studio. As a studio runner you would carry out basic routine jobs, but you would also get the chance to learn how to use studio equipment and assist on sessions.

When you are looking for your first job, you will find it helpful to have practical experience of using studio equipment. Taking a music technology course can help with this, and you could also build up your experience through activities like:

community music or DJ projects
hospital or community radio
mixing and recording music in a home studio.

You may increase your chances of finding work by taking a course such as:

City & Guilds 7503 Certificate/Diploma in Sound and Music Technology
BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Music Technology
foundation degrees, HNCs/HNDs or degrees in sound engineering, audio technology, music technology or music production.

Check with colleges or universities for course entry requirements. See the Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS) website for a list of accredited courses.

What further training and development can I do?

You will usually develop your skills on the job once you are working in a studio.

You should keep up to date with changes in audio technology and equipment throughout your career. See the soundengineer.co.uk and Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) websites for links to private training companies and colleges offering short courses in technical skills such as sequencing, mastering, editing and recording.

With experience, you could also choose to take further qualifications such as BTEC Level 5 Professional Diplomas in Audio Recording or Sound Studio Management.

You may help your career by joining professional bodies like APRS, PLASA or the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers (ISCE). Membership benefits usually include networking opportunities and advice services.

If you want to move into sound for television and film, you can also take short courses to develop your skills in this area. See Skillset's website for a database of media courses, including training for sound engineers.

What salary and other benefits can I expect?

Starting salaries can be around £14,000 and £16,000 a year.
With experience, this can rise to between £20,000 and £40,000.
Freelance earnings can be higher or lower, depending on reputation and how much work is available.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

What are the hours and working conditions?

You should be flexible about your working hours, which are often long and irregular. Hours may include evenings, nights and weekends, whenever artists and producers are available.

You would mainly work indoors in recording studios. Conditions can vary – some large commercial studios may be large and air-conditioned, but many small, windowless and can be crowded.

What skills and knowledge will I need?

You will need:

good hearing, for distinguishing sound quality
a good sense of pitch, timing and rhythm
a knowledge of electronics and acoustics
good practical skills
patience
a keen interest in music and sound
the ability to cope with long hours and tight deadlines
good communication and ‘people’ skills.

What opportunities are there?

You could work full-time for a recording studio, or you could be self-employed and work on short-term freelance contracts. Freelance work is very common.

Most of the major studios are based in and around London. There are smaller studios throughout the UK, where most of the work involves recording ‘demos’ for local bands, creating commercials for local radio stations and copying CDs.

There is strong competition for work. Jobs are not often advertised, so you will need to be persistent and show initiative to get into the recording industry. People often start off by working for free to make contacts and ‘get their foot in the door’.

With experience, you could specialise in areas like mastering, or you could become a producer after building up a reputation with a number of clients. You could also choose to start your own recording studio.

Where can I go for more information?

Skillset

Focus Point
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB

http://www.skillset.org

Professional Lighting and Sound Association

Redoubt House
1 Edward Road
Eastbourne
BN23 8AS
Tel: 01323 524120

http://www.plasa.org

Sound Engineer.co.uk

http://www.soundengineer.co.uk

Association of Professional Recording Services

PO Box 22
Totnes
Devon
TQ9 7YZ
Tel: 01803 868600

http://www.aprs.co.uk

Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers

PO Box 7966
Reading
RG6 7BP

http://www.isce.org.uk

Skillset Careers

Tel: 08080 300 900 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Tel: 0808 100 8094 for Scotland

http://www.skillset.org/careers

British Phonographic Institute (BPI)

Riverside Building
Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7JA
Tel: 020 7803 1300

http://www.bpi.co.uk

The above information is supplied by http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/

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