What is the work like?
As a sound engineer in a recording studio, you would make
high quality recordings of music, speech and sound effects. You
would use complex electronic equipment to record sound for
many different uses, such as:
- commercial music recordings
- radio, TV, film and commercials
- corporate videos
- websites
- computer games and other types of interactive media.
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?
You will need a good knowledge of music and recording
technology, and you'll 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 skills
before looking for work in a studio.
Music technology courses are available at various levels,
such as:
- City & Guilds 7503 Certificate/Diploma in Sound and Music
Technology
- BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Music Technology
- foundation degrees, BTEC 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) JAMES website for
information on industry-approved courses.
Alternatively, instead of taking a music technology course
before looking for work, you could start as an assistant or
‘runner' in a recording studio. Here 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 looking for your first job, you'll 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:
- community music or DJ projects
- hospital or community radio
- mixing and recording music in a home studio.
Customer service experience and good 'people skills'
such as teamwork and communication are also important, as you would
often be working in close contact with clients and artists.
What further training and development can I do?
You will usually develop your skills on the job once you're
working in a studio.
You should keep up to date with changes in audio technology and
equipment throughout your career. See the Professional
Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) website 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.
It may be helpful to your career to join a
professional body like APRS, PLASA or the Institute of Sound and
Communications Engineers (ISCE). Membership benefits usually
include networking opportunities and career advice.
If you want to move into sound for television and film, you can
take short courses to develop your skills in this area. See
Skillset's website to search for courses in TV/film sound
recording and post-production sound.
Where can I go for more information?
Redoubt House
1 Edward Road
Eastbourne
BN23 8AS
Tel: 01323 524120
http://www.plasa.org
Tel: 08080 300 900 (England and Northern Ireland)
Tel: 0808 100 8094 (Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
http://www.skillset.org/careers
PO Box 22
Totnes
Devon
TQ9 7YZ
Tel: 01803 868600
http://www.aprs.co.uk
PO Box 7966
Reading
RG6 7BP
http://www.isce.org.uk
Riverside Building
Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7JA
Tel: 020 7803 1300
http://www.bpi.co.uk
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning
adviser, call
0800 100 900 or
use our online
enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at:
www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries can be from £13,000 a year full-time
equivalent.
- With experience, salaries 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 would need to be flexible about your working hours,
which could be long and irregular. You may need to work
during evenings, nights and weekends, depending on when
artists and producers are available.
You would mainly work in recording
studios. Conditions can vary – some commercial
studios may be large and air-conditioned, but
many are small, windowless and can be crowded.
What skills and knowledge will I 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?
There are opportunities to work full-time for a
recording studio, although it is more common to work on
short-term freelance contracts.
Most of the major studios are based in and around London,
but there are studios in major towns and cities
throughout the UK.
Jobs are not always advertised, so you will often need to
contact studios directly for work. Once you were established,
you would often find work through word of mouth.
With experience, you could specialise in a particular
technical skill, become a music producer, or start your
own recording studio.
