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Sound Engineering Technicians

Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.

What you’d do

  • Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
  • Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
  • Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
  • Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
  • Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.
  • Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.
  • Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones.
  • Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Operation and Control

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • Audio Engineer
  • Mixing Engineer
  • Recording Engineer
  • Sound Engineer
  • Audio Operator
  • Mastering Engineer

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