Sound Engineering Technician

Sound engineers are individuals who are responsible for setting up, operating and maintaining audio equipment such as mixers, amplifiers, microphones and other equipment for studios, concerts, radio and television stations. It is the responsibility of the sound engineer to ensure that the sound quality that is being produced and broadcasted is excellent. The sound engineer also repairs and services equipment that he or she manages. Sound engineers are tasked with recording and producing audio content and effects for movies, TV programs, commercials etc. while utilizing tools such as Adobe Audition. Sound engineers are the people who add sound effects to various movies in order to make them more interesting.

Let’s take a look at what being a sound engineering technician entails…

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

To be a sound engineer, you need a bachelor’s degree in audio production, sound engineering or any other related field. You can take a professional certification examination to get certified and recognized internationally E.g.  The Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), Certified Audio Engineer (CEA) etc. As technology continues to evolve, you also need to continue learning and updating yourself with new trends.

REQUIRED SKILLS

To succeed as a sound engineer you must have the ability to operate and service studio equipment. You must have problem solving skills, ability to communicate effectively, creative thinking capacity. You must have a deep understanding of various recording and editing software such as Wave Pad Audio Editor, Audacity and FL Studio. You also need to be an active listener in order to be able to identify errors that may be present in a particular record or sound clip. As a sound engineer you need to be able to set up studio equipment, adjust knobs and sliders during radio and TV production.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Your job responsibilities include operating, adjusting and monitoring audio equipment during recording sessions, concerts and other outdoor events. Your job includes setting up audio equipment before events start and disassembling them afterwards. You are also responsible for recording voice overs for commercials, producing records for various artists, mixing beats and voice overs to produce beats and servicing of complex equipment. Part of your job is to synchronize sounds, dialogue and action during a movie shoot or a TV program production.

EMPLOYERS OF SOUND ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS

The services of sound engineers are required in radio stations, TV stations, recording studios etc. In Nigeria companies like Silverbird, Cool FM, Channels Television, SoundCity, Urban FM and many others engage the services of sound engineers.

In order to succeed as a sound engineer, you must master the use of several audio equipment and software, and also have the ability to think outside the box in order to come up with creative ways of handling issues that may arise when you are carrying out your job.