Sound Engineering Technician

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Audio Engineer; Audio Operator; Mastering Engineer; Mixing Engineer; Mixing Technician (Mixing Tech); Music Producer; Recording Engineer; Sound Editor; Sound Engineer; Sound Technician (Sound Tech)

Tasks

• 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.
• Keep logs of recordings.
• Tear down equipment after event completion.
• Synchronize and equalize prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles.
• Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment.
• Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving.

Knowledge

• Computers and Electronics
• Customer and Personal Service
• Fine Arts
• Engineering and Technology
• English Language
• Communications and Media
• Production and Processing

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Active Learning
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Hearing Sensitivity
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Near Vision
• Auditory Attention
• Fluency of Ideas
• Selective Attention
• Written Comprehension
• Originality
• Deductive Reasoning
• Written Expression
• Category Flexibility
• Speed of Closure
• Flexibility of Closure
• Speech Clarity
• Problem Sensitivity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Perceptual Speed
• Control Precision
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Finger Dexterity
• Far Vision
• Speech Recognition