Audio / Sound Engineering

Introduction:

Audio engineering, a branch of Audio science, is a career for those who love music and wish to be a part of this industry. Audio Engineering is all about capturing sound, recording, copying, editing, mixing and reproducing sound using electronic and mechanical devices. It involves both production and post production tasks. Production part may involve everything from set-up to the actual recording. Audio engineers use a variety of devices to record even the slightest sound variations. Electronic mixing board (console board), which contains variety of switches, dials, lights and meters, is a vital part in audio engineering as it can control sound input while recording or editing. In the post production section, the recorded material gets polished or "morphed" into sound. Digital audio workstations, signal processors and sequencing software are the other integral components used in audio engineering.

An audio engineer is someone with experience and training in production and manipulation of sound through mechanical and digital means. Those who have studied any course in audiography and sound recording can become an audio engineer. They are responsible for the final sound that we hear in music, i.e in songs, background scores in videos, films, advertisements and so on. An audio engineer should possess a good ear for music and sounds just like a journalist should have a nose for news. They may sometimes be known as recording engineers and sound engineers, even though the latter are the persons who develop instruments for the audio engineers.

Audio engineering is one of the most popular and promising career in the modern generation that offers immense opportunity in the field of film, video production, sound broadcasting and advertising both in India and abroad. To be good in this field, lot of commitment and interest is required.

Eligibility:

To become a successful audio engineer, one should be well trained in any degree or diploma courses in audiography, sound recording, sound engineering and audio engineering. No specific educational qualification is required for a training in this field. However, for Post graduate courses in audio engineering one should have a bachelor's degree. Though not necessary, a basic knowledge in physics and mathematics will be an advantage for the audio engineers, as they have to under go many calculations such as reverberations of the room, calculating the delay time etc. More over the practical training will make the person good at audio engineering. Besides these courses, there are several online courses.

One who has the background in electrical engineering and fine arts can also pursue a career in this field. He should be expert in using various recording equipment such as Mixing consoles and Microphones. Signal processors, Tape machines, Digital audio workstations, music sequencers, speakers, preamplifiers, amplifiers are some of other equipment used by the audio engineers.

Job Prospects & Career Options:

Holding a diploma or degree in audio engineering is the first step for pursuing a career in this field. After successful completion of a course, one could find job opportunities in the field of movies, television, advertising and broad casting, live concerts, multimedia organisations, CD production, schools and so on.

Besides studios, audio engineers can also work on a freelance basis. As the audio engineering field is becoming highly competitive, those who have talent and specific skills can fare well.

Some of the career options in this field are :

 •  Studio Engineer
 •  Sound Recordist
 •  Broadcast Engineer
 •  Sound Editor
 •  Re- recording mixer
 •  Dialogue editor
 •  Music editor
 •  Sound effects editor
 •  Mastering Engineer
 •  Location sound Engineer
 •  Mix Engineer
 •  Foley Recordist /Editor
 •  Recording Engineer
 •  Sound Designer
 •  Pro tools operator
 •  Studio manager
 •  Programmer

Remuneration:

Audio engineering is one of the careers that bring recognition along with money. Depending up on the hard work and effort one puts on his work, he could get the money. Most of the companies may pay the remuneration around and above Rs10, 000 to their audio engineers. 

A recognized audio engineer can easily get his high salary from the industry. Abroad he may get an average of $18,540 as he starts his career.

Courses:

 »  Certificate Course in Audio Engineering
 »  Certificate Course in Audio and Visual Education
 »  Certificate Course in Sound Recording and Reproduction
 »  B.A. Audio Engineering and Digital Film Making
 »  Diploma in Audio and Video Production
 »  Diploma in Sound Engineering
 »  Diploma in Fundamental and Audio Visual Education
 »  Diploma in Sound Recording and Sound Engineering
 »  Diploma in Video Editing and Sound Recording
 »  Post Graduate Certificate Course in Audiography and Television Engineering
 »  Post Graduate Diploma in Audiography

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