Sound Technicians: Schools and Careers

Sound Technicians - Career Information

Sound Technicians are responsible for seeing to it that the sound that comes from a live or taped source is processed as clearly as possible. In order to make this happen, sound technicians operate control panels and direct the operation of equipment to regulate sound range, signal strength, and clarity. In many cases, the sound is recorded, copied, and/or edited. The sounds they process may include music, voices, and special effects and they do their work for a variety of commercial and entertainment purposes. Technicians also maintain and take care of their equipment. In today's working environment, sound technicians need a good understanding of digital sound and must be comfortable using digital software to produce and edit it. Among many other venues, technicians work at radio stations, production studios, sporting arenas, concert halls, and theaters.

There are many career paths that are closely related to sound technician. Some of the very similar professions include:

• Audio and Video Technicians: They are responsible for setting up and operating audio and video equipment for almost any type of application including meetings, conventions, concerts, sporting events, news conferences, plays, movies, and TV or radio broadcasts.
• Broadcast Technicians: They focus specifically on radio or television broadcasts, regulating the signal strength, clarity, and range of sounds and colors.
• Radio Operators: They transmit and receive communications regularly and also repair and test communications equipment.

Responsibilities

There are multiple duties of a sound technician, but they all work towards the same general goal: to make sure that the audio or sound that is picked up by microphones, amplifiers, and other equipment, is processed properly. When working on a performance, the technician handles the mixing board and adjusts the volume levels of the voices and the sound emanating from the various musical instruments. In this type of setting, the sound technician is responsible for assuring that the entire listening experience is pleasant and well-balanced. Technicians also make recordings of actors reading their lines. They will later merge the actors' voices onto the sound tracks of movies and television shows, often adding sound effects and music. In doing all these things, the technician's primary goal is to have the overall effect sound exactly as it should.

When recording music, sound technicians usually discuss the project beforehand with the musicians and producers. By fully understanding the type of sound and emotion the musicians want the final recording to convey, technicians can choose the proper equipment and arrange the microphones to achieve the desired effects. Before the recording, technicians need to properly set up the microphones and other recording equipment. During the recording, technicians monitor the sound through headphones. They do their work on consoles featuring a host of controls which allow them to balance, boost and mix sound. At times technicians are called upon to take existing music and re-master it; i.e., remove imperfections such as background hiss. As an important part of the recording process, technicians will typically keep logs of the recording session so that they can easily track who and what was recorded each day.

There is a wide variety of equipment used by sound engineers, although the primary tools are the following:

• Microphones are used to capture sounds such as voices or music.
• Mixing boards are electronic or computer consoles consisting of hundreds of dials, switches, meters, and lights. The meters and lights identify the sounds being recorded and how strong they are. As the music is being performed, technicians move the dials and switches to adjust the recording level, volume, and tone quality of each performer or instrument, in order to achieve the desired sound.
• Computers are to an increasing extent becoming the principal tool for sound technicians. Many mixing boards are becoming computerized. Also, a huge portion of a technician's job consists of editing after the recording is finished. In order to perform the editing, sound engineers nowadays rely almost entirely on computer-based software programs.

Following is a list of some of the other duties that sound technicians need to carry out on a regular basis:

• Servicing, maintaining, and repairing sound equipment
• Making corrections in microphone placement and use
• Testing equipment to suit the acoustics of a location
• Making copies of original sound recordings
• Training other crew members as required

Job Characteristics

Work hours for sound technicians sometimes follow a set schedule but often tend to be sporadic and irregular. Technicians who work in recording studios usually have to adjust their schedules to accommodate the artists they are recording. A typical workday often starts very early and ends late and there is a good deal of weekend work required. The same is true for technicians working on motion pictures, who often must work long hours to meet contractual deadlines. On the other hand, most sound technicians work indoors in pleasant surroundings most of the time. There is occasional work outdoors at concerts or similar events requiring the use of microphones.

To be a good sound technician, an individual needs a very sharp ear as well as a healthy dose of creativity. An interest in electronics and information technology skills are other valuable traits for success in the profession. It is also important for technicians to possess manual dexterity. Those with an aptitude for working with electronic and mechanical equipment have a distinct advantage in the occupation.

Employment Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (USDL BLS) projects employment of sound technicians to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations over the next decade. An expanding market, both foreign and domestic, for American movies and music will stimulate demand for sound technicians. In like fashion, the continued growth of music videos and made-for-TV movies should contribute to the demand. Sound technicians will also be needed to satisfy the growing demand for products and services offered by cable and satellite companies. Job growth may be restrained somewhat by the trend towards consolidation of ownership of radio and television stations, which may mean fewer technicians providing support to more stations. Another mitigating factor in job growth is the influx of labor-saving technical advances such as computer-controlled programming.

Candidates for entry-level jobs as sound technicians in major metropolitan areas are expected to face stiff competition, due to high pay and a large number of qualified jobseekers available in these markets. Job prospects for entry-level positions are expected to be much better in smaller cities and towns.

Sound Technician Schools, Certification, and Licensing

The minimum education requirement to become a sound technician is a high school diploma or GED equivalency. In practical terms, however, a candidate for this profession should also obtain some type of postsecondary training. At least one year of vocational or college training in broadcast technology or electronics is highly recommended. Ideally, candidates should consider pursuing an Associate of Science in Audio Technology or Audio Production from a two-year community college.

Certification is not required but it can act serve as a valuable credential to establish recognition of experience and competence in the field. There are several certifications available to sound technicians. The Society of Broadcast Engineers awards some of the most widely respected. Other certifying organizations include Avid Technology, Inc. and the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies. Most of these certifications require candidates to take and pass a qualifying examination.

Resources

• Audio Engineering Society
• Society of Broadcast Engineers
• National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET)
• Avid Technology, Inc.
• Audio Check
• Sound Studio and Audio Calculations
• The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)
• SoundWave

Major Employers

Although about one in ten sound technician is self-employed, the majority of them work for one of the following employers:

• Sound recording studios
• Radio and television stations
• Movie and video production companies
• Performing arts companies
• Religious organizations

Television and radio jobs for sound technicians are available throughout the country, although there tend to be more opportunities with local stations in small cities and towns. On the other hand, music recording studios and motion picture production companies are usually concentrated in major cities, primarily Los Angeles and New York City.

Schools for Sound Technicians are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Sound Technicians by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Sound Technicians, along with salary data by industry.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.