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Cal Tyner

Tillery

Senior Project

October 12, 2011

Audio Engineering

Imagine waking up to a world void of melody or rhythm. Imagine if the world only

consisted of random sounds and noises, things would be dramatically different. Luckily, audio

engineering professionals prevent the deprivation of music on a daily basis. These particular

engineers are basically the creators, editors, and even performers of modern-day music. From

start to finish, audio engineers compile sounds into a mix (song), edit the mix, finalize the

product, and produce the albums. Furthermore, why is audio engineering important today? There

is a simple answer: without audio engineers our world would be empty of music; unappealing

sounds and noises would be the only audio that would fill our ears. Essentially, there is a demand

for audio engineers and technicians. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics,

the field of sound engineering is expected to grow by 8% by 2018 ("Broadcast and Sound

Engineering Technicians and Radio Operators” 1). So what makes a good audio engineering

technician?

Foremost, audio engineers must have a creative aspect about themselves. A sound

engineer does not see music as just music; but instead, sound engineers hear every instrument,

the BPM (beats per minute), the levels of each sound, and what could be done to enhance the

music further. In essence, sound engineers have a particular mindset to perform their job

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flawlessly. As stated by Baby Rani, “sound is the matter, which goes into our ears. It can be

music or the noise. Engineering is the art of mixing the live sound to make it attractive to the

human ear” (Rani 1). Therefore, sound engineers are expected to create appealing compilations

of sounds and effects. Another trait that is essential to the occupation is flexibility. During an

interview with Simon Kasprowicz, he was asked which traits were beneficial to someone striving

to be an audio engineer. He replied “This is such a difficult question… The main thing is to have

a good attitude, remain calm under stress and keep a smile on your face” (Kasprowicz 1). The

most important characteristic needed to become a sound engineer, though, is simply the love for

music. In order to perform the job well, there must be passion for the music. Continuing on, what

specific jobs do audio engineers perform?

As stated earlier, audio engineers must be flexible to succeed in the music industry.

For example, sound engineers work with “music projects, voice, sound and acoustic and

electronic complex systems,” and also, “work in multimedia and post-production facilities,

professional, commercial, or private recording studios, in technical theatres, in the broadcast

industry as engineers, in sound reinforcement, and as sound and acoustical consultants and

system engineers” (“Audio Engineer: Occupational Outlook for the Audio Engineering

Professions” 1). Basically, sound engineers have a wide array of occupations available, which

means versatility is vital. The occupation that has grown substantially over the past decade, in

relation to sound engineering, involves performance. Known as “dub step,” this new genre of

music is expanding rapidly and will continue to raise jobs for audio engineers. Subsequent to

the “dub-scene,” audio engineers can find jobs in the radio broadcasting industry, as well as in

the recording industry. Moreover, what qualifications are needed to become an audio

engineer?

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In today’s society, some form of degree or certification is needed to qualify for almost

any career position. Unfortunately, sound engineering remains in that category. There are

several prerequisites that are needed to obtain a degree in sound engineering, including being

able to play an instrument. According to Education-Portal.com, a student applying to become

an audio engineer must also have a high school diploma and be adept with computers and

technical equipment (“Sound Engineering Degree Program Overviews” 1). Of course, there

are the options of either two year or four year degrees. Essentially, the higher education

earned implies a better reputation and, therefore, a larger paycheck. To some, though, audio

engineering is not about the paycheck, it is about the love for music. Passion drives the

majority of choices people make every day, from making plans for a Friday night to choosing

a career. For sound engineers, passion for music is the motivation that drives them to create

enjoyable compilations of music each day. For example, at Berklee College of Music, classes

emphasize “artistic and professional excellence,” and students will “develop an informed and

critical aesthetic vision,” (“Music Production and Engineering Major” 1). It seems that those

at Berklee have a strong enthusiasm for music and sound production, which is quite relative.

Everyone has a choice of music, whether it is rock, country, rap, dub step/techno, bluegrass,

oldies, or reggae. Each genre contains acoustics, electronics, vocals, and effects, but many

overlook that aspect of music. Sound engineers differ from the norm, as they see music as a

compilation of sounds and they respect each sound individually. Black and white, sound

engineers are usually required to have a degree to be successful. The desire to create

appealing music for people is what really allows sound engineers to be successful, though.

Each profession requires tools to perform the job-at-hand, such as a mechanic using a

jack to remove a tire from a car. So what tools do audio engineers work with? Jacks and

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monkey wrenches? No, sound engineers work with a number of different instruments and

tools to make, record and perform music. Audio engineers, though, are similar to mechanics

in the sense that some jobs require a few tools to obtain a finished product and some jobs take

days, months, or even years to complete. There are a variety of tools that aid a sound engineer

in creating, recording and performing their productions. According to HowStuffWorks.com,

the tools needed include: amplifiers, microphones, cables, monitors, and mixing boards; and

“each of these items has specific functions that enable the sound engineer to control the

overall audio experience,” (Crosby 1). In brief, the mixing board and monitor are the main

controls the engineer uses during a performance, and cables, microphones, and amplifiers are

the tools that allow the audience to fully experience the performance. When sound engineers

are compiling and creating music, though, they still use some of the same tools used in

performances. For example, sound engineers “mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound

effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards,”

(“Science Careers: Sound Engineering Technician” 1). The main tool that is used on and off

stage in audio engineering is the mixing board. The mixing board is the most important part

of an audio engineer’s “toolbox.” Luckily, amateur mixers that are striving to become audio

engineers can obtain software that allows a standard laptop computer to act as a mixing board.

There are several different types of software that can be utilized, such as Ableton, Beatcraft

and FL Studio (“Music Mixing Software List” 1). Overall, there are a number of different

tools that are used in sound engineering, ranging from equipment worth thousands to software

costing less than one hundred dollars.

Audio engineering is a complex occupation, unmatched by many others. Mainly,

sound engineering is important because without it, the world only consists of random noises.

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The world would be void of appealing sounds and, more importantly, music. Music will

always be present because audio engineers will always find new sounds and ways to mix

those sounds so they are appealing. Again, the desire for a large paycheck is not what

motivates sound engineers, it is the love for the music. In conclusion, sound engineers play a

large part in the world, whether it is noticeable or not. What sound engineers create is not

music, necessarily; but instead, enjoyment and satisfaction.

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Works Cited

“Audio Engineer: Occupational Outlook for the Audio Engineering Professions.” Education-

Portal.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2011. <http://education-portal.com/ articles/

Audio_Engineer_Occupational_Outlook_for_the_Audio_Engineering_Professions.html>

.

“Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians and Radio Operators.” Bureau of Labor

Statistics. U.S Department of Labor, 17 Dec. 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2011.

<http://www.bls.gov/ oco/ ocos109.htm>.

“Careers in Electronic Production and Design.” Berklee College of Music. Berklee College of

Music, 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://www.berklee.edu/ careers/ electronic-

production-design.html>.

Crosby, Tim. “How Live Sound Engineering Works.” HowStuffWorks.com. HowStuffWorks,

Inc., 28 Apr. 2008. Web. 13 Oct. 2011. <http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/ live-

sound-engineering2.htm>.

Kasprowicz, Simon. “Q&A with Sound Engineer Simon Kasprowicz.” Interview by Heather

McDonald. About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2011. <http://musicians.about.com/ od/

otherindustrycareers/ a/ qandawithkas.htm>.

“Music Mixing Software List.” SanctuaryLane.com. Sanctuary Lane Studios, n.d. Web. 13 Oct.

2011. <http://www.sanctuarylane.com/ music-mixing-software.html>.

“Music Production and Engineering Major.” Berklee College of Music. Berklee College of

Music, Sept. 2010. Web. 13 Oct. 2011. <http://www.berklee.edu/ majors/ mpe.html>.

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Rani, Baby. “Sound Engineering Basics.” Bright Hub. Ed. Lamar Stonecypher. Bright Hub Inc.,

2 June 2011. Web. 26 Sept. 2011. <http://www.brighthub.com/ engineering/ mechanical/

articles/ 15646.aspx>.

“Science Careers: Sound Engineering Technician .” ScienceBuddies.org. Science Buddies, n.d.

Web. 13 Oct. 2011. <http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ science-fair-projects/ science-

engineering-careers/ Music_soundengineeringtechnician_c001.shtml>.

“Sound Engineering Degree Program Overviews.” Education-Portal.com. Education-Portal.com,

n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2011. <http://education-portal.com/ sound_engineering_degree.html>.