Sound Engineering Technicians

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Arts, Design & Media
• O*NET-SOC code: 27-4014
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Apple macOS, Autodesk AutoCAD, Facebook, Git, Linux, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Audio and Video Technicians
• Broadcast Technicians
• Lighting Technicians
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians
• Media Technical Directors/Managers
• Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Sound Engineering Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.