Have you set your TiVo for the 50th annual GRAMMY Awards telecast? Whether the GRAMMY Awards for record of the year or album of the year go to Amy Winehouse, the Foo Fighters, or any of the other nominees, the artists won't be the only ones to win the prestigious awards. The producers, recording engineers, mixers, and mastering engineers take home statues as well. Obviously, audio engineering is critical to the success of a performer. (According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, audio engineering pay is good, too: Median annual earnings of sound engineering technicians in May 2006 were $43,010; the highest 10 percent earned more than $90,770.) So what is an audio engineer, exactly?
Quite simply, an audio engineer is someone who has experience and training in the production and manipulation of sound through mechanical (analog) or digital means. Audio engineers must be familiar with the design, installation, and/or operation of sound recording, sound reinforcement, or sound broadcasting equipment, including large and small format consoles. In the recording studio, audio engineering involves recording, editing, manipulating, mixing, and/or mastering sound by technical means in order to realize an artist's or producer's creative vision.
Audio engineering is typically associated with music production, but it also deals with sound for a wide range of applications, including postproduction for video and film, live sound reinforcement, advertising, multimedia, and broadcasting. Audio engineers sometimes assume the role of producer, making artistic decisions along with technical ones. Above all, audio engineering in the 21st century requires expertise in software and hardware integration from synchronization to analog to digital transfers.
Many career paths are available within the field of audio engineering. Recording engineers record the audio, while mixing engineers perform mixes of already recorded materials. Game audio engineers deal with the sound aspects of game development. Live sound engineers deal with live sound reinforcement, which may include planning and installing speakers and sound-mixing during a show. Foldback engineers run foldback sound--using rear-facing monitors on stage during a live event. Systems engineers are responsible for the design, setup, and flying of complex modern PA systems. Audio post engineers edit and mix audio for film and TV.
When you tune in to this year's GRAMMY Awards ceremony, pay close attention to the audio engineers alongside the performing artists. With the right training and skills, you could be one of them!
About the author:
Robyn Tellefsen is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.
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