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Audio Recording Engineers: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook

Submitted by: paula

Job Overview There had been a minimal manipulation on the  sound quality during the old times. The records that were created that time were based on the production of the musicians in the recording studio. No enhancements in sound quality were being made. In 1940, a magnetic tape was then used as a recording medium. This started the improvements in the recording industry and enhanced the quality of sound and therefore music produced. This also created innovations in the industry like tape and long-playing records. Audio recording engineers had played an important role in improving the sound quality of the music.

Education,Knowledge and Trainings Required
Music classes in high school will give the individual to know more about instruments and voice quality. Future audio recording engineers can take voice lessons and learn how  to play an instrument/ instruments. Joining school orchestras and band serves as  a very good basic training ground for this profession. Other courses that they can concentrate on are Business, Electronics, Computer Science and Mathematics. Workshops and seminars are the best way to understand and know more about audio recording. They will be introduced to technical and equipment aspects of the field. Advanced studies in recordings like editing, music production and mixing are offered in workshops. Certification is provided by the Society of Broadcast Engineers and will show the applicants’ dedication and expertise in the field.

Skills and Abilities
Technical and communication skills are needed when pursuing a career in audio recording. The applicants should have good troubleshooting skills to fix problems with the recording equipment. It is important for them to know how to interact with different types of people. Being patient  is highly recommended.

In addition, more especially in supervisory positions, they also need to have strong and  good leadership skills.

Duties
Audio recording engineers work in control rooms of a recording studios which contain the master console boards with hundreds of meters, dials, lights and switches. It is their responsibility to maintain and operate these equipment. They coordinate with producers and musician as to the type of sound and the emotion that needs to be reflected in the final record.  It is also important for them to know the orchestration and type of instruments that will be used. They ensure that every music equipment that is needed by the musician is available. It is their duty to check  and prepare the recording equipment. Before the recording starts, audio recording engineers test the equipment to make sure that everything is working properly.
 

Earnings and Job Outlook
Audio recording engineers who works in television stations earn more compared to those who work in a radio station. In 2005, their average salary is around $38,390. Modern recording technology in this field is continuously improving with more functions getting automated or done by the computers. This poses a threat for the steady rate of job opportunities in audio recording. The advancement would decrease the task of audio recording engineer because these will be performed by computers instead. On the positive side, the changes will make recording process easier and faster.

Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.

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Word Count: 555 Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2010 Time: 8:24 PM


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