How to Become an Audio Engineer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Audio engineering is a fascinating and awe-inspiring field. Whether you’re drawn to music, movies, or broadcasting, the possibilities in this field are endless. It’s easy to feel intimidated by the amount of technical knowledge and expertise required to become an audio engineer, however. This article will cover the steps you can take to pursue a career in audio engineering.
What Is Audio Engineering?
Audio engineering is a broad and multifaceted field that involves the technical aspects of recording, editing, and reproducing sound. Audio engineers work in areas like broadcasting, voice-over, film production, and even live performances. Many audio engineers specialize in and pursue careers in specific types of media.
The field of audio engineering is rapidly growing, and there’s no shortage of exciting projects to work on. In fact, theBureau of Labor Statisticsestimates that employment for sound engineers will grow by 7.5% over the next decade. You’ll need to start on the right foot for succeed. Here are some of the best things it’s possible to do to kick-start a career in audio engineering.
Research Specializations in Audio Engineering
The best way to start your career in audio engineering is to research the various specializations in the field. You will need different sets of skills to become a voice-over audio engineer or a music engineer. Some of the specializations in audio engineering include:
There’s not one set path you have to take in audio engineering. It’s good to consider what kind of projects resonate with you and to whittle down what specializations you are interested in working in from there.
Once you have an idea of what specializations you’re interested in, you can begin the process of researching what skills you will need to learn and what programs or opportunities might work for you. Many audio engineering programs offer a specific emphasis on areas such as music or live sound.
Consider a Degree or Certificate Program in Audio Engineering
One of the best things you can do to kick-start a career in audio engineering is to enroll in a degree or certificate program. This is more cost-prohibitive than other avenues of learning, but degrees and certificates both offer the benefit of having a standardized learning path. A program will help you gain all the necessary skills to become an audio engineer without getting lost.
There are a few majors that are particularly good for audio engineering. Many people have jump started their careers by pursuing a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in music, audio technology, broadcast technology, communications, or media studies. TheBerklee College of Musicis particularly renowned among aspiring audio engineers.
If you prefer to go the route of earning certifications and starting your career independently, there are many highly regarded certifications to choose from.Audinate’s Dante Certification Programis considered high-quality, as are the certifications offered by theSociety of Broadcast Engineers. It’s important to note that the skills you could demonstrate are considered more important than any certificate, however.
Look for Opportunities for Hands-On Experience
As mentioned before, demonstrating your skills is one of the most important things you can do in audio engineering. Once you have a basic grasp of the tricks and tools of the trade, you should focus on searching for opportunities to apply your skills in practice.
Luckily, you’re not the only person aspiring for a career. Many audio engineers gained their first hands-on experience by working with aspiring musicians or voice-over artists. In your early career, you should focus on collaborating with other novices in the industry you’re attempting to enter.
For example, you could consider looking in the following areas for these common specializations:
As you gain basic experience and develop a portfolio, you should apply yourself to seeking higher-paying opportunities. After working with several local bands or Casting Call Club projects, for example, you could pitch your talent as a freelancer or look for entry-level opportunities in your specialization.
Apply for Internships in Audio Engineering
Once you’ve developed a basic skill set in audio engineering and have a portfolio to show off, you should move on to applying for internships and entry-level jobs in audio engineering. Securing an internship or job in the industry will allow you to learn the tools of the trade from audio engineers with years or even decades of experience.
There are many excellent places where you can look for audio engineering internships. Indeed, LinkedIn, and all the other major job forums are great places to start your search. You should also check the websites of any companies that work with the media in your area. Radio stations, TV broadcasters, and film studios in your area may be actively searching for interns at this very moment.
Get Practice With the Right Equipment and Software
Knowing how to work with standard equipment and software in the sound engineering trade is a vital part of kick-starting your career. Most reputable schools will have this equipment and software available to students and standardized in the curriculum. If you intend to pursue audio engineering solo, familiarizing yourself with this equipment is vital.
You should know how to work with equipment like microphones, mixing consoles, boom poles, studio headphones, cable testers, and multimeters. You should understand how to navigate and work in the most popular digital audio workstations (DAWs), including Ableton Live, Reaper, Pro Tools, and Logic Pro.
You should also focus on gaining the right skills. Depending on your intended specialization, some skills and knowledge might be more in demand than others. Some of the skill sets commonly desired in audio engineers include:
Network With Professionals in Your Dream Industry
You’ll find that advancing your career as an audio engineer is much easier when you know the right people. You should think about where you can find people in your industry and start talking to people. Do you want to engineer music? Attend music shows and network with local bands. Do you want to engineer broadcasts? Get a minor job at your local radio station and get to know the people who work there.
you may alsouse social media networks such as Twitter and LinkedIn for networking. Be transparent about your intent to meet others in the industry and show off your personality and talent when you have the chance to do so. With a large enough network, you may find that opportunities transform from a painstaking hunt to a convenience that practically falls into your lap.
Develop an Audio Portfolio
Not every piece you produce is going to be portfolio-ready, and that’s okay. If you want the best chance of success, however, you should begin togather all of your best work into a portfolio. Showcasing your skills is much more important than any degree or certification—and if people can see from your portfolio that you have an ear for quality and a good skill set, they’ll be less hesitant about recruiting you for a future project.
Hone Your Skills in Audio Engineering
The most important thing you can do as an aspiring audio engineer is to continue to hone your skills. A career in audio engineering can’t emerge in a day, but if you continue to apply yourself to studying, networking, and developing an impressive portfolio, it won’t be long before you eventually find incredible opportunities in this field.
Automation can help your audio sound much better, and here’s how to use it in DAW—plus why you should consider doing so.
Obsidian finally feels complete.
My iPhone does it all, but I still need my dumb phone.
These films will leave you questioning humanity, but also wanting more.
You’re not getting the most out of what you pay for iCloud+.
You’ve been quoting these famous films wrong all along!
