An audio engineer is in charge of recording and editing sounds in a sound recording and also managing the technical aspects of sound during live events. These professionals often work with performing artists and can be found in several industries. Read on to get more info on audio engineers.
What is Audio or Sound Engineering?
Audio engineering, also referred to as sound engineering, is a specialty that deals with the mechanics of recording, mixing, and reproducing sound. It is quite a broad field with lots of career options ranging from audio engineers to post-production experts and mastering engineers.
Sound audio engineering uses the principles of electronic, digital, acoustic, and electrical to record and produce music, voices, and sounds.
Sound engineering is actively used in the music, television, video games, radio and film industry.
Is there a difference between an audio engineer and a sound engineer?
Though often used interchangeably, there is a difference between an audio and a sound engineer. An audio engineer is an expert in all aspects regarding audio applications and their primary focus lies in capturing, manipulating, and enhancing audio within a studio environment.
A sound engineer, on the other hand, deals with manipulating and shaping sound in live performance settings and will usually focus on one targeted niche, such as live sound engineering or sound recording engineering.
Get in touch with expert sound engineers
Responsibilities of an Audio Engineer
Audio engineers are in charge of understanding client briefs and selecting the appropriate sound and mixing equipment for the project. They assist the engineering department in regards to research and development.
These engineers mix, master, record, and edit audio tracks and are responsible for setting up equipment safely and on time.
Audio engineers utilise a variety of audio engineering software and equipment and test microphones and other equipment for volume, tone, and clarity.
They also make recommendations on equipment or software upgrades and replacement and test and troubleshoot equipment regularly.
What are the responsibilities of an audio engineer?
- Setting up and breaking down audio equipment
- Understanding client briefs and selecting appropriate sound and mixing equipment
- Assisting engineering department in regards to research and development
- Mixing, mastering, recording, and editing audio tracks
- Setting up equipment safely and on time
- Testing microphones and other equipment for volume, tone, and clarity
- Making recommendations on equipment or software upgrades and replacement
- Testing and troubleshooting equipment regularly
- Designing audio systems and advising clients on equipment purchases
- Fixing and enhancing sound at live events
Skills of an Audio Engineer
An audio engineer has extensive experience with sound equipment and audio engineering tools such as studio monitors, MIDI controllers, audio interfaces, etc.
They have excellent hearing capabilities and an ear for sound and are able to perform well in a relatively loud work environment.
Audio engineers also have excellent communication skills and multitasking skills and possess excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
What are the skills of an audio engineer?
- Extensive experience with sound equipment
- Experience with audio engineering tools such as studio monitors, MIDI controllers, audio interfaces, etc.
- Excellent hearing capabilities
- Good ear for sound
- Ability to perform well in a relatively loud work environment
- Excellent communication skills
- Good multitasking skills
- Excellent customer service
- Excellent interpersonal skills
Background and Education
To work as an audio engineer, you typically just need a high school diploma or something equivalent to it. You can also get better paying jobs by having a degree in Audio Engineering or Sound Production or obtaining certifications online. Some options for the latter are:
- Audio Engineering Fundamentals
- Fundamentals of Audio and Music Engineering: Part 1 Musical Sound & Electronics
- The Complete Mixing Masterclass
- Mixing & Mastering in FL Studio 20 | Complete Beginner
Salary of an Audio Engineer
An audio engineer earns around $109,600 per year on average. Beginner audio engineers can earn around $48,100 per year whereas on the higher end, these professionals can earn around $249,700.
In Germany, audio engineers earn between €47,500 to €80,100 whereas in the UK, they earn between £17,000 – £45,000.
How much does an audio engineer earn?
| US | $48,100 – $249,700 |
| Germany | €47,500 to €80,100 |
| UK | £17,000 – £45,000 |
How much does a freelance audio engineer make?
Audio Engineers on freelancermap charge on average:
Rates in the Audio Engineer Industry range between $40 and $96/hour for most freelancers.
The daily rate for Audio Engineers (8 working hours) would be around:
Other interesting job profiles
- What does a Mud Engineer do?
- What Does A RAMS Engineer Do?
- What Does A Renewable Energy Engineer Do?
- What Does A Stress Engineer Do?
- What does a Reliability Engineer do?
» More job profiles in Engineering
Looking to hire a skilled freelancer? Create your account in just 2 minutes and start connecting with top talent worldwide!
Sign up for free