Audio engineering is only a part of the science of sound that deals with recording and remaking sound through mechanic and electronics. A person who wants to get into this field much be proficient with different types of recording equipment and will often simply choose one aspect of the process to master. There are 8 basic branches that an engineer can choose from.
Studio engineers work in a studio either alone or with a producer that assists and manages them. They must take different tracks and mix them together to create a balanced and appealing sound. They must be able to recognize the musical and technical aspects of any track and manipulate them so that they sound good together. This is useful for when they have a voice on one track and the music on the other.
A recording engineer uses a mixing board to manipulate different sounds from music, television, and radio. They may also install sound effects and speed up and slow down tempos depending on what sound they are attempting to create. They are most responsible for adjusting the audio to please the customer.
Different tracks can be mixed together by a mixing engineer.This can be useful when you have two different sounds or tracks that need to be mixed. It can be used in any kinds of media that people listen to. It can be used with any kind of sound and works best when several different tracks are utilized.
Games need sound engineers, too. These people work exclusively on games to enhance the enjoyment and realistic appearance and sound of the games as they are being played. They may be required to add the sounds of sword fights, impacts noise, and to manage all the sounds so that they are not overwhelming to the player.
Bands and other live performers often have a live sound engineer that travels with them. This person can be responsible for setting up and managing any and all of the sound equipment used. They often have a mixing board so that they can enhance and perfect certain sounds so the the performer sounds their best.
Fold back or monitor engineers monitor the sounds at live performances. They are responsible for making sure that they audience only hears what the performers want them to hear. They may be required to enhance certain sounds and to make others fade away entirely.
PA systems can be difficult to set up and manage. System engineers specialize in doing this. They must design the systems so that they can be used efficiently for the purpose that they are most needed. They will be responsible for making sure that the systems enhance and mute any sounds that are picked up by them.
Films and television shows often have an audio post engineer on staff. These people are responsible for managing all the sounds that come with this type of media. They must be able to correctly balance and enhance the tracks so that the effects are not too overwhelming but are believable to the audience.
Anyone who has a degree in audio engineering has several choices on what they want to do with that degree. These are just a few of the more common careers that the could enter. The person should carefully consider there interests and abilities to determine which field would be best for them.
Ready to channel your inner creativity? Enroll in a film school for film studies or one of the many fine art schools in Canada. The career you dreamed of may be just around the corner.
