Music engineers are technical specialists. They are responsible for the setting up and operations of any equipment that can mix, edit, record, and reproduce sounds. They also have alternate titles which are sound, audio, or recording engineers. They usually work in TV networks, recording studios, or concert venues. You may also find music engineers in venues where sound projection is required for a live or even a recorded audience. Examples of these are theaters, film studios, video game production studios, sporting events, and radio stations.
Music engineer versus music producer
The entire recording process requires the services of both a music engineer and a music producer. These two have different creative collaborations and integration of technical elements. Music producers are more like project managers. That’s why they have to deal with bands and artists to create their own vision or sound for an album or a single. They may handle the musical arrangement or decide on the genres to be blended in the recording. Some of them even go into musical composition and writing the song’s lyrics.
On the other hand, the musical engineer is the one to handle the technical aspect of the recording and how the project is executed. The engineer is the one to capture the plan of the individual artist and the producer through recording and editing the music. He or she will choose the equipment to be used for the project, arrange it accordingly to produce the best sound quality, and take heed of the producer’s directions along with their own judgment.
Skills required for one to become a music engineer
First of all, a music engineer must be knowledgeable of the various types of music-related equipment together with some software choices. A sound engineer must know more about microphones, speakers, and the most essential computer programs. The engineer must be able to adjust and switch them accordingly quickly and without technical glitches. A music engineer has a technical role to play, which requires aspirants to be tech-savvy.
A sound engineer must also be communicative. It’s important for them to be able to recontextualize what the artist or producer is saying when things are not possible. Problem-solving skills are highly required of sound engineers. When things go awry and the options don’t satisfy the artist and producer, the engineer has to find a way.
The engineer must also be interested in continuous learning. It’s a good thing for the engineer to know the latest computer programs and devices used in the industry, but a highly professional music engineer is always willing to walk the extra mile. Engineers are always updated on the latest advancements and product launches. They are also likely to look back to the past to know what used to be common and why changes were done.
Duties of a sound engineer
When a sound engineer works on a recording, the act doesn’t end in recording the performance. The sound engineer is also expected to do editing, mixing, and mastering of tracks to end up having the best quality and consistent with the artist’s vision. Editing means the process of arranging the recorded track. It is choosing the best pieces and putting them all into a single coherent performance. Mixing, on the other hand, is handling the technical side of adjusting sound levels throughout the recording. Mastering is the last step in post-audio production. It entails all the technical work that has to be done to make the recording ready for distribution. The majority of recordings include multiple performances and songs. By mastering the recording, consistency in sonic levels is guaranteed along with its overall high quality. This is where the sound engineer readies the recording to be manufactured, distributed, or reproduced.