Audio Technician Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an audio technician. Feel free to use our audio technician job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an audio technician.
Who is an Audio Technician?
An Audio Technician is a professional who specializes in the technical aspects of sound reinforcement, audio recording, post-production mixing, and mastering. Audio engineers, audio technicians, audio engineers, recording engineers, studio engineers, and sound engineers are all terms used to describe people who work in the audio engineering field. Some do specialized work, such as live sound engineers who specialize in sound reinforcement at live events, while others are generalists who work in all sectors of the music industry.
Audio engineering isn’t just for musicians. It also necessitates an understanding of certain musical instruments’ audible properties, such as their core frequencies, timbral features, and the best techniques to mic them. An audio technician is responsible for the setup and maintenance of audiovisual equipment for touring performances, television studios, and recording studios. The front-of-house engineer and monitor engineer are in charge of them. Unloading and setting up equipment, laying XLR cable, establishing speaker arrays, doing sound tests, and troubleshooting and resolving any faults that arise are among their responsibilities. An audio technician is also in charge of sound production equipment maintenance and loading everything back up at the end of the concert.
Setting up recording equipment, and sound systems, assisting with recordings or sound production, testing equipment, and making modifications are all responsibilities of audio technicians. These individuals either own their own businesses, work for recording studio owners, or work at music venues. Some individuals confuse audio technicians with sound engineers; although working for the same company, sound engineers are given more credit. Audio technicians, sometimes known as sound technicians, assist with recording and sound production by setting up, testing, and adjusting sound and recording equipment. Recording studios, performance halls, television, movies, and radio are all common places for them to work. Audio Technicians work in a range of broadcasting and media areas and are responsible for recording audio signals. This includes everything from microphones and cables to monitors, speakers, and a sound mixer, as well as the setup and maintenance of audio equipment. In addition to setting up the equipment needed for sound recording, audio technicians are expected to troubleshoot and fix damaged or faulty equipment so that the broadcast or recording session can proceed with minimal interruption.
The role of the audio technician is typically seen as an entry-level position in the bigger area of sound engineering. Recording studios, live production venues, worship spaces, television and radio broadcasts, and more all require audio specialists. Each of these professions necessitates a thorough understanding of the equipment and technologies most commonly used to record audio and format it for the intended audience. The audio technician usually works under the supervision of a sound engineer, who is in charge of the final mixing and artistic creative process of audio creation. Audio professionals will study the fundamentals of obtaining high-quality sound from various types of equipment, as well as environmental elements that affect sound quality and how to overcome problems in the studio.
The sound engineer will then alter the audio signals collected to create a mix that is attractive to the ear and properly balanced between the instruments, vocal channels, and other incoming noises. There are many work options for audio technicians because they are in high demand in so many different fields. On the one hand, an audio technician may choose to work full-time for a large venue as their primary source of equipment setup and maintenance or contract with several local venues to build specific sound treatments for their needs. You would install, operate, and repair the equipment and related systems and components used to produce or amplify sound as an audio technician. Microphones, recording equipment, sound speakers, and mixing systems are all included. You’d also be in charge of connecting components like cables that are used to run the device. Your services would be used for a number of purposes, including convention sound, music concerts, and sporting activities.
Audio technicians who enjoy traveling may find plenty of work on the road with touring artists who require assistance setting up and dismantling equipment at each stop. To qualify for this position, you don’t need a lot of schooling; all you need is the essential expertise. You’ll need to establish a professional reputation and make your own relationships through networking and speculative applications in order to be successful. Attending media events and conventions can help you build valuable contacts and network with people in the business. The difference between an audio technician and a sound engineer is usually defined by their creative responsibilities. Sound engineers employ their creativity and expertise to make recordings sound nice and mix audio, often working alongside a producer. Working as an assistant engineer at recording studios, for example, to polish technical abilities and master the application of creative skills under the mentorship of senior engineers, is a common way for sound engineers to learn their profession. The guts and bolts of capturing sound for recording, broadcasting, and live music applications are handled by audio specialists. Audio technicians can be found connecting microphones, amplifiers, and speakers before sessions or rehearsals, as well as troubleshooting any faults with audio signal chains. Audio technicians are usually entry-level to mid-level workers who earn experience to move to the sound engineer role while performing many of the same physical activities as a sound engineer. Roles of Audio Technicians include the following:
- Recording technician: To become a recording technician, you can choose one of three routes. One is working as an apprentice at a recording studio, gaining skills such as sound level monitoring, audio equalization, and navigating mixing boards. Assisting engineers may also be a part of this path. You can also enroll in an audio engineering program, which can help you find a full-time career after graduation, whether at a fine arts institution or a trade school. You may also establish your credentials at home by using your own audio equipment and directly marketing your services to musicians.
- Mixing technician: After the initial recordings are completed, mixing experts start the music production process. They use a digital audio workstation such as Pro Tools, Logic, or Ableton to generate a balanced audio mix. Becoming a specialist mixing engineer follows a similar path to becoming a general recording engineer. You can work as an apprentice at a studio, earn a bachelor’s degree or diploma, or start your own business from home. It might also be beneficial to connect with expert record producers who may require assistance with new technology such as auto-tune and drum machines.
- Mastering technician: A mastering technician’s professional path is comparable to that of a mixing technician. Mastering engineers, on the other hand, concentrate on the very end of the recording process. The last level of volume balance, EQ, and compression required to make a recording sound finished is known as mastering. Consider working as an audio engineer in the mastering industry if you want to be the final check on a record’s sound quality.
- Live sound technician: Working in live venues and learning how their sound systems work will help you break into the music industry as a live sound technician. Setting microphone stands, mic-ing amps, and attaching monitor speakers might be a good place to start as an assistant sound technician. You’ll gain the confidence to become the main engineer on live performances ranging from concerts to sporting events as you master the tricks of the trade from industry professionals.
- Multimedia sound technician: Multimedia sound engineers blend a variety of sounds into an overall audio mix, including music, conversation, diegetic sound design, and sound effects. They work on films, television shows, live theater, and video games, where all of these sounds blend together to create a seamless audio environment. It is beneficial to network with directors and designers in order to succeed as a multimedia sound designer. They’re the types of folks who will need to hire sound engineers and sound designers but don’t have a large pool of candidates to choose from.
Audio Technician Job Description
Below are the audio technician job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an audio technician job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
- Set up and operate sound equipment.
- Put together and dismantles audio equipment.
- Use audio equipment and double-check that everything is in working order.
- Evaluate audio equipment for volume, tone, and clarity.
- Perform an assessment of audio equipment in order to repair and maintain it.
- Mix, console and modify sound and volume levels as needed.
- Assure that customers are satisfied with the sound quality and audio equipment setup.
- Recommend equipment and software upgrades when necessary.
- Work together with other audio technicians.
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s or associate’s degree in a discipline connected to sound technologies is required.
- A minimum of one year of audio management experience is required.
- Sound and recording equipment knowledge is advanced.
- Excellent customer service and communication abilities.
- Multitasking abilities.
- Outstanding computer capabilities.
- A keen sense of sound variations.
- Technical ability.
Essential Skills
- Sound and recording equipment knowledge is advanced.
- Excellent customer service and communication abilities.
- Multitasking abilities.
- Outstanding computer capabilities.
- A keen sense of sound variations.
- Technical ability.
- Broadcast and recorded sound piqued my curiosity, as did my knowledge of it.
- Ability to operate sound equipment on a technical level.
- Managing sound equipment with ease and agility.
- Because work in the sound department, such as operating a boom, can be physically demanding, physical fitness is a must.
- In order to analyze audio quality, you’ll need solid auditory and critical listening abilities.
- Inventiveness
- To create solid working relationships within the sound team and with members of the broader production, you’ll need good interpersonal and communication skills.
- A collaborative approach to program creation and the ability to work successfully as part of a team
- The ability to take action on your own.
- Ability to solve problems
- Outstanding attention to detail.
- A keen sense of timing and the ability to react quickly
- A positive attitude toward the changing nature of production and a flexible approach to work
- The ability to take criticism and constructive criticism in stride
- The ability to perform effectively under duress and under tight schedules
- Persistence and willpower.
How to Become an Audio Technician
Step 1: Get Trained
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), audio technician training should include a comprehensive technical training program (www.bls.gov). Audio technology, audio production technologies, recording and audio engineering, audio/video technician, and related disciplines are all program titles that are relevant to your profession. While associate’s and bachelor’s degrees are available, they are not normally required for entry-level audio technician positions. In most cases, vocational/technical/trade schools or community colleges offer diploma or certificate programs that are sufficient. Targeted coursework in disciplines like aural perception, multi-track recording, audio engineering, and music technology may be included in your diploma or certificate program’s curriculum.
Step 2: Consider Certification
It is not necessary to be licensed, and certification is optional. Certification, on the other hand, may be advantageous for employment and career progression. After passing an exam, you can obtain certification from trade organizations such as the Electronics Technicians Association and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.
Step 3: Acquire Work Experience
You can work as an audio technician for a range of industries, including motion picture and video studios, colleges and institutions, radio and television stations, and sound recording studios. Internships can also be a good method to get some hands-on experience in the field. Sound engineering technicians (a subset of all broadcast and sound engineering technicians) are expected to grow by 17% between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS.
Step 4: Join a Trade Association
You can gain membership benefits such as professional networking opportunities and industry updates by joining a trade group. The Audio Engineering Society is only one of the many organizations in which you might join. Joining a professional organization may also open up new work options.
Step 5: Stay Current
It’s critical that you stay up to date on industry procedures and technologies as part of your everyday professional obligations. Trade groups, particularly those that grant certification, give industry information and continuous education. Even current software programs may receive changes, necessitating the acquisition of new apps.
Where to Work as an Audio Technician
Audio technicians work in a variety of fields, including radio and television transmission, live performance (theatre, music, and dance), advertising, music creation, and film.
The list of possible employers is extensive, and it includes:
- Broadcasters who provide public service.
- Netflix, Amazon, and Disney are examples of streaming services that create their own content.
- Sky, for example, is a media and entertainment company.
- The Walt Disney Studios, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Sony Pictures Entertainment are all major film studios.
- Film and television production firms for commercial and corporate clients.
- Producers of specialized programming.
- Producers and studios in the music industry.
- Facility houses: Facility houses are companies that provide services to the broadcasting and entertainment industries, including as post-production and audio correction.
- Radio that is not owned by a corporation.
Audio Technician Salary Scale
As of February 25, 2022, the average Audio Engineer’s pay is $47,636; however, salaries frequently range from $40,458 to $62,966. Salary ranges rely on a variety of things, including schooling, certifications, supplementary talents, and the number of years you’ve worked in your field. In Nigeria, the average net salary for an Audio Visual Technician is N29,000.