Sound/Audio Engineer

Brian Patamia spring ’11

Job Description

setting up and maintaing audio equipment

operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, sound effects in recording studios, sporting arenas, theater productions, movie and video productions, video games production

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos109.htm

Skills

knowledge of Information Technology and Electronics required because the job is done on computers

sense of balance (making sure everything sounds just right)

Communication skills

know the equipment inside and out how each piece of equipment affects the sound of the audio

strong work ethic and an incredible sense to detail

Goals Graduate college

attend a Tech Training program

obtain entry level job

make some money and move up in the field

open a recording studio

Education and Training

technical training program (anywheres from several months to a year)

associate’s or a bachelor’s degree

working as an assistant to gain experience in the field

certification by the Society of Broadcast Engineers is issued to experienced technicians who pass an examination, and the certification may help with advancement in the field.

Job Market

Very Competitive, only a few graduate from a program and go into a job as a full-time engineer

Competition stronger in large Metropolitan areas where salary is higher

prospects for entry-level position expected to be better in small cities and towns.

Common Route: Work way up as an intern or as assistant.

Statistics (Wages)

Based on Experience, according to website Payscale, In October 2010, audio engineering technicians with one to four years of experience earned $12.90 to $24.79; five to nine years, $10.75 to $24; 10 to 19 years, $14.89 to $24.57; and 20 years or more, $16.70 to $32.56.

Statistics : Employment

Employment expected to increase by a rate of 8 percent til 2018

The industries that employed large numbers of sound engineering technicians had salaries that ranged from $44,140 to $60,470.

The motion picture and video industries employed the largest number of sound engineering technicians, with an average annual salary of $60,470.

Other Industries: sound recording industries, $55,390; radio and television broadcasting, $53,270; performing arts companies, $44,140; and cable and other subscription programming, $57,800.

Stats: Top-Paying Industries (Continued)

The industries that paid high salaries to sound engineering technicians offered pay that ranged from $60,470 to $65,520.

Software publishers paid the highest average annual salary above all other industries to sound engineering technicians, at $65,520.

Other Industries:

Computer systems design and related services, $64,170;

religious organizations, $63,150;

traveler accommodations, $60,740

motion picture and video industry, $60,470.

Stats: Location

The District of Columbia paid the highest average annual salary $70,790, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009.

Other states that offered high pay were: California, $69,840; Montana, $66,240; Georgia, $60,240; and Connecticut, $58,150.

Stats: Local Market

New York-White Plains-Wayne: NY-NJ Metropolitan Division

Employment: 2,860

Hourly Mean Wage: $27.90

Annual Mean Wage : $58,040

Bureau of Labor Statistics: May 2009

Interview: Kevin Antreassian

• owns Backroom Studios in Rockaway, NJ.

• Clients (Bands): The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Number 12 Looks Like You, Trees Above Mandalay & others.

1.) How did you get started? What made you decide that being an audio/sound engineer andoperating a recording studio was something that you wanted to do as a career?I've always had an interest in music and a strong technical background in computers so it just seemed natural.  I started by just recording bands on a boss digital 8 track recorder and working up from there.  Only when i found a suitable situation with Backroom studios did i consider it as my actual career.

2.) Can you describe what your typical work day is like?Usually i get there at 10am, track drums, guitars, bass, vocals, keyboards, etc... for tracking days.  Mixing days typically start at the same time or a bit later and just refine the mix until its finally ready.  I usually work till about 6 or 7 pm, then get a break and come back later on at night to let in my hourly rehearsal bands.  Its a lot of work, but well worth it.

3.) What do you like the most about your job?The fact that I'm my own boss and can make my own schedule are a huge plus.  Add the fact that I'm doing something creative and fun at the same time, and you have one of the greatest jobs I could ever want.

Interview (continued)

4.) Is there anything that you don’t like about your job?Occasionally you'll run into an unpleasant situation with a band and have to deal with it, but most groups are pretty reasonable and understanding.  Present what you plan on doing upfront and do whatever you can to make them happy with their product and experience and they'll be back again, either as the same group or in another form.  Repeat business is very important.  Long days with a lot of hours can sometimes be taxing, but it comes with the territory.  Do you best not to over-work yourself.  It helps no one.

5.) What skills are needed to perform the job?A lot.  Running sessions properly is a very complicated procedure that requires that you know a lot about every piece of gear involved.  If a snare drum breaks, you need to be able to fix it.  If a guitar amp sounds bad, you need to know how to adjust for that.  It takes years to get an understanding of all the parts in play so my advice would be to get familiar with all that stuff as soon as possible. 

6.) What advice would you give to somebody like me who is trying to get into the field?Make sure you're doing it for the right reasons.  It's really a people based business you need to be a real "people person" to succeed.  It's really hard making the step from hobbiest to full-time engineer as you'll see how much income really matters when you start getting a lot of bills.  Being in the studio isn't the only method of being an engineer though, bands always need good sound guys on the road as well.

Web Site & References

http://www.ehow.com/about_7420415_recording-engineer-salary-range.html

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes274014.htm#st

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/recording-engineer3.htm

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos109.htm

http://bpatmediafilm.weebly.com/