How Do I Become An Audio Engineer?

by Genevieve M. Blaber

An oft-overlooked aspect of film and TV production is the contribution made by audio engineers. Sometimes referred to as sound engineers, audio engineers can either be a engineering professional who focuses on the creation and maintenance of audio equipment or the member of the production staff that brings together the finished audio tracks of TVs, movies, or CDs. For the most part though, audio engineering schools are dedicated to the latter discipline, boasting state-of-the-art studios wherein students learn the ins-and-outs of mixing tracks for all manner of media. Since audio engineers are necessary anytime someone wants to make any type of media project with professional-sounding audio, you'll find jobs available across a number of different industries.

How do I become an audio engineer?
Are you an artistic person who relishes movie scores and CD tracks? Or are you tech-inclined with a penchant for putting things back together and making them better? Either way, you could be looking at a rewarding career in audio engineering.

While it's true that you can pick up some tricks of the trade by trying your hand at amateur audio engineering, your best bet for getting into the industry is by attending an audio engineering school. An audio engineering career will give you the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry, using the latest in equipment. You can also earn a degree or certificate in the process which will show potential employers that you're not only skilled but dedicated to your education.

As long as you have an ear for the industry, the willingness to learn, and the right ambition, you're sure to turn your time at an audio engineering school into a budding career.

What will I learn in an audio engineering school?
No matter what media industry you wish to enter, you'll need more than just a high school diploma. Audio engineering programs can be found in community colleges, traditional colleges, and specialized art and tech institutes. Courses may take as little as a few months to a few years, with students even earning certificates or degrees in their field.

At an audio engineering school you'll gain the skills and knowledge necessary for an entry-level career in the field. That means you'll learn all about laying down tracks, overdubbing, and mixing while you practice your techniques in industry-standard studios. Depending on the audio engineering school you choose, you might even find that these studios are open 24 hours a day, meaning you can not only get in some extra practice, but work on your own audio projects at the same time. You'll also work with other students, giving you the chance to build your skills as a collaborator and member of a team/staff.

You'll also learn about such things as audio cable connectors, audio monitors, audio signal flow, mixing consoles, patch bays, mics, samplers, sequencing, dynamic processors, digital editing, and even the music business as a whole.