Career Details
Career Details

Career Details

Return to the Search

27-4014.00 - Sound Engineering Technicians


Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.


Key Facts
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
16,100
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
17,400
Estimate
Change in Employment
+1,200
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+7.6%
Estimate
Tasks
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
  • Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
  • Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones.
  • Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.
  • Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.
  • Synchronize and equalize prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles.
  • Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
  • Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment.
  • Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
  • Keep logs of recordings.
  • Tear down equipment after event completion.
  • Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving.
  • Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.
Supplemental
  • Create musical instrument digital interface programs for music projects, commercials, or film postproduction.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 89%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 89%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 Communications and Media
  • 82%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 81%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 English Language
  • 78%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Telecommunications
  • 77%
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
 Fine Arts
  • 75%
    Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
 Psychology
  • 64%
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
 Production and Processing
  • 63%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Administration and Management
  • 62%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Mechanical
  • 56%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Sales and Marketing
  • 56%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
 Clerical
  • 56%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Mathematics
  • 53%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Physics
  • 53%
    Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
 Design
  • 52%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Economics and Accounting
  • 50%
    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Audio and visual equipment
  • 1/3 octave equalizers
  • Amplifiers
  • Channel equalizers
  • Condenser microphones
  • Digital audio recorders
  • Dynamic microphones
  • Electret microphones
  • Microphone pre-amps
  • Multitrack tape recording machines
  • Parametric equalizers
  • Peak equalizers
  • Pressure zone microphones
  • Ribbon microphones
  • Shelving equalizers
  • Wireless microphones
  • Wireless receivers
  • Wireless transmitters
 Audio presentation and composing equipment and hardware and controllers
  • Audio compressors
  • Audio mixer consoles
  • Digital delay pedals
  • Digital samplers
  • Dynamics processors
  • Noise reduction systems
  • Reverb devices
 Circuit assemblies and radio frequency RF components
  • Audio filters
 Electrical measuring and testing equipment and accessories
  • Cable testers
  • Digital oscilloscopes
  • Polarity checkers
  • Volt-ohm meters VOM
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
 System boards processors interfaces or modules
  • Musical instrument digital interface MIDI sequencers
 Soldering machines
  • Soldering irons
 Call management systems or accessories
  • Studio intercom systems
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
  • GitHOT
 Computer game or entertainment software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Audition
  • Audio editing software
  • Avid Audio Pro Tools
  • Avid Technology Pro Tools
  • Musical instrument digital interface MIDI software
 Development software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
  • Oracle JavaHOT
  • VMWareHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesignHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Avid Technology
  • FacebookHOT
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft VisioHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
 Operating environment software
  • Apple macOSHOT
  • Cisco IOS
  • LinuxHOT
  • Microsoft operating system
  • Microsoft WindowsHOT
  • Real time operating system RTOS software
  • UNIXHOT
 Industry specific software
  • Autodesk AutoCADHOT
  • Computer aided design CAD softwareHOT
 Data management and query software
  • Data entry softwareHOT
  • Perforce software
 Business function specific software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Network management software
  • Voice over internet protocol VoiP system softwareHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
 Advanced
 Unknown
 Product/Equipment
  • Apple Certified Pro - Logic Pro 9 Level One
    1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014888-275-3926

  • Apple Certified Pro - Logic Pro 9 Level Two
    1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014888-275-3926

  • Media Composer User
    Avid Technology Park One Park West Tewsbury, , MA 08176

 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Virginia Peninsula Community College
 Programs