Day to Day Responsibilities of a Recording Arts Careers
Career Spotlight :
Studio Engineer/Producer
Commanders of the control room, Studio Engineers help transform musical moments into timeless masterpieces past facilitating the production of sound.
At a glance
Bacon: Variable.
Working Hours:Variable based on sector, 8-10hr days, though some evenings and weekends.
Satisfaction: Very high*
Expected growth:6%*
Male/female split:
89.ii% male person**
ten.8% female **
View sources
What does a Studio Engineer/Producer do?
A studio engineer can have on a number of dissimilar roles depending on the size and type of facility they piece of work in. In some cases their roles can exist quite niche and specific, in others they can bridge a range of duties.
A studio engineer'south responsibilities generally involve recording and processing sound and then that it'due south ready for commercial use or release. Their role involves working with musicians in a studio, managing recording sessions and ensuring audio is captured at the desired quality. They tin exist responsible for mixing the audio so that the recordings can exist transformed into a final product, like an anthology or single.
Studio workers whose job title incorporates a producer role have a lot of artistic input when they work on a project. At times, they tin exist sonic designers creating an identity for a piece of music by using unlike recording techniques to procedure sound. They also work as collaborators writing and producing the music used by artists in their releases alongside helping them to record parts of the song. A studio engineer could comprise different distinct roles (listed beneath) or a mixture of responsibilities from each.
Assistant Engineer
This function is centred on keeping the customers and main engineers happy. Duties range from making tea and coffee and hosting clients to setting up microphones, fixing and running cables, packing downward and generally being on telephone call to ensure a session runs smoothly.
Recording Engineer
Responsible for managing the recording session, recording engineers choose the recording equipment to exist used, decide on microphone type and placement and piece of work with the ring and producer to ensure sound is captured in the correct way, at the right level, using a digital sound workstation.
Mix Engineer
A mix engineer processes and balances the recorded or synthesised sound and creates the final counterbalanced mix of a project before it is sent to audio mastering.
Producer
Works with the ring and other engineers to tape, manage and produce a projection and provide creative direction and creative contribution, where appropriate.
"The producer role, everyone'due south got a different take on what it means and encompasses. Information technology tin can be nigh sound engineering or working with musicians, writing the music, fixing sessions...information technology can comprehend a whole manner of things, essentially to get the thought captured and taken all the way to being out there in some shape or class depending on what it is."
The twenty-four hours-to-twenty-four hours
The sound recording manufacture is a client driven sector, therefore working patterns can vary profoundly depending on the size of the project, the blazon of projection and profile of the client.
Recording sessions often involve 12 hour days starting at 10am but tin can sometimes start and cease afterward depending on the client. Sessions require setup and packdown which is commonly washed past the assistant engineer who will be on hand throughout the day, set up to assist set up the appropriate microphones (alongside other duties) for recording different instruments.
The recording engineer will also be at the studio for the total session, equally booked by the artist. To ensure the quality of the recordings is at the standard required by the producer, the recording engineer spends their time operating a digital audio workstation, choosing the best microphones for each take and deciding what recording equipment to use to achieve the desired audio.
Mix engineers work to a similar timescale, starting at 10am and finishing at around 10pm. Their day will mostly be filled with processing the recorded audio to craft a balanced mix. They frequently work alone or with input from the producer of the projection.
Other roles like that of a producer can be much more varied. In some situations, the producer provides management and creative input from a consultancy position. At other times they can be involved in the recording, writing and mixing process.
Obviously there's the technical side of the role which involves making sure all of the equipment is setup properly and the session is running smoothly simply at that place is a large social side to it, keeping people happy and making sure the vibe is skilful in the room
Katie May (Assistant Recording Engineer at Existent World Studio and Freelance Mix Engineer)
"In that location are 2 elements to my work which I'm jumping back and forth from all the time. As a producer, my personal interest comes much more to the forefront in terms of how I imagine things to sound. When I'thousand undertaking other roles in the studio, where I'yard not interim as producer, I'one thousand more than transparent and what I do is guided past the artist or their producer. In this situation it's of import to make things the style they hear them, non how you lot want them"
Why become a Studio Engineer/Producer?
What Studio Engineers/Producers honey near their work
"I dearest listening to good records, so if I can exist function of making or creating a good record, that is the nigh rewarding matter for me. If the rail is great and the recording has been done properly, I'm there to put the icing on the block, which I love."
"Past far my favourite part is that you get to be in the room with a band when something magical happens and that is an accented privilege, particularly if it's a ring you lot actually like or if it'south a band y'all don't know but they happen to be really proficient musicians. You get to hear that vocal take that gives you lot goosebumps, that sort of stuff I find incredible"
Where a career every bit a Studio Engineer/Producer can take you lot
As nosotros take already touched upon, there are numerous roles a studio engineer could undertake. Typically studio engineers begin their life working in a commercial establishment as an assistant engineer before progressing to become a recording engineer or mix engineer, and so a producer. Freelancers' work can vary with people taking on some and all of the roles earlier on in their career.
Every bit an engineer or producer'south reputation grows, the opportunity to piece of work for more loftier-profile clients also increases. At the pinnacle stop of the profession, sought after producers and engineers can notice themselves working with the world's A-list recording artists, commanding a high wage for their services, with people choosing to work with them to achieve a specific vibe or sound.
Other considerations
In the modern digital age information technology is viable for bands and artists to produce high-quality, successful recordings using home studio setups. Artists – specially in the electronic music manufacture – tend to take on all of the roles themselves. That said, the bulk of popular music is even so recorded in high-end commercial facilities, where you lot will discover distinctive roles and progression in place.
"The get-go step is figuring out whether you really want do this to be honest, considering it is a lifestyle commitment. Luckily for me I've known from mean solar day 1 that this is what I want to commit myself to. So if yous're not sure that y'all want to do this, take a long call back considering there is a lot of fourth dimension and life investment involved."
Who is this role suited to?
Studio Engineers/Producers tend to have distinct personalities, interests and skill sets. You may exist cut out for this role if…
You lot are:
A problem solver
Providing creative and practical solutions throughout the production procedure forms a large office of studio-based recording work. Problem solving can have on many forms from fixing audio issues using software to choosing the right microphone for a desired sound. Studio engineers become corking satisfaction finding solutions for their clients.
Item orientated
Delivering a commercially viable recording requires attention to particular at each stage. From choosing the best recording equipment for the project to advisedly balancing audio for a last mix, an eye for nuances is essential.
Creative
Similar near roles in the music industry, inventiveness is central. The creative approaches of studio engineers during the recording procedure have been responsible for the sonic identity of some of the worlds virtually important records.
Excellent communicator
The recording procedure is collaborative. Existence able to effectively empathize a customer'southward vision and communicate your ideas in a manner that fosters a positive environment is essential for generating loftier quality output in the studio.
You like:
Music
A studio engineer is naturally a music fan at heart with an affection for the artform equally a whole, spanning multiple genres.
Working with technology
The tools of the trade come from the ever-changing world of music engineering. Working with multiple software suites, machines and devices make upward the day to day in this profession.
Learning new skills
Frequent advances in technology require learning new skills on a regular basis. Studio engineers love learning how to utilize innovative new devices and techniques in their piece of work, equally they get available.
You're skillful at:
Recording and music production
Being proficient in these areas will mean you can deliver the high-quality piece of work expected by customers and build a loyal client base.
Working collaboratively and on your own
Engineers can switch between working in a group during recording and working solo during mixing.
Building rapport
Developing positive relationships is extremely important. Building good rapport will help yous get the best performances from bands and artists resulting in college quality output and more repeat business.
Organisation and time direction
Studio bookings often work on an hourly or day rate. You will need good organisational and time direction skills to ensure recording sessions are ready to start rapidly and projects are completed on fourth dimension.
How practise you become a Studio Engineer/Proucer?
A dominant factor in finding regular work as a studio engineer or a producer is reputation. At the offset of your career you will be practicing your skills on your own music and for other artists on a local level. At first the work will exist unpaid but you lot will exist developing your skills and building your reputation in the industry. Every bit need grows you will be able offset charging for your services.
Many engineers also follow a traditional route starting life equally an assistant in a recording studio before progressing onto different roles in the visitor they are employed by.
I started in a big studio in London, and I started as an assistant. Later I became a recording engineer and then mix engineer and then a writer and producer
Pete Day (Mix Engineer and Course Leader FDA Music and Audio Technology at dBs Music Plymouth)
Katie May, assistant recording engineer at Real Earth Studios, got her intermission through higher education. While studying she was alerted to an internship opportunity at Real World Studios, which after developed into a total-time role. This scenario is condign increasingly common with higher education providers, similar dBs Music, using industry contacts to facilitate opportunities for their students that afterward lead onto full time employment.
"Put your foot in as many doors as possible, electronic mail studios and ask if you can do even a twenty-four hours's internship, commit to that, commit to learning their names, commit to making some sort of connection so when you lot do need a chore after you graduate they will remember you and consider you lot for opportunities. That's how I got a lot of my mix work, through networking with people at the studio."
How can dBs aid?
Our Music Production diploma is the platonic starting bespeak for anyone looking to build a career every bit a studio engineer. Yous will develop mixing, mastering and music production skills while getting hands-on experience using manufacture-standard recording equipment in our land-of-the-fine art studios.
The diploma is an excellent segway into our FdA Music and Audio Technology and BA Hons Music Product and Sound Engineering degrees. Each course will enable you to proceed building your studio engineering skills while deepening your cognition of audio technology. Y'all will likewise gain feel mixing and recording in some of the world's best studios like Super Audio Mastering and Real World Studios. A combination of skills, knowledge and experience gained will equip you to hands step into multiple roles in the industry.
Both programmes are offered at our Bristol and Plymouth centres.
Where do you become from hither?
Tips from the top
"Speak to as many people every bit you tin, email people, try and become studio experience. The connections y'all make there and the things you will larn volition be way more valuable than the skills you lot teach yourself at home"
"Something that isn't talked about much in music is how important it is to have a community of people around y'all...at that place'southward something important and vital near working with people over sustained time and over lots of different projects...I tend to piece of work with lots of the aforementioned people all the time and that's grown and developed over fourth dimension. ninety% of the piece of work I do is with people I take worked with or associated with previously. That'southward how I find new pieces of work equally well, through the connections I brand with people while working on projects with them."
"When I started I was always worried about using techniques and trying to replicate what others had done in their mixes but then in that location was a moment when I just said to myself I'm going to mix this exactly how I want to mix it and that's when everything clicked. I was trying to make the mix work for myself and afterward that bespeak I never looked back."
Edifice your skills & portfolio
Gaining feel working with as many dissimilar people as you can, in every bit many genres as possible, is the best place to start building your skills and growing your portfolio. If at first you don't have people to collaborate with, tape, mix or create your ain music and practice using that. The internet is also a vast resources for finding audio to work on. Remix competitions are as well a cracking place to find source material to exercise with.
Ultimately, the best way to grow in this role is to network with your local community of musicians and run across if yous can offer your skills to them to build your experience.
"Mixing comes with experience and nosotros all make mistakes. You need to mix equally many genres equally you can to gain the experience and notice out where you work best equally that's where yous'll ultimately become your work. Exercise, practice, do because that's how you lot'll become really skillful at it. "
Useful Resources
Source: https://www.dbsinstitute.ac.uk/career-spotlight-studio-engineer
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