Studio sound engineer
Audio engineer, recording engineer
Sound engineers work in studios and make recordings of music, speech and sound effects.
Salary range: £15,000 to £40,000
How to become a studio sound engineer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- specialist courses run by private training providers
University
You could do a foundation degree or degree in:
- sound engineering and production
- audio engineering
- music production
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More information
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
College
You could take a college course like:
- Level 3 Diploma in Sound Production
- Level 3 Diploma in Music Technology
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
More information
Apprenticeship
You could complete a creative venue technician or technical theatre advanced apprenticeship, which have options in sound.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More information
Work
You could start as a runner or an assistant in a recording studio and work your way up by learning basic tasks and making contacts.
Volunteering and experience
You can work on community music events, DJ projects, hospital or community radio, or mix and record music in a home studio and post your work online.
Other routes
You could do short courses offered by private training providers to build up your skills and knowledge.
More information
Career tips
This is a job where getting experience and making contacts is important to help you to find work.
You’ll need a good knowledge of music and recording technology. You may also find it useful to understand physics and electronics.
Further information
You can find out more about working in sound engineering from Joint Audio Media Education Support and Creative Choices.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be flexible and open to change
- persistence and determination
- customer service skills
- knowledge of media production and communication
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties might involve:
- planning recording sessions with producers and artists
- setting up microphones and equipment in the studio
- making sure the volume and recording levels are set correctly
- operating recording equipment and adding effects
- recording each instrument or vocal onto a separate track
- mixing tracks to produce a final ‘master’ track
- logging recordings and other details of the session in the studio archive
Working environment
You could work at a recording studio.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding and you may spend nights away from home.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could specialise in a particular technical skill, become a music producer, studio manager, or start your own recording studio.