From television to the stage to radio and beyond, sound quality is crucial in the entertainment industry. A sound technician is responsible for ensuring that sound equipment is adjusted properly so that performers can be heard clearly. This job necessitates a great deal of technical knowledge, as well as some schooling. Engineers will need a variety of skills and responsibilities to help them create memorable broadcasts and performances for audiences all over the world.
As a sound technician, you’ll need both education and experience to succeed. The majority of positions require a high school diploma, and many more require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in sound or broadcast engineering. These classes prepare students for a career as a broadcast engineer by teaching them about acoustics and equipment. Working as an assistant sound technician in a studio or a performance venue can also help you gain experience.
The technician, also known as a sound mixer, is in charge of maintaining and setting up sound equipment. Before any performance can take place, a series of microphones and cables must be properly connected to a sound board and thoroughly tested. To know when something sounds good or needs to be adjusted, the sound technician must have keen acoustic senses. Adjustments are made by a sound technician to improve signal clarity and strength.
A sound technician must have a wide range of abilities in order to do a good job. Because most broadcasts and stage performances are live, and adjustments must be made quickly, the most important attribute is excellent stress management skills. Because a sound technician will often be supervising a large number of assistants and working with directors, he or she will need to clearly communicate the audio requirements to both parties. A technician must also have “good ears,” or the ability to detect minor differences or problems that others would miss.
A sound technician can work in a variety of environments. The most common location for this work is in radio and television broadcasting studios. Many microphones and a sound mixer are also required for stage performances in order to transmit voices clearly from the stage to the audience. Another place where sound engineers work is with musical acts, capturing instruments and voices in a club or theater to perfection.