Occupation
Audio engineer
Audio engineers capture, mix, and process sound for music, film, broadcast, podcasts, and live events. The work combines ears and equipment: microphone choice and placement, signal flow, gain structure, and the mix decisions that make a recording translate.
Also known as: Sound engineer · Recording engineer · Live sound engineer
Occupation content
Part of Arts, design, media and communications
What the work involves
- Set up microphones, stands, cabling, and signal paths for a session or show
- Set gain, monitor levels, and headphone or stage foldback mixes
- Record takes and keep clear session notes and file naming
- Edit, mix, and process tracks toward a reference the client agrees on
- Troubleshoot noise, feedback, latency, and equipment faults under time pressure
- Maintain and test equipment between sessions or events
How people commonly enter
- College diploma or certificate in audio engineering or sound production
- Assistant or runner role in a studio, venue, or broadcast facility
- Bachelor's degree in music technology or sound
- Self-directed practice with home recording plus manufacturer or software training
Typical training: Certificate or college diploma
Licensing: Not typically licensed
Typical work context
Lab or workshop · Team based · Shift work · Varied work
Related interests
Realistic (hands-on) · Artistic (creative) · Investigative (analytical)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Arts, design, media and communications.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Outlook Handbook: Media and Communication occupations · United States
Link checked
- O*NET OnLine - Sound Engineering Technicians (27-4014.00) · International
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- UK National Careers Service - Explore careers job-profile index · United Kingdom
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Arts, design, media and communications in Canada, not a figure for Audio engineer. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Arts, design, media and communications family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Arts, design, media and communications: education pathways
Some roles in Arts, design, media and communications may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Arts, design, media and communications: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)