How to Become a Sound Engineer: Career Guide, Courses, Job Profiles and Salary

Types of Sound Engineers

Because Sound Engineer job profiles are limited to sounds and machines, it is a constrained career option. Some of the most common Sound Engineer job profiles are as follows:

Monitor Sound Engineers

They mainly focus on the sound that musicians or band members can hear on the stage through their monitors. They are even responsible for the maintenance and repair work of monitors and microphones. Hence, they are assigned the duty of keeping a check on the monitor system and the stage wiring.

Studio Sound Engineers

These professionals are responsible for the production of high-quality recordings of music, speech, as well as sound effects. This job profile could require you to line up a recording session with any artist, set up the necessary types of equipment, record the pieces of equipment separately and mix them up, and so on.

Research and Development Audio Engineers

Such professionals indulge in inventing new technologies or techniques that might help in the enhancement of the process and art of audio engineering. They make use of various types of equipment to synchronize, mix, record music voices and sound effects. 

Steps to Become a Sound Engineer 

The various steps to become a Sound Engineer have been listed below for further reference:

Decision Making 

Students should decide well in time if they wish to take up their career in the field of Sound Engineering. Being a challenging job requires full attention and working on even-odd shifts therefore, the candidates must decide whether or not they are prepared for such a demanding job.

Subject Choices 

 According to the eligibility criteria for jobs in the field of Sound Engineering, the applicant must have an academic background in the concerned field. This could include a bachelor's degree or master’s degree in Sound Engineering. However, they must choose a Science stream that includes Mathematics at the 10+2 level.

Entrance Exam 

There are no specific entrances conducted for getting a job as a Sound Engineer. However, admissions to the Bachelors and Master’s courses of Sound Engineering require students to get through the entrance exams conducted in order to get selected.

How to Become a Sound Engineer in India? 

To become a sound engineer candidates need to start their preparation from the school itself. Candidates can refer to the following listed steps in order to become a Sound Engineer in India

School Level Preparation

At the 10+2 level, you shall compulsorily take a Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as the main subjects. This step is considered to be a prerequisite for admission to any reputed college or institute that provides a Bachelor’s Degree in Sound Engineering or relative fields. You must also have an interest in this field and knowledge about the same which you can gain either by watching a Sound Engineer during his performance or receiving training under him/her.

UG Level Preparation 

After successful completion of the 10+2 exam with good marks, you may apply to reputed colleges and institutes that offer Bachelor’s Degree courses in Sound Engineering or relative fields. These courses have been mentioned in the article as we move on further. Since there are numerous courses available for Sound Engineering, you must choose your course wisely as per your skills, knowledge as well as interest and demand for the subject. 

PG Level Preparation

Post completion of bachelor courses in the field of Sound Engineering, you may take up Master’s degree courses in the same field to enhance your skills as well as knowledge. Then, after all the above-listed steps, you can opt for jobs in areas related to Sound Engineering that can be in a recording studio, radio, or in any live show. You will be only offered PG courses if you have an undergraduate degree in Sound Engineering or a relative field and also a doctoral degree if you have a postgraduate degree in Sound Engineering or a relative field.

How to Become a Sound Engineer Abroad? 

Students can also pursue sound engineering courses in foreign universities and pursue a career as a sound engineer.

Sound Engineer in USA 

Students who wish to pursue their career in Sound Engineering in the USA surely have an opportunity to gain knowledge from the respective courses in audio and sound. 

The admission requirements for Sound Engineering courses provided in the USA have been listed below:

• Students are required to include their 10+2 qualifying exam results.
• Students applying for postgraduate courses in Sound Engineering must have a Bachelor's degree in the same field.
• They must take English proficiency tests such as the TOEFL or IELTS.
• Recommendation Letters.

Top Colleges for Sound Engineering Courses 

Sound Engineer in UK 

The United Kingdom is also a popular study abroad destination for students, particularly for those interested in pursuing a career in Sound Engineering. Sound Engineering courses in the UK allow students to study a diverse curriculum, ensuring students are extremely well prepared for employment in the industry once they complete their degree.

The admission requirements listed for Sound Engineering courses provided in the UK have been listed below:

• Students are required to include their 10+2 qualifying exam results.
• BTEC Extended Diploma with Distinction or Merit.
• Candidates must also have GCSE English (grade 9 – 4 / A *– C) or Level 2 equivalents, as well as GCSE Maths (grade 9 – 5 / A* – B).
• If the aspirant does not meet the above criteria, they can still apply to certain universities that offer Sound Engineering courses if they are 21 or older.
• Recommendation Letters.

Top Colleges for Sound Engineering Courses

Sound Engineer in Canada 

In Canada, students get an opportunity to apply for Diplomas as well as Audio Engineering and Sound Engineering courses. Following that, they may be able to find lucrative employment opportunities as a sound designer or in any other job role in the respective field.

The admission requirements for Sound Engineering courses provided in Canada have been listed below:

• Students are required to include their 10+2 qualifying exam results.
• Students applying for postgraduate courses in Sound Engineering must have a Bachelor's degree in the same field.
• They must take English proficiency tests such as the TOEFL or IELTS.

• Recommendation Letters

Top Colleges for Sound Engineering Courses

Benefits of Career as a Sound Engineer 

The job of a Sound Engineer undoubtedly has certain advantages that entice applicants to apply for the position. These benefits have been mentioned below for reference: 

Salary

 Candidates hired as Sound Engineers are initially given an annual pay of about INR 2- INR 25 lakhs per year. With an increase in work experience and skills, salary tends to increase even more.Where you work influences your income to a certain extent - large studios and manufacturing companies offer larger salaries than tiny local studios.

Job Security

A Sound Engineer works in the Music Industry. They could work in radio stations, TV channels, advertising firms, movies, and so on. The huge number of studios across the country (and outside the country) guarantees that sound engineers have no shortcut possibilities. The world really is your oyster with the appropriate skills and knowledge.Working anywhere in the world, they would surely have job security, as sound engineers are necessary for every recording or audio setting in any film or anywhere else.

Unique Experience 

 While studying their respective Sound Engineering courses, the students may gain a unique experience of working in shows or studios to get practical knowledge of the field. You will get to know various tools and softwares used in Sound Engineering such as Digital and Analog Consoles,Microphones, Preamps, Compressors, Outboard Gear, Stereo Monitors etc.

Skills Required for a Sound Engineer 

The various skills required to become a Sound Engineer have been mentioned below: