How to become A Music Engineer

Music Engineers make uncanny use of their knowledge of trends and their innovative skills to ensure songs and albums serve the express purpose of entertaining humanity. They capture, shape, and control sounds to make them sound pleasing to the ear.

• Audio Engineer
• Recording Engineer

What do Music Engineers do?

A Music Engineer would typically need to:

• Use audio tools and software technology to record, synchronise, mix or reproduce the music, voices or sound effects desired by record producers and musicians
• Set up mics, check equipment and create an ideal recording environment for clients
• Make use of analogue and digital technology and sound manipulation techniques to edit recorded sounds
• Correct errors, remove unwanted sounds like pops and clicks and loop sections to enhance the quality of the sounds
• Handle a variety of music equipment such as mixing consoles to add effects like reverb and delay, levelling dynamics and panning 
• Hold comprehensive discussions with music producers, songwriters and artists at all stages of recording
• Work closely with the clients mentioned above, especially at the end of a project, to make final adjustments before mastering
• Make sure sound levels at an event suit the needs of performers as well as the audience
• Take on producing duties, if necessary; prepare sessions and set up instruments and gear

Music Engineers typically work with live sound in collaboration with music producers, artists and arrangers. You can expect a fair amount of national and international travel on the job. 

Irregular work schedules are standard, and you may need to work for ten to fourteen hours a day, including evenings, nights, and weekends as per an artist’s live performance and studio recording schedules.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Music Engineers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Music Engineers are generally employed by:

• Television Networks
• Recording Studios
• Concert Halls
• Music, Film & Television Studios
• Band, Tour & Event Management Companies
• Opera & Play Houses
• Conference Centres
• Theatres & Auditoriums
• Government Offices
• Higher Education Institutions 

Professional associations and organisations, such as the Audio Engineering Society, are crucial for Music Engineers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Stiff competition amongst Music Engineers may lead to stressful situations
• Irregular and long working hours can be exhausting
• An increase in digital technology usage may be shrinking the job market for Music Engineers
• Working in noisy environments may get disturbing
• Setting up and arranging instruments and gear may cause physical strain

Any academic program that a prospective Music Engineer takes up typically requires a period of supervised experience, such as an internship.

You could also gain valuable experience in the field by participating in student radio, television and theatre clubs, volunteering at community radio stations, and working at local music venues and community music events.

Aspiring Music Engineers who have musical skills will find recording their own compositions or those of local bands in a home studio helpful in achieving their career goals.

Read about the profession and interview/job shadow experts working as Music Engineers to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

Music Engineers traditionally need to have completed a post-secondary program in music technology. A two-year associate degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree in sound engineering, audio engineering or audio production are popular choices amongst prospective Music Engineers.

The programs are offered at multiple community colleges, music institutes and technical schools. They may comprise audio technology, recording techniques, visual media, music production, sound reinforcement, and the music business.

Most courses include both theoretical and experiential learning. Some programs require students to complete recording and production projects.

Gaining the Certified Audio Engineer credential demonstrates a Music Engineer’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing a proficiency examination. Since expertise in Pro Tools recording software is an essential prerequisite for most internships, you would be doing yourself a favour by getting certified in the technology.

Certification from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market and increase your chances of advancement. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Music Engineers. 

You will typically begin your career as an assistant engineer or technical assistant to an established Music Engineer who will show you the ropes and help you establish a valuable network.

From there, it is a short step to becoming a bonafide Music Engineer with expertise in either live or recorded sound. Eventually, you will be able to move to a Senior Engineer or Master Engineer position, move to a larger studio, progress to studio management or set up your own studio.

Candidates with an associate or bachelor’s degree in sound engineering and significant work experience have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Music Engineer build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning.

Music Engineers generally receive on-the-job training to stay abreast of the latest safety procedures, emerging music production technology and sophisticated testing equipment. Fresh recruits acquire the training and techniques necessary for career advancement from seasoned professionals.

Enrol in courses that will keep you informed of the latest technological breakthroughs to increase productivity and project quality in digital music recording and editing. CPD will also ensure you pass exams or earn requisite professional credits to remain certified.

Which One Would You Groove To?

Music Engineers can opt for one among a range of niche fields.

You could choose to be a studio engineer and dabble in music production, become a recording engineer and focus on recording, go into mix engineering and create new music by mixing sounds, or work as a game and audio design engineer and develop the theme for video games.

Other jobs include a mastering engineer who smoothes over the work of a mixing engineer, a live sound engineer who maintains the quality of music during live shows, and an audio post engineer who handles the mixing and editing of sound for television and movies. 

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Music Engineers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, a full-time Music Engineer has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Currently, there are around 17,000 Music Engineers in the United States alone.

Music Engineers build upon their hard-earned knowledge of physics, electronics, computing and maths and make use of their well-trained ears to nurture artistic talent and help develop an outstanding track, a memorable album or a noteworthy live performance.

Certain complex aspects of a Music Engineer’s job may seem tempting to try out, but you need to concentrate on taking things step by step. Don’t try to master an Album before understanding the basics.