An audio or sound engineer is the engineer of the auditory world. They deal with the recording, processing and mixing of audio signals. Music, podcasts, films or audio books - in most of the media we all consume every day, an audio engineer has been at work making sure that what you hear sounds professional and of high quality. It's a creative job that requires technical know-how.

The tasks of an audio engineer

The tasks of an audio engineer can be very different. They range from the planning to the execution of audio projects. Here are a few of the main tasks that an audio engineer takes on:

Recording audio: The right miking for the signal to be recorded

Editing: Audio engineers cut and edit the recorded tracks in order to eliminate any distortions, noise and other factors.  

Mixing: The mix is the mixture of all available tracks for a balanced frequency and volume ratio.  

Mastering: This is where the mixed product is finalized so that it has the best possible quality on every end device.  

Consulting: Audio engineers are often consulted in advance by artists or clients on technical and creative issues. Every media project that depends on good sound needs to be well planned.

The importance of technology

Technology plays a major role in daily business. Various software and hardware are used to achieve the best results. These include

• Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs): software used for composing, producing, recording, mixing and mastering audio and MIDI. Before computers, many of these tasks were performed by separate hardware, such as MIDI sequencers, tape machines, mixers and samplers. The DAW combines these processes into a single package, making it the digital heart of modern recording studios. However, DAWs are not only used in music production. They are also used in sound design and podcasts, for example. At Golden Claim, we work with the premium audio software from Steinberg: NUENDO.  

• Microphones: Choosing the right microphone for the product to be recorded is crucial for a good recording. There are two basic types of microphone: Dynamic and condenser microphones.

• Audio interfaces: These devices connect microphones and instruments to the computer and allow internal routing.

• Plugins: Nowadays, it is impossible to imagine modern production without them. They allow you to produce and mix "in the box" without external devices.

How do you become an audio engineer?

There are various ways to become an audio engineer. Many start with a traditional apprenticeship. There are special courses of study for audio engineering or music production. Practical experience is always important.

Study: A university degree in audio engineering. The SAE institutes, for example, offer various degree courses.

Internships: Practical experience in studios gives you a feel for what is important.

Networking: Contacts in the industry are important. Attend events, trade fairs and exchange ideas with others on social media.

The future of audio engineering

Technology is constantly evolving. This means that audio engineers also have to adapt. New software and hardware regularly come onto the market. The demand for high-quality audio is also growing. AI is also changing the traditional audio engineer, so some of the jobs may disappear in the future, but new ones may also emerge. With the rise of podcasts and streaming services, there are many new opportunities. Audio engineers have the chance to work in a variety of fields. From music to film to advertising, the possibilities are almost endless. An audio engineer is an important part of media production. Whether you are recording music or mixing a television program, good sound makes the music.

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