How to Become a Recording Engineer

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

Rate: (6 Ratings)

Recording engineers ply their trade for rock bands, TV shows and film productions. Some engineers also produce recordings and mold the creative aspects and technical sound of a CD or song. The job of the recording engineer encompasses mixing, mastering, playing, composing and analyzing music.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate
Step1
Play and listen to music non-stop. A successful recording engineer needs a thorough knowledge of instruments, vocals and audio software. Use all the available types of recording and mixing software and become acquainted with other studio tools like microphones, mixers, speakers and audio interfaces.
Step2
Attend a recording school, like Full Sail in Orlando or Los Angeles Recording School. Most community colleges and universities offer audio recording courses. Receive certification as a recording engineer by the Society of Broadcast Engineers by working as a recording engineer for five years and passing a written exam.
Step3
Intern at a recording studio after graduation. You'll handle "gopher" duties like fetching coffee and running errands. After awhile, you'll assist an engineer and learn more about the studio's equipment. Eventually, you may work on a small-scale project of your own or maintain equipment and music software.
Step4
Research permanent recording jobs through resources like Mixonline.com and Recording Review. Consult the career guidance or job placement department at your recording school. Go to concerts and clubs and meet bands that may need an engineer for their next release.
Step5
Relocate to New York, Los Angeles or Nashville. Despite the proliferation of smaller studios across the country, these cities still contain the core of the American recording and music industries.

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article: How to Become a Recording Engineer

eHow Careers & Work Editor

Related Ads

Careers & Work

acousticgroupie
Meet Kristen Fischer eHow’s Careers & Work Expert.