Studio sound engineer Job Information | National Careers Service

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Studio sound engineer

Hours

Variable
Starting salary

£13,000 + per year

If you are interested in music and sound, and you've got knowledge of electronics and acoustics, this could be the ideal job for you.

As a sound engineer in a recording studio, you would make high quality recordings of music, speech and sound effects for use in different media, from music recordings to commercials.

In this job you would need good hearing. You would also need a good appreciation of pitch, timing and rhythm.

You can get into this job by taking a music technology course at college or university, to develop skills before looking for work in a studio. Or you could get experience on the job as a 'runner' and work your way up. Experience in community or hospital radio, or on your own equipment at home, can also help you get in.

The work

You would use complex electronic equipment to record sound for many different uses, such as:

commercial music recordings
radio, TV, film and commercials
corporate videos
websites
computer games and other types of interactive media.

Your work would involve:

planning recording sessions with producers and artists
setting up microphones and equipment in the studio
setting the right sound levels and dynamics
operating equipment for recording, mixing, mastering, sequencing and sampling
recording each instrument or item onto a separate track
monitoring and balancing sound levels
mixing tracks to produce a final ‘master’ track
logging tapes and other details of the session in the studio archive.

With experience, you might also act as studio manager.

Hours

You would need to be flexible about your working hours, which could be long and irregular. You might work during evenings, nights and weekends, depending on when artists and producers were available.

You would mainly work in recording studios. Conditions can vary – some commercial studios may be large and air-conditioned, but many are small and windowless and can be cramped.

Income

Starting salaries can be from £13,000 a year full-time equivalent
With experience, salaries can rise to between £20,000 and £40,000
Freelance earnings can be higher or lower, depending on reputation and how much work is available.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You will need a good knowledge of music and recording technology, and you'll also find it useful to understand physics and electronics. Many sound engineers start by taking a music technology course at college or university, to develop skills before looking for work in a studio.

Music technology courses are available at various levels, such as:

City & Guilds Level 1, 2 and 3 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Sound and Music Techniques (7603)
BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Music Technology
foundation degrees, BTEC HNCs/HNDs or degrees in sound engineering, audio technology, music technology or music production.

Check with colleges or universities for course entry requirements. See the Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS) JAMES website for information on industry-approved courses.

Association of Professional Recording Services – JAMES

Alternatively, instead of taking a music technology course before looking for work, you could start as an assistant or ‘runner' in a recording studio. Here you would carry out basic routine jobs, but you would also get the chance to learn how to use studio equipment and assist on sessions.

When looking for your first job, you'll find it helpful to have practical experience of using studio equipment. Taking a music technology course can help with this, and you could also build up your experience through:

community music or DJ projects
hospital or community radio
mixing and recording music in a home studio.

Customer service experience and good 'people skills' such as teamwork and communication are also important, as you would often be working in close contact with clients and artists.

Training and development

You will usually develop your skills on the job once you're working in a studio.

You should keep up to date with changes in audio technology and equipment throughout your career. See the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) website for links to private training companies and colleges offering short courses in technical skills such as sequencing, mastering, editing and recording.

With experience, you could also choose to take further qualifications such as BTEC Level 5 Professional Diplomas in Audio Recording or Sound Studio Management.

It may be helpful to your career to join a professional body like APRS, PLASA or the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers (ISCE). Membership benefits usually include networking opportunities and careers advice.

If you want to move into sound for television and film, you can take short courses to develop your skills in this area. See Creative Skillset's website to search for courses in TV/film sound recording and post-production sound.

Skills and knowledge

To be a studio sound engineer you should have:

good hearing, for distinguishing sound quality
a good sense of pitch, timing and rhythm
a knowledge of electronics and acoustics
good practical skills
patience
a keen interest in music and sound
the ability to cope with long hours and tight deadlines
good communication and ‘people’ skills.

More information

Creative Skillset Careers (Opens new window)
Tel: 08080 300 900 (England and Northern Ireland)
Tel: 0845 850 2502(Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
www.creativeskillset.org/careers

PLASA (Opens new window)
Redoubt House
1 Edward Road
Eastbourne
BN23 8AS
Tel: 01323 524120
www.plasa.org

Association of Professional Recording Services (Opens new window)
PO Box 22
Totnes
Devon
TQ9 7YZ
Tel: 01803 868600
www.aprs.co.uk

BPI - The British Recorded Music Industry (Opens new window)
Riverside Building
County Hall
Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7JA
Tel: 020 7803 1300
www.bpi.co.uk

Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers (Opens new window)
PO Box 7966
Reading
RG6 7BP
www.isce.org.uk

Tomorrow's Engineers (Opens new window)
www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk

Opportunities

There are opportunities to work full-time for a recording studio, although it is more common to work on short-term freelance contracts.

Most of the major studios are based in and around London, but there are studios in major towns and cities throughout the UK.

Jobs are not always advertised, so you will often need to contact studios directly for work. Once you were established, you would often find work through word of mouth.

With experience, you could specialise in a particular technical skill, become a music producer, or start your own recording studio.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The music industry is part of the creative and cultural industries, represented by the Creative and Cultural Skills Sector Skills Council, which also includes: craft; cultural heritage; literature; design; performing arts; and visual arts. The creative and cultural industries currently employ 678,480, people, of which 24% are based in London. There are 74,640 businesses in the creative and cultural industries, of which 87% employ less than 10 people.

The music industry includes trade associations, businesses and employers in: recording/labels companies; music publishers; musical instruments; audio production and retail; live events and promotion; specialist music retailers; not‐for‐profit music organisation; as well as music education and training providers.

Key facts:

There are 102,220 people working in the music industry, of which:
- 50,780 work in live performance
- 21,930 in production, retail and distribution of musical instrument/audio equipment
- 15,130 in retail and distribution of recordings
- 10,190 in recording
- 2,890 in composition of musical works and music publishing
- 1,300 in promotion, management and agency related activities
Employment in music increased by 8% between 2004 and 2006.
25% of the workforce is located in London.
There are 13,760 businesses, of which 89% employ less than 50 people.
The music industry contributes £4.2 billion to the UK economy.
46% of the music workforce is self‐employed.
34% of the workforce works part‐time.
Women in the industry are slightly more highly qualified than men (38% have an above level 4 qualification as their highest qualification compared with 35% of men).
Women are likely to earn less money than men (78% of women in music earn less than £20,000 per year, compared to 51% of men).
36% of those working in the music industry have at least a level 4 qualification.
8% of the workforce has no qualifications.

Jobs in the industry include: agent, artistic director, classical musician, composer/arranger DJ, lighting technician, lyricist/songwriter, manager (music), music and audio manufacturer, music conductor, music teacher, performer (recording artist), publicity and promotions, singer, sound engineer.

National and regional data

Northern Ireland – There are 11,640 people working in the Northern Ireland creative and cultural sector. 2% of the UK music workforce is located in Northern Ireland. The music industry in Northern Ireland contributes £59 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the music workforce is white and 63% of the workforce is male. 34% of the music workforce in Northern Ireland is self‐employed.

Scotland – There are 45,420 people working in the Scottish creative and cultural sector. 6% of the UK music workforce is located in Scotland. The music industry in Scotland contributes £230 million to the UK economy. 98% of the music workforce is white. 30% of the music workforce in Scotland is self‐employed.

Wales – There are 24,060 people working in the Welsh creative and cultural sector. 4% of the UK music workforce is located in Wales. The music industry in Wales contributes £69 million to the UK economy. 99% of the workforce is white and 69% of the workforce is male. 38% of the Welsh music workforce is self‐employed.

[N.B. The data for the following regions are for the creative and cultural sector as a whole.]

East Midlands – There are 44,380 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are 3,950 creative businesses in the region, of which 92% employ less than 50 people. 35% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 54% are under 40 years.

East of England – There are 63,700 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 6,710 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 37% of the workforce is self-employed. 66% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.

London – There are 164,690 people in the sector workforce in London, representing 24% of the UK sector workforce. There are 21,600 creative businesses, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 51% of the workforce is self-employed. 58% of the workforce is male. 84% of the sector workforce is white and 56% are under 40 years.

North East – There are 19,680 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 3% of the UK sector workforce. There are 1,330 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 38% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 96% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.

North West – There are 59,580 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 5,660 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 34% of the workforce is self-employed; the majority of who are in arts and music. 62% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 55% are under 40 years.

South East – There are 98,170 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 14% of the UK sector workforce. There are 12,300 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 43% of the workforce is self-employed. 59% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 47% are under 40 years.

South West – There are 60,690 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 47% of the workforce is self-employed in arts, design and music. 59% of the workforce is male. 98% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.

West Midlands – There are 40,300 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 6% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 31% of the workforce is self-employed, which is the lowest regional figure. 58% of the workforce is male. 91% of the sector workforce is white and 49% are under 40 years.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 45,900 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are fewer than 4,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 40% of the workforce is self-employed. 60% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.