An audio engineer helps record and edit a song to prepare it for public release.

They are the person that, traditionally, sits at the big soundboard in a recording studio. To record and edit a song, they often collaborate with the artist, the artist’s producer, the artist’s record label, and even the artist’s manager.

What Does an Audio Engineer Do?

Here are the main responsibilities of an audio engineer working in a recording studio:

• Ensure all equipment is working properly
• Setting up recording sessions
• Run all cables into the mixing console
• Choosing the right equipment for the instrument being recorded
• Positioning the microphones
• Managing the controls at the soundboard during recording
• Maintain and repair sound equipment
• Editing recordings using a digital audio workstation (DAW)
• Mixing and mastering the recorded track for distribution

Here are the main responsibilities of an audio engineer working in a live performance setting:

• Setting up the equipment (microphones, speakers, cables, etc.)
• Running sound check before the event/concert
• Repair sound equipment
• Editing and mixing the live audio from a soundboard in real-time so it sounds good to the audience
• Recording the live audio for playback or public distribution

A Day In the Life of an Audio Engineer

Julian Dreyer (The Avett Brothers, Steve Martin, Band of Horses) said the first part of an audio engineer’s day is to prepare for the recording session.

“Essentially, your job is to capture what’s going on by setting up microphones and plugging things in, and then to mix it all down to a stereo file that can be played on the radio,” he said.

And if you’re working in a professional recording studio, you can expect to work long days.

Grammy-nominated engineer Dana Nielsen (SZA, Rihanna, Adele, Bob Dylan) works with local recording studios to help bands and artists record their music.

In that setting, he said he sometimes will work 14- or 15-hour days, 6-7 days a week. And a project could go on for a few days to several months.

“It’s like being on red alert all day,” he said. “Listening for things, anticipating what the artist needs, what the producer needs…and there’s really no downtime, even to hop to the bathroom.”

However, he mainly works from his home studio mixing and mastering music for both indie and label artists.

In this setting, he’ll do a couple of hours on multiple projects each day, trying to get each of his clients some deliverables every day (ex. rough mix, updated mix, final mix/master, etc.).

Understanding Mixing and Mastering Music

We’re going to be talking about “mixing music” and “mastering music,” two skills an audio engineer needs to learn. So let’s define each in general terms.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly pay for an audio engineer is $35.62 and the average annual salary is $74,100.

However, when you’re just starting on your path as an audio engineer, you may not get paid much or anything at all. Many future audio engineers start as unpaid interns at a professional recording studio (also called a “runner” – someone who runs errands for the engineer in charge).

How Do Audio Engineers Make Money?

Here are the different ways you can earn money as an audio engineer:

• Freelance audio engineer: charge a day rate or hourly rate (Nielsen said you could charge $30-100 per hour starting out)
• Freelance mixing/mastering engineer and/or producer: charge a per-song rate
• Employee of a recording studio: earn an hourly rate (Dreyer said you could be working for as little as $10-12 per hour starting out)

As a freelancer, Nielsen said that “every deal can be wildly different,” but eventually, you’ll get enough experience that you’ll figure out what your rates should look like.

If you’re a beginner, he said you should track your hours so you can understand how long different tasks take, then adjust your rates for future projects based on how much you want to get paid per hour.

“There’s so many factors, and you kind of get what you can until you have enough of that experience and you’ve done enough of those different deals and you know what works for you…,” he said. “Then you can have these benchmarks of like, ‘Well this is my rate, and I will bend on that if I really like what you’re doing…’ Then you start to establish some minimums.”

It all depends on how much you want to make, how long it takes you to do the task at hand, and what fits within the typical budget of your target clients.

Hey, what do you think about trying our new Music Career HelperMusic Career Helper really quick? It’s totally free and could help get your career moving fast! Give it a try. It’s totally free and you have nothing to lose.

In talking with audio engineers, we noticed a common theme: dedication.

If you want to succeed in this career, you need to be prepared to work long hours, commit to the craft of audio engineering, and learn the technical aspects necessary.

Because of the commitment required, Brian Scheuble (Ringo Starr, Fiona Apple, Nine Inch Nails) said you have to love it.

“…It’s a great career if you love music, like working in a creative atmosphere, and you enjoy collaborating with artists and musicians,” he said.

It’s more of a lifestyle than a career, according to Dreyer. You may practically live at the studio where you work.

“You’re going to have to go through several years of working really long hours for not much money,” he said. “So it’s one of those careers where you’ve really got to be into it, or you’re not going to make it to the point where you’re making a decent living at it, ever.”

According to Ariel Chobaz (Nicki Minaj, Drake, Rihanna), to make audio engineering your career, you should be working in audio in your free time just because you want to.

“It takes a lot of commitment and sacrifice in order to move ahead and become successful,” he said. “And people who aren’t truly passionate about it on a core level get weeded out quickly.”

Bobby Owsinski (Jimi Hendrix, The Ramones, The Who) said you need to be prepared to spend years building your career before you find even moderate success.

“There are lots of ups and downs, and it can take quite a while until you break out and are making a steady amount of money…” he said. “It’s a matter of if you’re willing to stick at it long enough—because it could take some time.”

Is there a high demand for audio engineers?

More and more people are recording music from home, learning how to mix, and using DAW plugins or AI to master their music. So as a budding audio engineer, you may wonder if this is even a good career to get into.

Nielsen said that it may be harder than it used to be to become an engineer, but there will always be people who are willing to pay to work with an expert.

“I think it definitely makes it harder to stand out as a freelance audio engineer because more and more people do have these skills,” he said. “But I think that there will always be a level of artist who doesn’t want to do that themselves, isn’t interested in doing that, and wants the best people possible handling all aspects of their journey.”

People who care about the quality of their music are more likely to work with someone who knows what they’re doing.

How Will Artificial Intelligence Affect Audio Engineers?

Artificial Intelligence music is on the rise, and it probably isn’t going to go away. You can give an AI website a prompt to write a pop song about your dog named Fluffy, and it will pump out a catchy song about your pet.

So the big question is: will AI hurt audio engineers?

Nielsen is very impressed by what AI can do in the music realm, calling it “sometimes scarily good,” but he’s not too worried (at least right now) about it having a negative effect on audio engineers.

“A lot of it I find very helpful for me in certain situations,” he said. “…And I have no doubt that that stuff will get better and better and [have] more and more options and that it’ll apply to mixing… I think that, at the moment, it seems like while those results are impressive and valid and cool and interesting, the ability to really fine-tune things…you’re limited.”

He hopes that people will still want the “tailor-made” process of working with a human engineer.

“…I hope, for my sake, [AI] will never offer the same level of customization and care…” he said. “That’s part of the joy of working with other people, collaborating with other people, getting what somebody brings.”

As AI becomes more advanced and can do more for musicians, people will probably start to crave the authenticity and rawness that only a human can offer. So as of today, knowing what we know now, audio engineering is a good career to get into, as long as you offer more customization and care than AI can.

When embarking on a career as an audio engineer, there are generally two main paths you can take: the traditional studio route or the self-taught, independent approach.

Both paths have their own unique challenges and rewards, and the choice between them often depends on your personal circumstances, goals, and opportunities.

Path #1: Traditional Studio Route

In the traditional studio setting, the career path typically begins at the very bottom, often as a runner, “gofer,” or an unpaid intern.

This entry-level position involves basic tasks like fetching coffee and food, moving equipment, and generally assisting the head engineer however they need.

In this role, Owsinski said you’re basically an errand-runner and you may not even see the music being made.

“You’re a Runner or a Gofer, and if you’re lucky, you get to hang around the studio and see things,” he said.

However, if you do get to witness how the music is made (which many studios encourage of their junior staff), it can be an invaluable learning experience.

Usually, after two to three years, a runner may advance to the role of Assistant Engineer, where they begin to take on more technical responsibilities.

With persistence and skill, you may eventually be ready to handle your own sessions, said Owsinski.

“It doesn’t mean you’re going to be great at it, but you can do it,” he said.

The traditional path can be rewarding, particularly if you find yourself in the right place at the right time, working with artists who are also on the rise.

This can lead to rapid career advancement and opportunities to work on high-profile projects.

Path #2: Independent, Self-Taught

On the other hand, some aspiring audio engineers choose a more independent route, teaching themselves the craft through hands-on experience with their own projects and friends’ projects.

This path requires a high level of dedication and self-motivation because it often lacks the structured mentorship and immediate feedback you would get in a studio environment.

The learning curve can be steep, and it typically takes longer to reach a professional level of competence compared to the studio route.

However, the independent path allows for more creative freedom and the ability to develop a unique style or niche in the industry.

It’s also a viable option for those who may not have access to larger studios or who prefer to work on their own terms.

Both paths can lead to success in the audio engineering field, but they require different strategies and mindsets.

Owsinski said you need to be able to get along with others regardless of your path.

“Personality really matters because if you’re going to be locked in a room with somebody for a long period of time, you want to be able to get along with them,” he said.

Basically, it’s not just what you know or what you can do, it’s who you are as a person.

When starting out as an audio engineer, gaining experience is crucial, even if it means working without pay.

Regardless of your path, you need to record something to build your portfolio – even if it’s a personal project or a free gig for a local band.

The more you work on recording projects, the more experience you’ll gain, and the better your portfolio will become.

Networking and developing the right social skills are also essential to grow your career. Dreyer emphasizes the importance of social dynamics and being a good person to work with.

“Having the ability to be proficient at the technical part of your job, but also be skilled at quickly identifying and sussing out the social dynamic if you’re working with bands, which are like five-way marriages…” he said.

“The ultimate goal of an Audio Engineer is to be invisible, meaning that you are facilitating the process of recording music in a way that doesn’t get in the way of the artist’s ability to feel comfortable and creative.”

To succeed as an audio engineer, you’ll need to develop a broad range of skills, including:

• Technical proficiency with audio software and equipment
• Knowledge of sound and room acoustics
• Audio editing, mixing, and mastering
• Critical listening
• Collaboration and good communication
• Problem-solving and being able to fix equipment
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Musical knowledge (not necessary but helps)
• Sound design (not necessary but helps)

There are several ways to learn audio engineering, depending on your learning style and career goals…

Self-Taught

This path is challenging, but if you’re passionate about audio engineering, the internet offers a wealth of knowledge. You can learn from informative articles, find answers on YouTube, and even reach out to respected engineers for guidance.

Owsinski points out that you don’t need a degree to succeed as an audio engineer, saying, “The only qualifier these days is a lot of technical abilities.”

Audio Engineer Degree

Laying a solid foundation during high school or college is a great way to start your journey. Courses in information technology, communications, mathematics, and electronics are beneficial, as is involvement in school theater and music productions.

You can, of course, go to a school specifically for audio engineering. But Dreyer suggests getting a more well-rounded education because you have to be good any many other things on top of your technical abilities.

“Personally, I recommend getting a liberal arts degree because it makes you smarter,” he said. “The job is way more than just the audio engineering part.”

Chobaz says having a degree can help open doors that lead to career growth.

“I actually don’t have a degree, although I highly recommend one,” he said. “This business can be tricky, sometimes you can be very busy and other times struggling to find work, and having a degree can open up doors for audio engineering in other avenues like games, movies, and TV.”

Gain Practical Experience Through Internships and Runner Positions

Getting an internship or becoming a runner at a local studio gives you invaluable hands-on experience, allowing you to work alongside seasoned professionals and deepen your understanding of audio engineering.

“Good studio experience will help you know how to approach each different session…” said Scheuble. “Internships are a key part of this learning process…”

Consider Certification

A certification in audio engineering is not mandatory, and many clients won’t care whether you’re certified or not.

But a certification can augment your credentials and help you get your foot in the door ahead of other people also starting out.

Commit to Lifelong Learning

The world of audio engineering is constantly evolving, and staying current is essential. Engage with other audio engineers, read industry articles, study new books, and keep up with software updates.

“With different types of music (audio), your skills need to be able to adjust…” said Scheuble. “Staying informed about industry changes will ensure that you continue to grow and succeed in this field.”