Career Blogs

Browse in : [ Career Blogs ]

Become a Sound Engineer

How would you react if I where to present you with a picture of a person screaming?

My guess is with probable indifference, an acknowledgement that the person in the picture might be frightened, in pain, angry or, perhaps, just trying to get someone’s attention. If I were to play you an audio recording of the same person screaming a different scenario generally ensues. Your body would react more potently to the emotions carried in the sound waves. A direct link would be made with your own memories; the hairs on the back of your neck may start to rise... A more powerful message is received.

Hearing is a more powerful sense than many realise.

So what is Audio Engineering? Most people may conjure up images of the guy behind an array of controls at a gig, seemingly not doing much except for a tweak here and there... Place the microphones, plug them in, piece of cake...

Truth is there is a lot more to it then that. Audio Engineering is a discipline, whose output touches almost every aspect of our entertainment-driven lives. It is the practical application of the physics of sound in a variety of areas, for example: Studio recording, live sound reinforcement (be it the small gig in the pub or the large stadium concerts), location recording, sound for film or TV, sound design and audio forensics.

Audio engineering incorporates the understanding of the physical behaviour of sound (Physics of sound and Acoustics), the technologies used to reinforce, record and manipulate sound, as well as (and what is probably the hardest aspect of this discipline) an understanding of the human hearing mechanism: Psychoacoustics, which goes beyond just reading the various literatures one may find, but requires a retraining of the sense of hearing. As the saying goes within the industry, ‘You can’t engineer sound if you can’t hear it’.

The technological advancements are swift and ever changing. Coupled with the creative applications within which it is used, it makes Audio engineering one of the most exciting and challenging industries to work in, with an enormous sense of gratification.

SAE Institute is the largest worldwide institution in media technology education with 49 institutes in 26 counties. Established in 1976, SAE qualifications enjoy international acceptance and approvals. In partnership with Middlesex University SAE offers the complete academic route from Diploma level to Masters, and from October 2008 (with the opening of our European Degree Center in Oxford) the much sought after SAE Tonnmeister®.

SAE Liverpool offers the Audio engineering Diploma in both full-time (12 months) and part-time (21 months) study schemes. Successful completion of the diploma is equivalent to having completed 50% of the BA (Hons) in Recording Arts, validated by Middlesex University, giving students the option of a further year of study to complete the degree at one of SAE’s UK Degree Centers, (London and Oxford), or at an international degree center.

Today’s and tomorrows audio production for Music, TV, Film, Multimedia, Broadcast and Live events require a broad knowledge of audio technology and a wide variety of skills in recording, editing, mixing and post production of audio. Studio setups found in the industry range from small home studios to large format consoles in huge recording studios. The diploma course provides the required diversity and professionalism in equipment, skills and theory topics. Coupling in-depth theory and highly practical training, students acquire essential experience and ear training using industry standard equipment in order to be well prepared for work in the industry or individual ventures.

Liverpool is also an ideal place for student life, boasting a large and well-supported student base. Liverpool has also produced more No.1 Hit Singles than any other city in the world, providing an excellent training ground for the recording arts.

For more information regarding SAE Liverpool please visit www.saeuk.com/liverpool.

Gavin Attard is a professional audio engineer and the college manager of SAE Liverpool.