Careers in Sound Engineering

Do you love the entire process of producing music? How about turning your fascination into a flourishing career? Sounds great! Yes, it does, after all, sound engineering is the route to fulfillment of your dreams. Broadly classified under audio science, sound engineering incorporates recording, copying, editing, mixing, and reproducing sound through mechanical and electronic devices. As a sound engineer, also known as audio engineer, audio technician, audio technologist, or sound technician, one should be capable of working in all sorts of recording media, including analog tape, digital multi-track recorders, and workstations such as Digidesign Pro Tools. Besides, he should possess in-depth knowledge about software and hardware integration from synchronization to analog and then to digital transfers. The ever changing and progressing technological world offers a number of minting career options. Several organizations hunt for skilled sound engineers, for their creative and technical knowhow of creating audios. Apart from finding opportunities in sound engineering, one can explore its different branches, such as films, video production, broadcasting, and advertising. A wide range of institutions in India are offering courses in sound engineering.

Course Details
Many reputed institutions in India conduct courses in sound engineering, or audio engineering. Mostly, the courses are offered at postgraduate degree, diploma, and certificate levels. Technical principles of sound engineering, basic theory, recording, broadcasting, audio wiring, etc. form a major part of the curriculum. Minimum eligibility for these courses is graduation from any recognized institute or university.

Career Prospects
In India, the career options for sound engineers are vast. One can work as a studio engineer, broadcast engineer, sound editor, mastering engineer, sound effects editor, recording engineer, sound designer, programmer, studio manager etc. Besides, one can also work as a freelance sound engineer.

Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
Several colleges in India offer courses in sound engineering. Audiophile Institute of Sound Engineering, Kochi, Kerala; Govt. Institute of Electronics, Secunderabad; Bhubananda Orissa School of Engineering, Cuttack; A.V. Parekh Tech Institute, Rajkot; Institute of New Media Development and Research, Pune; and Film and Television Institute of India, Pune are some of the leading educational institutions that conduct programs in sound engineering.

Remuneration
To start off with, a sound engineer can earn around Rs. 10,000-15,000 per month. On obtaining sufficient knowledge and experience, one can easily grab six-figured salary packages.