COOL SCIENCE CAREERS

Sound Engineer
 COOL SCIENCE CAREERS

Sound Engineer

Patricia Hynes

Cherry Lake Publishing

A n n A r b o r, M i c h i g a n
Published in the United States of America by Cherry Lake Publishing
Ann Arbor, MI
[Link]

Photo Credits: Page 10, © Bettmann/Corbis; Page 13, © Mosaic Images/Corbis;

Page 19, © New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection
(Library of Congress); Page 20, © Dennis Galante/Corbis; Page 25, © Bettmann/Corbis

Copyright ©2008 by Cherry Lake Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any
form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hynes, Patricia Freeland.
Sound engineer / by Patricia Freeland Hynes.
p. cm. — (Cool science careers)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-1-60279-054-4 (hc : alk. paper) 978-1-60279-084-1 (pbk.)
ISBN-10: 1-60279-054-X (hc : alk. paper) 1-60279-084-1 (pbk.)
1. Sound—Recording and reproducing. 2. Sound—Equipment and supplies.
I. Title. II. Series.
TK7881.4.H96 2007
621.382’8—dc22 2007005701

Cherry Lake Publishing would like to acknowledge the work of

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
Please visit [Link] for more information.
 Table of Contents

C H A P T E R O N E

Tools of the Trade 4

C H A P T E R T W O

Masters of Sound 9

C H A P T E R T H R E E

Possibilities in the Field 15

C H A P T E R F O U R

Possibilities in the Studio 22

C H A P T E R F I V E

Become a Sound Engineer 27

Glossar y 30

For More Information 31

Index 32
 CHAPTER ONE

Tools of the Trade

Good sound engineers have an aptitude for working with electric,

electronic, and mechanical systems and equipment.

H ow would you like to be in the studio with your favorite musical

group as they record their new album? How would you like to help that

group make this recording their best ever? This is exactly what some sound

engineers do.

4 21st CENTURY SKILLS LIBRARY

 The job of sound engineer involves knowledge
ife
of science. However, it does not lead into the C &
areer
Skills

What type of
laboratory, as many cool careers in science do. person might be
interested in (and
Sound engineers help create what we hear at indoor good at) this kind
of job? Think of the
key skills a sound
and outdoor concerts and on the radio, television,
engineer might
need. Then, as you
compact discs, and movies. In this way, they make read this book, add
to your description.

use of both their scientific training and their ability

to use computer technology.

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 5

 Sound engineers must be good at working as part of a team.

In this book, you’ll learn what sound engineers do. You’ll see the part

they play in making the finished product that you hear. You’ll also explore

several jobs in the field. In the final chapter, you’ll learn how a person

might train for such work.

6 21st CENTURY SKILLS LIBRARY

 First, let’s look at the tools a sound engineer works with. The tools of a

sound engineer include microphones, speakers, recorders, and amplifiers.

At concerts, these are placed to bring the best possible sound to the

audience. In the studio, these tools are used to get the best sound on record.

Sound engineers must master a computer console

with dozens of dials to create the desired sound.

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 7

 A sound––a song, for example––can be
21Century
st

Content recorded into a computer console. There it can be

Careers in sound
engineering
changed, just as we are able to edit our own writing
continue to grow as
movies, television, on the computer.
music, and radio
expand. Besides
Changes might include adding some more
recording studios,
sound engineers
work in stadiums, musical instruments. Or the artists and the engineer
theaters, concert
halls, churches, and
might “mix in” additional sounds. They may also
many other venues
around the world.
You might want change existing sounds to make new ones. These
to check out the
opportunities. “tracks” can then be added to the one that holds the

original song. This process continues until the artists

feel they have brought out the music they have in

their heads and put it in a form that everyone

can hear.

8 21st CENTURY SKILLS LIBRARY

 CHAPTER TWO

Masters of Sound

Reel-to-reel tape recorders became popular in the 1960s and

were replaced by digital recording in the late 1980s.

L ess than 30 years ago, sounds were mixed using eight-track, reel-to-reel

tape recorders. Each track was recorded. Then, the various tracks, such

as vocals, strings, brass, and so on, were woven together. This was done

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 9

 The Beatles and their innovative sound helped define music in the 1960s.

10 21st CENTURY SKILLS LIBRARY

by playing the tapes all at once and recording them
earning
together. As you might imagine, this required an
I &
nnovation
Skills
Most of the old
immense amount of time, patience, and skill. Beatles albums have
been “remastered”
Today’s computers can do this in an instant, though and made available
on compact disc
or through music
they still must be controlled and guided by the
downloads like
iTunes. Find out
musicians making the recording and, of course, by what remastered
means. Why do you
think some people
the sound engineer.
like the sound
produced by the
Albums of the classic rock group the Beatles were older, reel-to-reel
technology better?
done this way. Their talent as musicians and songwriters What can be done
to make digital
recording sound
was highlighted by the blending of many taped tracks. more “real”?

The music that resulted was a sound unlike anything

that had been done before. These albums are also

good illustrations of the collaboration, or working

together, of the artists and the sound engineer.

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 11

 Sometimes that sound engineer is also a
ife
C &
areer
Skills
musician. This ability can add even more creativity

When he was in
his early teens,
to the process.
Daniel Lanois set up
a recording studio In pop music, French Canadian musician and
in his mother’s
laundr y room. There
sound engineer Daniel Lanois [lan-WAH] has won
he recorded local
bands for about $6
a recording. What numerous awards. He writes and performs his own
life skills was he
exhibiting?
songs. His abilities, together with his vast knowledge

of sound production, have allowed him to mix roles.

He often plays instruments on the recordings that he

works on as sound engineer.

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 Rudy Van Gelder was a favorite sound engineer for mid-century jazz
greats such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and John Coltrane.

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 13

 In the world of jazz, the name Rudy Van Gelder
earning
I &
nnovation
Skills
brings to mind a different sort of sound engineer.

One of the
important skills for
Over the decades, Van Gelder recorded many
a sound engineer is
creativity. How was jazz performers. His aim as a sound engineer was
Rudy Van Gelder
being creative in
to produce recordings that were as balanced as
recording jazz
artists?
possible—the kind of sound you’d experience if you

were sitting in the best seat in a small jazz club. His

efforts preserved the sounds of long-gone artists for

generations to come.

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 CHAPTER THREE

Possibilities in the Field

Working in the field requires sound engineers to work quickly and

efficiently in sometimes-difficult circumstances.

N ot all jobs for sound engineers take them into the recording studio.

In fact, only a small percentage of sound engineers do work in recording

studios. Most jobs for sound engineers take them “into the field.” This

means that the sound engineers have to go wherever the action is.

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 15

 Music, Music, Music
21 st
Century
C ontent One of the jobs for a sound engineer that many

Sound engineers
work all over the people know is to work on a concert tour for a rock
world. Musical
artists, speakers, band. Often these concerts are outdoors, and that fact
and theatrical
productions appear
in countries from
can bring special problems. For example, what if a
China to Brazil.
At the same time, rainstorm delays the set-up of the tons of equipment?
local artists are
performing and
The sound engineer determines where to place the
recording. All use
the skills of sound
engineers. giant speakers and amplifiers. Then all the equipment

needs to be wired together, which can mean miles

of cables.

Once the equipment is set up, the sound check

can begin. The sound engineer uses the computer

console, a part of the band’s touring equipment,

16 21st CENTURY SKILLS LIBRARY

to check sound levels. The engineer also uses the console to take out any

electronic whines, buzzes, or other noises produced by the equipment.

During the concert, the engineer makes sure the audience hears the best

sound possible. If the concert is being recorded, the engineer makes sure

that the recording progresses smoothly, too.

Sound equipment is fragile. Each piece is often packed in a separate box

that is very sturdy on the outside and padded on the inside.

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 17

 If the band is on a world tour, the job of a sound
21Century
st

Content engineer can be physically demanding, too. A tour

Loud music, either

on stage or in the
means quickly setting up and taking down all the
studio, can cause
hearing loss. Many equipment, accounting for every piece, and boxing
publications for
sound engineers
it to be moved. Then everything has to be set up in
urge them to keep
levels low and
wear headphones the new location. The sound engineer also may have
whenever possible.
The same advice
to endure long plane rides, strange food, and time
applies to listeners.

changes that literally turn day into night.

At War

Radio and TV news reports sometimes require

sound engineers to work in the field, too. Obviously,

a job like this is not for everyone. Sound engineers

in the field have been killed or badly injured. Their

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 Edward R. Murrow’s famous radio broadcasts from London to millions
in America during World War II always began, “This is London.”

courage is beyond doubt. They helped bring us reports of World War II,

the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. They brought

us news of the invasions of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003.

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 19

 Other News

Radio and TV reports cover a lot more than wars, and all the reports

need sound. There are press conferences, crime scenes, and accidents.

There are sporting events such

as NASCAR races, the Olympics,

and the Super Bowl. There are

reports “on the scene” from the

White House, the New York

Stock Exchange, and political

conventions. There are also

interviews with politicians, actors,

At press conferences, sound crime victims, and anyone else

engineers often have to position
their microphones among others
and still pick up what is said. in the news.

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 On movie and television sets, sound engineers set up special
equipment to enhance, filter, or even change sounds.

Sound engineers are also critical to television shows that are made in

the field. Think of all the home decorating shows. The sound engineers

must record all the noise of demolition and construction. They must also

carefully record all the directions on how to get the desired result!

Sound engineers also work in the field on animal shows. They must

wade into swamps, climb mountains, and hang from trees to record both

the animals and the people speaking about them.

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 21

 CHAPTER FOUR

Possibilities in the Studio

I f travel and danger are not in your plans, there are other sound

engineering jobs that you might like. Many sound engineers do their work

entirely in a studio. It may be a news studio. It may be a studio where

weekly TV dramas and comedies are produced, or it may be a studio for

soap operas, cable talk shows, or an early morning show.

Effective sound—and lighting—are two essentials for all TV shows.

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The Evening News
ife
Some sound engineers work on the Monday- C &
areer
Skills

Sound engineers on
through-Friday news shows from TV studios. As the news shows have to
be ver y adaptable.
program progresses, the engineer switches among They might be
called to work on
sudden notice. Why
commercials, live reports from the field, the studio might this be true?
Hint: Think of the
anchors reading the news, and taped features. The explosion of
the space shuttle
in 2003.
engineer checks the console and adjusts sound levels

for each segment. The job requires split-second

timing, good physical coordination, and a great deal

of knowledge about how the computer can help

create the right sound.

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 23

 The goal is for the sounds from all these different
ife
C &
areer
Skills
sources to go out to the audience clear and true. The

Imagine that
you are a sound
engineer makes sure that listeners do not have to turn
engineer working in
a small, cramped up the sound for one feature only to be blasted out of
studio. What
kinds of people
their seats by the next.
skills would help
you work well
with others in The engineer’s console may take up most of the
this situation?

room in a soundproofed booth. Studio working

conditions can range from posh to cramped. It all

depends on the company the engineer works for.

At the Movies

Nobody worried about sound in the early days

of movies. They didn’t have any! Squeaky voices and

loud coughs were not a problem. The dialogue was

24 21st CENTURY SKILLS LIBRARY

 After “talkies” began, sound engineers even had to record
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s famous Leo the lion.

printed on the screen. Nobody said anything. However, things changed

drastically in 1929 when “talkies” arrived. Ever since then, sound engineers

have also played key roles—offstage—on all movies.

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 25

 Today’s skilled sound engineers work hard to
earning
I &
nnovation
Skills
record the sounds of a movie. Then they make the

As you can see

from the passage,
movie’s soundtrack. The engineer combines the
adding sound
was difficult for voices of the actors, the sounds that are part of the
moviemakers. What
does “attention to
action (sneezes, explosions, and so on), and the
detail” mean in this
context?
music. As he or she puts together these separate

sound elements, the engineer must also constantly

check the picture to be sure that the two agree.

Attention to detail is a must.

26 21st CENTURY SKILLS LIBRARY

 CHAPTER FIVE

Become a Sound Engineer

Technology has become inexpensive enough for young people

to try out the career of sound engineer at home.

A s in most fields, there are personal characteristics that suggest an

aptitude, or inborn ability, for the work of sound engineer. Having a “good

ear” for sound is important. This is the ability to tell when something is

out of tune, for example. Learning to read music and playing instruments

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 27

 can be helpful. Trying out music-making computer
ife
C &
areer
Skills
programs can provide a feel for what it might be like

The rapid and

continuing growth
to do the real thing.
and refinement of
information and Anyone can twirl knobs on a computer
communication
technologies
console, but only trained sound engineers can do
impacts sound
engineering.
Engineers must it with skill. Many employers expect training after
continue to
learn the latest
high school to cover several areas. These include
applications
in digital
communication. education in advanced electronics, sound production

and transmission, broadcasting, and computer

technology. After the formal education, it is possible

to serve an apprenticeship. During this time, in

return for lots of work and low pay, beginning

sound engineers can get some on-the-job training

from experts.

28 21st CENTURY SKILLS LIBRARY

 Learning what a computer

console can and cannot do is

essential to the sound engineer.

Knowing how to get the desired

results is essential, too. However,

advances in the technology keep

coming along. Interested students

should try to keep up with these

advances so that when they

actually start their careers, they

will be familiar with some of the

tools. Being a little bit ahead of Computers are here to stay in the
work of a sound engineer, and staying
up to date with the technological
the game never hurt anyone! breakthroughs is important.

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 29

 Glossary

amplifiers (AM-pluh-fahy-erz) devices that make sounds louder

apprenticeship (uh-PREN-tus-ship) job that requires working for a set

amount of time in return for instruction

console (KAHN-sohl) panel of dials, levers, buttons, and switches that

controls electronic equipment

microphones (MAHY-kruh-fohnz) instruments for magnifying sound

electronically

recorders (ri-K0WR-derz) machines that store sound for later playing

speakers (SPEE-kerz) machines used to transmit, or send out, sound

soundtrack (SOUND-trak) recording of the music, voices, and other

sounds for a movie, TV show, or other medium

studio (STOO-dee-oh) room or building where movies, TV shows, and

radio programs are produced

30 21st CENTURY SKILLS LIBRARY

 For More Information

Books

Basta, Nicholas. Opportunities in Engineering Careers.

Chicago: VGM Books, 2003.

Jones, Sarah. Assistant Engineer Handbook: Gigs in the Recording

Studio and Beyond. New York: Schirmer Trade Books, 2004.

Maze, Stephanie. I Want to Be an Engineer.

San Diego: Harcourt,1999.

White, Ira. Audio Made Easy (or How to Be a Sound Engineer

Without Really Tr ying). Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard
Corporation,1997.

Young, Clive. Crank It Up—Live Sound Secrets of the Top Tour Engineers.
San Francisco: Backbeat Books, 2004.

Other Media

[Link] is a federal government

website that describes the job of a sound engineer in detail.

[Link] is the website for the American

Society for Engineering Education, where you can
learn about all sorts of engineering careers.

COOL SCIENCE CAREERS: Sound Engineer 31

 index

Afghanistan, 19 “on the scene” reporting, 20–21

amplifiers, 7 overtime, 23
animal shows, 21
Persian Gulf War, 19
apprenticeship, 28
aptitude, 27–28 recorders, 7
Beatles, 11 sound checks, 16
Brazil, 16 sound engineers
aptitude for, 27–28
China, 16
education and training for, 28–29
computer technology, 16, 29
field work, 15–21
concert tours, 16–17
hearing loss and, 18
console, 8, 16, 17, 23, 24, 28, 29
history of, 9–11
education, 28 job of, 4–6
as musicians, 12
field work, 15–21 television shows and, 21
hearing loss, 18 tools of, 7–8, 16–18
home decorating shows, 21 soundtrack, 26
speakers, 7, 22–24
Iraq, 19 studio, 4, 7, 12, 22–24
jazz, 14 Van Gelder, Rudy, 13–14
Vietnam War, 17
Korean War, 19

Lanois, Daniel, 12

microphones, 7
movie sound, 24–26
Murrow, Edward R., 19

news reporting, 18–24

About the Author

Patricia Hynes grew up in Pennsylvania, where
she climbed hills and trees and swam in the local
river. She attended college in Pennsylvania and got
a degree in literature and secondar y education.
In both high school and college, her writing
was published in school literar y journals. She
has spent her adult life teaching and writing for
young people and has lived in Baltimore, Boston,
Chicago, Florida, and Canada. She now lives in
Venice, California, with her husband, a painter
and dentist, and a fluffy orange cat named Stinky.

32 21st CENTURY SKILLS LIBRARY

Movies, television, music, and more owe much of their success to sound engineers.
These technicians record, produce, even alter, almost everything we hear today.
Look inside to explore the cool career of a sound engineer.

The Cool Science Careers series introduces readers to interesting and important
science careers for the 21st century. Other titles in the series include:

• Architect • Public Health Microbiologist

• Crime Scene Investigator • Robot Scientist
• Cyber Cop • Volcanologist
• Forensic Science Investigator

To guide your reading, look for these notes that will help build the understanding
and skills you’ll need in the 21st Century. Look for the following margin notes:

Learning and Innovation skills

You need to learn about lots of things, but you also need to learn how to
learn. These notes give you hints about how to use what you know in better
and more creative ways.

21 st Centur y Content
You study reading, math, science, and social studies. You also need to
learn about the world of work and your community. These notes tell you
about business and money. They also give you ideas about how you can
help yourself, your community, and the world.

Life and Career skills

These notes tell you about skills you will use throughout your life. They give
you ideas about how to work well with others, make good decisions, and
achieve your goals in life.

ISBN-13: 978-1-60279-054-4
ISBN-10: 1-60279-054-X

9 781602 790544