Many people have aspirations of working in the entertainment industry and it is easy to see why. While it is the performers that get all of the credit, that is not to say that you cannot have a rewarding career behind the scenes and one of the best jobs in the industry is that of a sound technician who plays a hugely important role.
Who are Sound Techs?
The celebrity names would be nobody without sound technicians and the rest of the production crew that are the real unsung heroes in the entertainment industry. Sound technicians play the very important role of checking and preparing all sound equipment for shoots and take action to minimise sound disruption so they are responsible for creating crisp, clear audio which is so important in the film and TV industry. In music, a sound tech will use the soundboard and other audio tech to ensure that the levels are correct and that the sound is mixed well for the best possible experience for the crowd.
How to Get Started
To get started as a sound technician, you can learn the basics with a degree in production or audio engineering and any program that you enlist in should have internships or work experience opportunities. As with many industries, it is the combination of education and experience that is so important so you need to try and gain as much relevant experience as possible and network in addition to earning a qualification. It is also helpful to have your own tech, such as a soundboard, mics and connectors from places like Allied Electronics so that you can get to grips with them although most projects will provide gear.
Skills & Personality
In terms of skills and personality, obviously you need to have a passion for sound, music, TV and technology. You need to be self-motivated, hardworking and willing to work long and antisocial hours but you can have great freedom and time between projects with the work so it is quite different to a typical 9-5. Of course, the pandemic in 2020 has interrupted the entertainment industry and work for sound technicians but the future is bright as there is always a demand for new entertainment.
Sound techs are somewhat unsung heroes in the entertainment industry but play a key role in bringing film, TV and music to life with crisp, clear audio. It can be a fun and rewarding career and a great chance to work within the entertainment industry which brings many benefits in itself.
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