Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technician

A broadcast and sound engineering technician operates equipment and machines to mix, reproduce and record music, sound effects and voices. They maintain various electrical and electronic equipment involved in musical and voice recording, play, theater, concert, television and radio stations.

Role of a Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technician

• Set up and operate audio and video equipment, including microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, recording equipment, sound and mixing boards, and related electronic equipment for concerts, sports events, meetings and conventions, presentations, and news conferences.
• Operate control panels to select the source of the material.
• Operate machines to record and mix music and sound effects.
• Monitor and log outgoing signals and operate transmitters; set up, adjust, service, and repair electronic broadcasting equipment; and regulate fidelity, brightness, contrast, volume, and sound quality of television broadcasts.
• Maintain sound and video recording equipment.
• Match sounds and dialogue with action on television or in movie productions.
• Convert video and audio records to digital formats for editing.
• Set up equipment for live performance.

Sound and Broadcast Engineering Technicians can work as:

Audio and Video Equipment Technicians: Main job of audio and video equipment technicians is to set up and operate audio and video equipment. They work with multiple equipment like speakers, microphone, projectors and recording equipment.

Broadcast Technicians: Broadcast technicians set up, operate, and maintain equipment that controls the signal strength, the clarity, and range of sounds and colors of radio or television broadcasts. They operate transmitters to broadcast radio or television programs and use computers to program the equipment and to edit audio and video recordings.

Sound Engineering Technicians: They record audio performance or events and combine tracks that are recorded separately. Sound mixers, or rerecording mixers, produce soundtracks for movies or television programs. After filming or recording is complete, these workers may use a process called dubbing to insert sounds.   

Field Technicians: They set up and operate portable equipment outside the studio—for example, for television news coverage or any outdoor sports event.

Skills Required for Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians

Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of practical application of engineering science and technology is necessary. One should display adequate knowledge on procedures, techniques and equipment monitoring.

Computer Skills: Sound engineering technicians should have adequate knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Communication and Media: Media production knowledge, communication and dissemination techniques are essential for a broadcast and sound engineer. Sound and broadcast engineering technicians should have good communication skills as they have to interact with other technicians, supervisors and clients in setting up the equipment. They are also required to understand the clients’ need on sound recording, dubbing and mixing.

Pros and Cons of a Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technician

Pros

• Opportunity to work in various industries like TV, radio, cable, internet broadcasting etc.
  
• Associate degree is enough for entry level jobs.
• Job scene is bright in the near future.

Cons

• Long working hours often including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Difficult to rise up the ladder without additional training.
• Competitive field, especially in metropolitan areas.
• Tight deadlines.