How to become a leading Sound Engineer

A sound engineer’s contribution is one of the reasons behind the music industry’s growth in India. With deep knowledge of acoustics and mastering the art of presenting great sound, sound engineers are the people behind the success of any event.

Sound engineers’ Aesthetic Sense for Good Sound

Have you ever wondered what makes a PVR or an INOX different from single screen theatres? Do you know the reason behind the year–on-year success of the likes of NH 7 Weekender and Sunburn festivals? The answer to all these questions is people prefer Sound to Noise! Sound plays pivotal role in the success of an event. Sound engineers are the reason behind every successful rock concert, a corporate event or a musical reality show. This art and science of creating an everlasting sensory experience is Sound Engineering.

Sound engineering encompasses a thorough understanding of acoustics, physics and electronics combined with an aesthetic sense for good sound. The science of Sound is easy to learn as it is all about theory, the rules and the dos and don’ts. The difficult part is mastering the art of the fuzzy element of sound while creating an aesthetic element.

Sound engineering - A lucrative profession

In the past, there were not many courses for sound engineering. With the evolution of the audio industry, people have started accepting the idea of sound engineering as a career option. We see increase in willingness amongst youngsters, who possess a good ear for sound and an interest and knowledge in music, to join this lucrative profession.

In earlier days, one would start off in the recording studio or in the live sound space as an apprentice, -Then graduate to becoming a Mix Engineer for small shows and events, learning the basics of sound and moving up to becoming a System Tech. In the recording studio, the process was similar – to start by joining as an apprentice and learning from experienced professionals. However, today, many institutes have started offering a course in Sound Engineering to propel the expansion in this industry.

Good Engineers High in Demand

Sound engineers role has developed over a period, especially in this era of digital music where most of the work happens in the live sound space. The biggest challenge a sound engineer should be equipped to handle is delivering an experience that the artist wishes. Audio engineers control the sound mixing and experience during live performances. As the industry is widening its scope of experimentation, good engineers are in high demand.

Educational Courses for Aspiring Sound Engineers

So how does one become a sound engineer, as there are sub sects to being a sound engineer- A live sound engineer, recording engineer or work in the installed sound division. Once this broad direction is established, several institutes in India offer a diploma or a post-graduate course in audio engineering.

TOP INSTITUTES PROVIDING A COURSE IN SOUND ENGINEERING:

• SAE (School of Audio Engineering) Institute, Bangalore
• FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) Pune: Offers 3-year Post Graduate Diploma in Sound Recording and Sound Design
• KM Conservatory, Chennai: Offers 1-year diploma in Audio Engineering
• AAT College, Bangalore- Offers a sound engineering program, which is at par with the SAE Institute
• True School of Music, Mumbai (in association with HARMAN International): Offers specialized audio engineering course, focusing on live music and recording
• Audio Life School of Audio Engineering, Bangalore: Offers 6-month diploma live sound engineering
• Mumbai Music Institute: Offers 6-month diploma in live sound engineering
• InfoComm International: Certified Technical Specialist (CTS) certification track aimed at working professionals

While these courses equip students/learners with technical skills, an internship would be the perfect teaching ground for them. Companies such as Sound and Light Professionals, Sound.com, Reynolds and J Davis are known to be great career springboards for live sound. For a career in recording, working at the leading studios in Mumbai or Chennai would provide the right kind of exposure.

Pattern of music consumption is changing constantly, we have moved from records, cassettes, CDs/DVDs, MP3 to Live Streaming. Convenience has deteriorated the quality of music, but, this has also given a boost to the live concerts, a platform not only a lucrative business option but it also establishes a direct connect with the fans. A sound engineer’s contribution cannot be ignored when talking about music industry’s growth in India. Deep knowledge of acoustics and a mastering the art of presenting great sound is not restricted to music industry only. Sound engineers are much sought after by audio-visual contractors and consultants, who design venues, meeting spaces, conferencing facilities, nightclubs, lounges and entertainment venues.