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Overview
Studio sound operators work in studios and make recordings of music, speech and sound effects.
Activities
In your day-to-day duties you could:
- Plan recording sessions with producers and artists
- Set up microphones and equipment in the studio
- Make sure the volume and recording levels are set correctly
- Operate recording equipment and add effects
- Record each instrument or vocal onto a separate track
- Mix tracks to produce a final ‘master’ track
- Log recordings and other details of the session in the studio archive
Organisations
Some of the employment as a studio sound operator would get involved with work around film, music, art/entertainment such as concert arenas, social club/halls, broadcasting, sports and recreational and education.
Workplaces
You’ll need a good knowledge of music and recording technology and electronics.
You could start as an assistant in a recording studio and work your way up.
You can work on community music events, DJ projects, hospital or community radio, or mix and record music in a home studio and post your work online.
Working Hours
39 to 41 a week, you may have to work evenings / weekends / bank holidays as customers demand.
Salary
£17,000 – £41,000 per year.
Predicted trends +2.7% increase, leading to 2,755 new jobs by 2027.
Qualifications
You could start as a runner or an assistant in a recording studio and work your way up. Employers would usually need at least 4 or 5 GCSEs at Grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent and a Level 3 course. If you have an EHCP you may be able to apply under the DfE exemption which allows the apprentice to use Entry Level 3 English and Maths qualifications. The apprentice would have to be competent enough to successfully achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship requirements, become occupationally competent and achieve Entry Level 3 in English and Maths before the end of their apprenticeship. You could leave school and start with an Apprenticeship.