recording engineer
... the mixing after the tracks have been recorded (39). In a normal recording session, according to Huber and Runstein, the recording engineer assistant would arrive early to prepare the studio. For example, the recording engineer assistant would often do microphone and headphone setups for the artists and the musicians. When the act and their producer arrive they must discuss with the recording engineer how they want the end product to sound. To accomplish this, the recording engineer generally places the musicians in the desired studio positions, chooses and places microphones, sets levels and balances on the recording console and records the performance on tape. On some occasions there could be another engineer who helps with the mixing after the tracks have been recorded. There is one last engineer, the maintenance engineer, whose job is to see that the equipment in the studio is maintained in top condition, regularly aligned and repaired when necessary (18). All of these jobs give only a broad sense of the many responsibilities that a recording engineer has, so education, and more importantly experience, is vital for a career as a recording engineer. To get started in a career as a recording engineer, having experience is far more important than having an education. In my interview with Ragotskie he said, and I believe he said it best, “The schools are good, but…well, I've seen a lot of young guys go to school for recording, and when they finish, they know everything, and yet they know nothing.” He said this because a person could know how all the equipment and programs work in a recording studio, but still not be able to run a recording session. The only way a person could learn how to run a recording session is to get into a studio and work on real sessions. When you do start getting experience in a real recording session, you start to learn things that you can't learn from reading a book. For example, you get to see firsthand the recording equipment in use, you learn how to work with different people like artists and producers, you learn how to have extreme patience, and most importantly you learn what a normal day is like as a recording engineer. Technical schools, or college courses in sound engineering or recording technology do help (Field 40). I currently am taking courses such as those listed above, and I do have experience with basic recording equipment and programs at home. My next step is to hopefully get experience in a real professional recording studio by obtaining an internship at a major record company. According to Field, the best way to obtain experience is to check with your schools career center, and various record companies to see if they offer any internship programs (41). It would benefit you in the future if you can offer to work for free to a recording studio in exchange for learning the business. Depending on the record label, and internship program, interns can perform a variety of jobs. Interns can be making copies, answering the phone, or just sit in the studio and watch. Interns usually perform basic jobs and according to Ragotskie, no matter what, interns gain two things. First interns get experience in the industry and obtain a good understanding of the basics that go on in a record company. Second, interns prove that they are interested enough in the record industry to spend their valuable time working for the company. Because of these reasons, it isn't uncommon for the record company to hire an intern after the internship ends (41). Internships give evidence of your dedication and puts you ahead of your competition in the eyes of the employer. It is important to note that managers know that people work at jobs the way they work at getting a job. If you are ambitious, creative, and relentless in your pursuit of the position, your chances of impressing a potential employer are good. It is important to have these three characteristics because as with most jobs in the recording industry, things are very competitive. As far as obtaining a position as a recording engineer, employment prospects are very competitive. However, according to Baskerville, it is easier for an individual to start at the bottom as a recording engineer assistant, and then eventually get a job as a recording engineer. To advance further beyond being a recording engineer is very difficult, and involves knocking on a lot of doo...