SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Sound Engineering Technicians

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Audio Engineer
  • Audio Operator
  • Mastering Engineer
  • Mixer
  • Mixing Engineer
  • Recording Engineer
  • Sound Editor
  • Sound Engineer

What do Sound Engineering Technicians do?

Sound Engineering Technicians are skilled professionals who specialize in the recording, manipulation, and reproduction of sound. They work in various settings, including recording studios, live concerts, film and television productions, and theater productions. Their role involves operating and maintaining audio equipment, setting up sound systems, and ensuring high-quality audio recordings and performances. Sound Engineering Technicians are responsible for mixing, editing, and mastering audio tracks to produce the final sound product that aligns with the creative vision of producers, directors, and artists. They often collaborate with musicians, voice actors, and other technical staff to create soundscapes that enhance the overall experience of media and performances. Additionally, they must stay updated on new technologies and audio production techniques to remain competitive in the evolving field of sound engineering.

What the work actually is

  • Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
  • Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
  • Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
  • Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
  • Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities

  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Hearing Sensitivity The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
  • Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Knowledge

  • Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Engineering and Technology Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Communications and Media Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Less than high school diploma

A normal week

  • Working with Computers
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Operating system software Apple macOS · Linux · Microsoft Windows · UNIX
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Music or sound editing software Adobe Audition · Audio editing software · Avid Technology Pro Tools · Musical instrument digital interface MIDI software
  • Video creation and editing software Adobe Premiere Pro · Apple Final Cut Pro · Avid Technology audio visual editing software
  • Graphics or photo imaging software Adobe Creative Cloud software · Adobe Photoshop

Tools

  • Microphones Condenser microphones · Pressure zone microphones · Ribbon microphones
  • Audio mixing consoles Audio compressors · Audio mixer consoles · Noise reduction systems
  • Equalizers 1/3 octave equalizers · Channel equalizers · Peak equalizers
  • Radio frequency transmitters or receivers Wireless receivers · Wireless transmitters
  • Multimeters Polarity checkers

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Sound Engineering Technicians earn in South Africa?

Sound Engineering Technicians salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Sound Engineering Technicians do?

Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment, Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film and Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.