Allow me to help you understand who a sound / audio engineer is. Also this is an excerpt from my book Essential sound principles
A sound engineer is a skilled expert who works within the process of sound recording, mixing, and reproduction.
A sound engineer differs from a producer, writer, or performer in that he or she is completely responsible for the technical and mechanical components of music and sound production. Let’s have a look at what audio engineering is and what it takes to work in the field of audio/sound engineering.
To begin with, the titles audio engineers and sound engineers are sometimes used interchangeably. Most people, on the other hand, use the terms “audio engineer” to refer to recording and studio work, and “sound engineer” to refer to live concerts and events.
In the music industry, a sound engineer is extremely important. If you’ve ever attended a concert, you’ve probably noticed how clear and high-quality the music is. This is because the sound engineer is monitoring and manipulating it behind the scenes.
Sound engineers don’t always work on the music, but they do mix, reproduce, and control sound’s equalization and electronic effects. Some will design and control the sound at seminars, auditoriums, and other locations where sound projection is required for the audience to hear clearly. When working at music concerts, theatre, sports games, and corporate events, sound engineers must also perform set-ups, sound checks, live sound mixing utilizing a mixing console, and know a sound reinforcement system.
To provide the finest sound quality for varied settings, sound engineers employ their trained musical hearing and knowledge of acoustics. A sound engineer who is in charge of a large mixing board at a live concert will modify the sound that the crowd hears. This is sometimes referred to as front-of-house sound mixing, although sound engineering encompasses more than that.
Finally, there are many types of sound engineers (Front of House Engineer, Monitor Engineer, System Engineers, Recording Engineers and Mastering Engineering) that have different tasks and specializations. Keep in mind that, especially at smaller events and concerts, it is not uncommon for one sound person to fill all of these duties. Full engineering staff is usually reserved for well-funded, larger venues or tours.
For more information buy the book Essential Sound Principles by Edison Muhwezi
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