Sound Technician, Broadcasting/film/video

The specific activities carried out by a sound technician vary according to the sector in which they are employed.

Sound technician roles can be split into two categories:

• production - the recording of all sound on set or on location;
• post-production - the balancing, mixing, editing and enhancing of pre-recorded audio.

Production activities include:

• monitoring audio signals to detect sound-quality deviations or malfunctions;
• anticipating and correcting any problems;
• assessing the acoustics of the performance area and assembling and operating the necessary equipment;
• applying technical knowledge of sound recording equipment to achieve the determined artistic objectives;
• recording sound onto digital audio tape or hard disk recorders;
• maintaining and repairing sound equipment.
• consulting with producers and performers to determine the sound requirements;
• selecting, positioning, adjusting and operating the equipment used for amplification and recording;

Post-production activities include:

• integrating (synchronisation) of pre-recorded audio (dialogue, sound effects and music) with visual content;
• re-recording and synchronising audio (post-synching);
• mixing and balancing speech, effects and music;
• creating and altering sound effects for use in films, television, etc.

For larger scale operations, such as film productions, sound technicians are usually required to work within sound teams. There are often separate sound teams for production and post-production. The job of a sound team is essentially to follow or interpret the instructions of the director, sound designer or sound supervisor. There are many specialised roles within sound teams including boom operators, sound assistants, dialogue editor, dubbing mixer, Foley artist, Foley editor, production mixer, sound designer and sound editor.