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CAREER GUIDE

GETTING STARTED IN The true beauty of is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the , are the messengers Roy Ayers American , soul, and and vibraphone player CONTents A CAREER IN SOUND ENGINEERING

Several people think a sound just sits behind a in a . But this is only one of many sound engineering functions. As a qualified sound engineer, you will have many options. This guide will help you discover some of the vast opportunities in the field.

Globally, the economic engines driving key changes in pro audio will be gaming, , and television, as well as military — combined global revenue of over $500 billion. The alone generates around 50 billion dollars in revenue. Sound play a key role in the production of music and other audios which are used in the industry indicating that the demand for sound engineers is increasing. . In the US, 15,210 sound engineering technicians were employed in May 2016. The number is also projected to increase by 7% in 2024

4 As a sound engineer you spend your day:

• Selecting and ensuring that the correct equipment is being used for the task at hand e.g. in a recording environment selecting a to record an acoustic guitar will differ to what is needed for drums. In a live setting venue will influence equipment requirements too. • Recording sound, speech and music in formal recording environments as well as live and/or outdoors • Maintaining and being in charge of the recording and/or mixing desk to ensure sound-quality is maintained • Working closely with the artists and other members of the sound team for monitoring and recording work • Ensuring that all sound equipment is serviced, maintained and repaired

What software will you be using? As an up-and-coming and music producer, it is essential to have a good working knowledge of the common software programs used in the recording studio. Because the rise of digital technology you now have the ability to do more things for less money, recording studios are relying more and more on computer software programs for their recording, and mixing tasks. Some of the softwares you will be using include • Logic pro • Pro tools • Reason • FL Studio

5 Who will be your employers? As a sound engineer, you must have good communication and interpersonal skills, to work in a team, offer ideas and take on board other people’s requirements and expectations. There are a range of professions to choose from inside and outside music. Some of your employers may include: • Music production companies • Music retailers • Media organizations from music magazines to licensing bodies • Music schools and colleges • Creative content producers including film and gaming companies. • Ad agencies

6 CAREER OPTIONS

Producer Perhaps you’ve always had a knack for creating music, whether as a bedroom composer or on a . Or maybe you have not even started, but one thing is certain - you love music, you’re creative and you’re interested in working with musicians to create chart topping music. This is the profession for you. As a producer, your role will vary depending on whether you will be working in music, film, theater, dance, games, or other media. In the music industry, you will work with recording artists and record labels to create and for release. You will also supervise all aspects of the recording process -including contracting session players and overseeing the recording budget - and may also help the artist select songs to be recorded. Preferably, a producer should be an excellent with some performance experience. In addition to possessing a great depth of knowledge in music, you may be required to hold extensive technical knowledge of recording equipment, engineering, and acoustics.

Recording Engineer/Mixer As a record engineer, you will tighten up a vocal performance, making it sound present, loud, airy and beautiful. Mixing can make an already recorded beat sound more or less aggressive, a piano feel more emotional, a whole sound more indie or more pop, a groove feel groovier…. As a recording engineer, you will operate the mixing console and other equipment during the process of recording music or sound. You will run recording sessions, with oversight from the producer. You may also be responsible for setting up equipment in the studio prior to the session, and discussing what the end product should sound like with the producer and talent. To enter this profession, you must possess well-trained ears, advanced technical knowledge of recording and mixing tools, and an ingrained understanding of studio etiquette.

7 DJ/Remixer If you can’t simply passively enjoy music, you’re there on the volume control, or adding things to the playlist, rearranging and shuffling, plotting a path through your listening rather than just letting someone else’s pre-arranged order do for you, you may consider being a DJ. As a DJ/remixer you may be charged with editing a song or completely recreating it to sound different from the original version. As the DJ/remixer, you may also mix recorded music live for an audience. You will require certain skills including knowledge of audio editing and music production software, performance dynamics and knowledge of current musical trends. With the ever-growing festival, and nightlife industry, there is a growing demand for skilled DJ’s to pull in the crowds.

Live Sound Engineer Have you ever been at a concert where you were blown away by the clarity and quality of the music you heard? Chances are that there was a very talented engineer controlling the sound you heard. As a live sound engineer, you can either make or break a concert experience. The success of the concert and the ’s reputation lie in your hands. As a live sound engineer, your primary responsibility is to operate the soundboard during a live performance. You will also be involved in sound check and the placement of equipment in preparation for a live performance.

Acoustic Consultant From a quiet romantic restaurant to a lively jazz club and many more spaces require a multitude of enhancements to improve their ambiance. If spaces, sound and environment fascinate you, this may be the job for you. As an acoustic consultant, you will be providing complete audio, video, and acoustic design services for performance spaces such as concert halls, arenas, stadiums, studios, convention facilities, clubs, churches, and synagogues. You start with an acoustical analysis of the venue to identify problems and make suggestions for equipment or interior design changes.

8 Get Inspired

Sound engineering is not only limited to employment, as there are some great opportunities for you harness your entrepreneurship skills as you deepen your expertise in sound engineering. Both locally and internationally, sound engineering specialists have revolutionized the music and entertainment industry.

MYKE RABAR

Myke Rabar is the founder and CEO of Homeboyz Group, a Kenyan entertainment company. He began his career as a music loving DJ who just loved to play music. “It just happened by accident. You’re doing one event, then two, then you’ve got demand. So you start hiring equipment, bring more guys on board, you come with DJs. Then my brothers come in to help and then it just kept on evolving: someone says, ‘We’re starting a club, can you install for us a ?’ ‘We are doing something in Naivasha - can you put up , light, sound, and then bring entertainers in?” It keeps growing and growing and now we are here.” (Source: Business Daily)

Homeboyz has expanded its array of services and morphed into an integrated marketing and communications agency. Rabar, now one of the investors on the TV show Lion’s Den, demonstrates that there is big money to be made from entertainment.

9 JAY Z

Jay Z recently relaunched Tidal, a $20-a-month music streaming service that some say could spell trouble for other sites like Spotify. The launch is the latest in a string of business successes for the 45-year-old rapper, who owns a , talent agency, and fashion brand. His estimated net worth is US$500 million. Jay Z creates his own opportunities. In doing so, he’s gone from being a teen selling drugs on a Brooklyn street corner to a bona fide business mogul. In the late 1990s, he couldn’t get a record deal, so he and Damon Dash started their own label, Roc-A-Fella Records. “It was either give up or create my own company,” he told Forbes. He was later signed by Def Jam Records. (Source: Business Insider)

10 ABOUT ADMI LEARN-AND-WORK Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the Africa MODEL Digital Media Institute (ADMI) is Eastern Africa’s premier creative ADMI’s learn-and-work model requires students arts, media and technology training to rigorously engage with and contribute to institution. With students, faculty and industry throughout their academic experience. staff from over 10 countries, ADMI As a student at ADMI, you will be able to offers world-class training in Film & TV participate in Industry events which will enable Production, & you to gain industry exposure and connect Design, Animation, Music Production, what you’re learning in class to industry trends, Sound Engineering, Graphic & Digital while also building your professional networks. Design, Photography, Multimedia and Digital Marketing. ADMI provides an Our Work Placement program will further innovative platform through which the enable you to use the skills you learn in class next generation of digital professionals to produce professional products for the and creative entrepreneurs get the school’s employer partners. You will be held training, mentorship and platform to high professional standards in terms of your they need to turn their passion into attitude, behavior and work quality. By the a profession. you complete your final term of coursework, you will have completed several client briefs, equipping you with invaluable experience in animation and an impressive portfolio to boot.

ADMI’s Sound Engineering program provides training in all areas of sound production, including: live sound; music production and recording; mixing and ; editing; signal processing; field recording and ; and live concert recording. The varied program also covers audio for the film, video, animation and gaming industries and incorporates real-life gigs. Students develop their skills in state-of-the-art studios, providing them with the technical skills and experience they need to pursue careers as a studio engineer, live performer, tour manager or audio technician.

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