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Sound Technician

Kaihangarau Oro

Sound technicians operate and maintain the equipment used to record, mix and amplify sound for radio, film, television, music and events.

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Secondary education

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a sound technician. However, music, dance, and drama, digital technologies, media studies, English and maths are useful. 

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Diploma

Useful experience

Useful experience for sound technicians includes:

  • any previous recording or sound work
  • work with audio production software and equipment
  • event work, such as work at festivals and concerts
  • work in the music, television or film industry.

What you will do

Sound technicians may do some or all of the following:

  • discuss requirements with clients
  • prepare recording booths and television studios for recording
  • choose and set up equipment such as microphones
  • preview sound recordings and adjust quality to correct level
  • mix sounds on a mixing desk, and add sound effects
  • mix sound for live bands and corporate events
  • creatively use sound to support the story in film and television productions
  • edit recordings and adjust sound levels as necessary 
  • set up and pack out sound equipment
  • maintain sound equipment.

Skills and knowledge

Sound technicians need to have:

  • knowledge of sound, music and acoustics
  • technical skills to operate sound recording equipment and sound production and editing software.
Pay

Sound technicians usually earn

$48K-$80K

per year

Job opportunities
Poor
Chances of getting a job as a sound technician are poor due to lack of demand.

Industry

Entertainment

Sound technicians operate and maintain the equipment used to record, mix and amplify sound for radio, film, television, music and events.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements to become a sound technician as skills are gained on the job as a sound assistant. However, you usually need:

  • a tertiary qualification in a relevant field, such as sound engineering or television, video and film production
  • experience and demonstrated ability in sound operation.

Chances of getting a job

Few opportunities for sound technicians

It is difficult to get paid, full-time work as a sound technician due to the small size of the entertainment industry in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 546 sound technicians worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied

Sound technicians work for a wide range of organisations. They may work at:

  • live concerts
  • recording studios
  • radio studios
  • post-production sound editing suites
  • television and film sets
  • sound or theatre performances
  • corporate events and functions.

Progression and specialisations

Sound technicians may progress to become production managers or to run their own business.

Sound technicians may specialise in a particular medium such as television, film, radio or music recording. They may also specialise in a particular area, such as live events or post production sound mixing.

Working conditions

Sound technicians:

  • may work long and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays
  • may work indoors in radio, film and television studios, recording rooms and concert venues, or outdoors in various locations.

Physical Requirements

Sound technicians need to have excellent hearing. They also need good stamina as they may have to stand at a sound desk for long hours.

Useful personal qualities

Sound technicians need to be:

  • patient, reliable and creative
  • able to show initiative
  • able to work well under pressure
  • detail focussed
  • able to work to deadlines
  • good problem solvers and decision makers
  • good communicators and team players

Related Wintec courses

Industry

Entertainment

Sound technicians operate and maintain the equipment used to record, mix and amplify sound for radio, film, television, music and events.

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