Aural training for audio engineers how to#
Aural training for audio engineers pro#

A good recording engineer not only knows how to balance the levels in a recording session, but how to balance the use of effects and compression available through a nearly endless variety of software plug-ins and virtual instruments.

Aural training for audio engineers pro#

Nowadays, with powerful digital audio packages like Pro Tools, there's a temptation to use every trick in the book on every track. Legendary recording engineers could grab ten faders for ten different tracks and push them into balance simultaneously. An experienced recording engineer feels like the control board is an extension of himself. What's the point of having a 10-piece string section if they're lost in the mix?Ī good ear for balance is useless unless you know how to use the tools to achieve it. Pretty much everything a recording engineer does during and after a recording session has to do with attaining balance. The most desired skill in a recording engineer is a sense of balance. In the next section, we'll look at some of the essential skills for being a successful recording engineer. In larger studios, mixing is handled by a special mix engineer who works separately from the recording engineer. Today, mixing is done almost exclusively on a computer with audio editing software like Pro Tools. The mix is where the engineer takes all of the individual audio tracks - instruments, vocals, other sound sources - and assembles them into a balanced, musically appealing whole. Once all of the audio has been recorded, it's the job of the recording engineer to edit and mix the audio, also known as audio post-production. It all depends on the personality and working style of the engineer and the relationship with the client. Others just push the faders, press record and play a much more secondary role. Some engineers see their job as experimenters, trying dozens of different microphones and microphone placements until they achieve an entirely original sound. They give musical advice on doubling up on vocals, adding or subtracting instruments, et cetera. Some recording engineers are like coaches, telling the client what to fix with each take. Beyond that, the recording engineer can be as involved with the creative process as the client wishes.

The more the engineer understands where the artist comes from and where he's going, the better the engineer can prepare for the technical considerations of the session.ĭuring the recording session, the recording engineer is chiefly responsible for getting clean, balanced recordings of all audio tracks. Throughout this whole setup process - or preferably weeks before the recording session even begins - it's the job of the recording engineer to familiarize himself with the musical style of the client and the client's goals for the recording session. Then each microphone needs to be assigned a level to ensure a nice balanced sound coming out of the studio monitors. Drums, for instance, require many individual microphones that need to be placed in specific spots and at specific angles to ensure the best sound quality. Most of this setup is devoted to microphones. Once the client arrives, it's the responsibility of the recording engineer and his assistants to help the client get all of its equipment set up in the studio and prepared for recording. Often an assistant recording engineer will be hired to handle pre-session tasks like running cable, checking mikes and setting up baseline levels on the control panel and in Pro Tools before the client arrives. Depending on the size of the studio and needs of the client, setup itself can get pretty elaborate.