• Table of Contents (if the right-side menu isn’t showing)

Week 1 - Audio Engineering 101

What is an “Audio Engineer?”

This is a broad term and can cover a bunch of different kinds of engineer within the audio space. Some (and not necessarily all) are:

• Recording Engineer – This is the person in the studio setting up microphones for drums, instruments, vocalists, etc. and making sure that all the gear is connected, on, working, and sets the levels on their mixing desks / computers.
• Mix Engineer – The mix engineer takes the recorded audio and mixes it, making the end product sound like a smooth, cohesive project. (This is primarily what Tony)
• Mastering Engineer – The mastering stage is the final step in the audio production process before the finished files are sent out to the client or studio heads or whomever gets the finalised tracks ready for broadcast / inclusion in the game files, sent to Spotify or iTunes, etc. - the Mastering Engineer essentially takes the final Mixed Audio and adjusts the loudness and may make some minor adjustments or touch-ups to ensure it truly is ready for use / distribution / broadcast.
• Live Sound Engineer
  • Front of House Engineer – Takes care of the audio setup on stage; while the -
  • Monitor Engineer – Listens for feedback or any other issues in the venue / on stage and adjusts their live mixing deck accordingly, often making necessary adjustments throughout the duration of the performance.

<aside> 💡

Often you can be all of these things if you’re working for yourself or a smaller studio, however in larger studios it is more common that each role is kept separate.

</aside>

The late Rupert Neve - the "Steve Jobs of Audio" - who revolutionized audio recording forever.

Often your skill set will provide an opportunity to do a “bit of everything” over the course of your career, with Tony confirming that he’s done a bit of all of the above. His live engineering, for example, came at a time when he was working at a college that put on plays and such, and he oversaw all the audio tech setup and live monitoring.

That all being said, this course is specifically designed to focus on the mixing side of things, especially as it pertains to voice over artistry / voice acting. It is the aim of this course to provide you with:

• A basic introduction and understanding of the fundamentals of what goes into a mix;
• the technical ability to make your audio sound good; and
• a level of understanding so you know what to watch for while mixing.

In this way when you come to start working with Compression and Equalization, you’ll be confident in how to use them.

↑ Back to Top ↑

What is Sound?

The scientific explanation would be something like:

<aside> 💡

Changes in atmospheric pressure which causes air molecules to move.

</aside>