Description
Plan, capture, edit, mix, and deliver high-quality audio for music, broadcast, film and TV, games, podcasts, and live events. Set up, operate, and maintain microphones, consoles, outboard gear, DAWs, and signal routing. Monitor and adjust levels, dynamics, and tone to ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance with delivery standards.
- • Maintain session logs, track sheets, and recall notes.
- • Operate mixing consoles to control levels, EQ, dynamics, and effects.
- • Monitor signal flow, headroom, and noise; correct issues for clean audio.
- • Shape tonal balance and imaging with EQ, compression, panning, and reverbs.
- • Coordinate with producers and talent; set monitoring levels and resolve issues.
- • Perform line checks and soundchecks; verify sample rates, clocking, and patching.
- • Route inputs and outputs via DAWs and patchbays; select preamps and playback sources.
- • Diagnose equipment and software problems; arrange repairs and perform emergency fixes.
- • Record dialogue, music, ADR, Foley, and ambience with proper mic technique.
- • Place microphones and DIs; manage RF coordination for wireless systems.
- • Trigger backup playback or redundant recording during failures.
- • Plan and set up studios or stages; build sessions and cue mixes.
- • Mentor assistants on workflows, safety, and best practices.
- • Coordinate studio bookings and session schedules with clients and staff.
- • Edit, comp, and clean audio in DAWs; remove noise and artifacts.
- • Direct boom operators, A2s, stagehands, and musicians during setups and takes.
- • Deploy field recording rigs, wireless kits, and portable interfaces on location.
- • Select mic types, counts, and placement for optimal capture.
- • Design signal chains and patching; build custom cables or panels as needed.
- • Document takes, cues, revisions, and deliverables; create mix notes and reports.
- • Consult with clients on sonic goals, budgets, timelines, and specs.
- • Log loudness, levels, latency, and session metadata.
- • Operate playback and automation systems for stems, cues, and effects.
- • Configure and maintain DAWs, plugins, audio interfaces, and control surfaces.
- • Install and maintain studio and live sound equipment; perform soldering and calibration.
- • Create masters and stems; encode to broadcast and streaming standards.
- • Develop run-of-show documents and crew call sheets for sessions and events.
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Related Pathways
Arts, Entertainment, & Design
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
