Job Description

Sound Engineers will work with musicians and TV and film producers to creates and record music, speech and other sounds, they will also set up sound equipment at venues and in recording studios and oversee the performance. Sound Engineers may work in a studio or they may be responsible for sound at live events such as theatre performances, music concerts and festivals. I

Entry Requirements

You could get into this role through various ways.

University 

You would take a university course such as a foundation degree, high national diploma or degree in subject such as:

• sound engineering and production 
• audio engineering
• sound and live event production
• music technology

You will usually need

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

University Course Search

College course

You could take a college course which will give you some experience and help develop your skills.

Relevant courses include

• Music Technology extended diploma level 3
• Music Performance and Production diploma level 3
• Music Performance and Production technology pathway diploma level 2

You will usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

The following colleges may have a relevant course

City College Norwich
College of West Anglia
East Coast College
West Suffolk College
Suffolk New College

Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into the role through an advanced apprenticeship in technical theatre or sound, light and stage.

You will usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Find an Apprenticeship

Work based route

You could start as a runner or an assistant and work you way up 

Further information

You can find more about becoming a live sound engineer from Spotlight

You could volunteer at community music events, DJ projects or community radio which would give you some valuable experience

Required Skills

• Excellent computer skills
• Good at problem solving
• Scrupulous attention to detail
• A good knowledge of operating a mixing console and other sound equipment
• Physical strength
• Flexibility to work long hours if required
• Good team work abilities
• Persistence and determination

Salary Range

£18,000 to £40,000