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Sound / Audio Engineering

IKON

Tharun Kumar Chief Sound Engineer & Manager – Talent Acquisition Team, Voiceovers at Rocky’s Media Works. APAC Business Development Manager at Fleming, Chief Sound Engineer at EJ Sound Studio, Recording Engineer at 16 Hertz The Sound Boutique.

 

What is the Job all about?
India is booming in the Business of Entertainment. Every City In the country is coming up with their own Production studios. Every musician can now dream of producing his own track and album. Every band wants to record their own compositions and also perform them Live. The technology has put the creative tools in every ones lap. What is needed with this is the skill set to use the technology. For ages Mixing and Mastering has been considered as a secretive art. A budding musician who produces his tracks on his laptop eventually ends up feeling, why does it not sound right?? What Plugins Do I need???

Audio Engineers are equipped to function on a professional level in a wide variety of environments. You can choose to be a Recording Engineer, Post-production audio engineer, Location recording engineer, Studio manager or an Audio film editor. You can enter the music business as an effective professional in a number of roles, on either the technical or business management sides of the music or broadcast industry.

 

Can I go for it?
These days Music composers and musicians have the production technology on their laptop & desktops. Musicians who have concepts to create music can now create their own music independently. But at the same time creating music on their own just with the tools is not enough, one needs to be trained in the concept of Music production, understanding genres, types of musical sounds and types of beats.

Careers in the audio industry involve multiple skills. A person with a fair idea of most of the technical and artistic aspects of audio creation for all categories of media formats would be well placed in this job market.

 

Is there a future in this field?
Music and Dance are becoming more and more popular as evidenced from the TV programs, both in the West and India. So, the field is exploding and needs good professionals for various specialty jobs.

With a Diploma in Audio Engineering, you can get into TV broadcasting, Radio broadcasting, Advertising, Audio pre-& post production, Video pre & post production, Marketing & PR, Interactive product development, Documentary or Corporate film production and of course, Film and Video production.

Music to-day virtually has no boundaries. It is moving at a furious pace and therefore future is indeed very bright if you have the requisite tools and understanding of music technology.

Some of the things one needs to master are:

  • Music appreciation and genres
    This Module gives an overview of different music genres. This involves a lot of listening and understanding the difference in different genre. Once this is clear it helps the student to identify and create music according to the genres.
  • PSYCHOACOUSTICS
    This Module takes the students into the world of hearing. The way brain and ears function. The concepts of Frequency, Loudness, Hass effect, Ear functioning. These are very important concepts as they explain how the music you create is going to be heard.
  • INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION
    Basics of Music production that include, beats, bars, music terminology. Effects of different sounds on Human. Notes, chords, arrangement, tempo, scale.
  • SYNTHESIS
    The most Interesting Module, made very simple. The student gets to learn the basics of Sound synthesis. Using VST instruments, Samplers, controls to manipulate a sound. Analog and Digital sound synthesis.
  • MIDI SEQUENCING
    Midi fundamentals, connections, sequencing terminologies. Pattern, songs, sections, understand midi tracks, MIDI processing. Advance midi connections.
  • CREATING SAMPLES AND LOOPS
    Create your own samples from Libraries, loops from beats created. Use several drum machine instruments to create beats. Use loops and samples to create the desired effect.
  • ABELTON LIVE / LOGIC
    The most sought after Workstation for producing music and performing live. An in-depth knowledge of using Abelton / Logic, to create and mix your own music.
  • SOFTSYNTHS AND VIRTUAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
    Understanding Software synthesizers and virtual instruments. Mapping them, loading sounds and using them. Using inbuilt processing to manipulate sounds.
  • SONG STRUCTURE AND PROGRAMMING
    Understanding song structures, arrangement and its different types. Analyzing hits, and trying to formulate them. Use of specific instruments to create specific feel. Programming structure, discipline in managing tracks.
  • BASICS OF AUDIO RECORDING AND MIXING
    Understanding the fundamentals of a good mix. Powerful translation of the music created. Mix your own track and master it.

 

Where do I start?
ThiIt is not a conventional degree program but education is never the less a must. There are a few training Institutes that provide the proper training for those wishing to excel in this field. You must have a Passion for Sound and usually 12th standard is fine in any stream.

The important factor you must bear in mind is that after you have selected a sound engineering training Institute you must have achieved the following:

Use a Digital Audio Workstation (the industry standard Pro – Tools) and perform basic tasks such as setting up a basic session, recording, importing, editing audio and MIDI and saving / archiving the project Use a variety of microphones with different musical instruments Route a variety of signals through a professional mixing desk Perform basic studio functions that of a Studio assistant Assist a Chief Engineer for conducting a recording session Perform basic session setup and basic Audio editing Demonstrate their usefulness when assisting on a recording session Work towards a deadline and project manage their time and resources Be organized and methodical.

 

 

In Goa

Chowgule college conducts this program under their CCAPS series

https://ccaps.in/category/services-2/

https://ccaps.in/know-the-a-z-before-choosing-a-career-in-sound-engineering/

https://ccaps.in/sound-engineering/

Course Objective:
The Diploma in Audio Engineering involves the in-depth study of the technical and creative aspects of Sound Recording, Sound Designing, Editing and Mixing. Students are taught the management techniques of sound at speeches, live shows, events which require sound projection to an audience.

Learning Outcome:
• Introduction to recording studios
• Signal flow and installation
• Music Production techniques
• Modern recording techniques
• Microphone types and placement
• Principles of sound and acoustics
• Mastering techniques
• Music industry business

 

 

Outside Goa
www. mumbaimusicinstitute.in
www.trueschool.in/courses/live-sound
www.livewires.org.in/sound_engineering.php
www.dafilmschool.com/sound_recording_&_ngineering.php
beatpro.in/sound-engineering-courses

Pune:
Film & Television Institute of India, Pune.
www.seamedu.com/diploma-in-sound-engineering-course-india

Bangalore:
www.audiolife.in
www.audioacademy.in

Chennai:
School of Audio Engineering
SAE Technology College www.saeindia.net
Film & Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, Chennai

University Of Mumbai, Mumbai
DIGITAL ACADEMY
MUMBAI MUSIC INSTITUTE
SOUND IDEAZ ACADEMY;
LIVE WIRES.ORG.IN

 

Employment Avenues:
In Goa with Tourism flourishing there is good scope to do well in Audio Engineering. You could either find a placement in an Events Company, Hotel, or start your own Business

You could work on your own or for starters work with a Band or a Musical Company. Once you have the requisite experience and confidence you could branch out on your own.

 

Monies:
There is very good scope to make good returns on your study in sound engineering. Initially monies will not be easy but once you have the confidence and can deliver on time then your monies will always be on the higher side. You can start earning anywhere from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 10,000 after a Diploma. These figures can soar to Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000 p.m. within a year or two.

 

Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.

Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.

For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/