This document outlines the responsibilities and skills required of an audio production engineer working in a recording studio. It discusses setting up microphones, microphone stands, headphones, and other equipment properly. It also covers recording actors, adjusting gain levels, communicating with the director and actors, and conducting post-production tasks like editing takes and adding sound effects. Key skills needed include technical ability, communication skills, teamwork, good hearing, and a sense of rhythm and timing.

1. By Claire Mullen

2. • As a part of the audio production personnel you are responsible for a
number of things. When working in a recording studio you will be
making high quality recordings of speech, music and sound effects as
well as edit the different tracks together for a single project
• As a member of this group you need to have a good sense of hearing,
being able to identify rhythm, timing and possibly Musical Pitch.
• During our sessions at DCAS I acted as one of the sound engineers and
were required to set up sound equipment up before recording.
• (Note: roles and responsibilities may vary from studio to studio,
depending on how many staff members there are and the set up itself.)

3. • Microphones: When setting up the microphones you have to make sure the mic is facing the right
way (facing the Actor). You have to make sure it’s secure in order to avoid any accidents as well as
equipment breaking. When connecting the wires to the wall panel you must ensure the audio
equipment is off before everything is connected in order to avoid being shocked by phantom
power.
• Microphone stands: You must ensure that the stands are firm and strong, not likely to wobble or
drop. You must also make sure it is inline with the performers height for the best possible sound
pick up, this will also enable to actor to put on a better performance vocally.

4. • Headphones: When setting up headphones it is important to check how many
actors will be in the studio at anyone time, this is to be more time efficient, if you
set up two headphones but have a max of four actors in the studio at one time
then you would need to later set them up, interrupting the session, however by
setting them up in advance you will be able to continue and when you have less
people in the recording space you can simply switch off the extra ones from the
control panel. When setting up they need to make sure they are connected
properly and to the right equipment, checking all sides are working ahead of time.
• Script Stand: A script stand may not always be required however if it is then make
sure to set it up just to the side of the microphone stand, this allows the actor to
still get close enough the the microphone.
• Patch Bay: In the control room there is a patch bay, this bay is where you connect
all the equipment in the recording space to the control room equipment. You do
this by connected aux cables to one of the inputs and outputs on the patch board.

5. • It is important to make sure all the recording software is set up and ready to
use for when the actors arrive.
• You will record the actors, changing the gain level when needed depending
on the volume of the actors voice. (too loud: lower gain, too quiet: raise
gain), they may also offer feedback on microphone technique such as asking
them to lean away from the mic or lean into the mic.
• It is important to posses a copy of the script that is united, this is so you
understand what you are recording and when.
• You may also make the decision to record only one section of the unit again,
you must effectively put this message across to the actors and make sure
they hear what you say.
• (Useful Tip: As you record make sure to label the recordings as you go
along, this makes them easier to locate during Post-Production)

6. • Post production is a state happening after everything is recorded.
• You will go through the tracks with the director and select the final takes.
Then you will edit the tracks adding sound-effects and music where
required.
• You will also go through each track cutting breaths or background sound in
the begging of a track as well as placing a fade in/out at the start and at
the end of each clip and sound effect. This is to ensure that the sound is
more smooth and less clippie.
• Going off of what is written in the script or suggestions or directions made
by the director you will add sound-effects to the piece.
• You are also responsible for bringing all the tracks together and editing it
make it run as smooth as possible as one track.

7. • Communication skills: It is important for you to have exceptional
communication skills with the rest of your team as well as the director
and actors. This enables them to have confidence in you and will help
you understand everything you need to know.
• Teamwork: You must work efficiently in a team, you will be working
with multiple people and so it is important for you to be able to be on
good terms with your colleagues.
• Technical ability: Probably the most obvious skill requirement, as a
member of the audio production personnel you must at least have a
general ability to use and set up all the equipment in the studio.

8. • Hearing: you must have good ears In order to distinguish sound quality
• You must also have a good sense of rhythm and timing in order to help
yourself identify a problem should one arise.
• You need to be enthusiastic about the job at hand
• An ability to cope with tight deadlines and static working times.
• (service, 2016), (editors, 2015)