Pro Audio Environments
Introduction
There are several types of audio engineers depending if they work in studio, live sound or in the field. While many of the skillsets overlap, it’s important to distinguish the fundamentals commonalities, differences and use cases for each.
Regardless of the environment, location or technologies available, an engineer is going to know how to work to bring out the best audio quality in any scenario.
A good engineer can work from their bedroom.
A great engineer can operate with anyone, anywhere!
Where do Sound Engineers Work?
An engineer usually works in a studio or live event space but, they can work in a sorts of locations. In all scenarios, the engineer will capture the performances of talent for recording and playback.
Home Studios
Pro audio technologies are accessible to anyone. Home studios are the most common setups found but today the home studio is not always fixed to one location. Engineers can be constantly on the move so their setups can be remote in hotel rooms or on a plane.
The components found in a home studio are the essentials that are needed for recording, mixing and playback:
- Instruments
- Microphones
- Audio Interface (converters)
- Computer (Mixing & Recording)
- Speakers
Recording Studios
Many engineers work in a recording studio whether it be a traditional facility or home studio. Not every studio is the same. What they all have in common is the goal to capture a performance in an acoustically treated space and prepare the audio for listening on all desired platform (streaming, CD etc). The range of gear offered by a studio with vary. Larger facilities might offer multiple studios working simultaneously.
Let’s look at a traditional recording studio where there are typically two rooms involved: The performance space and the control room. The same process will apply for any studio of any size.
The Performance Space
The area the talent performs in. Ideally, it is an acoustically treated room that minimizes unwanted reflections that may disturb a recording. Any number of microphones will be set up to capture the natural performance of vocals and instruments. A vocal booth might even be available providing extra isolation for the singer(s). All signals from the performance space are wired to the “control room” to be mixed and recorded by the engineer.
Control Room
Where the sound engineer operates. All of the audio signals from the performance space are sent here. The engineer uses a wide range of tools to mixing and recording a performance. Once recorded, the process of mixing can continues without the talent present.
The control room is ideally isolated from the performance space in order not to disturb recordings with unwanted noise. However, this is not always the case. For example, a podcast may have the host and audio engineer sitting side by side. All of these factors depend on the needs of a project.
Live Sound
Working in show production possesses many of the same concepts seen in studios. They both aim to capture a performance, only in the case of live sound, there is less consideration of the acoustics for recording and the primary objective is the immediate listening experience of the the audience.
There is no 2nd take or “do-overs”. Live environments can change nightly whereas the studio is a familiar venue. Touring requires working in various event halls on the daily. That means working under more pressure than other areas of sound engineering. Let’s examine the 2 areas the sound engineer is involved for live sound: the stage and the “Front of House”.
Performance Stage
Where the talent performs. A stage is quite similar to the performance studio. In terms of arrangement, there are microphones set up to capture the performance and all signals are sent to the area where the sound engineer works. In the case of live sound, this is called the “The Front of House”.
Front of House (FOH)
Where the sound engineer operates. The FOH will likely be somewhere in the audience. Ideally, they will be “front and center” so that they share the same listening experience as the audience.
For a live show, any acoustic or quality considerations would be made during the pre-show soundcheck. Once the show is underway, any adjustments to the signals will be audible to the audience. Sometimes it will be necessary to compromise losing some of the original character of the performance that would otherwise be desired in a studio recording. These adjustments might just sound better in the space. A live engineer is prepared to work under rapid changing conditions.
Other Environments
Field Recording
An area of professional sound that requires going into the real-world to capture sounds. The conditions of recording are different and will many times require a different range of microphones or technique that might not be seen in the studio or live sound. What field recording has in common are the core principals of capturing sound at highest quality. This is a crucial element of any game or film production seeking natural ambiences or sound effects for their scenes.
Broadcasting
Broadcasting facilities will have a recording studio control with a mixer for audio and video feeds. The feeds won’t necessarily come from a performance space but, can be streamed from anywhere, including outer space!
Small Events in Bars or Pubs
Conclusion
Though there are several places that audio engineers might work, they have many similarities. The essential role, the sources, the destinations are generally the same. Any technical differentiations between them might be an extension of what is considered “core”. It’s beneficial to identify these differences as you might find yourself working in different environments in your career.
Extra Viewing
Take a deeper look at a recording studio environment from NYU Abu Dhabi.
