A Deep Dive Into the Role of an Audio Engineer in Producing an Audiobook
Everything that is professionally recorded needs someone behind the scenes to make it sound the best it can. That includes audiobooks. A lot of work goes into creating the best recording possible. When you work with Cloverly Audiobook, we ensure your finished audiobook sounds pristine.
The person who ensures the production runs smoothly is usually an audio engineer. This article will go over the job of audio engineer across the recording industry.
Basic Job Functions
While specific types of audio engineers have slightly specialized duties, these are their general functions. Each of these functions are often distinct phases that build to a polished finished product. The timeline of each project varies based on length, complexity, and budget. This applies to audio engineers who work both with audiobooks and in other segments of the recording industry.
Recording
The first piece of the puzzle is for audio engineers to coordinate and facilitate the audio’s recording. This means ensuring proper equipment setup, microphone, recording quality, and eliminating background noise or distractions. When there is a professional recording setup, the audio will be ready to take through the next stages of production.
Editing
When audio engineers edit the recording, they are manipulating the raw recording. This can include removing background noise, making sure different tracks line up, and cutting extraneous recordings. Through the editing process, the end result is a rough draft that shows the basic outline of the finished product.
Mixing
At the mixing stage, the audio engineer begins to finetune the audio. They can adjust audio levels, smooth out transitions, and overall balance the material. After this step, the recording will be nearly ready for release.
Mastering
The final stage in an audio engineer’s process is mastering. This is the final review to iron out any lasting wrinkles in the recording. In doing this, the engineer will ensure that the recording plays consistently across devices and is ready for release. Once the mastering is complete, the audio is ready for release on all platforms.
Other General Skills
There are several general skills and experiences audio engineers must have to be successful. This includes specific on-the-job training, schooling, technical experience, and mastering of recording and mixing equipment. Specific jobs require different skills and experiences, but these experiences are often helpful.
Different Types of Audio Engineers
While these job functions are generally applicable to most, there are different specific areas in which audio engineers work. They all use the various job functions in different ways to create their specific end product. There is some overlap between these roles, but they are often distinct careers.
Studio Engineer
A studio engineer is the type of audio engineer that most commonly works in the audiobook industry. These are the people who work in studios to record audio for music, film, television, audiobooks, podcasts, etc. Their function is to ensure that the actual recording of audio for future release is conducted properly. Studios provide a controlled environment for engineers to monitor.
Live Sound Engineer
Live sound engineers work primarily at live events, as opposed to in a studio. This includes concerts, theater, or any other in-person event. Their job relies on ensuring that audio quality is good for the attendees at the event. For example, they will likely monitor sound levels and mixing between various microphones and speakers. Ensuring high-quality audio at live events can also be helpful for recording the live event for future release.
Sound Designer
A sound designer works in general to design the actual sounds that are in recordings or productions. To do this, sound designers often record various sound effects, dialogue, and music to incorporate in the production. This includes both live events (like theater) and studio recordings (audiobooks, film, music, etc.).
Broadcast Engineer
Broadcast engineers’ work is like a mix of studio and live engineers. They facilitate the recording and mixing of live transmissions and broadcasts, such as television and radio productions. The audio they are recording is released live, but they are mixing the audio for audiences watching or listening elsewhere.
