Being a sound engineer requires continual learning as technologies and consumer expectations and tastes are continually evolving. As such, you will require lifelong learning skills. This is one of the best things about the job: there’s always something new to learn and you never really arrive! Having said that, you need a solid foundation on which to build your skills. You need a solid theoretical understanding of how to work with audio equipment, then you need to practice using the equipment to build your skills in recording, editing and mixing program material. For a junior position in a recording studio or post-production, you’ll need to have a good working knowledge of a DAW, but more importantly, you’ll need to have the right attitude to the work. You need to be passionate and enthusiastic about working with audio, humble and willing to learn, good people skills and a meticulous attention to detail. And there’s no reason why you can’t get junior positions with quite basic knowledge but a great attitude. As a sound engineer, you are a service provider. Some skills such as mixing and mastering take time to become proficient, so it may take several years before you’re listening skills have developed to the extent that people are willing to pay you for your services. To gain the basic knowledge and skills will probably take around two years of study in an appropriate college or learning environment.
