Sound engineers work in the theatre & dance sector to handle all aspects of a productions sound. They ensure that speech, music and sound effects can be heard to the best effect in a theatre production.
Sound engineers also contribute to the staging of concerts, trade launches and other live events. The role demands a combination of technical expertise and creative skill. Their role is very technical in nature and sound engineers have to carry out a variety of tasks such as:
- Discussing the sound needs of the production with the director and other team members
- Choosing the best technical equipment to achieve the desired effects
- Servicing the equipment and checking that it runs properly throughout the production
- Making sure the sound stays within safe hearing limits
- Creating the sound effects to be used - either recording them from new sources, or finding them in existing sound libraries
- Working with colleagues to create a 'sound plot'. This includes setting out exactly how sound is to be used and adjusted at each point of the script.
