You may have ventured into audio as a music lover. However, music is not the only way you can excel in this field. There are countless audio-related jobs that don’t have anything to do with the music industry, but that can still be educational and fulfilling. At the very least, these jobs can help you pay your bills.
Regardless of if you are looking into a career in audio or audio editing as a long-term career or as a way to make money on the side, getting to know your options can be helpful. Keep reading to learn more.
Television and Film Audio
If you are ready to start building your career as an audio engineer in the TV or film industry, there are several ways to get started. Over time, these jobs can sometimes provide you with generous retirement plans and vacation pay.
There are jobs for skilled audio professionals in the fields of sound recording, as well as audio post-protection, in the areas of dialogue editing, foley artistry, sound design, and ADR recording.
Many people find most of their audio work in the film and TV industries, in both music and non-music related roles. A benefit of working in this industry is that you can often begin your career here, and work your way up in the audio department. For example, if you begin as a boom operator, this can lead to new opportunities in post-production roles, such as music editing, sound, and even composition gigs.
Voice-Over, Audiobook and Podcast Recording
If you have your own studio and a quality vocal booth, there is no reason why you could not venture into the realm of voice-over recording sessions. Many studios charge the same rate per hour of voice-over sessions than they do for full band recordings. This means you won’t lose money if you take new voice-over clients, along with musicians.
One benefit of doing voice-over sessions is that they are a simple thing to do. You can take a few additional voice-over sessions per week and then use your other time to work on music projects you are passionate about.
Live Sound Engineering
A live sound engineer is often used for mixing live concerts, although many other live events require audio engineers, too. Some examples include charity events, conferences, Christmas parties, birthday parties, outdoor church services, public speaking events, and so much more. Each of these requires sound systems, and usually, they require someone to operate the sound system, too. There is also the potential to book recurring events for additional income.
Software Design
If you are a more digitally inclined audio engineer, then software design will likely be an attractive career path. As more and more plug-in companies are popping up, the requirement for audio experts who also have computer programming skills continues to grow. Also, the need for tech-savvy audio professionals is something that extends beyond just music plug-ins, too.
There are plenty of software companies that are making all types of audio tools today, which are designed specifically for TV and film post-production. More than a few video game design companies, app makers, and other types of software companies require the abilities of skilled audio engineers.