Audio engineering is the science of delivering live or recorded sound to an audience or medium. Usually an audio engineer is someone who understands mathematics and modern technology. Understanding the nature of sound waves and acoustics is very important.

History

Audio technology began with 19th-century inventions such as the telephone and the phonograph. Multi-track recording began to surface in movie studios in the 1930s and became standard by the 1960s, along with stereophonic sound. The recording industry shifted to digital technology in the 1980s.

Significance

Audio engineering involves running an audio mixing board that controls sound levels and effects for each channel of sound. Live performances and recording usually depend on professional audio engineering, which can be as simple as monitoring an event or as complex as making constant sound adjustments.

Types

Audio engineering is used for concerts, nightclubs, private parties, speeches, film making, broadcasting, recording projects, archiving, educational uses and anything to do with audio presentation. Careers in the field range from high-paid expertise positions to entry-level internships that involve "babysitting" audio in simple situations.

Features

Audio engineers must guard against feedback and distortion, which can ruin a recording or live event. Tools that help reduce unwanted sounds include compressors, which compress sound; and limiters, which block out certain frequencies. Careful microphone placement is key to successful audio recording.

Misconceptions

"Audio engineering" and "audio production" have different meanings, but can be accomplished by one person. An audio engineer deals with controlling a sound source and its sound quality, whereas an audio producer is considered more of an artist since it may require creativity and musical knowledge, as well as mixing sounds that lead to the finished product.

Warning

Audio engineering can involve many puzzling nuances that can interfere with an event, which inexperienced people may not understand. Using a wireless microphone outdoors, for example, can pick up unwanted radio signals. The amount of education required to run a recording studio or concert event can take years to learn.

Source:

43things.com

"America On Record: A History of Recorded Sound;" by Andre Millard; 1995

Resource:

Audio Engineering Society (AES)