What Is a Sound Engineer?

Sound engineers shape the way we hear music, movies, podcasts, and live performances.

From concerts and commercials to podcasts and video games, sound engineers are behind the scenes making sure everything sounds its best.

“A sound engineer—it’s a pretty broad term,” says Dan Dietrich, a sound engineer and assistant professor in the School of Audio and Sound at Columbia College Chicago. “It can be someone recording music in a studio, mixing a live show, editing a podcast, or installing sound systems in large venues.”

How Do You Become a Sound Engineer?

While it’s possible to learn some skills on your own, Dietrich believes formal training provides the depth and breadth needed to work across the industry.  

“You can go on YouTube and learn enough about making beats, but if you want to go into different areas of the industry, that’s where a program like the one at Columbia College Chicago makes a big difference,” he says. 

At Columbia, students study the science and technology behind sound—including acoustics, electronics, and system design—not just the software.  

“It’s not just turning knobs. You’re learning the principles behind what you’re doing,” Dietrich says.  

The college offers sound engineering courses that also give students access to hands-on projects and studio time. The program also helps students form real industry connections and collaborate across creative disciplines. 

Is Sound Engineering a Good Career?

Absolutely, says Dietrich—especially if you love audio and want a job that balances creativity and technical skill.

“There’s audio in everything,” he says. “A lot of our students come in wanting to make records, but then they find there are also great jobs in live sound, video games, and commercials.”

In fact, sound engineering opportunities are expanding as more industries depend on high-quality audio. From traditional roles like studio recording to newer paths like immersive sound design, there’s a wide variety of work available.

“If you're doing live sound or recording other people or installing systems, you have skills you can get paid for,” Dietrich says.

While sound engineer salary can vary depending on the job and location, those who build strong portfolios and networks can make a good living— and can even combine freelance work with full-time roles.

What Jobs Do You Do as a Sound Engineer?

Sound engineering covers a wide range of tasks and settings. At Columbia, students get experience with many of them, from recording and mixing to system installation. 

 “Mixing could mean combining music tracks, adjusting dialogue for a commercial, or handling 25 microphones at a live show,” Dietrich says. 

Students might find themselves creating multi-track recordings, mixing live performances, designing audio systems, or even soldering microphone cables in a hands-on makerspace.  

Here are examples of jobs that someone with an education and skill set in sound engineering could land:  

  • Audio visual integration specialist 
  • Audiobook recording engineer 
  • Live sound engineer 
  • Podcast recording engineer
  • Radio and TV broadcast engineer 
  • Recording engineer and mixer
  • Sound editor 

Where Can You Start Your Sound Engineering Career?

The Audio Arts BA degree program at Columbia’s School of Audio and Sound is a perfect place to launch a career in audio. Columbia offers sound engineering courses that expose students to a wide range of tools, techniques, and professional practices.  

At Columbia, classroom experiences mirror what happens in the industry, and you’ll study music recording, live sound reinforcement, audiovisual systems integration, audio and sound design, and general audio arts. 

Why Choose Columbia College Chicago for Sound Engineering?

If you love sound and experimenting with sound, Columbia is the place where you can turn that passion into a career. Here’s are some of the things you’ll do in our audio arts program 

Discover the basics of audio - Courses such as Intro to Audio and Audio Production Foundations will help you understand how humans hear sound and teach you the core concepts behind audio systems. 

Apply what you learn - In both class and hands-on lab settings, you'll explore key audio system concepts while practicing foundational skills in recording, editing, and mixing. 

Develop expertise - Based on your interests, you’ll build expertise in specialized areas like working with digital audio consoles, monitor mixing techniques, and audiovisual system design. 

Learn from industry veterans – Columbia faculty bring decades of real-world experience to the classroom, having worked in recording studios, live events, and sound design.  

Work across creative disciplines - At Columbia, you’ll collaborate with students in music, film, game design, and other fields. Whether you’re scoring a student film, crafting game audio, or producing a radio-ready track, you’ll get hands-on experience. You might record and mix songs for artists, design immersive sound for media, or create a portfolio focused on sound art, custom software/hardware, or data-driven audio. 

Intern in a vibrant, creative city – Chicago is home to recording studios, iconic music venues, music festivals and major events like NASCAR, post-production companies, and firms specializing in acoustics and AV integration—offering you a wide range of internship possibilities. 

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