Recording Engineer

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

• 5225: Audio and Video Recording Technicians

2006 NOC-S

• F125: Audio and Video Recording Technicians

2011 NOC

• 5225: Audio and video recording technicians

2016 NOC

• 5225: Audio and video recording technicians

2021 NOC

• 52113: Audio and video recording technicians

Recording engineers work in recording studios, film post-production houses, radio stations, multimedia companies and on film sets. Most sound recordings are made on multitrack digital recording equipment, digital audio work stations or hard disc-based computers/samplers.

Recording engineers are not considered professional engineers and do not engage in the practice of engineering as defined in the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act [pdf].

Unlike professional engineers who may design or construct audio systems, recording engineers:

• operate recording consoles or computers, digital recording equipment and software, microphones and sound processing equipment to change the signals from microphone or line inputs to usable audio signals that can be sent to multitrack recording machines or digital audio processors
• mix, combine or edit recordings, or work with a mixing or mastering engineer, to create master files for commercials, film soundtracks, CDs, computer audio files (wave files) or multimedia presentations for later broadcast or retail sale
• do audio post-production mixing and editing for film/video work
• create MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) programs for music projects, commercials or film post-production.
  Recording engineers record separate instruments, vocals and sounds, and combine them later during the mixing or post-production stage. They work closely with producers, directors, arrangers, programmers and performers to achieve the desired sound for musical recordings, commercials and film, television, theatre and radio productions.

In the past, studios often used analogue recording equipment and SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) or MIDI time code for synchronization. Now, most recording engineers use computers that allow them to work in a non-destructive format, work faster and more efficiently, and collaborate with others in locations throughout the world.

For information about engineers who control the sound components of live events, see the Sound Engineer occupational profile.

Recording engineers may be required to work long hours in a studio or on a film set to meet project deadlines. Evening, weekend and holiday work is common.

Working environments range from large, air-conditioned studios to basements in private homes.

It can be difficult to break into recording engineering. Experience working on a practicum placement through a school training program or as a volunteer at a cable television station is an asset. Beginning in radio commercial production is another option.

It is common in the industry for someone to start out as a "gopher" or assistant engineer, and work their way up. You must be willing to work for little money to gain practical experience and establish a reputation for good work. Advancement generally takes the form of working on more complex projects and building a reputation for good work. Some recording engineers move into related positions, such as producer, or open their own recording studios.

Recording engineers work for:

• video and film production companies
• multimedia companies
• television and radio stations
• theatre and dance companies
• recording studios.

Some freelance recording engineers set up their own basement or project recording studios. Experienced studio recording engineers may advance to producer positions.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 5225: Audio and video recording technicians occupational group, 79.1% of people work in:

• Information, Culture, and Recreation
• Educational Services
• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Other Services

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 5225: Audio and video recording technicians occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 0 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Music Industry Association website: www.albertamusic.org

Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) website: cimamusic.ca

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) website: www.smpte.org

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