A Career in Audio Recording
Sound recording and audio production is a relatively new area in our country. But it is fast gaining popularity as the media industry continues to constantly boom here and all over the world. If you have the ability to listen intently and love quality sound, this might just be the career for you.
According to a 2009 report jointly published by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and KPMG, the media and entertainment industry in India is likely to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5 per cent per annum over the period between 2009-13 and touch US$ 20.09 billion by 2013. Along with the other 
categories of the entertainment industry, the music industry is also expected to grow substantially. Industry experts estimate that the current size of the music industry is about US$ 149 million. According to a PwC study, the industry is likely to grow to become a US$ 164.56 million industry by 2012.
With this kind of a forecast, a career choice in the media and more importantly the music industry can be a good option and one to be considered. Some key profiles that are gaining popularity and creating waves in this industry are sound recording and audio production. Even in the film industry, sound recording and production profiles now hold the key along with film editing, direction and other such roles.
It has been made clear time and again about how important sound recording is in the music industry. It really is the core of every music release as all depends on quality and standard of recording. On the other hand, If you think of a film, serial without audio you can appreciate how sound changes the entire mood of film - be it a feature, tv commercial, documentary etc. Sound recording has become an integral part of film production. The main role of a sound recordist or a production mixer is to ensure that quality audio is recorded during the process of production by mixing a variety of sounds.
That being said, before you consider making sound recording as your profession, do evaluate yourself. It is considerably new, but slowly and steadily the importance of quality sound recordists and audio professionals is being felt in the industry. Do ask yourself if you have patient and insightful listening ability and if you are interested in the world of sound. Does delivering a quality soundtrack for a film, event, or a song get your mind racing? When listening to a song or a soundtrack, do you feel it could have been produced better? If the answer is yes, Perhaps, you should consider sound recordist as a career seriously.
The work for a sound recording/audio professional generally falls into two areas: capturing of the original sound and post-production of sound. Sound Recordists/Production Mixers record sound on location or in a studio, also in synchronisation with the camera if needed, to enable the highest quality of 'real' sound to be recorded at the time of filming/recording. They monitor the quality of the sound recording through headphones, and work closely with the Producer/Director, Boom Operator and sometimes the Sound Editor, often using multiple microphones. Reproducing a similar experience while playing back the recording is their main purpose. A ton of post production techniques are also needed to enhance the source recording and make it suitable for the relative content before it can reach its final avatar.
Sound recording and professional audio graduates are required in recording studios, television studios, radio broadcasting stations, in addition to film production houses and advertising companies. Besides recording for television and films, a sound recordist can consider a career in acoustics, which would relate to designing auditoriums, concert halls and sound studios. With this special training, the sound engineer knows the quality of sound, its boomness in halls and its character and many other attributes.
In India currently there is limited number of institutes offering sound recording courses.
Sound recording courses are offered at PG diploma, undergraduate and post graduate levels. The courses offered at post graduate level are conducted by the film institutes in the country and are highly technical and mostly require a B.Sc degree. A majority of the PG diploma audio recording courses offered by private institutes are for duration of one year and balance the technical with the creative and the practical.
Essentially an audio recording course will train a student in the hardware, software and technology needed to excel as an audio professional. As this is the age of digital technology, a quality sound recording course along with additional audio technology attributes includes training on the digital audio workstation (DAW) and other advanced production technology. This will help a student to match - up to international standards.
Another crucial aspect of the audio recording course is listening and analyzing. This is of utmost importance to anyone 
working in the industry and is make or break as far as ones standing and growth in the profession is concerned.
In addition to the streamlined curriculum of any sound recording course, there are few skills that one must try and acquire that will stand good stead in the profession to be successful. Problem solving - the job will involve solving problems created by particular locations or situations. In such a situation, the ability to think creatively is vital. For instance, As microphones pick up every minute sound, the ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail is crucial. Sharp listening, agility and good sense of timing; good communication, interpersonal and team skills; patience, self-discipline and reliability; diplomacy and sensitivity are of utmost importance when working with clients, artistes and crew members and are some of the skills that will not be taught in any audio/ sound recording course but will be vital to survive in the profession.
Once through with the course, there are a number of openings in the industry. Many sound recordist are freelancers as the demand for a qualified one is very high in today's industry scenario. If one is at a 'hot' industry location such as Mumbai or Chennai then starting salary can be around Rs 15-35 thousand and varies from Rs 15-20 thousand elsewhere.
Source: Shiksha Team
Date: 9th June, 2010
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