Audio and Video Recording Technicians

Audio and video recording technicians operate equipment to record, mix and edit sound, music and videotape, for motion pictures, television and radio programs, videos, recordings and live events. They are employed by film, video and concert production companies, sound recording firms, theatre and dance companies, clubs, bands, multimedia companies, radio stations, television networks and video production and editing companies.

Example Titles

audiovisual (AV) technician
multimedia sound technician
postproduction technician
radio technician
recording engineer
recording studio technician
sound effects editor
sound engineer
sound mixer
sound technician
video and sound recorder
video recording technician



Main duties

Audio and video recording technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

• Set up, prepare, operate and adjust audio, recording, editing and reproducing equipment to record, edit and reproduce sound input or feed of pre-recorded material from tapes, records, compact discs, digital audio devices, and input from live microphones, satellites or microwave trucks for films, videos, radio and television programs and recordings

• Prepare and operate videotape recording and playback equipment to record videos, television programs, concerts and live events, and to edit video tape after production

• Operate electronic equipment to generate program titles, credits, sub-titles, graphic backgrounds or animation for television programs

• Operate audio consoles or computers, tape machines, microphones and sound processing equipment to mix, combine and edit music and sound at concerts and live events

• Operate dubbing machines to play back edited dialogue, music and sound effect tracks from different sources, in synchronization with motion picture film

• May supervise and co-ordinate the work of other audio and video recording technicians.

Employment requirements

• Completion of a college or other program in recording engineering, audiovisual technology or a related field
  or
  Experience as a recording studio assistant is usually required.

• Senior occupations in this unit group, such as recording and sound engineers, require experience.