Job of a Recording Engineer

The job of a recording engineer is more than just running gadgetry in a studio (although many engineers really love the gadgets!).  The recording engineer is an advanced problem solver and logistical person.  Every time a new band or artist comes into the studio to record, a new set of acoustic and electric challenges can arise. Microphones, audio levels and the EQ balance shift and change with each project, even in a recording studio where many of the dynamics are controlled.  The recording engineer not only needs to understand and maintain the equipment, but he/she also has to know how to make adjustments with many variables, sometimes on the fly, to ensure that the recorded audio is the best it can possibly be.

While the producer focuses on the creative and financial aspects of the project, the recording engineer is focused on the technical aspects. He/she makes sure the gear is in working order, that the right microphones are used for the right types of vocals or instruments, and that those microphones are correctly placed. A good engineer will know the balance between being a passive “fader-pusher” who doesn’t care how good the band sounds (as long as he gets paid), and overzealously trying to tell the band how to play (which is the producer’s role). He/she will be engaged, but not overbearing, always trying to offer input that will genuinely improve the audio.

A good engineer listens to the artist and producer, discerning what kind of sound they are looking for, and goes to work to make that sound happen for them.  It’s important to start off with a level of trust with the engineer, because sometimes the engineer will be direct with instructions and offer few explanations.  This is not necessarily because he/she is being rude; hopefully by now, the engineer knows the desired result, and is simply trying to make it happen.  Studio time is money, and explanations waste time.  When you have an engineer you trust, then trust his/her instructions. 

The recording engineer is trained to hear many things the average person doesn’t hear—such as if a sound is too dull, too bright, or conflicts with another instrument while a number of other instruments are playing.  The engineer can quickly isolate and balance specific frequencies both during and after the take. Hundreds of intricate corrections might be made in the course of one take.  The engineer also knows when there are too many corrections to be made at once, and when it’s time to stop and re-record the track.  The recording engineer’s job is to juggle all the variables without getting overloaded.  Sometimes this might cause frustration, but good engineers actually thrive on the challenge overall.

The job of a recording engineer is a delicate blend of technical and creative ability, but the main focus is on the technical.  Without the engineer at the helm of the board, high-quality audio is next to impossible.