A 'SOUND' CAREERSound recording and audio production is a relatively new area in our country. But it is fast gaining popularity asthe media industry continues to constantly boom here and all over the world. If you have the ability to listenintently 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 annualgrowth rate (CAGR) of 12.5 per cent per annum over the period between 2009-13 and touch US$ 20.09 billionby 2013. Along with the other categories of the entertainment industry, the music industry is also expected togrow substantially. Industry experts estimate that the current size of the music industry is about US$ 149million. According to a PwC study, the industry is likely to grow to become a US$ 164.56 million industry by2012.

With this kind of a forecast, a career choice in the media and more importantly the music industry can be agood option and one to be considered. Some key profiles that are gaining popularity and creating waves in thisindustry are sound recording and audio production. Even in the film industry, sound recording and productionprofiles 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 reallyis the core of every music release as all depends on quality and standard of recording. On the other hand, Ifyou think of a film, serial without audio you can appreciate how sound changes the entire mood of film – be ita 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 theprocess of production by mixing a variety of sounds.

That being said, before you consider making sound recording as your profession, does evaluate yourself. It isconsiderably new, but slowly and steadily the importance of quality sound recordists and audio professionals isbeing felt in the industry. Do ask yourself if you have patient and insightful listening ability and if you areinterested in the world of sound. Does delivering a quality soundtrack for a film, event, or a song get your mindracing? When listening to a song or a soundtrack, do you feel it could have been produced better? If theanswer 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 originalsound and post-production of sound. Sound Recordists/Production Mixers record sound on location or in astudio, also in synchronization with the camera if needed, to enable the highest quality of 'real' sound to berecorded at the time of filming/recording. They monitor the quality of the sound recording throughheadphones, 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 theirmain purpose. A ton of post production techniques are also needed to enhance the source recording and makeit 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, radiobroadcasting stations, in addition to film production houses and advertising companies. Besides recording fortelevision and films, a sound recordist can consider a career in acoustics, which would relate to designingauditoriums, concert halls and sound studios. With this special training, the sound engineer knows the qualityof 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 coursesoffered at post graduate level are conducted by the film institutes in the country and are highly technical andmostly require a B.Sc degree. A majority of the PG diploma audio recording courses offered by privateinstitutes 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 toexcel as an audio professional. As this is the age of digital technology, a quality sound recording course alongwith 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 toanyone working in the industry and is make or break as far as ones standing and growth in the profession isconcerned.

In addition to the streamlined curriculum of any sound recording course, there are few skills that one must tryand acquire that will stand good stead in the profession to be successful. Problem solving - the job will involvesolving problems created by particular locations or situations. In such a situation, the ability to think creativelyis vital. For instance, As microphones pick up every minute sound, the ability to concentrate and pay closeattention 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 utmostimportance when working with clients, artistes and crew members and are some of the skills that will not betaught 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 arefreelancers 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 variesfrom Rs 15-20 thousand elsewhere.

For more details visit http://www.sac.ac.in/sound-recording-design-course.asp