Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Working Life

You can divide the occupation into two areas, recording and live events. They can work in broadcasting (radio and TV), film production, in music recording studios, theatres, event management companies, or in the gaming industry.

Other job titles can include ‘audio engineer’ and ‘sound technician’.

Sound engineers use complex equipment and need a high level of skill to get the best results. As well as controlling sound at a mixing desk, they are responsible for arranging microphones, headphones and other pieces of sound equipment used for the recording or live performances. Sound engineers work alongside a wide variety of people, including artists, musical producers, and other technical staff.

As a sound engineer, you are responsible for operating a control console, which controls the level and quality of sound. Although a producer often has the overall responsibility for a recording; the engineer gives technical advice on the best methods, effects and levels needed to achieve the desired sound.

Engineers often spend a lot of time enhancing and fine-tuning the quality of particular sounds. Once all the performances have been satisfactorily recorded, the engineer will produce a rough 'mix', before producing the finished version that everybody is happy with.

Sound engineers may have to travel and stay away from home, especially for live events, concerts, location work and outside broadcasts.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
• Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
• Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
• Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
• Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.
• Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones.
• Keep logs of recordings.
• Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.
• Synchronise and equalise prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles.
• Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment.

Further Information

• Live Sound Engineer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Sound technician (broadcasting, film, video)- from: GradIreland
• Studio Sound Engineer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• TV or Film Sound Technician- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

If you want to work in theatre or other stage performances, you need to have a ‘StagePass’, which is a health and safety pass specifically for staff working on stage productions. See more details about StagePass courses here.

You can develop your career by working as a freelance sound engineer, or by seeking employment in larger and more prestigious production companies, or radio stations, recording studios and theatres. Bands often have a stage crew traveling with them on tour, and if you want a career where you get to travel, you can start working for smaller bands who may tour Ireland, and work your way up to bands who tour all over the world.

With some years’ experience as a sound engineer, you can also move into more specialised or senior roles such as sound designer for film and games production companies, or a records producer. You could also set up your own recording studio.

Careersinscreen

Greasannamean Audio Visual Skillsnet

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: broadcasting, production, management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: music performance, production, audio, visual, sound engineering, music technology, new media.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Engineering.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: music performance, production, audio, visual, sound engineering, audio, music production, music technology, sound.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: sound, music computing, experimental sound practice, production: broadcast, TV, radio, media.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

You need to stay on top of technical advances in the sector and from time to time you may need to do some further training. Professional organisations may offer training or promote training providers. See for example the Association of Irish Stage Technicians. Other training providers such as the Sound Training Centre and Pulse College also offer a wide range of part-time and full-time courses.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €55k

Salaries vary based on employer (contract for events or sessional for projects), location, experience, shift pattern, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Artists; Authors; writers; translators; Actors; entertainers; presenters; Dancers; choreographers; Musicians Arts officers; producers; directors; Photographers; audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators; Graphic designers Product; clothing and related designers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

• Irish Film and Television Network

  • First Floor, Palmerstown Centre, Kennelsfort Road, Dublin 20
  • 01 905 3595
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Pulse College

  • +353 1 478 4045
  • Click Here

• Association of Irish Stage Technicians (AIST)

  • Dunmaise Arts Centre, Church Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, Ireland
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Sound Training College

  • 01 670 9033
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here