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Sound designer vs recordist

The differences between sound designers and recordists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a sound designer and a recordist. Additionally, a sound designer has an average salary of $71,949, which is higher than the $60,058 average annual salary of a recordist.

The top three skills for a sound designer include audio assets, pro tools and wwise. The most important skills for a recordist are audio equipment, promotional videos, and ADR.

Sound designer vs recordist overview

Sound DesignerRecordist
Yearly salary$71,949$60,058
Hourly rate$34.59$28.87
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs50,235181
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Sound designer vs recordist salary

Sound designers and recordists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sound DesignerRecordist
Average salary$71,949$60,058
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $120,000Between $31,000 And $115,000
Highest paying CityNovato, CA-
Highest paying statePennsylvania-
Best paying companyMeta-
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between sound designer and recordist education

There are a few differences between a sound designer and a recordist in terms of educational background:

Sound DesignerRecordist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorMusicPhotography
Most common collegeNew York UniversityStanford University

Sound designer vs recordist demographics

Here are the differences between sound designers' and recordists' demographics:

Sound DesignerRecordist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 86.0% Female, 14.0%Male, 82.0% Female, 18.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 5.1% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between sound designer and recordist duties and responsibilities

Sound designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage PowerPoint and mixing music at the same time.
  • Record live performances to multitrack DAW.
  • Implement audio using FMOD, Maya and proprietary tools.
  • Edit and master pre-record shows and audio clips and prepare for play on air.
  • Supervise load in and load outs and sound checks and run FOH day of event.
  • Set up, run and break down live shows.
  • Show more

Recordist example responsibilities.

  • Manage media assets including creating graphics, digitizing, archiving, editorial 'string-outs' and tracking media assets.
  • Mix and record location sound to HD video camera and DAT recorder for feature film.
  • Provide audio/video recording and DVD authoring services for recitals and audition entries of classical instrumentalists
  • Operate various digital and analog audio consoles during musical performances to create optimal experience for listener and musicians.
  • Optimize editing processes by assisting editors in digitizing and organizing media

Sound designer vs recordist skills

Common sound designer skills
  • Audio Assets, 24%
  • Pro Tools, 10%
  • Wwise, 6%
  • Video Games, 5%
  • PC, 4%
  • Audio Production, 4%
Common recordist skills
  • Audio Equipment, 42%
  • Promotional Videos, 38%
  • ADR, 7%
  • Sound Design, 7%
  • Pro Tools, 6%

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