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Sound engineer vs recordist

The differences between sound engineers 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 engineer and a recordist. Additionally, a recordist has an average salary of $60,058, which is higher than the $52,197 average annual salary of a sound engineer.

The top three skills for a sound engineer include audio equipment, venues and A/V. The most important skills for a recordist are audio equipment, promotional videos, and ADR.

Sound engineer vs recordist overview

Sound EngineerRecordist
Yearly salary$52,197$60,058
Hourly rate$25.09$28.87
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs6,923181
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Sound engineer vs recordist salary

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

Sound EngineerRecordist
Average salary$52,197$60,058
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $95,000Between $31,000 And $115,000
Highest paying CityPhiladelphia, PA-
Highest paying stateOregon-
Best paying companyTechtronic Industries TTI-
Best paying industry--

Differences between sound engineer and recordist education

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

Sound EngineerRecordist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorMusicPhotography
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityStanford University

Sound engineer vs recordist demographics

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

Sound EngineerRecordist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 90.3% Female, 9.7%Male, 82.0% Female, 18.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.4% 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 engineer and recordist duties and responsibilities

Sound engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage PowerPoint and mixing music at the same time.
  • Work for local contractor designing spreader bars for crane rigging using AutoCAD.
  • Provide equipment and engineering services for performers, musicians, bands, and DJ's.
  • Mix all live services FOH and maintain all audio, broadcasting and media system as well.
  • Experience tuning, calculating EQ settings, as well as appropriate delay times within an automobile.
  • Master multiple projects albums by working on song levels plus EQ and correct minor mix deficiencies with equalization.
  • 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 engineer vs recordist skills

Common sound engineer skills
  • Audio Equipment, 15%
  • Venues, 11%
  • A/V, 10%
  • Technical Aspects, 8%
  • Live Sound, 5%
  • Stage Equipment, 4%
Common recordist skills
  • Audio Equipment, 42%
  • Promotional Videos, 38%
  • ADR, 7%
  • Sound Design, 7%
  • Pro Tools, 6%

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