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Sound technician vs recordist

The differences between sound technicians 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 technician and a recordist. Additionally, a recordist has an average salary of $60,058, which is higher than the $43,270 average annual salary of a sound technician.

The top three skills for a sound technician include sound equipment, wireless microphones and audio equipment. The most important skills for a recordist are audio equipment, promotional videos, and ADR.

Sound technician vs recordist overview

Sound TechnicianRecordist
Yearly salary$43,270$60,058
Hourly rate$20.80$28.87
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs6,621181
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Sound technician vs recordist salary

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

Sound TechnicianRecordist
Average salary$43,270$60,058
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $73,000Between $31,000 And $115,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between sound technician and recordist education

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

Sound TechnicianRecordist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorMusicPhotography
Most common collegeNew York UniversityStanford University

Sound technician vs recordist demographics

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

Sound TechnicianRecordist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 82.9% Female, 17.1%Male, 82.0% Female, 18.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 63.0% 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 technician and recordist duties and responsibilities

Sound technician example responsibilities.

  • Create new costumes, props and scenery.
  • Coordinate costumes for various roles and scenes.
  • Set up all audio and dj equipment for schedule events.
  • Create weekly PowerPoint presentations for Sunday services as well as other events as they occur.
  • Operate FOH for various live events including music concerts, comedians, presentations, and speeches.
  • Work as the projectionist in several shows and run computer programs for show monitors on stage.
  • 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 technician vs recordist skills

Common sound technician skills
  • Sound Equipment, 16%
  • Wireless Microphones, 13%
  • Audio Equipment, 13%
  • Technical Equipment, 5%
  • Live Sound, 5%
  • Live Productions, 4%
Common recordist skills
  • Audio Equipment, 42%
  • Promotional Videos, 38%
  • ADR, 7%
  • Sound Design, 7%
  • Pro Tools, 6%

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