Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators set up, operate, and maintain a wide variety of electrical and electronic equipment used in almost any radio or television broadcast, concert, play, musical recording, television show, or movie. With such a range of work, there are many specialized occupations within the field.
Audio and video equipment technicians set up and operate audio and video equipment, including microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, and recording equipment. They also connect wires and cables and set up and operate sound and mixing boards and related electronic equipment for concerts, sports events, meetings and conventions, presentations, and news conferences. They may set up and operate associated spotlights and other custom lighting systems.
Broadcast technicians set up, operate, and maintain equipment that regulates the signal strength, clarity, and the range of sounds and colors of radio or television broadcasts. These technicians also operate control panels to select the source of the material. Technicians may switch from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.
Sound engineering technicians operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in recording studios, sporting arenas, theater productions, or movie and video productions.
Radio operators mainly receive and transmit communications using a variety of tools. These workers also repair equipment, using such devices as electronic testing equipment, handtools, and power tools. One of their major duties is to help to maintain communication systems in good condition.
The transition to digital recording, editing, and broadcasting has greatly changed the work of broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators. Software on desktop computers has replaced specialized electronic equipment in many recording and editing functions. Most radio and television stations have replaced videotapes and audiotapes with computer hard drives and other computer data storage systems. Computer networks linked to specialized equipment dominate modern broadcasting. This transition has forced technicians to learn computer networking and software skills.
Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators perform a variety of duties in small stations. In large stations and at the networks, technicians are more specialized, although job assignments may change from day to day. The terms "operator," "engineer," and "technician" often are used interchangeably to describe these jobs. Workers in these positions may monitor and log outgoing signals and operate transmitters; set up, adjust, service, and repair electronic broadcasting equipment; and regulate fidelity, brightness, contrast, volume, and sound quality of television broadcasts.
Technicians also work in program production. Recording Engineers operate and maintain video and sound recording equipment. They may operate equipment designed to produce special effects, such as the illusions of a bolt of lightning or a police siren. Sound mixers or re-recording mixers produce soundtracks for movies or television programs. After filming or recording is complete, these workers may use a process called "dubbing" to insert sounds. Field technicians set up and operate portable transmission equipment outside the studio. Because television news coverage requires so much electronic equipment and the technology is changing so rapidly, many stations assign technicians exclusively to news.
Chief Engineers, transmission engineers, and broadcast field supervisors oversee other technicians and maintain broadcasting equipment.
Work environment. Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators generally work indoors in pleasant surroundings. However, those who broadcast news and other programs from locations outside the studio may work outdoors in all types of weather or in other dangerous conditions. Technicians doing maintenance may climb poles or antenna towers, while those setting up equipment do heavy lifting.
Technicians at large stations and the networks usually work a 40-hour week under great pressure to meet broadcast deadlines, and may occasionally work overtime. Technicians at small stations routinely work more than 40 hours a week. Evening, weekend, and holiday work is usual because most stations are on the air 18 to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even though a technician may not be on duty when the station is broadcasting, some technicians may be on call during nonwork hours; these workers must handle any problems that occur when they are on call.
Technicians who work on motion pictures may be on a tight schedule and may work long hours to meet contractual deadlines.
| 1. | Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed. |
| 2. | Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality, and notify directors of any possible problems. |
| 3. | Mix and regulate sound inputs and feeds, or coordinate audio feeds with television pictures. |
| 4. | Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment used to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, cable programs, and motion pictures. |
| 5. | Design layouts of audio and video equipment, and perform upgrades and maintenance. |
| 6. | Perform minor repairs and routine cleaning of audio and video equipment. |
| 7. | Diagnose and resolve media system problems in classrooms. |
| 8. | Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming. |
| 9. | Meet with directors and senior members of camera crews to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, camera movements, and picture composition. |
| 10. | Construct and position properties, sets, lighting equipment, and other equipment. |
| 11. | Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data. |
| 12. | Obtain, set up, and load videotapes for scheduled productions or broadcasts. |
| 13. | Edit videotapes by erasing and removing portions of programs and adding video or sound as required. |
| 14. | Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production. |
| 15. | Plan and develop pre-production ideas into outlines, scripts, story boards, and graphics, using own ideas or specifications of assignments. |
| 16. | Maintain inventories of audio and video tapes and related supplies. |
| 17. | Determine formats, approaches, content, levels, and mediums to effectively meet objectives within budgetary constraints, utilizing research, knowledge, and training. |
| 18. | Record and edit audio material such as movie soundtracks, using audio recording and editing equipment. |
| 19. | Inform users of audio and videotaping service policies and procedures. |
| 20. | Obtain and preview musical performance programs prior to events to become familiar with the order and approximate times of pieces. |
| 21. | Produce rough and finished graphics and graphic designs. |
| 22. | Locate and secure settings, properties, effects, and other production necessities. |
| 23. | Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions. |
| 24. | Conduct training sessions on selection, use, and design of audiovisual materials and on operation of presentation equipment. |
| 25. | Organize and maintain compliance, license, and warranty information related to audio and video facilities. |
| 26. | Develop manuals, texts, workbooks, or related materials for use in conjunction with production materials or for training. |
| 27. | Perform narration of productions, or present announcements. |
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