Music engineering (also called audio engineering) is the process of recording, editing, mixing, and/or mastering music, focusing primarily on the technical aspects of these processes.

To thrive as a music engineer (also called an audio engineer), you need both technical expertise and creative insight.

The key skills you should develop include:

• Proficiency in your chosen DAW
• Knowledge of microphone types and placement techniques
• Understanding of sound and room acoustics
• Audio editing, mixing, and mastering skills
• Critical listening and a “good ear” for music
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities
• Equipment troubleshooting and repair knowledge
• Basic musical understanding (optional)
• Sound design skills (optional)

If you want a career as a music engineer, there are many music-related fields you can explore. Some of  the most common paths include…

In a recording studio, the music engineer (or their assistant) sets up the recording space, ensures all necessary cables are connected, positions microphones, manages recording levels, and edits and mixes the music to achieve a professional sound.

They typically work from the soundboard in the studio’s control room.

This role often involves assisting artists and bands in recording their music, as well as recording and editing audiobooks and podcasts.

A mixing engineer specializes in blending the elements of a recording to create a polished final product.

This process occurs after recording is completed and involves adjusting volume levels, panning audio elements, and applying effects to enhance the sound.

You can work in a professional studio or from your home studio.

A mastering engineer takes a mixed recording and prepares it for commercial release.

This includes increasing the audio’s volume, applying final effects to enhance the sound, and ensuring the music plays well on all types of playback systems.

Music engineers working in live performance settings are responsible for running sound checks before events to ensure the music sounds balanced throughout the venue.

They also adjust the sound in real-time during the event to maintain audio clarity for the audience. Additionally, they may record live performances for later distribution.

This work is typically done from a soundboard located at the back of the venue.

If you’re searching “music engineering,” you probably want reminders of what the job is, plus the real path to getting good, getting work, and not wasting money. So here it is: music engineering is a craft, but it’s also a people job. If you love sound, problem-solving, and being the calm one when everyone else is spiraling, you’re in the right place.

The part nobody says out loud is that it’s competitive. Not because you’re “not good enough,” but because so many people want to do it. That’s why your best advantage early on is simple: actually finish projects, get feedback, improve, repeat. Most people quit halfway through the boring part.

You can learn music engineering on a laptop and a basic interface. The goal early is not “perfect,” it’s “better than last time.” Record anything you can: your own songs, friends, local artists, podcasts, live sessions, whatever. Your ear develops from reps, not from reading about compressors.

If you’ve got limited money, spend it on the stuff that improves your decisions: monitoring, room basics, and a reliable chain you understand. Expensive gear doesn’t fix confused ears. A simple setup you know deeply beats a complicated setup you barely control.

Waiting for permission is the slow path. The fast path is to build a tiny portfolio that proves you can deliver. Offer to record or mix for friends, or for artists you meet at shows. Keep the deal simple: you’ll do a clean, professional job, and they’ll let you share the work when it’s out.

One more opinion: don’t obsess over a “perfect” niche on day one. Take projects that teach you something. The niche usually finds you after you’ve done enough work to notice patterns in what you’re best at.

Music engineering is not just settings and plugins. You’re managing vibes, confidence, and momentum. Artists remember how you made them feel. If you’re the person who keeps things moving and stays respectful, you’ll get called again.

There’s a term you’ll hear in studios: “hang.” It means people can stand being around you for long sessions. If you’re talented and easy to work with, you’re dangerous in the best way.

• You need expensive equipment to sound professional.
  
• An audio school diploma automatically turns into paid work.
  
• Being “right” matters more than being helpful in a session.
  
• Mixing is the job, so networking and communication don’t matter.
  

Instead, build repeatable habits: label your tracks, gain stage cleanly, deliver mixes on time, and ask for real feedback. That boring professionalism is what separates hobbyists from working engineers.

Immersive audio is becoming more normal, not just a weird bonus format. Spatial mixes can be a real advantage if you learn the basics early. You don’t have to become an expert overnight, but you should at least understand what it is and why artists and labels care.

AI tools are also everywhere, especially for cleanup, leveling, and fast starting points. Use them like power tools, not like a brain transplant. The “engineer” part of music engineering is still your taste, your decisions, and your ability to get a great performance into a great record.

If you want a practical walkthrough on starting out and building real skills, this is a solid watch:

The average salary for a music engineer in the United States is approximately $74,100 per year, or around $35 per hour¹.

Your income can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, location, workplace, and professional connections.

For those who want to get into the exciting and rewarding field of music engineering, there are more schools and individual courses of study than ever before, and each option offers both benefits and drawbacks.

Here are some of the top music engineering college programs…

Whatever job you want to eventually land in the music industry, Berklee College of Music has something for you.

The Boston, MA standard is perhaps the most prestigious name in musical education, and those who come out of the institution have done everything from playing in symphonies to managing Pop Stars and so much more.

Like many other options, Berklee offers a bachelor’s degree that’s a mix of production and engineering, as it’s good to understand both.

For those who want to continue to learn, they may opt to earn a Master of Music in Music Production, Technology, and Innovation.

Berklee College of Music

Full Sail University is also known the world over as a respected institution that churns out many professionals in the music industry.

The Winter Park, Florida-based school offers bachelor’s degrees in fields of study that may interest prospective Engineers such as Audio Production, Show Production, and Music Production.

For those not sure they want to commit right away, a certificate in Audio Arts might be a good start.

Full Sail University

The Los Angeles Recording School has a lot going for it, including the ability for students to either learn online or in-person.

While there may be a temptation to only stick to internet-based degrees, as they’re easier for many, being in L.A. is a great opportunity for those who want to engineer not just recording sessions in studios, but also other kinds of content.

Music engineers are often needed on film and TV sets, and being located in the heart of Hollywood is fantastic for those who want to work in that part of the industry.

Los Angeles Recording School

Yes, Murfreesboro, TN has a school you should pay attention to if you’re thinking of one day becoming an Audio Engineer.

Middle Tennessee State University offers a fantastic Audio Production bachelor’s, and with its proximity to Nashville, the heart of country, it’s a great place to begin a career in the music industry.

Middle Tennessee State University

No matter the creative field someone might want to get into — music, film, TV, theater, art, or even fashion — New York City is the best place to be.

The schools are great, but beyond that, the metropolis offers more opportunities in the way of jobs, networking, experiences, and internships than almost any other place in the world.

The world-renowned Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music has several must-attend engineering-only courses, while NYU Steinhardt has a bachelor’s degree in Music Technology as well as a master’s (also available as a dual bachelor’s and master’s) and a doctorate in the same field.

New York University