How to become a sound engineer: Matilda's story

Meet Matilda and find out about life as a sound engineer with the BBC. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.

I'm part of the radio unit, I'm a sound engineer. Usually I'm in studios at work either doing sessions or doing regular radio programmes, you know, drive time programmes, breakfast programmes. But then you also get to go out on the road for things like this for Outside Broadcasts. So we cover a lot of festivals – we've got one of us who's mixing the bands in the truck and I'm the person that's sort of in between the truck and stage being their eyes.

I came straight from sixth form where I sort of did a Broadcasting course but my technical knowledge was pretty small and I went straight into the BBC on one of the BBC apprenticeship schemes.

Everyone needs to have different skills and everyone brings different things to the table. Obviously your technical knowledge has kind of got to be there but I always think, and I always say to people who are trying to get into it, that can come with time, that's what you learn. What's really important I think is your social skills, being able to talk to loads of different people, getting along with the whole team, being able to deal with a changing environment.

I seem to just have this library of people who I can go "what mic shall I use on this?" and they go "oh, I used it on the Foo Fighters once and it wasn't that great", you know what I mean? I've got all of these people around me who just have all this knowledge and are so keen to share. And I've learnt absolutely everything about my job from the people around me so I think that source of knowledge is so important so never be scared to ask questions. The amount of times people say there's no such thing as a stupid question, there really isn't and don't be shy of doing that, that's a great way to learn.

It's quite a tough industry for females as well. Unfortunately, a male-dominated industry. But, for any females out there, don't be disheartened by that fact because you are by far good enough.

This job is amazing because, I mean, there are like pinch me moments. You know if I could tell my little 14-year-old self what I was doing now or the people I'm working with. It's totally bonkers but, yeah, it's great.

Don't be scared to ask questions. It's a great way to learn.

As a sound engineer for a BBC radio unit, Matilda works in the studio on sessions or radio programmes for drive-time and breakfast shows. She also goes out on the road, working on Outside Broadcasts (OBs) and festivals
At sixth form Matilda did a Broadcasting course, then applied for one of the BBC apprenticeship schemes. She says that technical skills come with time and the skills you really need are:
- good team building skills
- good communication skills
- resilience
- being able to adapt to changing environments
Matilda says that, although it's a male-dominated field, women shouldn't be disheartened and if it's a career that appeals to them they should just go for it!

While Matilda is a sound engineer who works both in studio and outside, on OBs and at music festivals, live sound engineers work solely in the field. They control the sound at events like theatre performances, music concerts and festivals.

What to expect if you want to be a live sound engineer

Live sound engineer salary: Variable ranging from £25,000 to £40,000 per year
Live sound engineer working hours: 39 to 41 hours per week. You could work evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

What qualifications do you need to be a live sound engineer?

Typical entry requirements: You can get into this job through a university course, a college course, an apprenticeship or specialist courses run by private training providers
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma, or degree in a related subject like Sound and Live Event Production, Live Sound and Lighting Technology, Music Technology or Technical Theatre Art. You'll usually need one or two A-levels (or equivalent) for a foundation degree or higher national diploma or two to three A-levels (or equivalent) for a degree
Some sound engineers start by taking a college course to develop their skills before looking for work. Qualifications include Level 2 Diploma in Sound and Music Technology and Level 3 Certificate in Technical Theatre: Sound, Light and Stage. You'll usually need two or more GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9 to 3 (A to D) for a Level 2 course or four or five GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9 to 4 (A to C) for a Level 3 course
You may be able to get into this job through an advanced apprenticeship in technical theatre: sound, light and stage. You'll usually need five GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9 to 4 (A to C), usually including English and Maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
You can get practical experience of using sound equipment to help your career prospects. This may be part of a course or you can try helping backstage in a theatre, being a roadie for a band, rigging sound in amateur or student theatre or for local bands, or working for a sound equipment manufacturer or hire company.

This information is a guide (sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service)

For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

How to become a sound engineer: Matilda's story

What to expect if you want to be a live sound engineer

What qualifications do you need to be a live sound engineer?

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