5 Tips for Beginning Audio Engineers.

1. Your ears are your best friend!

   
   

   Being an audio engineer, it makes perfect sense that you would be using your ears for your work. Ear training is extremely important when it comes to working with sound. One of the purest ways of ear training is simply playing an instrument. Playing guitar, piano or any other instrument can teach valuable insight into harmonics and frequency without you even realizing it. For the people that don't play instruments, there are alternative methods including downloadable apps that train the ears with frequency rings to help understand range in the frequency spectrum, which is a key element in engineering.

   
   

2. Check your surroundings.

   
   

   Wherever it is you plan on recording, make sure to double check your surroundings for the type of acoustics the room may hold. Is it a big room or small room? Are the walls covered in pictures and is there furniture? Is the room naturally quiet or does it have an echo? It is wise to have some sort of sound dampering foam pads around your recording area or even acoustic panels. However, being that these methods can both be pretty costly, a great alternative could be hanging some blankets in the recording area to dampen any stray sound. With that being said it is important to remember exactly what you're recording and if you might actually want some natural reverb or echo to begin with. Keep in mind to have fun and experiment with different acoustics and room settings for people still find ways to create new sounds and effects by trying different things every day.

   
   

3. Investing in your gear.

   
   

   A major component in audio engineering is going to be your gear. As time goes by, the endless list of tools that engineers use grows continuously. Make sure to do plenty of research before commiting to some products. While it is key to invest in your gear, keep in mind that while there are thousands of products that cost thousands of dollars, there are many cheaper and just as effective products on the market to achieve the same results. The best way to try different products is in music stores such as Sam Ash or Guitar Center. Many of these stores have an engineering section and will let you play around with the equipment before buying. If these are unavailable to you then researching videos of product use and reviews might be your best bet.

   
   

4. Ear fatigue.

   
   

   Ear fatigue... is it real? Absolutely! A great tip to always remember is that yes, your ears will get "tired" and it is very important to take little breaks while mixing or mastering to reset your ears. When mixing and working with adjusting frequencies your ears can get tired quickly making it harder and harder to get through a mix when working all day. To help prevent and relieve ear fatigue you can follow two steps. The first being mix at a lower volume. You do not need to blast the mix to hear better. The louder is better myth is just that, a myth, and shouldn't be taken practically. The second works along with experience. While experts may be able to withstand longer periods of time without breaking, beginners should focus on more frequent breaks. A good rule of thumb I personally use is about 10 to 20 minutes of silence after every hour or two of mixing.

   
   

5. Find a mentor!

   
   

   The last and probably the most important tip is to find a mentor. Everybody needs somebody sometimes and it is extremely useful to gain experience from those with experience. Do not be afraid to network and find someone to help you get better. You should look for someone that has experience, can share their wisdom and tips and tricks with you, and most important someone who is not afraid to criticize you in a constructive manner. We are all learning to get better in this industry especially with advancements in technology and the ever changing world of entertainment. So find someone to help guide your greatness.