Career Overlap Occupation record
RecordJob

Where a sound operator can go next

5 destinations recorded, ranked by how much of the target role a sound operator already meets. The closer to the top of Table 1, the less there is to learn.

Sound operators control the sound of a performance based on the artistic or creative concept, in interaction with the performers. Their work is influenced by and influences the results of other operators. Therefore, the operators work closely together with the designers and performers. They prepare audio fragments, supervise the setup, steer the technical crew, program the equipment and operate the sound system. Their work is based on plans, instructions and other documentation.

Also known as sound board operator, sound mixer, audio board operator, sound board technician, audio operator, sound audio technician.

Technicians and associate professionals 71 skills on file 5 career moves 5 above 60% overlap Closest: instrument technician, 77%

Fig. 2 · Career map 5 nearest · ESCO v1.2.1
instrument technician 77% covered stage machinist 75% covered light board operator 73% covered automated fly bar operator 71% covered video technician 68% covered sound operator You are here
  • 70% and above · short step
  • 50 to 70% · real move
  • Below 50% · substantial retraining
The 5 nearest destinations from sound operator, each one a link to that move’s record. Distance from the centre is how much retraining the move takes; the figure on each is how much of that role a sound operator already covers. All 5 are listed in the tables below.
Table 1

Table 1 · Within reach

Table 2

Table 2 · What the job itself asks for

A sound operator needs 43 required skills and areas of knowledge. These 10 are the ones fewest other jobs share, so they say the most about the work.

Required skill Area
  • monitor mixing in a live situation working with machinery and specialised equipment
  • set up a multi-track recording working with machinery and specialised equipment
  • set up sound reinforcement system working with machinery and specialised equipment
  • mix multi-track recordings working with machinery and specialised equipment
  • mix sound in a live situation communication, collaboration and creativity
  • program sound cues working with machinery and specialised equipment
  • set up basic recording working with machinery and specialised equipment
  • operate sound live working with machinery and specialised equipment
  • coordinate audio system programmes working with machinery and specialised equipment
  • intervene with actions on stage communication, collaboration and creativity
Table 3

Table 3 · Jobs that lead here

The reverse view: occupations whose skills already cover much of what a sound operator does. The figure is how much of this job each one brings.

Index

Look up another occupation

Sound operator is filed under Technicians and associate professionals, ISCO major group 3. The full index lists all ten groups.

Note

How these figures were compiled

Overlap is how much of the target role is already part of a sound operator’s work. It is directional: the figure for the reverse move differs. Every entry above opens the full comparison for that move: what carries over, what is missing, and where to start. The full method.