Arts, Media & CommunicationsO*NET: 27-4014.00
Will AI Replace Sound Engineering Technicians?
Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.
74out of 100
High Risk
AI Risk Score
74/100
Risk Level
High
Job Zone
3/5
Medium
Total Tasks Analyzed
13
🤖 What AI Can Do
- â–¸Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
- â–¸Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
- â–¸Keep logs of recordings.
- â–¸Synchronize and equalize prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles.
- â–¸Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment.
- â–¸Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving.
👤 What Requires Humans
- â–¸Providing empathy and emotional support
- â–¸Creative problem-solving in ambiguous contexts
- â–¸Physical tasks requiring fine motor skills and dexterity
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (6)
- Regulate volume level and sound quality during recording sessions, using control consoles.
- Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
- Keep logs of recordings.
- Synchronize and equalize prerecorded dialogue, music, and sound effects with visual action of motion pictures or television productions, using control consoles.
- Reproduce and duplicate sound recordings from original recording media, using sound editing and duplication equipment.
- Convert video and audio recordings into digital formats for editing or archiving.
âš¡AI-Assisted (7)
- Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
- Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
- Set up, test, and adjust recording equipment for recording sessions and live performances.
- Report equipment problems and ensure that required repairs are made.
- Prepare for recording sessions by performing such activities as selecting and setting up microphones.
- Mix and edit voices, music, and taped sound effects for live performances and for prerecorded events, using sound mixing boards.
- Tear down equipment after event completion.
Key Skills Analysis
Active Listening
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.12/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Service OrientationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Systems AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Sound Engineering Technicians have a high risk of AI replacement with a score of 74/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research