Berklee Presents Live Sound and Recording Engineer

Berklee College of Music; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Student employment

On-campus work

Flexible hours

Job summary

Berklee College of Music in Boston seeks a Live Sound and Recording Engineer for the Berklee Presents production team. You will actively engage in mounting a live interdisciplinary student concert from start to finish.

You will support live sound for rehearsals with diverse instrumentation and undertake audio engineering tasks in the Berklee Presents studio to create stems for playback tracks. The ideal candidate has passion for live music, strong knowledge of ProTools and Logic Pro, and works

Qualifications

• Extremely well-organized and detail oriented.
• Reliable, punctual, and diligent.
• Strong time management skills, work well under pressure.
• High-level live sound experience.
• High-level audio engineering skills (MP&E major preferred).
• Proficiency with ProTools, Logic Pro X, and GarageBand.
• Fluency in Google Drive, Microsoft Office Suite, and Dropbox.
• Must enjoy working with culturally diverse populations and on interdisciplinary teams.
• Must be a team player, work cooperatively and collaboratively, and be focused on the student and project success.

Responsibilities

• Setup and breakdown of rehearsal room equipment for a large ensemble (stands, keys, mics, amps, monitors).
• Support playback engineers with playback equipment and in-ear monitor stations for the band.
• Management and troubleshooting of live sound for a large ensemble with varied instrumentation.
• Microphone setup and placement to record rehearsals and upload the files to shared cast folders.
• Collaborate with Berklee Presents team to adhere to recording studio calendar and session log.
• Engineer recording sessions in Berklee Presents studio, meeting sonic quality standards.
• Collaborate with Berklee Presents team, taking direction during recording sessions, and creating a supportive environment for student talent.
• Maintain recording studio policies in care of equipment and inventory oversight.
• Operate remote audio recording engineering sessions using ProTools/LogicPro over Zoom and with AudioMovers.
• In consultation with faculty Track Supervisor and Producer, composite audio stems for mockups and playback tracks.
• Undertake audio editing, processing, and mixing to support playback tracks.
• Enhance sound quality and add effects as needed.
• Work with video editors to synchronize video with audio tracks.
• Support Berklee Presents mission to create a safe, inspiring environment for students.
• Assist with general administrative tasks for the Berklee Presents production team.
• May work occasional prolonged or irregular hours, especially before performances.

Skills

Live sound

Audio engineering

Organizational skills

Punctual and reliable

Pro Tools

Logic Pro

Team player

Communication

Interpersonal

Attention to detail

Tools

ProTools

Logic Pro

GarageBand

Job description

Student Eligibility

• Current student at Berklee College of Music or Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
• Enrolled at least half-time in a degree, diploma, or certificate-seeking undergraduate or graduate program.
• Summer is the only semester in which a student can maintain employment without being enrolled.
• In this case, the student must be pre-registered for the upcoming fall semester.
• This exception does not apply to fall or spring semesters.
• Have a valid United States Social Security Number (SSN).
• Remain in “valid” Visa status as applicable.
• A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• Students in their first semester can work, even though they do not have an official GPA until the completion of their first semester.
• Federal Work Study student may apply.
• In good disciplinary standing.
• Must be located in the U.S.
• For complete program details, please go to our website: www.berklee.edu/se.

The Live Sound and Recording Engineer for the Berklee Presents production team will have the opportunity to actively engage in the process of mounting a live interdisciplinary student concert from start to finish. They will support live sound for a combination of medium-sized rhythm section rehearsals as well as large-scale, full-cast rehearsals with a diverse array of instrumentation. They will also undertake audio engineering, editing, compositing, and mixing tasks within the Berklee Presents production studio to support student arrangers, track production assistants, and members of the cast in the creation of stems for high-level playback tracks to be used within the concert on Ableton Live. The role may also involve remote audio engineering to support cast members using a DAW over Zoom with AudioMovers LISTENTO. Reporting to the Senior Concert Producer, they will receive mentorship from a faculty Track Production Supervisor. The ideal candidate will have a passion for live sound and audio engineering, with a strong knowledge of contemporary commercial music. They also model the values of teamwork, respect, and self-confidence. The Berklee Presents team—which includes faculty, staff, and student employees—produces a variety of high-profile Signature Series concerts each year including Singers Showcase, Great American Songbook, and the Commencement Concert.

HOURS NEEDED

Hours are varied depending on the assigned project, but you must be consistently available for rehearsals on a Thursday evening during the Fall and Spring semester from 6:00pm-11:00pm, several Friday evenings from 5:00pm/6:00pm-11:00pm, and a few Saturday day rehearsals for full cast run throughs in B41 (150 Mass Ave - multipurpose room). Specific dates for full-cast rehearsals are TBD, but will be shared prior to the start of the first rehearsal in Fall semester. Must also be available to work several evenings during the “BPC Tech Week,” and on the night of each production. Recording sessions and additional administrative pre-production work will be assigned, and can be completed remotely on a more flexible schedule.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Setup and breakdown of rehearsal room equipment for a large ensemble (stands, keys, mics, amps, monitors)
• Support student playback engineers with their playback equipment and in-ear monitor stations for the band
• Management and troubleshooting of live sound for a large ensemble with a wealth of varied instrumentation
• Microphone setup and placement to record rehearsals and to upload the files to the shared cast folders
• Collaborate with the Berklee Presents team to adhere to the recording studio booking calendar and session log
• Engineer recording sessions in the Berklee Presents studio, meeting clients sonic quality standards
• Collaborate with Berklee Presents team, taking direction during recording sessions, and creating a supportive and positive environment for student talent
• Maintain recording studio policies in terms of care of equipment and inventory oversight
• Operate remote audio recording engineering sessions using ProTools/LogicPro over Zoom and with AudioMovers
• In consultation with the faculty Track Supervisor and Producer, comp audio stems to a high-level for arranging mockups and playback tracks
• Undertake audio editing, processing, and mixing to support playback tracks
• Enhance sound quality and add sound effects to recordings, as needed
• Work with video editors to synchronize video with audio tracks
• Support the Berklee Presents team’s common mission to create a safe and inspiring environment for students to achieve their musical and creative potential, and to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Assist with general administrative task for the Berklee Presents production team on an as-needed basis, such as for auditions, info-sessions, and one-off special events
• May work occasional prolonged or irregular hours, especially in the lead up to performances

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Extremely well-organized and detail oriented
• Reliable, punctual, and diligent
• Strong time management skills, work well under pressure
• High-level live sound experience
• High-level audio engineering skills (MP&E major preferred)
• Production experience, working with ensembles and vocalists, a plus
• Proficiency of hardware and recording software, including ProTools, LogicProX, and Garageband
• Fluency in Google Drive, Microsoft Office Suite, and Dropbox software
• Must enjoy working with culturally diverse populations and on interdisciplinary teams
• Must be a team player, work cooperatively and collaboratively, and be focused on the student and project success
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills
• Appreciation for and understanding of the exacting needs of musicians
• Bring a sense of fun and a passion for live music and open mindedness for the diverse needs of students of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels
• Ability to follow directions and also motivated to work independently, seeking clarify when needed
• Agility and resourcefulness
• Discretion and confidentiality, a must

Compensation

Hourly Rate: 16.97

Hiring Manager: Maureen McMullan

If you are looking to get involved with the Berklee community while earning some money, you may want to consider applying for student employment. The Student Employment program provides opportunities for you to work part-time on campus, thereby helping you to meet some of your living expenses. With more than 900 positions ranging from 10 to 15 hours of work per week, as well as daily opportunities for project-based temporary employment, student employment is a great opportunity for professional and educational growth.