Audio engineering is the science that deals specifically with sound recording and reproduction. It is seen as a part of audio science, and as an allied discipline to sound engineering – in fact, the distinctions between audio engineering and sound engineering are somewhat blurred.

Originally, an audio engineer would be something like an audio technician – in charge of recording equipment, maintaining it, staying in touch with the latest developments, and so on. Though experts in every field have always commanded a great deal of respect, it must be said that audio engineers have become much more important in the wake of digital audio.

Digital audio has brought with it the complication of dual inputs – analog and digital. Often, tracks are composed of both analog and digital input, and both have to be rendered into one, seamless, finished product. The task of the audio engineer is to synchronize this as well as possible.

Today’s audio engineer needs to know every development in the field of sound recording and editing that has taken place till date. From vinyl to digital audio workstations, he needs to know them all. With developments taking place at a blistering rate, he must also stay in touch with the latest developments in recording technology, cost-effective equipment, hardware and software.

However, technical know how alone does not make an audio engineer. An audio engineer must be able to use his technological acumen to work with the composer, and actualize the concept of the musical production. He remains in charge of the studio – recording, editing, sound effects, mixing, and finally mastering until a collection of separate, disparate sounds takes shape into a fully developed composition.