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Infocomm TechnologyISCO 3521

Audio-visual technician

An audio-visual technician is a person who installs, operates and maintains the equipment used to record and edit sound and pictures for radio and television, at live events and for transmitting telecommunication signals.

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Rate 5 of the 15 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

transfer uncut audiovisual material to computer

support audio system installation

maintain electrical equipment

operate video equipment

coordinate audio system programmes

About audio-visual technician

The technician provides support with audio system installation, rigs speakers, microphones, cameras, monitors and the cabling between them, and coordinates audio system programmes so that sources, levels and routing match what the production needs. During a live event they operate audio equipment, following the running order and correcting a level or a feed while it is happening, with no second take available.

The technician plans the audio and audiovisual recording process: what is captured, on which channel, at what level and with what backup.

The technician maintains electronic equipment, electrical equipment and audio-visual equipment, which means testing before an event rather than discovering a fault during it, and repairing or replacing what has failed. Health and safety standards apply throughout, around mains power, rigging and working at height. Formal requirements are set by the employer.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (15)

digital mediadigital mediaThe set of medias that are transmitted through electronic devices.audiovisual productsaudiovisual productsThe different types of audiovisual products and their requirements, such as documentaries, low budget movies, television series, records, CDs, and others.audiovisual equipmentaudiovisual equipmentThe characteristics and usage of different tools that stimulate the sight and audio senses.transfer uncut audiovisual material to computertransfer uncut audiovisual material to computerTransfer uncut audiovisual materials to a computer, synchronise them and store them.support audio system installationsupport audio system installationSupport the on-site installation efforts of the team. Troubleshoot and debug audio systems.maintain electrical equipmentmaintain electrical equipmentTest electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as r...operate video equipmentoperate video equipmentUse of various types of video equipment.coordinate audio system programmescoordinate audio system programmesCoordinate the requirements, integration, and installation of audio control system programs.maintain audiovisual equipmentmaintain audiovisual equipmentPerform routine maintenance tasks on audiovisual equipment as well as minor repairs, such as replacing parts and calibrating the instruments, on equipment used in processing sound and images.adapt to type of mediaadapt to type of mediaAdapt to different types of media such as television, movies, commercials, and others. Adapt work to type of media, scale of production, budget, genres within type of media, and others.operate broadcast equipmentoperate broadcast equipmentOperate broadcast equipment to produce, switch, receive, record, edit, and reproduce television and radio signals.operate audio equipmentoperate audio equipmentApply technologies for re-creation or recording of sounds, such as speaking, sound of instruments in electrical or mechanical form.maintain electronic equipmentmaintain electronic equipmentCheck and repair electronic equipment. Develop maintenance tasks on electronic equipment. Detect malfunction, locate faults and take measures to prevent damage.apply health and safety standardsapply health and safety standardsAdhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.plan audiovisual recordingplan audiovisual recordingPlan audio-visual recordings.
Optional (21) — show
acousticsacousticsThe study of sound, its reflection, amplification and absorption in a space.photographyphotographyArt and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.audio editing softwareaudio editing softwareThe various software for editing and generating audio, such as Adobe Audition, Soundforge, and Power Sound Editor.cinematographycinematographyThe science of recording light and electromagnetic radiation in order to create a motion picture. The recording can happen electronically with an image sensor or chemically on light sensitive material...operate a cameraoperate a cameraCapture moving images with a camera. Operate the camera skilfully and safely to obtain high quality material.set up sound equipmentset up sound equipmentSet up equipment to record sound. Test acoustics and make adjustments.assess power needsassess power needsPrepare and manage the provision of electrical power for different areas.set up camerasset up camerasPut cameras in place and prepare them for use.manage sound qualitymanage sound qualityPerform sound checks. Set up audio equipment for optimal sound output before as well as during performance. Regulate the volume during broadcasts by controlling the audio equipment.assess sound qualityassess sound qualityAssess the recorded sound and music. Make sure it conforms to specifications.receive appropriate permissions for use of recorded audiovisual examplesreceive appropriate permissions for use of recorded audiovisual examplesGain and receive appropriate permissions for use of recorded visual examples of your work. Obtain permissions to use images of people in your promotion.calibrate electronic instrumentscalibrate electronic instrumentsCorrect and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular i...use a telecineuse a telecineOperate a Cathode-ray tube (CRT) system or a charge-coupled device telecine (CCD), which produce white light to colour grade images on film by exposing them to this light.determine visual conceptsdetermine visual conceptsDetermine how best to represent a concept visually.operate remote broadcast equipmentoperate remote broadcast equipmentHandle equipment that is used for broadcasting from locations which are far from central station. The pickup unit (RPU) is the most common tool for this communication.coordinate activities in audio recording studiocoordinate activities in audio recording studioMonitor the daily operations in a audio recording studio. Make sure that persons involved in recording studio activities can produce the desired quality of sound according to customer specifications. ...assist multimedia operatorassist multimedia operatorTake over tasks from the multimedia operator as required. Call cues for the multimedia operator or operate the multimedia equipment yourself.use audio reproduction softwareuse audio reproduction softwareOperate software and equipment that transform and reproduce digital, analogue sounds and sound waves into the desired perceivable audio to be streamed.edit recorded soundedit recorded soundEdit audio footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as crossfading, speed effects, and removing unwanted noises.operate sound liveoperate sound liveOperate sound system and audio devices during rehearsals or in a live situation.create moving imagescreate moving imagesCreate and develop two-dimensional and three-dimensional images in motion and animations.

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Frequently asked questions

What does an audio-visual technician do?

Audio-visual technicians set up, operate and maintain equipment to record and edit images and sound for radio and television broadcasts, at live events and for telecommunication signals.

What skills does an audio-visual technician need?

An audio-visual technician needs 15 essential skills, including digital media, audiovisual products, audiovisual equipment, transfer uncut audiovisual material to computer, support audio system installation.

Will AI replace audio-visual technician jobs?

The AI disruption score for audio-visual technician is 33/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: transfer uncut audiovisual material to computer, audio editing software, edit recorded sound. Most resilient: maintain electrical equipment, support audio system installation, maintain audiovisual equipment.

Quick Facts

SectorInfocomm Technology
ISCO GroupInformation and communications technicians
Essential Skills15

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