What is an audio engineer?

Question

is it like a music producer? what is the major called to be an audio engineer? I know I sound stupid but I really don't know!

thanks to all who answer!

Answer 1

An audio engineer is the guy behind the sound board at a live performance or in a recording studio.  His job is to make the amplified sound as close as possible to an unamplified live performance.  Clearly, this is not always easy with vastly different performance venues.  A stage at an elementary school is likely to sound different than a tent at Oktoberfest.  He also mixes and balances recorded performances (music, cinematic sound, digital remastering, etc.) to sound exactly as they would during the performance at the very best spot in the audience.

Schools that offer Audio Engineering degrees usually have it in Audio and Visual Communication Technologies.