What is the difference between field audio engineers and studio audio engineers?

What is the difference between field audio engineers and studio audio engineers?

There is not a huge difference between the two. As it could be figured out from the name field engineers are those who work on site/field whereas the studio audio engineers work inside a studio. Field engineers look after the accuracy of the sound recording at the shoot location. It’s the work of the field audio engineer to anticipate all the sound requirements for the shoot location and to pack all the necessary equipment accordingly. The field audio engineer only gets the equipment that he chooses to bring with himself on the shoot location.

On the other hand, studio sound engineer have all the equipment within easy reach. They have all the facilities like large, easy to read VU (volume-unit meters) and high quality control room monitor speakers to assess sound quality, location/field engineers often have to be content with tiny VU meters which are located on a portable audio mixer and a set of headphones. Life of a studio audio engineer is very smooth and relaxing as he gets all his necessary things nearby in a confined place whereas the filed audio engineer has to make wise decisions before choosing the equipment as they don’t get a chance to rectify their decision once on the shoot location.

While studio sound engineers have large, easy to read VU meters (volume-unit meters) and high quality control room monitor speakers to assess sound quality, location/field engineers often cope with tiny VU meters located on a portable audio mixer and a set of headphones.