A sound engineer handles the technical side of audio: setting up microphones, operating recording equipment, managing signal flow, and troubleshooting technical issues during sessions.
The term covers several specializations: recording engineers (studio), live sound engineers (concerts and events), broadcast engineers (radio/TV), and post-production engineers (film/video).
A recording engineer works closely with the producer and artist to capture the best possible source recordings. They choose microphones, set gain levels, manage headphone mixes, and ensure every take is properly recorded.