Audio engineering is the process of recording, mixing, and manipulating sound. There are various synonyms for this term, including sound engineering, audio production, and music production. Sound engineering involves the technical aspects of recording, such as microphone placement and signal processing. Audio production refers to the overall process of creating a recording, including recording, editing, and mixing. Music production focuses specifically on the production of music, including songwriting and arranging, recording, and mixing. Other terms used in the industry include audio post-production, audio mastering, and sound design. All of these terms involve a similar skill set and explore the technical and creative aspects of manipulating sound.