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Steffmo · 11th June 2007

I have been in this biz for 35 years....owned and run a studio for 20, and have taught a senior seminar at New haven University for 3 years. Squeaks and Numerologist have it pretty much right, and it looks like you have figured it out as well....for which I applaud you.

To add a bit. Most studio people are on the renagade side for starters (search: Fletcher). They are not impressed with degrees, because we ALL know you can get through many schools with a 4.0 and be unable to do ANYthing useful in the studio. Its sad but true, and I've had enought interns here over the years to know that a resume in useless. My most successful intern went on to work with Busta Rhymes and many other rappers, and had a platinum disc within a year after he graduated. He had the goods, and knew it. All he needed was a shot, and one walked through the door and took him. In fact, he ended up suing the school he went to because he felt he learned it all in internships.

If you want to take music courses....take business. it will ultimately help you way more than the little audio classes. Maybe minor in audio so you get time in the school studio, and learn some of the stuff that is more textbook. By the way....this does not apply to places like University of Miami or NYU. These schools have top flight programs that teach stuff you HAVE to go to school for.

When you look for a job....don't look at the obvious glamour gigs. The most difficult track is the "I want to make records" track. It was always a small club, and is getting smaller. But many corporations have media departments that need audio people, especially insurance companies or any field that need training or safety videos. Stuff like video conferencing is also huge and there are opportunities there. In short...if you need a paying gig, don't look to a studio right out of the box.

If you do have time desire to work in a music studio, be prepared to intern for free for at least year. AND, make sure you use the time well so that at the end of the year you can actually DO something that a studio will pay you for. You would be amazed how many get internships and waste them away. Every year I have one or two that just don't get it.

Good luck with all. You might be one of the lucky ones.

11th June 2007	#8
Steffmo Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: West Haven, CT Posts: 3,018	I have been in this biz for 35 years....owned and run a studio for 20, and have taught a senior seminar at New haven University for 3 years. Squeaks and Numerologist have it pretty much right, and it looks like you have figured it out as well....for which I applaud you. To add a bit. Most studio people are on the renagade side for starters (search: Fletcher). They are not impressed with degrees, because we ALL know you can get through many schools with a 4.0 and be unable to do ANYthing useful in the studio. Its sad but true, and I've had enought interns here over the years to know that a resume in useless. My most successful intern went on to work with Busta Rhymes and many other rappers, and had a platinum disc within a year after he graduated. He had the goods, and knew it. All he needed was a shot, and one walked through the door and took him. In fact, he ended up suing the school he went to because he felt he learned it all in internships. If you want to take music courses....take business. it will ultimately help you way more than the little audio classes. Maybe minor in audio so you get time in the school studio, and learn some of the stuff that is more textbook. By the way....this does not apply to places like University of Miami or NYU. These schools have top flight programs that teach stuff you HAVE to go to school for. When you look for a job....don't look at the obvious glamour gigs. The most difficult track is the "I want to make records" track. It was always a small club, and is getting smaller. But many corporations have media departments that need audio people, especially insurance companies or any field that need training or safety videos. Stuff like video conferencing is also huge and there are opportunities there. In short...if you need a paying gig, don't look to a studio right out of the box. If you do have time desire to work in a music studio, be prepared to intern for free for at least year. AND, make sure you use the time well so that at the end of the year you can actually DO something that a studio will pay you for. You would be amazed how many get internships and waste them away. Every year I have one or two that just don't get it. Good luck with all. You might be one of the lucky ones.