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jacobfarron · 5th December 2007

I went to ARTI. Great school. I looked into them all... from SAE (in byron bay australia, new york and nashville) to the CRAS, Los Angeles Recording School, Full Sail, etc. Audio has always been my only interest.

ARTI rocked. The staff is passionate, and I only had 3 kids in my class. And as far as I know I still have the highest GPA the school's ever had. I began multitrack recording when I was 10 in my home studio I put together. Started as an assistant in professional live sound when I was 13. By the time I graduated high school I was mixing concerts in small venues, mid size arenas, county fairs, etc. So I thought I knew a lot going into school... I learned at ARTI I didn't know half of what I thought I did.

After school I've been able to fight my way into some great jobs... many times working multiple full time audio jobs. I was at Transcon studios - 3 room SSL music recording facility -, Atlantic Pro Audio - live sound, installation and design firm, and now Adrenaline Films where I do location sound and audio post. I've been able to travel across the country working on tv shows and video shoots, and even spent a month in China working on Survivor 15. I just finished my first 'making of' mix for a Sony Pictures feature that will be on the DVD and I'm redesigning our mix room here.

I am 100% sure that having gone to ARTI got my resume looked at. I literally had employers make sure I DID NOT go to Full Sail, most Full Sail students have a really bad rep here. Some may graduate fine, others don't really pay attention, get a useless degree, and have no idea whats going on.

Although I know ARTI helped, it certainly didn't get me hired. Prior experience, being humble (very important), and a relentless pursuit of knowledge has kept me working. I've purchased 5 audio ref manuals in the last 6 months. I'm on the DUC and gearslutz all the time. And I stay involved as much as I can in every aspect of sound from acoustic design, electronics repair, install, and live sound, to music recording, location sound, and tv post.

What you should realize is that no audio school can teach you everything. When I graduated I realized the more I learn the less I know. And that's how it's always going to be. One answer always leads to 2 more questions. It's a constant battle to keep up with everything.

Althought I'm young (about to turn 22), my advice is go to school, intern at the same time, and fight your way in. Keep learning everything you can from anyone who'll teach you.

One other thing... my first job out of college taught me precision soldering and multi-core cable termination - and that has literally sealed the deal on my other jobs. I was an intern... stuff broke at the wrong time, and I fixed it, next day I was an assistant and moved up to 2nd engineer. I was loading up with the guys to go on a film shoot... didn't have the right cable, I built it. Next week I was being flown to NY for a shoot.

So, I still have a ridiculous amount to learn and probably decades of work before I get to the same level the other pro's here are at... but ARTI has opened doors. The trick is to go beyond any school and keep learning and practicing. You have to bring your A game to compete.

5th December 2007	#22
jacobfarron Gear addict Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 309	I went to ARTI. Great school. I looked into them all... from SAE (in byron bay australia, new york and nashville) to the CRAS, Los Angeles Recording School, Full Sail, etc. Audio has always been my only interest. ARTI rocked. The staff is passionate, and I only had 3 kids in my class. And as far as I know I still have the highest GPA the school's ever had. I began multitrack recording when I was 10 in my home studio I put together. Started as an assistant in professional live sound when I was 13. By the time I graduated high school I was mixing concerts in small venues, mid size arenas, county fairs, etc. So I thought I knew a lot going into school... I learned at ARTI I didn't know half of what I thought I did. After school I've been able to fight my way into some great jobs... many times working multiple full time audio jobs. I was at Transcon studios - 3 room SSL music recording facility -, Atlantic Pro Audio - live sound, installation and design firm, and now Adrenaline Films where I do location sound and audio post. I've been able to travel across the country working on tv shows and video shoots, and even spent a month in China working on Survivor 15. I just finished my first 'making of' mix for a Sony Pictures feature that will be on the DVD and I'm redesigning our mix room here. I am 100% sure that having gone to ARTI got my resume looked at. I literally had employers make sure I DID NOT go to Full Sail, most Full Sail students have a really bad rep here. Some may graduate fine, others don't really pay attention, get a useless degree, and have no idea whats going on. Although I know ARTI helped, it certainly didn't get me hired. Prior experience, being humble (very important), and a relentless pursuit of knowledge has kept me working. I've purchased 5 audio ref manuals in the last 6 months. I'm on the DUC and gearslutz all the time. And I stay involved as much as I can in every aspect of sound from acoustic design, electronics repair, install, and live sound, to music recording, location sound, and tv post. What you should realize is that no audio school can teach you everything. When I graduated I realized the more I learn the less I know. And that's how it's always going to be. One answer always leads to 2 more questions. It's a constant battle to keep up with everything. Althought I'm young (about to turn 22), my advice is go to school, intern at the same time, and fight your way in. Keep learning everything you can from anyone who'll teach you. One other thing... my first job out of college taught me precision soldering and multi-core cable termination - and that has literally sealed the deal on my other jobs. I was an intern... stuff broke at the wrong time, and I fixed it, next day I was an assistant and moved up to 2nd engineer. I was loading up with the guys to go on a film shoot... didn't have the right cable, I built it. Next week I was being flown to NY for a shoot. So, I still have a ridiculous amount to learn and probably decades of work before I get to the same level the other pro's here are at... but ARTI has opened doors. The trick is to go beyond any school and keep learning and practicing. You have to bring your A game to compete.