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Originally Posted by nickolo  With respect,neon heart..Its a funny industry and a diploma might sort of give one a rough idea that someone knows the difference between a omni and figure of 8 or how to get around PT but the only real education is in the heat of the studio..Perhaps there should be a standard 2 month diploma for basics and then your PT courses but there is only one way to become truly great and flexible and that starts at tea making level,watching,being polite,setting up mics etc..in real sessions..Thats the true history of how a great sound engineer is created or not..You could know your way around ssl,neve,pro tools,how to bias tape machines etc..but you learn that anyway in the professional environment and each place has different systems and ways etc..Its a skill in communication/diplomacy,creativity and being able to adapt quickly that are the foundations of sound engineering yesterday and today.....
Any learning has to be positive but in this case i cannot help thinking its a money making thing...A lot of producers and engineers/studios will say they want a young girl/bloke nice and fresh..ie love for sound and music but ready,eyes wide open to be helpful,polite,make good tea/coffee [ I see a diploma in tea/coffee making being an idea..] Not to repeat private happenings in sessions and to learn how its done 'our way'..
I think its fine to know some stuff,have a diploma of sound blah blah..,but if i had an interview at say ...not many left....Abbey road ,i would not mention the diploma or sound course..because at that level,they are looking at character and passion/will to learn qualities...
I say all this but its all changing with technology and industry politics so its in flux and that chance to join a respected studio and work upwards is thin etc...People offer online freelance services so......??.But those sound schools advertise like they give you mirror image time and know how in neve-ssl room and yet somehow that does not reflect real world possibilities anymore and that is not what it takes to become an engineer[or what it took in the last 40 years..]...
One ad that i found funny from an unnamed college said ''professionals are made,not born''...its all a bit weird,these courses but to gain knowledge is good etc..get ahead sure..etc..but you are best off recording everything and more....IMHO.. |
I agree, practical experience is the most important but my point was that there are many people that really have no idea or experience at all and advertise their services as a sound engineer.
2 months for a diploma? usually takes 4-5 years. there are official unis here that really offer good basic knowledge in that field (which on its own of course isn't enough) and practical studies are part of that. Experience of course comes during the time of work. I related to these not only for basic technical knowledge but also because half of these studies are musical ones. theoretical lessons, training for the ears, playing instrument with exams etc. things that many "engineers" care too less about IMO.
however, the programs I relate to unfortunately have changed to Bachelor/Master now and studies have shortened. less time, less education.
And I'm not talking about SAE crap...