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I decided to go the old school route and do the internship/apprentice thing instead of school. I figured most schools would make you finish up some of the requirements as an intern anyway. Most people who I know that have made a name for themselves in this business have said that interning was one of the most valuable things they could have done. I have been doing it for a little over three months now. I got in with some engineers who really did teach their interns and let them work in the studio. Mind you it is just like a regular job except that you don't get paid. I have alot of responsibilty at the studio. Cleaning and running is just part of the job. There have been times when I felt a little discouraged. I just keep reminding myself that I'm lucky to even be in a studio and keep my eye on the prize so to speak. There really is no other way to learn how to be an engineer in my opinion. It's like if your dream is to be a great chef (which I actually did for work for a few years) reading cook books is great and will teach you some things. You might be able to cook well at home but you'll have no clue how to take the pressure in a real kitchen. Aspiring engineers study under great engineers until they really master it enough to earn the title of "engineer" and get out on their own. Recording school has really only become popular in the last decade or so, everyone wants to be a producer or engineer. Before that there were apprentices. It's also a good way to find out if this is really for you, if you can take the heat in the kitchen, rise above the moment and really shine. Juat like cooking there's just not alot of glamour about the job itself. The reward comes from doing it because you love it. Anyway my advice to you if you are really serious would be to first of all find yourself a job that you can do at night and make decent money like waiting tables. This would not only free up your time during the day to do an internship but would also put cash in your pocket every night and help you work on your people skills. They are invaluable no matter where you work especially in a studio. Next piece of advice would be to find a couple studios that you like and give them a call to see if they need interns. If the one you really want to work at doesn't need any don't get discouraged. Just be persisitent call them every week and develop a repoire with the staff over the phone. This will make a good impression from the get go. As soon as they have an opening guess who'll they'll be calling first. Once you have an internship find some jobs that they have been putting off for a while and do them even if it means painting or installing a new toilet or something. This will let them know that you are not afraid of hard work. Be adamant about asking questions about recording and let them know that you will work and take care of the shit that needs to be taken care of but that you are there to learn as well. Good Luck to you bro! My fingers are tired so I gotta go! PEACE!!!!!!!
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