Pro Tools Pro school training, is it a good thing?

[FOURTHTUNZ]

Ok,zzzip! got my suit on
I'm a Protools Jedi in training sorta, most of the music I do, I won't do as much slicin and dicin as I could, i'd rather focus on sounds and havin the playas play it right
Some of the stuff I have comin up, I'm thinkin might benifit from me knowing more about beat detective and some of the other toys in protools.
What do you think about the Pro schools training? I guess you can become an expert in 11 days? I don't plan to work anywhere but my own place but...
Have you ever been to these classes, worked with an expert who has taken theses classes and once you're an expert can you expect to find anymore work because you're an expert?
May the force be with you,flame on
daniel

[davemc]

I do not know if they do more then just begineer stuff for the certificate.
There has been a lot of how to for beat detective around. just do some net searches.

Best way is to play with the software.
Do you know someone around with better skills you could hire in for a day.

[jazzius]

In these days of the internet, i think you can do this stuff without paying for courses......get the manual, register on the DUC and go...........i learn't how to make a website in 3 weeks (from knowing nothing about it) with the help of internet forums........

[ProFool]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by FOURTHTUNZ
can you expect to find anymore work because you're an expert?

Is it not a good thing to do for a small studio?
What about the SAE course from 12 weeks for certifying you and your studio?
I was thinking to do that when my room is ready to pull off but I'm not sure what course to do.
I don't have a engineer degree or something like that, I just getting my experiens in other small studio's while doing projects & on the road doing live mixes & just by doing the thing,
Try to read as many as I can on the Internet, thanks to gearslutz for that.
At the end I don't know if it will bring in clients easier or not,
On the other hand I don't mind learning something new & not only about protools.
Just SAE is a bit expensive for me, are there any other courses that could be useful?
Thanks

[FOURTHTUNZ]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ProFool

Originally posted by FOURTHTUNZ

What about the SAE course from 12 weeks for certifying you and your studio?

I guess I hadn't thought about certifying my studio, I'm out in the sticks
Here's a link to one of the schools:
http://www.centerforprotools.com/courses.html

I've learned alot on my own but there are certain things I haven't taken the time to learn.
I'm wondering if there is any call for a traveling Jedi master
daniel

[Rab]

I know it's a tired cliche, but I don't think there's any substitute for putting in flight hours. I've learned more by working sessions and finding solutions to particular clients' problems than anything else.

Having a good grounding is a big advantage, but you could do worse than simply working your way through the PT manual and actually trying everything that's in there. It seems to me it boils down to knowing what the software is capable of, getting your chops together with keyboard shortcuts and knowing how to manage a session (backing up files, troubleshooting a mac that's gone down etc). After that, it's really about a general understanding of how studio kit works - mixer routing, what all the plug-ins do (cf. hardware equivalents)...

The thing that always occurs to me is if these guys are so hot, why aren't they doing it themselves? I'd rather be in a session with a guy with dark rings under his eyes who's been working for a year than a bright young thing waving Pro Tools certification in my face.

[neopotato]

I bought a 001 rig 4 years ago, and once i found the rec enable button i was fine

[FOURTHTUNZ]

Originally posted by Rab
I know it's a tired cliche, but I don't think there's any substitute for putting in flight hours. I've learned more by working sessions and finding solutions to particular clients' problems than anything else.

Having a good grounding is a big advantage, but you could do worse than simply working your way through the PT manual and actually trying everything that's in there. It seems to me it boils down to knowing what the software is capable of, getting your chops together with keyboard shortcuts and knowing how to manage a session (backing up files, troubleshooting a mac that's gone down etc). After that, it's really about a general understanding of how studio kit works - mixer routing, what all the plug-ins do (cf. hardware equivalents)...

Hey you're right though, definately helps to read the manual.
I've had Protools for a year this time, and I like it, just not that motivated to learn the "gimicky stuff". I do mostly rock but have had more chances to work with rap/dance stuff lately and haven't had the time to explore. I guess I don't know what I don't know
I'd like to learn the stuff that's not in the 500+ page manual, and how good these types of classes really are?
Beyond that, I was wondering if this expert rating would get you anymore work than without it, out in the "real world"?
I'll float this over at the DUC, wonder what they'll say over there

peace
daniel

[Bob Olhsson]

I can't imagine that an expert rating would get you more work but offering it certainly will get schools more Federal funding!

Anybody remember how long SSL school at USC took, 1 day or 2? How about MCI school? I only did SSL school where I learned an SSL works exactly like an MCI JH-5xx except that the SSL computer makes Ozzie O's mouth sound like Martha Stuart!

My complaint is that programs like this just flood the world with people who aren't good. What makes somebody good is their priorities, where they draw their lines and how they respond to unexpected situations. It's about not getting in the way of the process of making a record which I'm sure is not what's being taught.

[jon]

If you've got the basics down, the best training program I've ever seen is assisting experienced, veteran engineers.

Personally speaking, I'm still willing to assist for a visiting engineer I think highly of. You never stop learning.

[jon]

Originally posted by Bob Olhsson
My complaint is that programs like this just flood the world with people who aren't good. What makes somebody good is their priorities, where they draw their lines and how they respond to unexpected situations. It's about not getting in the way of the process of making a record which I'm sure is not what's being taught.

Very true!

And the programs that take anyone who can pay the fees...without any kind of selection...seem to be mainly designed to take mom and pop's money for their wannabe muso kid who didn't go to college and who doesn't want to get a job.

Sorry if that offends anyone, but I see a lot of grads from these kinds of programs. The majority of them aren't future engineers at all, they're wannabe musicians/DJs/music producers.

[FOURTHTUNZ]

Originally posted by jon
If you've got the basics down, the best training program I've ever seen is assisting experienced, veteran engineers.

Personally speaking, I'm still willing to assist for a visiting engineer I think highly of. You never stop learning.

I totally agree even after 20 years of recording there is still so much to learn, and I'm having a blast doing it! The last 3 years or so have been great I've finally got some of the good gear
Being self taught I would love to assist to find out how many things I'm doing wrong
My post was really more about the Pro tools certification type schools, and whether the expert Protools rating carries any weight at the Big City Studios
I record bands for a living and I can't seem to find the time to get into the inner guts of protools, i've been using more like a tape deck with great editing, I worry way more about the sound and playing.
As far as the recording schools go I guess it would get you up to speed a bit but how long would you have to work to pay that off?
daniel

[jon]

Originally posted by FOURTHTUNZ
My post was really more about the Pro tools certification type schools, and whether the expert Protools rating carries any weight at the Big City Studios

You're right, my post didn't really address that issue.

My opinion is that the rating carries close to zero weight at the big studios. Your expertise does. Be great. How you get there is your business.

[Curve Dominant]

posted by Jon:
Be great.

True.

If you have to go to school for PT to feel validated, you are very likely in the wrong business.

If you truly love recording, you will feel a mastery of any recording tool before you even use it. You will know what you want to hear, and you will find it.

I have to admit, though: having John Scotsman here showing me tricks and tips and keyboard shortcuts when I first got my PT rig up and running made a HUGE difference, most likely. THAT's what you wanna look for: Get a PT guru to have a run-through with you on the system for an hour or two.

Providing you already possess half a brain, that's all you'll need to get started. The rest is up to your imagination, because the possibilities are virtually unlimited. And what you do with THAT is the part you will NEVER learn at any half-baked $$$-soaking certification program.

YMMV.

[FOURTHTUNZ]

Originally posted by Curve Dominant
True.

If you have to go to school for PT to feel validated, you are very likely in the wrong business.

.

Na, I just buy a new mic for that
I guess I'm looking at it like a piece of gear, if you took all 4 classes you'd be out about $3800 and 11 days of work.
Hey that's just a Cranesong stc-8 right? Michael Wagners class looks like a way better deal now
I'm surprised that there hasn't been a response from someone who has actually taken one of these classes.
Jeez, you guys are tough, I think you've scared them off

peace
daniel