Sound Engineering career.....

IzzyRock · 18th September 2006

Hi guys..
First of all. I didnt know where to put this question, if i was wrong please forgive me

Im Javier from Chile.. 21 years old.
I've been in recording for almost 5 or 6 years now. I currently work as a sound engineer for most rock bands in my country and i also do production and other jobs as a sound engineer.
I studied 3 years business here but i quit 1 year ago, cause i was really getting sick of it. Sound is my passion.

Now, i would like to formalize my knowlegde and have a "degree" or "diploma", i just wanna be a professional for society and why not, keep learning new stuff.

I was looking foward SAE Los Angeles, and Musicians Institute - Recording Artist.. both are 1 year of studies.
However, I've heard good things about them but Im not really sure about going to those places.
Can you guys recomend me good places to study sound engineering?
Please give me advices, I'd really apreciate it!!

Thanks in advance

Javier

shaggseb · 19th September 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by IzzyRock

Can you guys recomend me good places to study sound engineering?

hummm... in a/your studio ?!

I'm not trying to be pretentious or something like that but engineering schools are not my cup of tea.
Imho, they try to teach you "there way" to make something sounds the way they judge good. For me it's killing the adventurous side of this job.
moreover you have already good experience of studios.
But maybe, overseas, the situation is different ?
Or maybe you just want a diploma to accredit your activity, what I can understand.
Anyway, I wish you best of luck.

Cheers

Seb

kats · 19th September 2006

If I could go back in time by twenty years I would study either electrical or computer engineering...or actually both. If your out already getting hands on experience consistantly, I'm not sure the cost/benefit of an audio program would really work for you. But if you want a diploma, I think more potential employers would be impressed with an electrical engineer with hands on audio experience, than a Full Sail diploma. Probably 100:1 actually.

IzzyRock · 19th September 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaggseb

hummm... in a/your studio ?!
Or maybe you just want a diploma to accredit your activity, what I can understand.

That's exactly what I'm looking for.
I want to accredit my activity for , let say, getting a loan from a Bank. Here in my country is different being a high school graduate (like me) with a bunch of sound experience than an "official" sound engineer.
I already have experience and I've been in charge of doing a project from start to end so I don't think they would just "format" my brain with their way to do things. I may learn new things I didnt know before but my past experience plus a degree would help me in the future to get involved in bigger gigs.

Now, I understand what Kat is saying, but I just wanna be a sound engineer and not something else

However, what do the rest of you guys say? Any good schools? Are the ones I mentioned in my first pot good enough?

thanks again

adrianex · 19th September 2006

Hey Javier

I feel what you're saying, I went to recording school in Venezuela, because here is kind of important (I'm guessing that most Latin american countries are like that) that you have a tittle of your profession.

But I have to say that after I graduated, the only thing that I got was great networking, I met some great people and I still have and get gigs from them.. thing like: "hey man the band I touring with is going to the US for a couple of shows, but I have to be back at the studio..could you do it??" or "I have a band that is looking to mix their album at the US..so I'll send them to you".

About the thing that I learned....Well let just say that I learn som "rules" so I can break them.

So, If what you want is get a tittle the do it, but don't let them brainwash you and do some networking.

If you have a nice career as it is (for what you say), without going to school then keep working on your craft.

A diploma doesn't make you a professional

you could check Full Sail.... there is a Love and Hate feeling around here, but you could ask djui5 (randy) his opinion (I almost sure he went there.

Cheers

mcballs · 19th September 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by kats

If I could go back in time by twenty years I would study either electrical or computer engineering...or actually both. If your out already getting hands on experience consistantly, I'm not sure the cost/benefit of an audio program would really work for you. But if you want a diploma, I think more potential employers would be impressed with an electrical engineer with hands on audio experience, than a Full Sail diploma. Probably 100:1 actually.

On that note... anyone wanna hire me?

Kats, seriously, you'd get the elec/comp engineering degree and then do audio engineering, or do you mean just to F the music industry and go and make some decent money?

kats · 19th September 2006

No that's not what I'm saying at all.

The guys working in audio and wants a degree - I find it surprising that the educational choices I suggested don't seem related to this industry in your minds.

mcballs · 19th September 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by kats

No that's not what I'm saying at all.

The guys working in audio and wants a degree - I find it surprising that the educational choices I suggested don't seem related to this industry in your minds.

I absolutely think that electrical/computer engineering is related to this industry... I was just clarifying. I have no formal audio engineering training (besides some pretty useless 'digital music production' course at a local community college) but find my electrical/computer engineering education comes in handy all the time thumbsup

roonsbane · 19th September 2006

Javier,

Would you like to be a better musician as well? In my book, this is the other skill that is far more important than an electrical engineering degree! Have you considered Berklee? Yes I am a 91 graduate. It is absurd to believe that getting an education in recording will do more harm than good. Going to a program like berklee will require you to take atleast four semesters of ear training, four semesters of Jazz harmony, two semesters of traditional harmony, two semesters of counterpoint, two semesters of the history of western music, two semesters of arranging, two semesters of the history of Jazz or Rock music, and four semesters of private lessons on your instrument, plus ensemble classes, I cant remember if this is required) just for your musical training. This is the stuff I use every day, with every "musical" decision I make. This is on top of all the many engineering classes, including two semesters of acoustics, and two semesters of electrical theory classes. The fact is that I have watched self taught engineers over the years of my carreer. With few exceptions, I see them making basic gain stageing and acoustical mistakes over and over. Then they are like "how do you get that clarity" or punch" when they hear stuff I am working on. My co-worker went to full-sail, and I get the impression he was a good student because he is smart, and takes his work seriously, but I think we both know that his education was not compareable to what mine was even on an engineering only basis. By the way, Berklee is not the only place that you will get this kind of education. There are very good programs at University of Indiana, and University of Miami, plus a masters and possibly a bachelors program at Mcgill university.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Cameron

IzzyRock · 19th September 2006

Cameron, I see your point.
Fortunately, I am a musician since I was 9 years old. I play guitar and have a successfull rock band in my country.
However a full career in berklee would take 4 years and 100 grand ! lol
I think with just studying sound engineer will work for me

I was looking foward the msounf engineer program at berklee. how semesters does it take?

De chromium cob · 19th September 2006

Finish business school. Wasting 3 years is just stupid and you'll need something to fall back on anyway when you see what a shitty job market there is for audio.
It will also serve you well if you decide to start a business...I can't tell you how many people I know that are great engineers, but closed down shop because they're clueless about the business side of things.

barefoot · 19th September 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by kats

If I could go back in time by twenty years I would study either electrical or computer engineering...or actually both. If your out already getting hands on experience consistantly, I'm not sure the cost/benefit of an audio program would really work for you. But if you want a diploma, I think more potential employers would be impressed with an electrical engineer with hands on audio experience, than a Full Sail diploma. Probably 100:1 actually.

Yup, that's the same advice I always give.

Javier,

Study electrical engineering or computer science. Direct your studies towards audio signal processing. Intern at recording studios and/or audio manufacturers during the summers. You will have skills far beyond any recording school graduate. Then when you go to studios looking for a job, show them the cool preamp, plugin or whatever you developed for your thesis. Your chances of getting hired will increase exponentially. And if the studios aren't hiring, then send your resume to equipment manufacturers ... like me.

But, you had better know your shit.... 'cause I have no room for mediocrity!

Thomas

18th September 2006	#1
IzzyRock Gear addict Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Santiago, Chile Posts: 417 Thread Starter	Sound Engineering career..... Hi guys.. First of all. I didnt know where to put this question, if i was wrong please forgive me Im Javier from Chile.. 21 years old. I've been in recording for almost 5 or 6 years now. I currently work as a sound engineer for most rock bands in my country and i also do production and other jobs as a sound engineer. I studied 3 years business here but i quit 1 year ago, cause i was really getting sick of it. Sound is my passion. Now, i would like to formalize my knowlegde and have a "degree" or "diploma", i just wanna be a professional for society and why not, keep learning new stuff. I was looking foward SAE Los Angeles, and Musicians Institute - Recording Artist.. both are 1 year of studies. However, I've heard good things about them but Im not really sure about going to those places. Can you guys recomend me good places to study sound engineering? Please give me advices, I'd really apreciate it!! Thanks in advance Javier

19th September 2006	#5
adrianex Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 753	Hey Javier I feel what you're saying, I went to recording school in Venezuela, because here is kind of important (I'm guessing that most Latin american countries are like that) that you have a tittle of your profession. But I have to say that after I graduated, the only thing that I got was great networking, I met some great people and I still have and get gigs from them.. thing like: "hey man the band I touring with is going to the US for a couple of shows, but I have to be back at the studio..could you do it??" or "I have a band that is looking to mix their album at the US..so I'll send them to you". About the thing that I learned....Well let just say that I learn som "rules" so I can break them. So, If what you want is get a tittle the do it, but don't let them brainwash you and do some networking. If you have a nice career as it is (for what you say), without going to school then keep working on your craft. A diploma doesn't make you a professional you could check Full Sail.... there is a Love and Hate feeling around here, but you could ask djui5 (randy) his opinion (I almost sure he went there. Cheers __________________ Adrian Morales-Demori www.heigaaudiovisual.com www.ingeniousrecords.com

19th September 2006	#11
De chromium cob Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2003 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,659	Finish business school. Wasting 3 years is just stupid and you'll need something to fall back on anyway when you see what a shitty job market there is for audio. It will also serve you well if you decide to start a business...I can't tell you how many people I know that are great engineers, but closed down shop because they're clueless about the business side of things. __________________ "I know that most men, including those at ease with problems of the greatest complexity, can seldom accept even the simplest and most obvious truth if it be such as would oblige them to admit the falsity of conclusions which they have delighted in explaining to colleagues, which they have proudly taught to others, and which they have woven, thread by thread, into the fabric of their lives." Tolstoy

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19th September 2006	#3
kats Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Posts: 3,684	If I could go back in time by twenty years I would study either electrical or computer engineering...or actually both. If your out already getting hands on experience consistantly, I'm not sure the cost/benefit of an audio program would really work for you. But if you want a diploma, I think more potential employers would be impressed with an electrical engineer with hands on audio experience, than a Full Sail diploma. Probably 100:1 actually.

19th September 2006	#9
roonsbane Gear addict Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 368	Javier, Would you like to be a better musician as well? In my book, this is the other skill that is far more important than an electrical engineering degree! Have you considered Berklee? Yes I am a 91 graduate. It is absurd to believe that getting an education in recording will do more harm than good. Going to a program like berklee will require you to take atleast four semesters of ear training, four semesters of Jazz harmony, two semesters of traditional harmony, two semesters of counterpoint, two semesters of the history of western music, two semesters of arranging, two semesters of the history of Jazz or Rock music, and four semesters of private lessons on your instrument, plus ensemble classes, I cant remember if this is required) just for your musical training. This is the stuff I use every day, with every "musical" decision I make. This is on top of all the many engineering classes, including two semesters of acoustics, and two semesters of electrical theory classes. The fact is that I have watched self taught engineers over the years of my carreer. With few exceptions, I see them making basic gain stageing and acoustical mistakes over and over. Then they are like "how do you get that clarity" or punch" when they hear stuff I am working on. My co-worker went to full-sail, and I get the impression he was a good student because he is smart, and takes his work seriously, but I think we both know that his education was not compareable to what mine was even on an engineering only basis. By the way, Berklee is not the only place that you will get this kind of education. There are very good programs at University of Indiana, and University of Miami, plus a masters and possibly a bachelors program at Mcgill university. I hope this helps and good luck! Cameron