Work experience as Mastering Engineer in Oslo

[boomstation]

Hello and welcome to my very first post. If this is better served in the 'jobs offered' section, mods - feel free to fling it thus. Being it falls slightly outside that, I thought it best to post it here

Briefly, motivated by a struggle with the inept mastering of my debut album, I began looking into mastering things myself. A couple of books and an ok-(and comparatively blissful-) sounding EP later I've gotten a taste for the black art.

So, if there are any mastering studios in the Oslo area who would be willing to give me some work experience, I would be extremely grapefruit. Even though work experience is almost exclusively unpaid, it is worth mentioning I don't expect any cash. Er engelsk men kan språket, forresten...

Thanks very much for reading.

[boomstation]

Forgot to mention, I've been involved with music for 16 odd years, progressing to DAW-based stuff in 2006.

May or may not be pertinent...

[Thor]

Hi boom,

In Oslo you could try one of the majors (Masterhuset, Lydmuren - opps, I guess they've moved out of the city and into the countryside), also Strype for pop/rock mastering.

If you're more into classical I would talk with Morten at Lindberg Lyd.

There are also several smaller places that aren't only mastering studios, but do take mastering jobs. Like Engine Ears (forensics is their main thing), Living Room (tracking/mixing/mastering), and others.

As far as I know you won't find most of them here, although some may lurk. It would be a better idea (assuming you're in Oslo) to call them and make an appointment and see what you can arrange.

If you were in Stavanger I might be able to help you. Good luck in your search!

Cheers,
Thor

[boomstation]

Thor you star you - very helpful, thanks.

I've actually spoken to Audun at Strype and he's not in a position to help, which is a shame because I've heard some exemplary work from them. Got a nice reply from Audio Virus too, but similarly unable to help out. Sent off some hideously clunky emails to masterhuset and livingroom so may get a reply once they stop laughing. The other guys you mention I'll cheer up in a similar fashion.

Thanks also for the tentative offer. Bit gutted about that as we'd considered moving to Stavanger quite seriously, but in the end Oslo won because of it's established graphics industry. Ironic, considering I lost my job anyway.

Unlikely though it is, if you ever find yourself thinking of taking on a trainee, please do let me know.

Thanks again,
James

[RCM - Ronan]

Originally Posted by boomstation

T
I've actually spoken to Audun at Strype and he's not in a position to help, which is a shame because I've heard some exemplary work from them.

Audun mastered an album I did with the Norwegian band Ulver. His work sounded really great.

[boomstation]

Originally Posted by rcm

Audun mastered an album I did with the Norwegian band Ulver. His work sounded really great.

I don't doubt it. Fridtjof Lindeman @Strype did the work for a friend's recent album recording as Rex Rudi. Absolutely superb job.

[Thor]

Too bad about Strype. The stuff I've heard that Audun has done is very nice.

Audio Virus, that was the other one I couldn't remember the name of. There are others (it's Oslo, everyone goes there trying to make a living...). Oslo is nice, but you can't surf there

Just a suggestion, instead of emails (which is good if the recipient is 24 years old or less), I would call them (or write a real letter), make an appointment, bring along your CV and a demo reel if you've done work previously, and have a talk. It doesn't need to be a job interview, just let them know you're there, what you can do, and what it is you want to work with. Either things you're already qualified for or would like to learn more about. Just talk. Let them know who you are.

My current intern will be leaving for the US this summer, and I plan on finding another when a new batch of masters program recording engineer students arrives. You could send me your CV and if I hear of anything, will pass on your info. Or, if you end up on this side of the country, we can talk. No promises though...

Cheers,
Thor

Originally Posted by boomstation

Thor you star you - very helpful, thanks.

I've actually spoken to Audun at Strype and he's not in a position to help, which is a shame because I've heard some exemplary work from them. Got a nice reply from Audio Virus too, but similarly unable to help out. Sent off some hideously clunky emails to masterhuset and livingroom so may get a reply once they stop laughing. The other guys you mention I'll cheer up in a similar fashion.

Thanks also for the tentative offer. Bit gutted about that as we'd considered moving to Stavanger quite seriously, but in the end Oslo won because of it's established graphics industry. Ironic, considering I lost my job anyway.

Unlikely though it is, if you ever find yourself thinking of taking on a trainee, please do let me know.

Thanks again,
James

[boomstation]

Who needs surf when you have kongeparet...

Thanks again for the suggestions; follows that a profession still steeped in analogue has a more analogue application process. Duly noted.

CV - the problem with my CV is I have none, nor indeed anything to put on it, in regard to mastering. Interesting to learn that even an intern needs an MA, so maybe it's hideously naive to expect to get in anywhere when my BA is in something totally unrelated. I've read about techs starting making tea and working their way up the ladder, essentially an apprenticeship, I suppose, but maybe this is simply not the case any more.

And theoretically I'd consider being on your side of the country, if it was worth my while. I.E. that making tea might actually be an option... If you want to discuss that further, please send me a PM.

Thanks again for your advice and your time - much obliged.

Originally Posted by Thor

Oslo is nice, but you can't surf there

Just a suggestion, instead of emails (which is good if the recipient is 24 years old or less), I would call them (or write a real letter), make an appointment, bring along your CV and a demo reel if you've done work previously, and have a talk. It doesn't need to be a job interview, just let them know you're there, what you can do, and what it is you want to work with. Either things you're already qualified for or would like to learn more about. Just talk. Let them know who you are.

My current intern will be leaving for the US this summer, and I plan on finding another when a new batch of masters program recording engineer students arrives. You could send me your CV and if I hear of anything, will pass on your info. Or, if you end up on this side of the country, we can talk. No promises though...

Cheers,
Thor

[Thor]

OMG, that's another reason to stay as far away from Oslo as possible! While I had respect for Olav V, the current generations have degenerated into a circus show, palely mirroring the slow motion swan song of the UK royal house.

As an aside, we had some pretty good surf today, small but nice. I caught a few and had a great afternoon

The Tea boy tradition was an EMI (neé The Grammaphone Company)/Abbey Road thing afaik, although it's definitely good to hang out, help and do what you can to pick up what you can. Have you considered taking a course or two in audio engineering? There is a 1 year masters class in recording engineering at the Univ here, with students from all over the world.

Other than that, I would recommend finding someone doing recording, mixing and/or mastering and just help out with what you can. Ask around. Be persistent. Be helpful.

Best of luck!

Thor

Originally Posted by boomstation

Who needs surf when you have kongeparet...

Thanks again for the suggestions; follows that a profession still steeped in analogue has a more analogue application process. Duly noted.

CV - the problem with my CV is I have none, nor indeed anything to put on it, in regard to mastering. Interesting to learn that even an intern needs an MA, so maybe it's hideously naive to expect to get in anywhere when my BA is in something totally unrelated. I've read about techs starting making tea and working their way up the ladder, essentially an apprenticeship, I suppose, but maybe this is simply not the case any more.

And theoretically I'd consider being on your side of the country, if it was worth my while. I.E. that making tea might actually be an option... If you want to discuss that further, please send me a PM.

Thanks again for your advice and your time - much obliged.