Hi all,

This is a heavily complex situation that essentially boils down to me deciding whether to study music & technology at as an international (more expensive) University student (more expensive all be it studying what I'm 'passionate' about) or doing music in combination/on my own whilst pursuing a more 'conservative' education at a local (less expensive) but reputable University.

I wonder if a BA degree in Music & technology would be something that wouldn't stand up well if things didn't 'go to plan'? Obviously a more conservative education resulting in a BS or something of the sort would be superior in this sense, but I'm wondering if the BA in Music & technology would stand up at all in less fruitful times. I also wonder if, though undoubtedly I'd learn things in the course, I'd be fine without the formal instruction, as many people end up that way in the industry?

I'm sure there have been a plethora of threads on this in the past, but as I'm under very real time constraints, and as such, I'd very much appreciate some advice/thoughts on the matter.

EDIT: apostrophes around 'passionate' are simply there because I feel the word has lost a lot of its gravity as it is thrown around by certain people who aren't really 'passionate' about what they say they are...so I feel a little off saying it sometimes

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Last edited by psymon.d on Aug-27-2009 at 06:31

Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

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From personal experience I would learn everything on your own. You really dont need to study a degree to gain an exceptional understanding of music technology and its related subjects.

BTW Having a degree in music technology (in the uk anyway) will not get you a job in anything music related. You are much much more likely to get a job in music if you are knowledgable in that field and have done work experience, had previous achievments and of course have contacts etc.

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Originally posted by xphonix From personal experience I would learn everything on your own. You really dont need to study a degree to gain an exceptional understanding of music technology and its related subjects. BTW Having a degree in music technology (in the uk anyway) will not get you a job in anything music related. You are much much more likely to get a job in music if you are knowledgable in that field and have done work experience, had previous achievments and of course have contacts etc.

Thanks for your response. I hear and understand what you're saying about being able to be self taught and have a mastery over it.

As for having a degree in music technology--does it make any difference that the program is music AND technology (as in not just learning to be an engineer or being taught 'gear' rather than concepts)?

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What do you mean by "conservative" education? Something dependable like engineering or accounting?

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Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles What do you mean by "conservative" education? Something dependable like engineering or accounting?

Conservative by ways of comparison. Undecided as of now, but a bachelors of science in something most likely. Zoology or cellular biology might be avenues I'd look at, both of which aren't as inherently vocational as an engineer or accountant, but are seemingly/more commonly perceived as "safer" in the current climate than a degree in music

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Have you considered majoring in the more "conservative" degree and getting a minor in music technology or something related? If it was me, I'd be very skeptical that I could land a good paying job with a degree in anything music related in today's climate, and it sounds to me like you're already concerned about that as well. Speaking as a guy who got a degree in music (BA in Theory/Composition) and went on to get a BS and MS in biology, looking back, I'm glad I decided to change directions. I have a great job as a scientist and can afford (along with my wife's income) to live comfortably in a nice house, raise our son, etc., and still afford the toys I want for my music and other hobbies. I make music on my time and when I feel like it and on my own terms, without having the burden of it be my job, meeting deadlines or other people's expectations, etc. which for me personally, would probably cause me to lose interest in it.

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I had the option to pursue a music education but went into engineering instead. Of course I'm not doing either as a career now, but I can say without hesitation that I'm way better off with the engineering degree than I would have been with a BA in music.

The thing is, if you've got a decent-paying "regular" job then you can always keep at the music on the side. But if music is your career then you can't exactly get a lucrative white-collar job on the side - as a musician/producer/whatever, you're going to be living very frugally unless you make it to superstar status.

Also, with music, especially electronic music and production, nobody really cares about your credentials, they just care about product. There are exceptions, but generally you're not going to find yourself at any advantage with a BA. If you want to learn the material, you can always take the courses individually, at your own pace, and not worry about the piece of paper.

I'd say it just isn't worth the risk - if you have the opportunity to get an education in a field that's in relatively high demand, go with that.

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Originally posted by DigiNut Also, with music, especially electronic music and production, nobody really cares about your credentials, they just care about product. There are exceptions, but generally you're not going to find yourself at any advantage with a BA. If you want to learn the material, you can always take the courses individually, at your own pace, and not worry about the piece of paper.

I agree. Also, I'd add that, in my observations, well-rounded experience balanced with in-depth expertise in a few areas are probably more important credentials to have than a degree in music (unless perhaps you plan on teaching).

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Thanks Cryo and Digi...

Unfortunately I can't minor in it, as of the Universities I'm able to go to, only one has Music and Technology as a major, and that's the one abroad (meaning considerably more expensive, and therefor not where I'd be looking to get a degree matching something I could get here for much less, as or more reputable). I spoke to my old record label manager and he's pretty jaded on the music degrees too, saying that most of the people he knows who did that at Uni wound up as frustrated artists teaching to make a living. If I was less of an over-thinker, I may have just gone for it, as it's in a different country, I want a big change like that, it'd make for good life skills and I'd be doing what I love to do...but I listen to the reasonable side of myself as well, and it's not really bought the viability of the degree so far

Don't think I've had someone say it's a great idea beyond highlight the area of sound design and how I'd get better at that, but I want nothing but honest opinions so I'm grateful for the input

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will im going to be studying audio and video technology in october at uni. 90% if graduates find work within 6 months in various fields. its what i enjoy doin plus it covers other areas which i have never thought about and to be a sound engineer at the end would be pretty cool.

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Originally posted by sterilis will im going to be studying audio and video technology in october at uni. 90% if graduates find work within 6 months in various fields. its what i enjoy doin plus it covers other areas which i have never thought about and to be a sound engineer at the end would be pretty cool.

Well that's certainly an attractive percentage!

Does the same principle of being able to be self taught/'let the talent speak for itself' hold true for areas in sound design for media (meaning video games, adverts, etc)?

I was browsing through video game companies' job occupancies, and saw this as a requirement for an audio position:

"University degree in music, sound engineering or equivalent."

That seems like one of the few instances I've seen in my time looking into this where it's been to your advantage to have a degree like that. Is this rather uncommon, then? Or could equivalent simply mean bachelors degree+strong portfolio/demo reel?

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