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To all the educated.
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| moth |
I need some help. It's come time in my life to choose some direction, im sure you all have been there. I am 18 years of age, and post secondary is whats next in the to-do list of my life. After assessing all of my interests and talents, I have decided that I would love to study to be an Audio Engineer. I have lived and breathed music production for 4 years now, I have learned so much about all aspects of audio, or enough to get me interested in it.
When someone reads comprehensive articles on compression and equalization in his/her spare time, it would make sense that he/she made this career choice, no?
Anyways, enough of the background crap, the reason for this thread is this: I need some information regarding this industry, what variety of jobs are availible?(I know of some jobs, but I obviously not all of them) What kind of money is there to be made? What kind of training is necessary? Are there apprenticeships or anything like that? Any recommended steps to be taken, with respect to good schools or studios that might offer training or funding? Again, this is mainly for those like me who have already begun or completed this, but others are welcome to comment.
Any web resources would be excellent.
Thank you in advance to anyone who donates their time to help me. |
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| Tranc3 |
I recommend you do what I did - ask the professors of such schools.
Jobs can range from doing studio work to designing audio equipment to designing acoustically sound environments, working on soundtracks, etc...
There are schools that will train you right out of High School, but I decided to go with a graduate program instead, partly because I like spending time just dicking around (a.k.a. college) and partly because I feel it would look better on a resume, having had 6+ years of post HS schooling instead of 2. Of course there's also the cost to consider, that is, going to school for 2 years will almost certainly cost you less than going to school for 6+ years.
In case you're wondering, I'm majoring in Physics and minoring in music, on the recommendation of grad school deans.
Edit: Oh yeah, the payment thing. If you work for a small studio, you probably aren't going to make more than 30-50k, maybe less, but if you get in with a decent sized company you could make 6 figures, easy (especially with things like speaker design...or so I've heard). |
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| Freak |
This business is about who you know- not what you know.
You can be the best producer/engineer in the world- but if you dont know the right people, you are screwed.
Harsh, but thats the way this business is. |
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| Sloouh |
| Luckaly I've got another 2 years to go before I have to make this kindof decision but anyway, here in England I have a friend studying music technology on a 3 year degree course, which I belive stands you in good stead for most kinds of studio work but more specificly mixing/recording engineer type stuff. |
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| alanzo |
| I would recommend calling your local (or not so local) technical institute that specializes in the such. I know SAE is international (just opened one in Melbourne, AU I believe) and well accredited. A good person to ask would be Sgt. Foo - he's going to school to be an audio engineer ATM.. PM/MSN me and i'll give you his MSN email.. |
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| moth |
| Awesome, thanks for the info guys. I was kinda hoping for some success stories. I dont want to be making the wrong choice though. |
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| Massive84 |
i was thinking of doing something like that also. i tried ICT before, didn't like it..so have to choose something that i must finish now..
anyway, my dad taught me something valueble..
whatever you gonne study, make sure you can use this all around the world but also, make sure there is demand for this, also look in the future, will you be more or less needed..
based on that choose your study..(what i said goes for everything you wanne do) |
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| kewlness |
Sgt Foo goes to Trebas Institute in Toronto I believe... I live less than a block away from it...
I am currently studying Mechanical Engineering at Uni of Toronto and I do think that if I had started thinking about producing more in high school I would have gone to audio engineering. But take into account, it is quite possible to do a bunch of audio things as a "hobby" instead as your main job. The industry I heard is pretty competitive and getting a job may not be the easiest thing to do.
Then again, you may completely ignore me as I am probably all wrong :p. |
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| Dj Thy |
I already have a degree as sound technician, and now I'm attending SAE for sound engineer (basically the same, but more geared to music, as my former school was purely film and tv sound).
Most people studying for sound engineer think they'll eventually end up like the guys they see on tv : behind a huge mixing console, with lot's of dream gear, working with famous musicians/singers. Well, let me start with saying this is only for the very very lucky ones. Getting a sound engineer job in the music business is very hard to do (and even harder to get one that earns well). And Freak is absolutely right about it. Contacts, that's all what it is about. Sure, you can learn the theory in a school, but you'll learn much more by doing it (being an intern or an assistant would be great, if you have the chance). Of course, basic knowledge is essential, but you'll learn pretty quickly. School can usually only give you the official paper, paper that usually isn't worth much in the business. But you know, the parents...
But, luckily, there are other jobs you can do in the sound department. Maybe not as "glamourous" as the music recording/mixing/mastering business but still great.
Movies and television are very big sound clients, there's definately a market there. Live sound also (it's pretty different from studio work, that's why I count it as different). Accoustic research and construction are important too. Designing gear of course. Frankly it can get very distant from the original conception. I know a guy that works with a car company, and his job is to research how the car sounds (engine, slams of the door, etc...) affect the sales of the car, and if possible do something about it (just think of it. Ever wondered why over all those years brands like Ferrari, Porsche, BMW,... still have that particular sound? It's branding, as much as the shape and the specs of the car).
One thing I must say, from own experience, is : if you expect it to be a normal education and for that matter, life, forget it. If you're going for audio, you gotta give 100% of yourself. Being in the sound business isn't a 9 to 5 job. You're being busy with it 24/24. Usually the people that got lucky enough to get a job there have terrible work hours (well I've worked for some time between the two schools. Working days of over 16 hours are no exception). But I see you devote your spare time to sound already, that's already a good sign. Maybe there will be a time too that you will drool more over a Fairchild 670 compressor than over a beautiful girl :D (j/k, although...)
Get to know people. Talk to them, question them out. How did they get there and do they like where they are now? The people that really love their job always appreciate when someone shows interest (that's different for those that are in it for the money). Dare to approach them. Even dare to ask them if you can't work for them. 9 times out of ten the answer will be no, but that 1 time they say yes can be all you need. And if you don't try, they won't knock at your door you know.
And finally, don't wait for an "official" training. Keep doing it. Experiment. Not only with music creation, but sound in general. Listen to your environment. Don't just listen passively, but critically. That's one thing that will be essential if you want to follow through in this branch. |
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| Freak |
| quote: | Originally posted by Dj Thy
And Freak is absolutely right about it. Contacts, that's all what it is about. Sure, you can learn the theory in a school, but you'll learn much more by doing it (being an intern or an assistant would be great, if you have the chance). Of course, basic knowledge is essential, but you'll learn pretty quickly. School can usually only give you the official paper, paper that usually isn't worth much in the business. |
Spot on
I know i am right from personal experience- i did the Recording Arts degree at SAE London- bunch of e. I learnt more in my previous course than i did there and it didnt help to get a job.Studios would rather take a trainee engineer fresh from their bedroom studio than a course, as they think you may have learned bad habits etc, or have an over inflated ego.
I know plenty of engineers/producers who blagged a job as a tea boy/night receptionist at a studio and worked their way up over a number of years. This is normally the route for an engineer.This is why you have to reallylove what you do, as you have to put up with piles of before you get anywhere.
Im a professional Dj now, which is just as bad for work- again its who you know, not how good you are.
Knock on enough doors and one will open eventually. |
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| alanzo |
| quote: | Originally posted by Dj Thy
I already have a degree as sound technician |
You don't say? I never would of guessed, Thy ;) |
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| josh |
I should say Im one of the luckiest to get my job as Audio Producer in the Production House. Lucks do counts and knowing ppl are very imptnt.
Thy and Freak mention the correct thing. I do not know how well or bad that you had been in SAE in ur country. But for mine, aint that marvelous aint that terrible. Its all about biz that they are thinking of. Imaging I been waiting for my Diploma Cert for going 6 mths and yet they just sent out my particular? Duhz.(ok out of point on admin)
Alot of guy wanted to work behind huge console but it always end up the other way round by working as Live Sound Engineers but the working time is like kewl hell in mind. From early morning till late night, set up, test and yes its 24/24 which Thy mention. I worked as Live Sound Engineer before. But depending its HUGE event or just a small one.
If you are keen as a real engineer, be a coffee boy to them. Knock on the door. Thats always happen everywhere including my country but not much make it due to time and not in great demand on music. Only the preserve n pioneer stay on. Not the young ones.. :toothless :toothless
IMO |
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