The BIG question

[NL5]

OK.

I have been reading, reading, reading. Practicing what I read. And then reading some more.

Now, I want to take it to the next level.

What is the "best-bang-for-the-buck" way to improve my recording skills.

Are the "distance learning" courses worth anything?

I can't really fly to LA and spend two years in school. But, an at-your-own-pace thing would be perfect for someone like me. (my pace is VERY fast)

Should I try and get a part-time internship at a studio? I can't imagine that would be too easy to do.


Anybody have any suggestions?


Thanks,

NL5

[Raw-Tracks]

I would try to land an internship at a busy pro studio. It might not be as hard as you think, then again, it might. You'll lose nothing by trying though. By observing working pro's in action, you will gain a lot of practical knowledge that you would not learn through schooling.

[NL5]

Thanks.

Nobody else?!?!?!?!?!?

[deepwater]

Buy some gear and offer to record people for free. The best way to start is recording people who sing with sound tracks. That way all you have to do is add the vocals. That's how I started. Then went from there. Now I am a sound contract so I understood audio. However, live sound and recording are two differant birds.

[NL5]

Thanks.

That is what I have been doing. I feel like I need a boost to get to the next level. So far, I have been getting decent results, and better by the month. I just think the self taught thing has almost run it's course.

[Hard2Hear]

Hey Man.

I'll tell you what I did. It's a little wierd, but I think it's the way to go.

Find a big group or producer who is from your area. Pay for them to record a demo for you, most groups that aren't current top20 are looking for side things to do. Sit in and ask qusetions all the way through. More than anything listen to anything they have to say and watch every move they make in the studio.

Thats in a nutshell what I did a few years ago and in about 3 months my recording skills went up about 900% for real. Of course, it has alot to do with how fast you can learn and soak up new info, too. I picked it all up so quick that they just added me to the roster of guys to work with all the time.

H2H

[NL5]

Hey Mike -

You mean pay them to record a demo of some group for me, while I sit in the booth?

Thanks.

G-

[Hard2Hear]

No. What I did was pay them to produce and record a few songs of mine. I did most of the instrument and vocal work, and they chipped in with that when I let them. But I let them do all the producing and engineering and watched and listened to what was going on. It was a great experience and way cheaper than a school. Way better for what serves me.

H2H

[NL5]

OK, that's kinda what I thought, but the - "most groups that aren't current top20 are looking for side things to do", threw me a bit.

That's not a bad idea, except I don't have a lot of my own stuff right now. The "band" has been on Hiatus for about 7 years, as we all got "real' jobs, had kids, and such. Now I have time to play around, and hopefully we will start jamming more soon. The drummer and I have laid down a little stuff, but the guit-fiddler is still AWOL.

Although, maybe that's better. I'll go in and play all the parts. If they can teach me how to make me sound good, I would be golden...LOL

Thanks again.