Looking for advice on most efficient way to learn about Sound Production.

[-=TesseracT=-]

So, I wanted to preface this by saying that I played in a rock band back from circa 2000-2004. In that time we were very successful and playing the larger venues in the SouthEastern US - House of Blues, New Orleans, Tipitina's, all local music festivals. we released 3 albums, had a huge following and sold well over 10k albums, even had a professional video house offer to make a music video for free, which we entered in 'best band on campus' and finished 2nd nationwide. video played on MTV yada yada. . long story short: band became complacent and I left for Law School.

Now, I'm 34, been practicing law for about 10 years and am completely miserable. I've always been passionate about music and the years I spent in the biz are amongst the best times of my life. So, question is -

What is the best way to learn about music production? School?

My instinct is to find a local studio and ask if I can learn there in exchange for being the gopher/sweeping the floors/errands/ anything that may be needed in exchange to be in the studio environment. it just seems unlikely as most studios are not interested in this and likely get solicited all the time for same.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

edit - I should mention i have quite a bit of experience in the studio, and never left the engineer's side when recording and mixing. Even done some free-lance studio work on guitar, so I know my way around a studio a fair bit.

The video if anyone's curious - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYrP9aepMpU prod. Chris Henderson (3 Doors Down)

we still have quite a following and fans post songs w/lyrics all the time on youtube - again if curious, just search 'friday night gigiolos' - tho don't mistake me, not promoting whatsoever. Just searching for the best way to learn more about music production.

 

[Armistice]

Why do you want to learn?

Because you want to learn to record others, or because you want to learn to record yourself... or a combination of both.

Are you interested in setting up your own home studio, or just learning somewhere else?

 

[-=TesseracT=-]

Why do you want to learn?

Because you want to learn to record others, or because you want to learn to record yourself... or a combination of both.

Are you interested in setting up your own home studio, or just learning somewhere else?

Thanks for the response, Armistice.

That's a good question, and gets right to the crux of it.

I'd like to record and work with others, and record myself in my spare time. This is probably what most of you guys do,, right?

I'd like to get a solid home studio in the not-too-distant future, but here's the thing: If I'm able to shadow an engineer, I can observe what mic/technique works where, and get experience using a vast array of mics without having to buy them. This way, when it comes time to buy for the home studio, I can purchase the right mic with confidence, because I know what its capable (an incapable) of.

What I'm after primarily is:

I'd like to get a solid foundation in, say, mic techniques and selection (the right mic(s) for the job arranged the right way), optimizing sound rooms - experience around quality equipment used the proper (and improper) way, so I won't have to take a gamble and spend 900$ on a mic based on web reviews. Instead, I'll have first-hand experience with different Shure's, Nuemann's, Rode's and so on.

For the most part, the nuts and bolts of capturing the best sound. As far as mixing, mastering and other post-production, that's a plus. I have more of a grip on this part, as I've spent countless hours blowing my ears out listening/tweaking mixes in studio.


I guess to sum it up - I want to learn the things I can't teach myself (without spending a fortune).

In order to build that dream home studio and start recording for myself and others, I'd first want to get into a studio to gain experience and learn the things I can't learn without the proper equipment to experiment with.

I know all too well that no matter how hard you work on a project, at the end of the day it can still sound like crap because you used the wrong mic(s).

So it's really comes down to getting exposure to the studio environment where I can be around this gear, and working my butt off.

That's what I'm after.

So, a more specific line of questioning is:

From those of you who own/manage studios:

how did you get your foot in the door?

What's your attitude towards taking on free help in exchange for letting them shadow you?

What do you look for in a potential apprentice?

What sorts of skills are most needed?

In short, what's the best way to add value to a studio?


I've had some experience with being a session musician, so there's always offering that up for free.



And this relates to home recording because, well, that's the ultimate goal, ha ha.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[sixer2007]

Man, so many people would kill for things like your asking.

When I've gone out to find a place to "work for free" at I run into 2 main issues. 1, there aren't enough places and WAY too many fish in the sea. 2, they often don't need someone because point 1, too many fish.

Also, I think you might be looking at it all wrong. You talk about money and expense a lot in your post... I mean, yeah, that's a valid point, but why start with the $900 mics and all that nice gear? Why not start like most people, with just enough to get the job done. As you learn more, you'll acquire more stuff to fit your needs.

Listen to the pros talk about how they started... With a crappy stand-alone recorder in their parent's basement, or (in the more modern age) with a mic input on a windows XP machine and one of those voice microphones that look like a pencil. Sure, many ended up in a studio, but that was in a time when there were studios.

I started because I wanted to record just my guitar to toss it up on youtube and maybe gather some people to play with. Holy hell, it turned into so much more than that. I kept reading, trying, reading more, trying more asking around, you name it.

Did you learn to play your instrument by watching someone play, or did you pick that sucker up and learn the hard way? I think that's the key...

I'm by no means where I want to go with making music, but the only way to get there, as I see it, is to bust my ass and learn how to get there.

 

[rawsubstance204]

Production depends on your vision. It's all about live instrumentation and technical computer stuff.
With some prior classical music theory/experience, production will be so much easier, and fun! I know there are courses/schools around which arent your "Full Sails" etc, but there's people out there who will teach you the computer programs and certain valuable aspects for a reasonable price!

This is what is valuable to studios! Because usually studio owners/enginneers have all the valuable knowledge for recording, mixing, etc. It's about the vision of the producer, to make songs come together by utilizing resources, sometimes diverse... It's hard to find someone who can bring the elements together and create something special!

Become friends with people who own/have access to studios, or build your own in your bassment/rent out a shop. Studio people value having clients, and love having musicians around who can broaden the scope of the vision

 

[wheelema]

IMO 'sound production' is best learned by doing, at a community college, or both. In a structured environment (as I'm sure you know) they're going to trot out material you may already know better then the instructor.

I really don't have a good answer but to start I'd look at Tweakheadz · Guide To Home And Project Music Studios, work my way through the tutorials and find out what's obvious and what's obtuse. If most of it is obtuse then the community college route might be the way to go. If most of it is obvious then you might find the college route a waste of time and money.

Lots of people with more ego then knowledge set up studios and hang out their shingle. Eventually some of them get really really really good. The rest starve.

Luck.

 

[-=TesseracT=-]

Production depends on your vision. It's all about live instrumentation and technical computer stuff.
With some prior classical music theory/experience, production will be so much easier, and fun! I know there are courses/schools around which arent your "Full Sails" etc, but there's people out there who will teach you the computer programs and certain valuable aspects for a reasonable price!

This is what is valuable to studios! Because usually studio owners/enginneers have all the valuable knowledge for recording, mixing, etc. It's about the vision of the producer, to make songs come together by utilizing resources, sometimes diverse... It's hard to find someone who can bring the elements together and create something special!

Become friends with people who own/have access to studios, or build your own in your bassment/rent out a shop. Studio people value having clients, and love having musicians around who can broaden the scope of the vision

Thank-you so much or posting this! I am so relieved because, this is exactly my strong point! I do not mean to come off as overestimating my own ability, but I've always been the arranger of compositions. The structure, parts, hooks, dynamics, and especially employing knowledge of how to grab the listeners ear and keep it, through for example, the use of tension/release. Matter of fact, I've been a sort of 'consultant' to other bands and musicians and help them sculpt their ideas and package them to have the greatest impact.

I've done everything from in-studio collaboration to skyping with musicians up in Canada - and still talk about conceptual aspects with many musicians through email.

woo-hoo! I'm so glad to hear this! Thank-you, rawsubstance204 for lending me your insight and experience. This is encouraging news! Thanks a ton!

 

[-=TesseracT=-]

IMO 'sound production' is best learned by doing, at a community college, or both. In a structured environment (as I'm sure you know) they're going to trot out material you may already know better then the instructor.

I really don't have a good answer but to start I'd look at Tweakheadz · Guide To Home And Project Music Studios, work my way through the tutorials and find out what's obvious and what's obtuse. If most of it is obtuse then the community college route might be the way to go. If most of it is obvious then you might find the college route a waste of time and money.

Lots of people with more ego then knowledge set up studios and hang out their shingle. Eventually some of them get really really really good. The rest starve.

Luck.

Thanks for the advice, wheelma. Indeed, most of the stuff I'd learn at community college I already know. Tweakheads' guide is a great place to make sure I've covered all my bases, but I already have a larger understanding of recording - My old bands soundman is a full sail graduate, and I learned a tremendous amount from him, especially concerning live music. I've even spent some time behind a Midax XL8.

I've been contacting some old friends that are still in the business, and thrown out some lines. Everything from local studios to really nice ones (pumping those old friendships, haha Rivergate Studios).

No word back yet, but as they say, have suitcase/guitar, will travel.

I suppose at this point, I'm going to put together a portfolio or arrangements to showcase what I've got and what I can bring to the table.

Pretty confident I won't be a total failure and starve, b/c as I mentioned above, I've worked with and continue to work with bands/producers, but it's all over email these days. And, they seem to really value what I have to say and keep in close contact, so that's something.

Thank, you guys for responding and offering your experience, advice and encouragement. It means a lot. I'm truly impressed by the community here, and the gracious engineers with years of experience who freely give their advice and experience. This is SO valuable.