Audio Engineering Career Path Options! Please Help!

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Rolling Stone Interview
JOHN LENNON:
If I could be a fuckin’ fisherman I would. If I had the capabilities of being something other than I am, I would. It’s no fun being an artist. You know what it’s like, writing, it’s torture. I read about Van Gogh, Beethoven, any of the fuckers. If they had psychiatrists, we wouldn’t have had Gauguin’s great pictures. These bastards are just sucking us to death; that’s about all that we can do, is do it like circus animals.

I resent being an artist, in that respect, I resent performing for fucking idiots who don’t know anything. They can’t feel. I’m the one that’s feeling, because I’m the one that is expressing. They live vicariously through me and other artists, and we are the ones... even with the boxers–when Oscar comes in the ring, they’re booing the shit out of him, he only hits Clay once and they’re all cheering him. I’d sooner be in the audience, really, but I’m not capable of it.

One of my big things is that I wish to be a fisherman. I know it sounds silly–and I’d sooner be rich than poor, and all the rest of that shit–but I wish the pain was ignorance or bliss or something. If you don’t know, man, then there’s no pain; that’s how I express it.
 
. Many musicians need some therapy. At least having an understanding of their disorder may help you later, when you try get the most from their performance. Or when they refuse to play to a click track, because it looses it's 'feel'. You will need to address the issue, without breaking their fragile ego. Trust me, this will happen.

:)
I hate musicians ...... that's somewhat ironic eh?
 
Rolling Stone Interview
JOHN LENNON:
If I could be a fuckin’ fisherman I would. If I had the capabilities of being something other than I am, I would. It’s no fun being an artist. You know what it’s like, writing, it’s torture. I read about Van Gogh, Beethoven, any of the fuckers. If they had psychiatrists, we wouldn’t have had Gauguin’s great pictures. These bastards are just sucking us to death; that’s about all that we can do, is do it like circus animals.

I resent being an artist, in that respect, I resent performing for fucking idiots who don’t know anything. They can’t feel. I’m the one that’s feeling, because I’m the one that is expressing. They live vicariously through me and other artists, and we are the ones... even with the boxers–when Oscar comes in the ring, they’re booing the shit out of him, he only hits Clay once and they’re all cheering him. I’d sooner be in the audience, really, but I’m not capable of it.

One of my big things is that I wish to be a fisherman. I know it sounds silly–and I’d sooner be rich than poor, and all the rest of that shit–but I wish the pain was ignorance or bliss or something. If you don’t know, man, then there’s no pain; that’s how I express it.
yeah and he was full of shit too.
He didn't like being a multi millionaire? Bullshit ..... that's the only reason he could say such stupid shit.
He'd be a fisherman for half a day of brutal work before he'd change that tune.

I had a good friend that was a highly sought after drumber ..... worked all the time .... made a decent living .... used to go on and on, like Lennon, about how he hated playing and staying up late .... if he could only get a real job he'd be out of music so fast so he could live a normal life and make solid money and not be in bars blah blah blah ..... so he got a really good paying day job and announced his retirement from the sucky world of music. But the day job was a decent amount of physical work (like fishing would be) ..... he lasted all of a week!
Lennon was a great writer/musician/recordist but he was also full of crap.
 
Lol. That quote alone is reason enough for someone to shoot John Lennon.
 
I do agree with the fucking idiots part though. I get where he's coming from there. I kind of feel the same way sometimes. If I'm making music for non-musicians, then just shut the fuck up and take what I give you.
 
I do agree with the fucking idiots part though. I get where he's coming from there. I kind of feel the same way sometimes. If I'm making music for non-musicians, then just shut the fuck up and take what I give you.
well, yes and no. Yes the audience is composed of mostly non-musical idiots that don't have the least clue about what you're doing.

but in the case of someone like Lennon ..... it's those same idiots that make you the money to be ABLE to do what you're doing. had the Beatles not been loved by the idiots (screaming girls that didn't even care that much about the music but wanted them to shake their heads and go "oooooh") they'd never have had the money/studio time to even make their music at all.
 
well, yes and no. Yes the audience is composed of mostly non-musical idiots that don't have the least clue about what you're doing.

but in the case of someone like Lennon ..... it's those same idiots that make you the money to be ABLE to do what you're doing. had the Beatles not been loved by the idiots (screaming girls that didn't even care that much about the music but wanted them to shake their heads and go "oooooh") they'd never have had the money/studio time to even make their music at all.
Very true. In his case it's a stupid thing to say but I do get his general point. He's rich and dead and a legend because of the idiots. For me, I'm not rich, dead, or a legend, so I can call them idiots and be real about it. :D
 
Since this thread has drifted slightly, I'll drop in and relate my story...

I'm retired now, from a decent career in high-tech (semiconductor industry); but wayyyy back I had a dream of fame and fortune as a rock star. I played drums in a very good band in the Los Angeles area. We were damn close to 'making it', and two of the other guys in the band just disappeared (off doing you-know-what someplace), out of touch with the rest of us and even their families. I gave up on the rock star thing, concluding that musicians were flakes and I'd be better off going back to college. I did that, at one of the highly regarded universities (California Polytechnic).

While going to school I took on a job for a company that was installing a recording studio for the 'local' Junior College. With that project finished the job went away; but the college needed someone to run the studio for them, so I happily took that on while I studied at the university. Long story short, I got to do the recording of all the live concerts and performances held at that college, and learned a lot about the recording/mixing craft in the process. I finished my studies, moved up to 'silicon valley', got into that business, worked my way up through the ranks, got to travel to all manner of exotic and wonderful places (on business), and have now retired.

IMHO, you either have a bit of musician in you or you'll never be any good at recording them and/or producing results that are pleasing to an audience. I love doing what I do now. Why? Because I'm once again using my musical skills, and combining them with skills I learned both in school and in some of the 'odd jobs' I've had along the way.

The moral of the story? Do something you know you're good at AND can make a good living from. Let the opportunities for audio things come to you along the way. ;)
 
My name is Matt Mains, I'm 19 and want to start a career in audio engineering. Ive been going to College for over a year now in order to get a bachelors at Kent in their Music (Recording Arts) program. However, right now im going to Cuyahoga Community College which also has a great Audio Engineering program.



My question is; Is it a better idea for me to:

1) Go to Kent State for the 4 year Bachelors degree in "Music (Recording Arts)

2) Finish at Tri-C with a 2 year Associates in Audio Engineering or

3) Go to Kent State for a Major in something such as Business or Marketing and also get a Minor in "Recording Arts?"



When i say "Better" i mean which option will be most beneficial for me to start my career as an engineer?

Any and All thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Check out your local IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) chapter, or stagehand union. It doesn't matter what school you attend or what you major in, if you want a job in THE industry, this is how you do it. I have a degree from Central Florida in Humanities, and I work with some of the biggest names in the music business. That being said, its always a good idea to further your education. But, if you want to work in the biz, this is your best path.
 
Caterpillar is in desperate need of technicians to fix their tractor equipment. That job starts at $40,000 a year with a raises that get you up to $120,000 a year in just a few short years. It's not a glamorous job by any stretch but, it's what this country needs right now. People who are willing to learn how to fix heavy equipment and, many other similar type jobs. These jobs pay well. Very well.

I mention this because I have a 19 year old son who is and artist who, is thinking he's going to get an art degree and go on to draw comic books and/or animate some hit TV show or video game or something similar. I have been trying to tell him for years about how I thought I was going to be a rock star and, ended up being a 40 year old waiter in the same restaurant I worked at when he was born. Played countless gigs recorded countless demo's and served countless dinners to a bazillion customers. If I could go back and do it all over again, I'd freaking learn how to fix a damn Caterpillar, take my $120 G a year and buy myself a better studio then what I can afford waiting tables.

There are almost 3 times as many people graduating from college with a performing arts degree then there are with an engineering degree. Almost none of them will have a job that pays any better then waiting tables. I've met dozens of awesome guitar players who were amazing and, had more talent then I ever will. I've also watched as they parked their car next to me at the start of our shift at the restaurant. The bartender at work right now was a drummer in a band in the 80's. He has a record contract. They recorded their album and, the record company didn't like it so it was never released. He now pours beer for minimum wage plus tips.

It's easy when your 19 to think you'll be different. That you'll be the one in a million that despite the odds, makes it big. The reality is you won't. You've got a better chance of winning the lottery then you do of getting into the music business. There a whole metric ton of guys and gals who have tried and, eventually your mom and, dad will make you move out of the house and, you will have to get a real job. Unless you want to wait tables or jockey a register at a convenience store I suggest you take classes that will help you when that day comes.

Sorry to sound like a dad but, I am one and, it breaks my heart when I see young people as dumb as I was.
 
Sorry to sound like a dad but, I am one and, it breaks my heart when I see young people as dumb as I was.

Ignorant as you were. To say that someone is dumb is incredibly insulting. This kid has no idea what the job market is like; that's why he's asking us a question.
 
Since this thread has drifted slightly, I'll drop in and relate my story...

I'm retired now, from a decent career in high-tech (semiconductor industry); but wayyyy back I had a dream of fame and fortune as a rock star. I played drums in a very good band in the Los Angeles area. We were damn close to 'making it', and two of the other guys in the band just disappeared (off doing you-know-what someplace), out of touch with the rest of us and even their families. I gave up on the rock star thing, concluding that musicians were flakes and I'd be better off going back to college. I did that, at one of the highly regarded universities (California Polytechnic).

While going to school I took on a job for a company that was installing a recording studio for the 'local' Junior College. With that project finished the job went away; but the college needed someone to run the studio for them, so I happily took that on while I studied at the university. Long story short, I got to do the recording of all the live concerts and performances held at that college, and learned a lot about the recording/mixing craft in the process. I finished my studies, moved up to 'silicon valley', got into that business, worked my way up through the ranks, got to travel to all manner of exotic and wonderful places (on business), and have now retired.

IMHO, you either have a bit of musician in you or you'll never be any good at recording them and/or producing results that are pleasing to an audience. I love doing what I do now. Why? Because I'm once again using my musical skills, and combining them with skills I learned both in school and in some of the 'odd jobs' I've had along the way.

The moral of the story? Do something you know you're good at AND can make a good living from. Let the opportunities for audio things come to you along the way. ;)

Ah, I knew a guy who did the reverse of this, almost. He had a great career in semiconductors in Austin. He ended up quitting his job to start the band Spoon.
 
Ah, I knew a guy who did the reverse of this, almost. He had a great career in semiconductors in Austin. He ended up quitting his job to start the band Spoon.

Hey, I heard one of their songs on a baseball video game! That's pretty cool.
 
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