Home/Semi-pro studio education

[deryk]

I currently own a small recording studio in Orlando, Florida, and one thing I have come across is that there are quite a few people who want to know the ins and outs of recording. We are fortunate to have the Full Sail Recording school here, but it costs $27k+ for 18 months to attend. We also have ARTI which is $11k to attend for 18 months. Not everyone can afford these prices. What I am currently researching is how much people would be willing to pay to go to school to learn how to plan, construct, and run a semi-pro studio. The schools I mentioned hand you a diploma and send you out to get a $5/hour assistant to the assistant studio job. I want to teach people how to start and maintain their own business where they can charge at the least $25/hr. What do you think and what do you think that is worth in terms of tution?

 

[John Sayers]

I understand that SAE are openning in Miami.
To receive additional information send an email to

saemiami@sae.edu

I don't know their prices but it's maybe worth an email

cheers
John

 

[Dimmi]

Well...here is my exclusively personal opinion on the matter.

Not that I am anybody that has a right to proclaim so, but as far as I understand, there are two aspects to running a studio...the *engineering* aspect and the *business* aspect.

While the second may be taught systematically, the first (the engineering aspect) is very little but vast experience and unconditional desire for perfection.

In other words, one must walk a very long personal way to become an accomplished recording engineer. If one has not walked it yet, then there is no way in hell they will be able record anything that will be worth more than $25 an hour.

 

[deryk]

I agree with you there. My idea is not to manufacture engineers, but to really give a basic overview of the industry itself. The purpose would be to give the student a few things such as:
1. The knowledge that recording and engineering is not a skill you get overnight.
2. A chance, with dedication, to be successful entrepeneurs.
3. A hands on approach to learning how to run a small self-contained studio, while using the proceeds to build it.

I think these things (among a myriad of others), are essential to the realistic outlook of individuals pursuing a career or business in the recording industry.
Also, I come from a genre of music (hiphop) that, for all of its shortfalls, is making millionaires without the large budgets and large studios. Much of what is tracked by many major acts is done in the home studio environment, and mixed elsewhere. So since the artists and their camps are doing it anyway, I just think that having an education geared towards the actual market is absolutely essential.
You make a very valid point. Thanks for replying and creating a dialogue.

 

[c9-2001]

I understand that SAE are openning in Miami.
To receive additional information send an email to

saemiami@sae.edu

I don't know their prices but it's maybe worth an email

cheers
John

yea sae seems yo be real nice. and its only 14,800. i was looking at going to the one in miami or ney york. fullsail is in orlando, but its $30,000 also

 

[frederic]

I will partially disagree because engineering a recording requires two tasks.

1. Deciding that something needs to be changed (using the vast experience you mentioned)

and (drumroll <G>)

2. Being able to change it.

What i think Deryk is suggesting as far as a school, is to teach the business side as well as the "being able" or technically, how to pan, how to add aux, how to add too much compression, and the like. Of course there will be some basic rules of thumb that we all use as a foundation for our own mixing/recording styles (like, point the microphone at the source (grin) rather than out the window). All kidding aside, I don't think anyone could really teach "taste", which is the aspect of recording you are referring too.

Am I right Deryk?

The decision of what to change and why of course is experience, but the mechanical ability to understand signal routing, console control, project management, business management, and most important, how to survive a day in the studio without slapping the guitarist, are very key (g).

I bet you can't tell there is a particular guitarist in my life that I find annoying!

Well...here is my exclusively personal opinion on the matter.

Not that I am anybody that has a right to proclaim so, but as far as I understand, there are two aspects to running a studio...the *engineering* aspect and the *business* aspect.

While the second may be taught systematically, the first (the engineering aspect) is very little but vast experience and unconditional desire for perfection.

In other words, one must walk a very long personal way to become an accomplished recording engineer. If one has not walked it yet, then there is no way in hell they will be able record anything that will be worth more than $25 an hour.

 

[harley96]

Deryk, I have taken a few courses at the Recording Institute of Detroit which happens to be a recording studio in Eastpointe, Michigan.I have completed Recording techniques 1, Music theory, Basic music production (intermediate recording)consoles used Tascam Tmd 8000, Yamaha02R Bob Dennis,master sound engineer worked at motown records back in the 60's.The knowledge this man possesses is beyond reason. Anyways, the average prices for my previous classes were approximately $800.00 each. I am going to attend advanced recording on the SSL console and that class I think is $1299.00. After that there is computer music technology (pro tools)then internship.All classes are approximately 6 to 8 weeks long. Check out there web site at Recording Institute of Detroit. I also paid $250.00 for a 2 year subscription to his alexander magazine which is online and it has all the technical articles and anything that has to do with recording that he has written in the past and there are alway's updates.Very informative and definitely worth having and it comes with a cd with numerous articles on that also. This school is a licensed entity,and because of that Ford motor co. picks up my tuition which is Sweeeet!!Peace!!