Where does one learn how to be an audio/studio engineer

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FindingYorick

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I am about to get out of the military and I get free school for a while. I would like to record bands. My question is, is this something that I need to go to school for or can I learn it on my own by trial and error? And if I need to go to school, can it be at a technical college or do they normally teach this at a big university?
 
if you want to learn properly , my suggestion would be to intern
under a audio engineer whose been round the block for 20 years.
recording school will only take you so far.
my advise. dont spend a lot on recording school.
the markets flooded with graduates . many having trouble making a living.
which is a shame.
 
So let me ask this,

We both have nine to five jobs. We would more than likely have to learn about this on our own time. Like wise we were planning on starting this out of our basement. Do you think that this is possible or even a good idea?
 
Possibily. I learnt most of my skills by myself, however I had the advantage of being able to play with a lot of gear for nothing. (I fell into a technical manager's job, then went freelance).
Now that I'm buying my own gear, I'm pulling double shifts most weeks in order to pay for my stuff (but that's just me... I try to only buy good gear the first time round, as opposed to starting with crap gear and constantly upgrading). Just a bit of a warning there- a 9 to 5 job probably won't leave you much money left over for the important things, like beer and life-sized replicas of antartic mammals.

Manning is right- the best way to learn is to tag along with someone that's done it all before. The first time I ever worked on a show, I learnt about a year's worth of coursework in two weeks.
I've got no idea where I'm going with this, so I hope this helped, and I'll shut up now.
 
Not at all you both have given me a lot to think about.

Thanks
 
Get a subcription to Tape Op, Mix and get a hold of every book at Barnes and Nobles by Bobby Owsinski. Go to Bluebears site and read every book he indicates as a good resource.

There is a pretty good self teaching course using most of these books and sites like Homerecording, Gearslutz and Studioforums.


Good luck.
 
There have been several debates about this issue on the board, so do some searching and you will get a wealth of opinions. a couple points of personal opinion.

1) getting into recording bands is a ridiculous idea for any other reason than an obsessive need to make records. It is a really stupid business idea at this point in time (It has been my day job for the last 14 or 15 years, but things were a lot different when I started)

2) You need to understand that most people that records bands for a living make less money than guys that flip burgers at McDonalds even after 5 years in the biz.

3) If you have a chance to go to school on my tax dollars with a GI bill (thanks for your service by the way!!) I strongly recomend getting some solid training in electronics. This will open up a lot of opportunities for you in the studio biz that some one with out that training will not have, plus if you decide that recording studio life is not for you there are a lot of other things you could do with an electronics background.

4) From what I have seen recording school is not really the best way to learn recording. Read a ton and find ways to hang around studios.
 
If it's really what you want to do, then I think you just kinda' find a way to make it happen.

Whatever gets ya there. If it's for you, then you'll probably know.
 
I like the idea of being around people who want to make music. And helping them make it better... if it needs to be.
 
i agree with ronan.

you've got the opportunity to go to college for free, do it! and make the most of it. if you're really interested in music and production you should go to college for electrical or acoustical engineering. get yourself a real degree that will give you a solid job if you ever decide that the music biz doesn't cut it. while in school you can start to dabble with recording on your own. just buy a simple four track or get a small mixer and a soundcard if you prefer doing it digitally. then use your spare time to learn by experience. read a lot and try new stuff.
 
I agree with ronan and mishagolin- Focus on a electronics and acoustics, on jobs that will pay the bills but be of high value in the recording world when/if you want to start your own studio.

Bluebear started off as an IT guy, and leveraged that into his own studio.

If you must pursue a course of study in studio recording do so at the Junior College level. Stay far far away from the slick marketing bastards at FullSail who promise the world, dangle superb gear (which, of course, high student tuition pays for), and offer up mostly pain, heartache, and disappointment.

Luck.
 
wheelema said:
Stay far far away from the slick marketing bastards at FullSail who promise the world, dangle superb gear (which, of course, high student tuition pays for), and offer up mostly pain, heartache, and disappointment.
Click to expand...


I take exception to that statement. I think these schools you mention crank out some of the finest Guitar Center employees I've ever dealt with. Some even move on to the big leagues like Sweetwater.
 
chessrock said:
I take exception to that statement. I think these schools you mention crank out some of the finest Guitar Center employees I've ever dealt with. Some even move on to the big leagues like Sweetwater.
Click to expand...


LOL!!!

My half cent advice. Read a lot and when you've done that...Read more...
 
You guys rock, thank you very much. You probably saved me from breaking my neck while jumping in head first.
 
This is a really good thread and something I have been thinking about for a while. I have a 9-5 but want to learn how to record properly (professionally that is) without giving it up.

I have a background in electronics and computing so that end is ok, I was thinking about looking for an AE who worked Saturdays and work for gratis, apprentice style. Just keep like that until I get useful round the place and then perhaps work something out. Seems the best way to get pro experience without ditching the day job.

Those of you who work in studios, would you accept someone to do that? Just testing the likely reaction here you understand. Is there a particular way I should approach a studio or any big NOOO! I want to avoid?

Cheers.
 
aristo. i just have a wee bit of advice.
ive met some really really nice people // audio engineers and owners of studios. but like anything else some will try and use you.
its the way the world works. run from the latter and learn from the former.
a decent place that interns you will treat you like a human being.
just be carefull...
 
FindingYorick said:
You guys rock, thank you very much. You probably saved me from breaking my neck while jumping in head first.
Click to expand...

The bitch of the beast is that unless you jump in head first, you ain't doing this for a living. You have to kinda put yourself into a 'record or die' position. If you aren't recording something, then you're not earning, then you're not eating.

You learn pretty quickly how to A) suffer for your art; B) get to the point where you can make a living... albeit not all that great a living for the first several years.

Get a gig in a studio sweeping floors... read everything you can get your hands on [not the forums or the magazines... real books on recording and music theory]... read, work, eat, sleep, work some more, read some more, eat if you can, sleep if you must, lather, rinse, repeat.

If you don't have the drive [and/or emotional instability... as in being totally nucking futs!!] you ain't doin' this for a living... you're maybe doing it for a hobby, which is in many ways a whole hell of a lot cooler [you don't go through that 5-7 years of clinical depression because you fucking hate music so much you could scream!!! ... and damn near most of us have gone through that].

Best of luck bro... it's a huge decision and a hell of a ride if you choose it... I can guarantee you that your kids won't look at you like all the other dads... which can be good or bad depending on your perspective.
 
The best enginners (in my experience), where the ones that did all of the above:

A) Learn it for themselves
B) Intern under a master in the field
C) Go to a technical school that gives you the fundamentals




Also, it's not uncommon that great engineers are great musicians. Think about it.
 
Go to a tech school. Somewhere that offers a ProTools certification course. At the same time get an Associates In Electronics Technology degree.

When I take on interns I throw them at the console day one. I sit next to them and answer any questions they might have (and usually do). Signal flow is #1. The Electronics degree is a further exploration at the component level of signal flow, that's why I like that avenue. A tech college might not have a SSL console or $10,000 microphones but I don't believe that's really an advantage to what's really important; signal flow, troubleshooting, and patience. Maybe take a Psyche class because communication skills and listening is very important as well.

The successful interns that have moved on from my studio have been mostly those that have come from a Tech College (studied in Audio). I really don't know why that is but statistically it's been the case.

A Tech College is nice because you're not pressured to take "this and that" unless you're going for a B.S. but even still there are more electives that qualify in a Tech College as opposed to a speciality school. Some business classes would be good if you're thinking of branching on your own and/or Producing/Engineering an act freelance so you have a better understanding of finances, law, grants, employees, "special service" taxes, etc.

I guess that's a lot to chew on.

Okay...to sum up...
Tech College; ProTools Certification, audio signal flow basics.
Tech College; Electronics, component level signal flow.

Other stuff is just fluff, really. The real other deals are troubleshooting, persistence, drive, and patience. With your military background I'm sure that's not a problem. Also be open to other things that might pique your interest along the way, that's why I mention the Tech College as opposed to an Audio College. It took me $40,000-plus dollars to realize I didn't want to make movies but instead I wanted to make sound. I could've discovered that taking small initial steps in a Tech College...and later on I did. I learned more about myself and my interests at a Tech College years after going in to financial debt.

Good Luck,
--Adam Lazlo

http://www.analogelectric.com
 
I'm using my g. i. bill to start classes at a community college in jan. I'll be taking the audio classes while I'm there but I also will be getting the certifications in computers a+, n+, mcse. IMHO those certifications will help me out more than the degree in Audio Production. I just think it's always good to have something to fall back on. Your getting alot of money for ten years to go to school use it and don't blow it all in the first couple years trying to attend some high priced ass tech school (yeah i learned that the hard way).
 
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