You love music and want to make it into a career. You've started to explore your options, maybe you're thinking about going to music school or some sort of other artistic trade school. You know the effort, time and extreme amount of money it will cost you, which will probably force you take out student loans, etc. etc. So, the real question is, is music school really worth it?
I started taking Audio Engineering classes at a local music academy when I was 14-years-old. The class (which I still regularly attend as sort of an 'understudy'/intern) is taught by a professional audio engineer, one who has been in the business for years and recorded bands and artists you've probably heard of. This incredible engineer has also never attended music school. In fact, when I asked about a major music school, he said "that won't help you, they're more concerned with technical rather than actually producing good music". We listened to some tracks from students, and I was surprised. It lacked life and passion, and seemed like settings were pre-programmed.
Straight Answer
No. You don't need a degree to make a living in recording, mixing, or producing music. In fact, most top level engineers never went to a music school. They just interned and worked their way up.
Audio Engineering and Producing is an art form, a craft. It's not just a field of study with set numbers and settings. The usual "old school" pattern of training is an apprenticeship type relationship, where a young engineer wannabe works with and a master audio engineer or mastering engineer. You watch every move, you take notes, then eventually start to do more than sweep and set up equipment. It's been like this for a very long time in the music industry. It's hard work, actually harder than school in my opinion. But, what really matters in this sort of business is hands on experience and making meaningful connections.
You could teach someone techniques all day long, but if they don't have passion or if they simply don't have the hearing required for a good recording, it'll never be good recording. Just mediocre. Some people were just made for Audio Engineering and Producing because they instinctually and audibly know what a mix should sound like.
Go To A Studio
Go to any studio in the world. Today. Right now. You can find (maybe you'll have to beg) your way into being an unpaid intern and begin the slow, sometimes painful, process of getting your foot in the door. At first you'll be going on coffee runs, picking up foods, sweeping floors, cleaning equipment, but one day you'll start being able to assist on a session here and there and even help with editing. It's how the majority of people in the industry had to start, and you'll be respected for putting in the same maximum effort. Like I said, believe me, starting like this is way harder than going to music school - but it's worth outweighs that of music school.
If You've Got The $, Go
I'm not completely against music school, I just don't find it necessary. I think learning from an experienced pro in the field is a much better learning experience compared to a large class environment. If you can afford to go, then go ahead! I just find it hard to justify the expenses of music school and the debt that you'll face when going for an audio degree. The hard truth is, even with a degree from a solid music school, you still have to "pay your dues" as a studio intern somewhere. Yes, you'll already have experience under your belt from school, but you'll have years of time and money spent only to do what you could have been doing for free without really needing a degree.
School Is Cool
Education is great. Going to college is also great; in fact I'm going to college for something completely different than audio engineering, using it as sort of a fall back career. Just don't use college as an excuse. Don't think "If I went to an audio school, THEN I could make a living in the music industry". It's an excuse, a way out of something that seems scary and difficult. It's better to take a chance and do what you want and love it. Don't give up your dreams to the notion that you need a degree.
The main point of music school is connections. Really, you're just paying for connection within the music community, ones which you can easily and realistically make on your own by just interning at a studio. Many music schools actually don't have updated and popular (even useable) equipment, so when you get into the real world and into larger studios, your education won't really help you with the equipment. In plain terms, you'll be absolutely clueless. Especially with the fact that all studios used different programs. Not everyone uses Pro-Tools, you have to be prepared for that.
The Hype
Music schools have a lot of hype with little turnout. Sure, some of those that go to music school make a decent living, but the majority are in debt and have little to show for their degree. Think of it like this; If you're a band or artist (or producer) looking for someone to record an mix your albums, you're going to care about sound and quality. Not a piece of paper. Your "degree" is in your sound. It's a skill you're born with, it's all in the ears. You really just need to develop it or have someone teach you how to develop it.
Starting Without Music School
Go to a local studio. No matter what state you live in, I promise that you'll find several small studios within 100 miles. When you go dress semi-professional, be respectful, ask about the studio and ask if they would be interested in an intern - being an unpaid intern is more likely than being paid. What you're paid with is experience. Keep your eyes open and your ears listening, watch the process and if you get a chance, ask any questions you might have. Asking questions helps show the engineer that you're interested and serious about learning.
What Counts
If you don't spend some time practicing and exercising your ears, you won't succeed. Also, if you don't have an ear for music, you might want to consider a different music career other than audio engineering and producing - I'm just giving it to you straight. Better to hear it now than later. If you don't have an ear for music/tones, you can become a promoter, etc. There are options. If you have a passion for music and want this badly enough, then you'll work for it and it won't seem difficult. You just need to invest in equipment - a good laptop, program/music editor, etc. You might struggle, but you'll learn from your mistakes and ultimately grow.
Equipment
Don't spend your money on fader-controllers with 'cool lights'. Look for things that will improve your sound, style should be considered last. Don't show off your equipment, show off your sound. Do thorough research before buying a controller, laptop, program, whatever it may be.
You're unstoppable. You're the only one who can determine your success.
I started taking Audio Engineering classes at a local music academy when I was 14-years-old. The class (which I still regularly attend as sort of an 'understudy'/intern) is taught by a professional audio engineer, one who has been in the business for years and recorded bands and artists you've probably heard of. This incredible engineer has also never attended music school. In fact, when I asked about a major music school, he said "that won't help you, they're more concerned with technical rather than actually producing good music". We listened to some tracks from students, and I was surprised. It lacked life and passion, and seemed like settings were pre-programmed.
Straight Answer
No. You don't need a degree to make a living in recording, mixing, or producing music. In fact, most top level engineers never went to a music school. They just interned and worked their way up.
Audio Engineering and Producing is an art form, a craft. It's not just a field of study with set numbers and settings. The usual "old school" pattern of training is an apprenticeship type relationship, where a young engineer wannabe works with and a master audio engineer or mastering engineer. You watch every move, you take notes, then eventually start to do more than sweep and set up equipment. It's been like this for a very long time in the music industry. It's hard work, actually harder than school in my opinion. But, what really matters in this sort of business is hands on experience and making meaningful connections.
You could teach someone techniques all day long, but if they don't have passion or if they simply don't have the hearing required for a good recording, it'll never be good recording. Just mediocre. Some people were just made for Audio Engineering and Producing because they instinctually and audibly know what a mix should sound like.
Go To A Studio
Go to any studio in the world. Today. Right now. You can find (maybe you'll have to beg) your way into being an unpaid intern and begin the slow, sometimes painful, process of getting your foot in the door. At first you'll be going on coffee runs, picking up foods, sweeping floors, cleaning equipment, but one day you'll start being able to assist on a session here and there and even help with editing. It's how the majority of people in the industry had to start, and you'll be respected for putting in the same maximum effort. Like I said, believe me, starting like this is way harder than going to music school - but it's worth outweighs that of music school.
If You've Got The $, Go
I'm not completely against music school, I just don't find it necessary. I think learning from an experienced pro in the field is a much better learning experience compared to a large class environment. If you can afford to go, then go ahead! I just find it hard to justify the expenses of music school and the debt that you'll face when going for an audio degree. The hard truth is, even with a degree from a solid music school, you still have to "pay your dues" as a studio intern somewhere. Yes, you'll already have experience under your belt from school, but you'll have years of time and money spent only to do what you could have been doing for free without really needing a degree.
School Is Cool
Education is great. Going to college is also great; in fact I'm going to college for something completely different than audio engineering, using it as sort of a fall back career. Just don't use college as an excuse. Don't think "If I went to an audio school, THEN I could make a living in the music industry". It's an excuse, a way out of something that seems scary and difficult. It's better to take a chance and do what you want and love it. Don't give up your dreams to the notion that you need a degree.
The main point of music school is connections. Really, you're just paying for connection within the music community, ones which you can easily and realistically make on your own by just interning at a studio. Many music schools actually don't have updated and popular (even useable) equipment, so when you get into the real world and into larger studios, your education won't really help you with the equipment. In plain terms, you'll be absolutely clueless. Especially with the fact that all studios used different programs. Not everyone uses Pro-Tools, you have to be prepared for that.
The Hype
Music schools have a lot of hype with little turnout. Sure, some of those that go to music school make a decent living, but the majority are in debt and have little to show for their degree. Think of it like this; If you're a band or artist (or producer) looking for someone to record an mix your albums, you're going to care about sound and quality. Not a piece of paper. Your "degree" is in your sound. It's a skill you're born with, it's all in the ears. You really just need to develop it or have someone teach you how to develop it.
Starting Without Music School
Go to a local studio. No matter what state you live in, I promise that you'll find several small studios within 100 miles. When you go dress semi-professional, be respectful, ask about the studio and ask if they would be interested in an intern - being an unpaid intern is more likely than being paid. What you're paid with is experience. Keep your eyes open and your ears listening, watch the process and if you get a chance, ask any questions you might have. Asking questions helps show the engineer that you're interested and serious about learning.
What Counts
If you don't spend some time practicing and exercising your ears, you won't succeed. Also, if you don't have an ear for music, you might want to consider a different music career other than audio engineering and producing - I'm just giving it to you straight. Better to hear it now than later. If you don't have an ear for music/tones, you can become a promoter, etc. There are options. If you have a passion for music and want this badly enough, then you'll work for it and it won't seem difficult. You just need to invest in equipment - a good laptop, program/music editor, etc. You might struggle, but you'll learn from your mistakes and ultimately grow.
Equipment
Don't spend your money on fader-controllers with 'cool lights'. Look for things that will improve your sound, style should be considered last. Don't show off your equipment, show off your sound. Do thorough research before buying a controller, laptop, program, whatever it may be.
You're unstoppable. You're the only one who can determine your success.
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