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Old 07-22-2009, 08:47 PM
T_S_Harris T_S_Harris is offline
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Default Is a Education in Audio Recording of Post Production worth it.

Hello everyone,
Im finally getting around to getting a college degree. I have been in the audio biz for 15 yrs. Im 30 now. I mainly have worked in live sound and install sound. I do have a good amount of experience in recording. About a year and half ago i started going to school for recording. I am about to finish up my A.A.S in recording arts this fall. Then im off to New England School of communications for my B.A and hopefully down the road for my masters. NEScom seems to be a very good school for recording and for there protools training. Nescom.edu . So my question is all this education worth it. I mean getting a masters degree in recording or Audio Post. I would really like to here what peoples opinion is on this.
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Old 07-22-2009, 10:25 PM
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albee1952 albee1952 is offline
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Default Re: Is a Education in Audio Recording of Post Production worth it.

One person's opinion only. Your education is worth whatever effort you put into it. What I mean by that is; if you showed up expecting them to turn you into a great engineer, then maybe it wasn't worth it. But if you showed up eager and hungry to learn, so you could achieve the ideas in your head, then I bet it will be well worth it. I had a guy come to my former company(a large casino) to be an audio guy. He had a "degree" from Full Sail. He was useless as....well, you know what I am getting at. I had another guy come in with zero audio background. Within a year, I could put that guy on a show as either a house or monitor mixer. He brought the attitude and enthusiasm for the gig. He would have gotten a lot more out of the FS training(because of what he brought to the table). Ultimately, YOU will be able to answer this question(and I suspect it will be a "yes" answer). The sad part is that it probably won't guarantee future employment as this is a tough business with lots of posers AND players all scrambling for the available gigs. Maybe you could include some video and graphics courses to broaden your skill set.
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Old 07-22-2009, 10:41 PM
T_S_Harris T_S_Harris is offline
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Default Re: Is a Education in Audio Recording of Post Production worth it.

My A.S.S degree is a communications degree. So I have taken classes in TV and film 2. Core classes are for TV and Film. So i have learned how to operate a tv studio,camara's,switchers,lighting etc... Very in depth 2 yr school.
I have been in the live sound for 15 yrs. I have doe everything for bars up to full tours as FOH ,Monitor World and system tech. I have packed and unpacked trucks . Built stages and roof and know how to do lighting. Just stuff i have learned over the yrs.

I know what u are talking about people that come out of Fulllsail thinking they can rule the world. Have worked with a few off them. What i dont under stand is that how do these guys really learn about tour sound in general. ya u can play on all the digital board and u came use your smarrt to do a room. But what about real world problems. chain motors. wireing, trouble shooting, building your own amp racks. Its nice to play with the fancey toys, but when they come out they don't really have the experence u need. thats just my opinion. live sound u need to be on the road doin it .not in a class room were u hang the same vertec boxes every day in the same venue
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Old 07-23-2009, 09:58 AM
Craig F Craig F is offline
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Default Re: Is a Education in Audio Recording of Post Production worth it.

you have two options:
1) keep making the circuit trying to get into a place for an interview
2) go to a school that will help you make contacts that might help you get in for an interview

ether way getting in is not easy
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Old 07-23-2009, 06:09 PM
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albee1952 albee1952 is offline
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Default Re: Is a Education in Audio Recording of Post Production worth it.

Judging by what you have said so far, I think you will make good use of any education you get because you have a realistic view of it all, and it sounds like you have a good attitude. I have to wonder about the anyone going for an A.S.S. degree though(or do I have a warped sense of humor??) Damn it man! Someone had to say it
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Old 07-23-2009, 07:17 PM
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John_Toolbox John_Toolbox is offline
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Default Re: Is a Education in Audio Recording of Post Production worth it.

From the perspective of an "employer," whether or not you have a degree is irrelevant. I put quotes around the word "employer" because it is not normal to get a 9-5 job with benefits in this industry. In this business you will most likely be an independant contractor, so knowing people who can send work your way is probably the most important thing you can have. Of course your skills are also important, if you do crap work that's not going to get people to send you work.

For me the biggest benefits from getting a degree were being able to be motivated by working with other people with the same interests, and learning various tricks from these people, as well as getting experience on gear I never would have been able to work with otherwise. The degree itself has never been a factor in getting me work, it's almost always been referrals from other people. I occasionally pick up a job from an advertisement or job posting, but this is rare, as there are very few gigs advertised, the ones that are usually get an overwhelming response.
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Old 07-23-2009, 08:47 PM
T_S_Harris T_S_Harris is offline
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Default Re: Is a Education in Audio Recording of Post Production worth it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by albee1952 View Post
Judging by what you have said so far, I think you will make good use of any education you get because you have a realistic view of it all, and it sounds like you have a good attitude. I have to wonder about the anyone going for an A.S.S. degree though(or do I have a warped sense of humor??) Damn it man! Someone had to say it
LOL. ya it was late at night and it was suppose to be a A.A.S degree. lol.
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Old 07-23-2009, 10:43 PM
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albee1952 albee1952 is offline
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Default Re: Is a Education in Audio Recording of Post Production worth it.

Its amazing what one little letter can do
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Old 07-23-2009, 11:01 PM
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BobbyDazzler BobbyDazzler is offline
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Default Re: Is a Education in Audio Recording of Post Production worth it.

I'd imagine the Masters degree would only come into relevance if you took on an educational role.
I have a Music Tech degree somewhere, but I lost it, and not one employer has been interested in seeing it. (I've always thought the audio industry would be better served by an apprentice system)
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Old 07-23-2009, 11:03 PM
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Bob Olhsson Bob Olhsson is offline
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Default Re: Is a Education in Audio Recording of Post Production worth it.

Getting a job in entertainment is all about who knows what you know and what you're like to work with. Degrees are meaningless but the relationships you make with other students can make all the difference in the world.
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