after highschool on to a career

[laaaakes5]

i am a 17 year old in highschool still. my plan for after i graduate is to try to eventualy work in a studio. i purchased a digi 002 rack 5 months ago and have fallen inlove with everything to do with recording. its awesome. my plan is to take pro tool classes at a community college in hopes to become pro tools certified and then try to get a job or appretnise at a studio. its a lot of being lucky try to into the business and skill. but if anyone has any advise to anything to say on the topic. i live in san diego and would idealy like to stay here. not having to try to apply for a trade school out in florida, new york, or arizona. san diego would be the best location. help would be appreciated cuz it is what i want to turn my life into. id like to be able to live off recording

[RolandK]

Awesome, good luck with your plans! One thing I'd suggest is getting to know and record bands in your area. Seems like the trend is less of being a 'staff engineer' in a recording studio and more being a freelance engineer, where you drum up work for yourself through relationships with musicians.

[Gkyaun]

Im 17 and ive been doing the Pro Tools thing for about 3 or 4 years now. the digi 002 is an awesome system to use. im currently enrolled in a class at my school where we get to use a HD|2 Accel system to learn on, and it has been very helpful. ive been recording local bands for a awhile now and its a great way to get your name out and create a sort of portfolio of your skills as an engeneer. good luck to you.

[Rail Jon Rogut]

Since it's become even more impossible to make a decent living in the music business.. I'd recommend you first get a back-up degree before you enter the music field. I'm not saying you can't make it.. but the odds are longer now than they've ever been.. and you should definately make sure you have a back-up plan.

Rail

[TheLP]

I agree with rail. I would recommend getting a day job and recording in your spare time.

[superpenguin79]

yep, not to burst the bubble guys, but don't put all your eggs in one basket. Keep your options open for sure. Goodluck

[Chris Cavell]

Since it's become even more impossible to make a decent living in the music business.. I'd recommend you first get a back-up degree before you enter the music field. I'm not saying you can't make it.. but the odds are longer now than they've ever been.. and you should definately make sure you have a back-up plan.

Rail

It's even worse than that...it's soo bad everywhere that you need a master's degree in order to be able to rely on that back-up plan. I'm stuck in Louisiana!!! I can't imagine how hungry I'd be trying to pay rent in LA or NY. Everyone I know in Nashville has moved to Franklin and are working out of their home studios...eeking out a living with one foot in the music industry and the other foot somewhere else.

[Dsus9th]

Hate being a killjoy but success in the sound biz isn't something that comes easily to anyone.
@ 17-talking about business like you have it down. Ever taken out a loan for production eq. Bank accounts-credit cards-a cash flow that's real? Didnt think so.
Learn-get certed on PTOOOLs. Go to college- learn-learn and learn some more. Have a solid foundation. it. Plan B if A doesn't go as you hoped.
School always puts your resume on the top of a stack of equally qualified people-that's how to get the job and life you want.

Continue to work on weekends. Keep your connections with musicians warm.
Only 17 year old who made it big? Kobe Bryant. Lived with his mom till he was 22.
It is critical mass today to know your why things work they way they do. Sound depends on it.

Good luck kiddo-learning is a life long gig.

[TOM@METRO]

We receive tons of résumé’s "almost daily" from schooled experienced engineers looking for work, these days I would not want to be one of them.

[Shan]

Originally Posted by Dsus9th

Hate being a killjoy but success in the sound biz isn't something that comes easily to anyone.
@ 17-talking about business like you have it down. Ever taken out a loan for production eq. Bank accounts-credit cards-a cash flow that's real? Didnt think so.
Learn-get certed on PTOOOLs. Go to college- learn-learn and learn some more. Have a solid foundation. it. Plan B if A doesn't go as you hoped.
School always puts your resume on the top of a stack of equally qualified people-that's how to get the job and life you want.

Continue to work on weekends. Keep your connections with musicians warm.
Only 17 year old who made it big? Kobe Bryant. Lived with his mom till he was 22.
It is critical mass today to know your why things work they way they do. Sound depends on it.

Good luck kiddo-learning is a life long gig.

Just a quick FYI. The OP you're replying to posted this in 2004, 7 years ago.

Shane