pro-tools classes

[silence_of_stone]

OK, I am sitting here at work and hating it. I am a buyer for a big company that sells nuts and bolts and electronic "hardware" - take your computer or old analog recorder and smash it - see those little pieces rolling everywhere? Thats what I do for a living. BORING.
The only time I am happy doing something is when I am working in the studio doing anything. (well sex is fun too, but i am just too ugly to make a living at it...) I digress quickly...
I want to DO MUSIC. I want to get PAID to do music. I am 36 years old, and though playing the clubs is fun, I doubt I am going to launch myself into a mid-life rock career - too old to fool the kids ya know.
I feel like I have a knack for recording, a good experimental ear, and a great background in recording, at least the small studio deal. I have made some great recordings in my past despite my limited starving artist financial situation.
I am frustrated, and no a sports car will not help. I want to do this for a living.
Does anyone know how much those pro-tools "classes/certification" whatever courses cost? I think I have seen them offered in Nashville...about 4 hours from here. Is it worth it? How to do it??? Help me. I am sad, and frustrated beyond fubar. I know I have at least enough talent to get me going...
I live in a somewhat isolated area...near a pretty big music town...all the good jobs in the area are taken, or just dont pay enough for me to afford to live..
any ideas? success stories? Job help? Help me if you can before I grow old and die without satisfaction of having actually ENJOYED my career. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

[silence_of_stone]

oh - i am a pretty sharp composer too if that makes a difference...i guess we all probably think that too though...
any ideas...i just want to do something with it!!!
[img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

[tonyharp]

Hmmm...

Your profile says you live in Georgia. does taht mean the town you live near is Atlanta?

You may try this link for something in your area. Closest to you may be Nashville.
http://www.protoolstraining.com/

Just go online and search. The info. is out there. Try Digi's site.

Good luck,
tony

[gabriel_p]

Help is on the way....C'mon guys US citizens, let's throw him a bone here. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[silence_of_stone]

yes i am in a suburb of atlanta...
tough town - I have lived here all my life...
Thanks for the PT link...i wil check it out...
its almost quitting time -
I will log on when i get home and am back to "normal"
Thanks for your help all - i truly do appreciate it:)

[elijahsongs]

I'm sure the classes are great... but is a class what will get you to "do music" for a living?

Is there a recording studio in your town or area? If not you may be able to fill a niche by offering a great recording situation for people who don't want to drive to Nashville. I don't mean that you would run out and rent an expensive monthly space, just see what you have to offer right now. Maybe you could start recording bands somewhere (at home?) for $30.00 an hour or so... The dream of being a musician/recording artist/songwriter/star is very real for many people and I'm always surprised how many people will pay and get excited about all the stuff you probably already know(I'm assuming, since your using the DUC). There's a great saying I have always loved which is: "Grow where you're planted"
Start with what you've got... maybe you're sitting on a gold mine, or at least some job satisfaction. Rememeber, you only need one client to start with...

In contrast, maybe there's nothing for you in you're area and you're going to have to move to work in the music field... Nashville would be great for that I would think. Be warned though... starting out at a studio is usually the same even if you went to school : you start out as a gopher and toilet cleaner, for five bucks an hour (and maybe for 12 hours a day)... you must be willing and financially prepared to do this... hey, you may love it!

Try getting some business cards made (cheap) and go out and try to find one person or band who is, or wants to be a recording artist or songwriter. All you need is one to start, and who knows, over time, if you're good, people will tell other people and you could be looking at a very satisfying life.

It seems there are many people on the DUC that are doing this, so I'm sure you'll get some good advice...

Good luck! Life is too short to hate your job!

[graveleye]

this is my silence of stone alter-ego...i am at home now and I become graveleye, just fyi. I am not sure if this is legal on the DUC, but well, I couldnt remember my password at work, so now i have home ID and work ID. (of course I prefer HOME!!)
Thanks for the advice elijah - you kind of made my point about starting as an apprentice in a studio...i am a little old for that and of course with age and financial burdons (mortgage, bills etc..) its kind of hard to settle back down to a minimum wage job no matter how much fun it is...
I suppose I could do some volunteer work at night at some studio somewhere, but most of those kinds of jobs are pretty well taken here in the Atlanta area, and since i am in the burbs, anywhere I go in town is quite a hike.
Atlanta is pretty saturated with small studios, so I am not so sure I can even compete if I were to have all the gear I could get, and then there is the issue of my own music, which I never want to let fall by the wayside.
eh - I am just depressed. Its been a gloomy, rainy soggy month here, and today is Monday, and I just can't handle it anymore.
Pro-Tools is overwhelming...i mean i have made some pretty mean recordings with it thus far, but I havent even scratched the surface. Does anyone think the classes are worth it, or can I get what I need right here on the DUC....those classes are pretty hefty $$ - I sure could invest into a killer system for that and just wing it like I always have...
oh well, thanks for letting me vent.

[elijahsongs]

Well, I believe in classes too... If you're stuck or don't know what to do next, classes could be great, and you never know who you might meet or what opportunity could cross your path. When you don't know what to do next... do something! You'll either succceed and move on to the next level, or fail, re-evaluate, and hopefully learn something... they're both ok. Just my philosophy...

[elijahsongs]

What about moving? If you became really good at Pro Tools you could probably make a good living as a Pro Tools engineer/mixing guy, in a city like Los Angeles.

[graveleye]

that is an option I have considered quite a few times...I think i could use a break from the tornados and settle down for a nice relaxing earthquake now and then!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Moving that far away is pretty hard, but if it could facilitate a nice and happy career I would probably make the leap. As for now...now that I am back home (just laid down some tracks!) and a bit calmer, I think I need to take things one step at the time. I have a guy coming over who is pretty well known around town to record here around Thanksgiving. Of course...its for free - I am a dope, but sometimes you have to give away a sample before you can sell some ice-cream. If I can wow him and whoever else hears it -that might be my ticket to getting some positive cash flow. Who knows...all i know is that i dont want to be brokering nuts and bolts and diodes when my heart is in this...i spend 10 hours a day trying to get to those precious few at home....one step at a time. It will work...thanks so much for your support and kind encouraging words.. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]