Do you think Pro Tools is good for a career?

[The_Communist]

Im planning to take a course to learn more about Pro Tools. I've been producing for more than ten years now with just a MPC 2000 and a Korg Triton. I've been using PT for a lil less than a year but I gotta tell you that words cannot describe my love for this program. Im planning to take a professional course here in L.A and I was wondering if you think it would be a wise decision to take this as a career? Digital Audio is ME, and I love music but the main question is..Do PT Pro's make descent money? What I mean by that is "ie" I dont want to finish school and get paid minimum wage like other vocational schools. Can anyone give me a heads up?

[where02190]

You're chances of getting a low/no paying intern job making coffee and sweeping floors will be slightly better if you have some PT experience.

[dubaifox]

I teach music and every year have a few students who focus on recording, using Pro Tools. They of course think it is cool, and really get into the idea of majoring in it in college.

I feel it is my duty to make them aware that it is a pretty difficult field to get a job in. This has a lot to do with technology. So many people now have fully functioning studios in their bedrooms, basements and garages. For every job out there that would pay $100 an hour studio time, there are a hundred guys that would gladly do it for $15. And they would do a fine job too.

It can be done, don't get me wrong. But it might be better to diversify so that you have something to fall back on.

[terrydrums]

Do whatever you feel is right in your heart. I've learned Pro Tools, took engineering classes, done a ton of sessions, have an extensive background in music and now I operate my own project studio where I record a wide variety of artists.

It never once got a me a permanent, high-paying gig in the commercial studio world. However, I call my own shots, set my own hours, charge my own rates and I don't have some hot shot engineer who thinks he's God's gift to recording hanging over my shoulder watching my every move. And I've never had to sweep floors or get coffee.

Take that as you like. It's the only advice I have to offer.

T.

[Dog BBQ]

Don't think just because you spent thousands on a Protools Class that all the LA studios will be chasing after you.

Sounds like you have been producing with the equipment you have keep going in that direction.

[georgia]

" I was wondering if you think it would be a wise decision to take this as a career? "

HahAAAAAhahahahhaaaaahhhaaaa.... (cough) ...no.


If you want to make a lot of money this career ain't it. If you want to enjoy what you are doing and money is not the top of your list... go for it... I used to earn over $200k a year as a technologist... But the political bul&^% that high up on the, [bleep]bank, PacBell, and other nameless corporate organization's food chains was just not worth it.
Now I make next to nothing, look forward to coming into the office, get to create, and I love every minute of it!!!!!

Cheers
Georgia

[Donny]

" I was wondering if you think it would be a wise decision to take this as a career? "

HahAAAAAhahahahhaaaaahhhaaaa.... (cough) ...no.


If you want to make a lot of money this career ain't it. If you want to enjoy what you are doing and money is not the top of your list... go for it... I used to earn over $200k a year as a technologist... But the political bul&^% that high up on the, [bleep]bank, PacBell, and other nameless corporate organization's food chains was just not worth it.
Now I make next to nothing, look forward to coming into the office, get to create, and I love every minute of it!!!!!

Cheers
Georgia

Very inspiring post, georgia. Thanks for sharing that. I guess one dollar's worth of happiness is worth a heck of a lot more than $200,000 worth of misery.

[Barnabas]

Maybe your career should be recording and mixing music. Learn how do do that using all of the equipment that is currently available, including Pro Tools.

Knowing how to record. edit, and mix music with your ears is a career. Knowing how to use Pro Tools will keep you employed until the next big thing comes along.

[RobMacki]

Barnabus hit the nail on the head.
Do you think a Skil Saw is good for a career?
Only if you know how, when, where, why, and use it like a master!
And It will help you if you own one.

You might make money at it and have a run at a career w/ it, but you may need to find more than that to stay busy.

I know of a guy who left the area here, talented, worked on national spots, but his company (to be nameless) moved the facility and him up north to be in a bigger market. After a year the company's problems caught up to them and had to let this PT AE go. now he's on the street.
I hope the best for him.
I own all my gear and have to be diverse to stay busy, that just might be my location, I'm growing slowly but growing.
At this point I don't have employees. I do Radio, Post, Location Audio, and Music. My studio is in my home so no overhead.
My business has developed by word of mouth, long-term relationships, being reliable, always making the dead-line...Always, and being easy to work with. I don't get too emotionally attached to my work and realize there are some real know nothing jerks out there who think they are experts and try to prove it to you.
I'm finding that after being on my own now for almost 4yrs that it is about me. My brother saw one of my spots on tv the other day and said "It sounded national and then the other local spots come on and sound bad. Are you the only one using PT here in the area?" I said to him (in my humble voice) "well, you know, it's not the brush but the painter."

[hurdy gurdy]

"I rest my case".
It's tough to build and frame an entire house with only a finishing hammer, but it's the craftsman's skill of using his/her tools that reveals mastery and genius of said profession (for some reason I'm thinking Kung Fu here).
Enjoy the ride.
LB.