Anyone here know much about audio engineering?

[Arkitech]

I'm kinda curious about audio engineering as a career. Is it difficult to break into? Is it a career path that favors schooling or experience?

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm kinda curious about audio engineering as a career. Is it difficult to break into? Is it a career path that favors schooling or experience?

PM Harvey as he is one.

 

[Pepsi90919]

i'm curious too

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: rahvin

Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm kinda curious about audio engineering as a career. Is it difficult to break into? Is it a career path that favors schooling or experience?

PM Harvey as he is one.

thanks bro, I'll send him a message

 

[T2T III]

Listening to the Howard Stern show and how they dog "Scott the Engineer" makes the career seem not-so-appealing.

 

[Gibson486]

I was speaking to a realtor who used to be one. She said it was boring....

 

[woowoo]

I have some friends that run sound on a freelance basis.
Sports mainly (For TV)
They make pretty good money
They travel alot

If you are looking for a school
"Full sail" is well known in the bizz.

I know some "Engineers" that don't know the basics

BTW
Your only as good as your last mix

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech
Listening to the Howard Stern show and how they dog "Scott the Engineer" makes the career seem not-so-appealing.

I think Scott the Engineer is a different type than Harvey. I believe Harvey actually builds the equipment and Scott just makes sure it all works on the show.

Anyway, they bag on everyone on that show, so I wouldn't take it as a reflection of the job.

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: woowoo
I have some friends that run sound on a freelance basis.
Sports mainly (For TV)
They make pretty good money
They travel alot

If you are looking for a school
"Full sail" is well known in the bizz.

I know some "Engineers" that don't know the basics

BTW
Your only as good as your last mix

If you're looking to be a sound guy working on TV shows and stuff like that you do not need to go to school. You could probably learn the basics on your own and then just work your way up the ladder.

I have a friend that went to film school with me that is doing audio work on The Apprentice 3 and our schooling helped very little with getting there.

Just know your stuff and people will take notice. I believe film school is really only beneficial if you want to be a writer, director or want to make good contacts. Even then it's really only beneficial if you can get into a good film school like NYU or USC. Otherwise, you'd probably be better off without the student loans and have more work experience.

 

[cchen]

One of my mom's friend is a recording engineer. He has a BS in EE and a MS (in some field related to audio engineering) from JHU / Peabody Institute of Music (one of the best). He said its really tough to be successful in the field because there are already so many people who are very talented and limited opportunities

 

[blahblah99]

I work as an audio design engineer in the pro audio industry. At the very least, you have to be passionate about audio.

 

[MikeMike]

There are two ways i believe to get into that. well, if you want to do speaker design, ow what not. Physics with a focus in Sound will get you into that field also.

MIKE

 

[thomsbrain]

you have to love it. it's not just a piece of cake job. you need to have really good people skills, too, because you're working with artists trying to create their "vision." there are good schools that teach this and help place internships and things. But basically, it's all about experience. Who you recorded, and how long ago. your recent clients are all that matters. obviously getting a good internship is a great way to get your foot in the door, and going to school helps you get internships. but i have spoken with a number of engineers and they all say that most of what is taught in schools goes out the window when it comes time to really work in a studio and they have to re-train their interns no matter where they came from. but my drummer goes to such a school (Expression Center for New Media), and it is a great facility, and they really do teach a lot. So six of one, half a dozen of the other.

check out prosoundweb.com for a excellent site regarding all things pro audio -- live sound, recording, whatever. They have several seperate groups of forums, with members from all over the spectrum, professional LA engineers to people recording in their bathrooms. all the forums are excellent although they move slowly compared to ATOT. and most importantly they have Mixerman's Diarys. Mixerman's Diarys. They tell the tale of one engineer's journey through hell, and they are REALLY funny if you know anything about recording or being in a band. If you still want to be an engineer after reading them, then you'll probably love every minute of being one.

 

[rh71]

my brother went to school for 4 years (last 2.5 years specializing) and had no luck breaking into it - at least in NY. He's doing accounting now... in SD.

 

[AlienCraft]

Expect to spend some time as an intern (unpaid) before getting anywhere. If you're speaking about recording engineering, you'll need to move to LA NAshville or New York, in order to get a "real" career. If you mean live sound mixing, there are Clair bros, in Littitiz, and Nashville, and Showco, in Texasa. There are others, but those two do the lions share of work.
If you mean product development, those are just starting points.
The short answer is "yes" it is a hard business to break into.
< Been doing sound since 1972, Recording since 1974. Been around the world a few times, Have mic, will travel.