I know this question comes up all the time, but I havent really found any answers that Im looking for. Here's my situation: I go to Florida International University in Miami and Im a marketing major. I can't stand it any more, and I can't ever imagine making a career out of it. Theres nothing else that a typical college can offer me as far as a path to a career that Id enjoy. So, Ive finally decided to stop screwing around and do what Im really passionate about: Music. I have the talent, skills, and abilities, now I just need to find the right school.

Since Im in Miami I was thinking about going to SAE-Miami. But I read somewhere that they don't offer accredited certificates upon graduating. They just offer in-house diplomas. Is this a bad thing or is it acceptable in the industry? Does anyone have anymore info on SAE-Miami?

Next I was thinking about The Los Angeles Recording School. What I really like about this school is that their in LA, probably the recording studio capital of the US, and they offer a 200 hour internship as part of the cirriculum.

Some other options are: The Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA, and Pyramind in San Francisco, CA.

Id like to stick to either Florida, California, or New York as a last option. Ultimately Id like to go to Full Sail in Winter Park, FL but they are ridiculously expesive at $40,995 so thats not really an option. Any suggestions anyone could give me will be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Jay

I know exactly where your'e coming from...

Im a marketing major too, cant see myself doing it either.

the problem i am facing is that audio schools are so damn expensive and i cant ignore the fact of how risky the audio industry is.

I wish us luck in our shared situation!

Wow, it's crazy to see someone who's practically in the same situation as me.

Like you, the cost of recording school is also a major issue for me. I applied for financial aid and I'll see what I get, then I'll go from there. Otherwise, if I don't get enough financial aid, forget it...recording school is out of the question for now.

Also, the whole music industry risk factor is another major issue I'm dealing with. Do I put regular college on hold (temporarily or permanently) and pursue this full force head on disregarding any risks involved? Or do I suck it up for about another year and a half and finish my bachelors and then go to recording school, or maybe never go to recording school?

I also wish both of us luck in our shared situation.

Well, i am already 2 years through a 4 year program so that does cross my mind to finish it up.

The thing is while im in school, i am always thinking about recording. Ive had about 10 classes this semester where i drew out different studio plans!

As of now I am planning on leaving my university for a year to get my diploma in audio. I have an uncle who owns a unit and doesnt use the upstairs and the renters downstairs are rarely there (they use it for storage) so while i build up the funds to construct a decent studio I am planning on finishing my degree.

Too many people tell me that its a bad plan and that i wont go back to university. But i think that if you find the job that will make your job not feel like a job (if that makes sense) you have to go for it.

its true its too expensive to get a course or certificates in recording. i also have the same isues with you guys, is there any good recording school in asia? or better to come to the state?

popeye wrote:

its true its too expensive to get a course or certificates in recording. i also have the same isues with you guys, is there any good recording school in asia? or better to come to the state?

Actually as a matter of fact certification is NOT too expensive, check this distance learning option out.

http://www.audiocourses.com/school/
_________________
Recording Studio Suntans

hey guys,

this is going to look like a Full Sail advertisement, but it really isn't. this is my personal perspective from researching this school for 2 years, now i'm in my 8th month of Full Sail's 12 month Recording Arts program. i read some of your guys' comments about the school, so i'd like to add an inside view.

the $40,000 tuition definitely looks intimidating, but think about what this school has to offer that many recording schools can't. Full Sail carries some of the highest end recording equipment in the world. for example, in one month alone you will be working w/ an SSL 9000 J, Amek 9098i, & a Sony DMX R-100. think about that....if you know anything about those consoles, i'm sure your eyebrows are raised right now.

this school has a 24-7 schedule that definitely keeps you on your toes. i won't lie to ya, you're probably gonna be in school 40-50 hrs/wk depending on the class. but imagine you're a studio manager, and you have 2 applications in your hand....one student went to school for a few hours a day at a conventional school, and spent just as much time in gym as they did studying music. then you have a Full Sail student who spent 100% of their college experience studying recording on a 24-7 class schedule. who would you hire?

that tuition you're paying buys more than just your education. it also buys yours books...we get 3 or 4 books a month that are INCREDIBLE. most are made by the instructors at the school, but we are also given books ranging from $30-$100 (from my research) written by big time engineers, producers, & technicians. also, we are given a $150 pair of headphones, 24-7 access (depending on how big your class is) to the equipment including pro tools, nuendo, cubase, etc. as well as many discounts from local restaurants, auto places, & misc businesses in the area.

Full Sail also has a GREAT placement department that will help you look for work for THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. many people don't know that anytime you want to come back to the school & take a class again, whether it was there when you graduated or not, you can take that class for free anytime.

i'm not from a rich family, and neither are any of my friends that go to school here. yet we're all willing to make this work financially. the biggest thing is just making the commitment. and look around, there are scholarships & grants out there that many people don't even know about. do some research, & i'm sure you can make this work too if you really want it to.

any questions, please email me....joshb@suscom.net



-josh

AC wrote:

popeye wrote: its true its too expensive to get a course or certificates in recording. i also have the same isues with you guys, is there any good recording school in asia? or better to come to the state? Actually as a matter of fact certification is NOT too expensive, check this distance learning option out. http://www.audiocourses.com/school/

tnx AC but im more on watch and learn learner i learn quickly by watching someone demonstrating. than reading hehe, weird a!

popeye wrote:

AC wrote: popeye wrote: its true its too expensive to get a course or certificates in recording. i also have the same isues with you guys, is there any good recording school in asia? or better to come to the state? Actually as a matter of fact certification is NOT too expensive, check this distance learning option out. http://www.audiocourses.com/school/ tnx AC but im more on watch and learn learner i learn quickly by watching someone demonstrating. than reading hehe, weird a!

Popeye....

You make some assumptions which are wrong.

Where did you get the idea audiocourses.com is about reading, in fact it is not a reading educational approach it is a hands on approach where you download digital assets and operate on them and upload them at the end of the week for moderation and group discussion.

Distance learning might not be for you, but do not assume you know how it operates

Audiocourses.com uses pioneering technologies, in fact here is one of the students discussing one of his tasks:

http://www.audiocourses.com/blog/2005/05/rocking-country-in-kent-uk.html

It has an MP3 you can listen to.

Cheers
_________________
Recording Studio Suntans

i thought audiocourse is a distance learning, they'll send you books and stuff.

ive listen to call on me MOH its a pretty good mix is that you AC?

popeye wrote:

i thought audiocourse is a distance learning, they'll send you books and stuff.

Just goes to show your conceptions of what distance learning is are wrong, distance learning is no longer "send you books and stuff".

Distance learning, well pioneering distance learning, is now fully utilisiing modern digital distribution methods and educational techniques such as:

student radio
podcasts
audio blogging (thats what you heard)
forums
virtual worlds
live synchronous chat

As an example that guy you listened to in the mp3 (my student) is in UK. He had his friend in USA record the drums and had the wav files uploaded to him so he could grab them.

So audiocourses.com is very much the opposite of "books n stuff" in fact they dont use books at all!
_________________
Recording Studio Suntans

[quote="LiBiD24"]hey guys,

this is going to look like a Full Sail advertisement, but it really isn't. this is my personal perspective from researching this school for 2 years, now i'm in my 8th month of Full Sail's 12 month Recording Arts program. i read some of your guys' comments about the school, so i'd like to add an inside view.

the $40,000 tuition definitely looks intimidating, but think about what this school has to offer that many recording schools can't. Full Sail carries some of the highest end recording equipment in the world. for example, in one month alone you will be working w/ an SSL 9000 J, Amek 9098i, & a Sony DMX R-100. think about that....if you know anything about those consoles, i'm sure your eyebrows are raised right now.

this school has a 24-7 schedule that definitely keeps you on your toes. i won't lie to ya, you're probably gonna be in school 40-50 hrs/wk depending on the class. but imagine you're a studio manager, and you have 2 applications in your hand....one student went to school for a few hours a day at a conventional school, and spent just as much time in gym as they did studying music. then you have a Full Sail student who spent 100% of their college experience studying recording on a 24-7 class schedule. who would you hire?

that tuition you're paying buys more than just your education. it also buys yours books...we get 3 or 4 books a month that are INCREDIBLE. most are made by the instructors at the school, but we are also given books ranging from $30-$100 (from my research) written by big time engineers, producers, & technicians. also, we are given a $150 pair of headphones, 24-7 access (depending on how big your class is) to the equipment including pro tools, nuendo, cubase, etc. as well as many discounts from local restaurants, auto places, & misc businesses in the area.

Full Sail also has a GREAT placement department that will help you look for work for THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. many people don't know that anytime you want to come back to the school & take a class again, whether it was there when you graduated or not, you can take that class for free anytime.

i'm not from a rich family, and neither are any of my friends that go to school here. yet we're all willing to make this work financially. the biggest thing is just making the commitment. and look around, there are scholarships & grants out there that many people don't even know about. do some research, & i'm sure you can make this work too if you really want it to.

any questions, please email me....joshb@suscom.net

Actually bro, I'd hire the guy with the best sounding portfolio. Going to school doesn't mean shit if you can't put out the product. I'd first listen to the portfolio of mixes-then if I liked the work-I'd check what kind of educational background they have and how much actual experience. Not everywhere you work will have SSL, Neve, Amek etc consoles. Most studios nowadays are set up with digital boards which control DAWs. Even if you get training on those consoles ( the big ones)-when you graduate, you probably won't see them again for awhile. Most engineers end up working live sound for a awhile before they work in a studio and for live sound you'd be looking at boards from Mackie, Soundcraft, Midas etc. And besides, all boards pretty much do the same thing, of course digital boards allow you to route signals to just about anywhere. I'm not knocking your school, but the basics of audio engineering can be taught anywhere. My school is 8 months with 200 hours of actual recording time. We can record in the studio anytime we want to build a portfolio; even efter graduation students get half price recording rates for life. In addition to the 200 hours of applied engineering work we get 150 hours of lab time and we get trained on relevant consoles and DAWs such as Soundcraft and Mackie boards as well as Sony's DMX-R100 Console which is a great digital board. The DAws we learn are Logic Pro, Pro Tools and Reason-all latest versions of course. People scoff at Reason but check around-the PROS are using it to put out hit records-yes, it's true...Not saying analogue is dead-but it's coming close...Listen to anything by Charles Dye and you'll see why achieving that analogue warmth and fullness is absolutely achievable within the digital realm, IF you know the secrets:) Listen to his mixes and you'll hear what i'm talking about...



Fess

jaisonda wrote:

I know this question comes up all the time, but I havent really found any answers that Im looking for. Here's my situation: I go to Florida International University in Miami and Im a marketing major. I can't stand it any more, and I can't ever imagine making a career out of it. Theres nothing else that a typical college can offer me as far as a path to a career that Id enjoy. So, Ive finally decided to stop screwing around and do what Im really passionate about: Music. I have the talent, skills, and abilities, now I just need to find the right school. Since Im in Miami I was thinking about going to SAE-Miami. But I read somewhere that they don't offer accredited certificates upon graduating. They just offer in-house diplomas. Is this a bad thing or is it acceptable in the industry? Does anyone have anymore info on SAE-Miami? Next I was thinking about The Los Angeles Recording School. What I really like about this school is that their in LA, probably the recording studio capital of the US, and they offer a 200 hour internship as part of the cirriculum. Some other options are: The Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA, and Pyramind in San Francisco, CA. Id like to stick to either Florida, California, or New York as a last option. Ultimately Id like to go to Full Sail in Winter Park, FL but they are ridiculously expesive at $40,995 so thats not really an option. Any suggestions anyone could give me will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jay

Jay,

get the f*** out and do what you love doing. pick a school with relevant gear and passionate instructors. anybody who promises you work or claim they have the connections to the 'industry' are bullshitting. If you believe in yourself and your talents you'll get work when you graduate-just by meeting the right people while you train. stay positive, lose any ego you might have and you'll achieve-and sustain, a long, fullfilling career in music. good luck and stay focused bro.

Fess

unfortunately, working on a lesser console won't allow you to get the most out of these monsters.....we use the mackie, sc ghost, & midas....the midas was tight....and we used the dmx r-100 as well....i'm not impressed. it was like runnin' windows 95.
and you're right, experience is HUGE....thats why a 24-7 schedule & anywhere between 150-200 hours of experience per month makes full sail students stand out.
i was checkin' out the recording workshop in ohio & even talked to a friend who spent 8 weeks there, and at the end he couldn't tell me what a send was used for in pro tools....now i know he's just one person, but they did give him a certificate which is their equivalent of graduating.
and i agree, analog is a dying breed....but i've met some great engineers who won't work with anything but analog....thats why we learn that as well. to progress, we need to know where we came from.


p.s.
and how about placement assistance, discounts to apple, digidesign, & ability to come back for free classes anytime....all this for the rest of my life??? can't beat that