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tunnelrush
Advanced Member
United States
1,831 posts
Joined: Jun, 2004
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 Posted - 2005/12/13 : 20:29:22
The main reason for me wanting to be a DJ was so that eventually i can make my own music. Theres' this Engineering and Sound Recording school here in So. California that states its' worked with tons of celebrities and seems to be very in depth as far as the cirriculum and facilites/staff go.
Im here to see if anyone knows anyone whos' done music engineering schools similar to this and what i might expect from these schools. Nine month programs' that go Mon-Thursday. Ive signed up to take their free tour. this seems like fun. :)
thanks for reading (especially to those who can give a rats' ass about being a dj and messing with music and i just wasted your time)
ANY input is welcome. thank again.
for reference here is the website. http://soundmasterrecording.com
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<Mackie D.2 w Firewire
<M-Audio BX8's/ Peavey 15" Neo
<Sennheiser HD25's/Technics RPDJ 1200
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Owen P
Average Member
United Kingdom
154 posts
Joined: Nov, 2005
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Posted - 2005/12/14 : 10:04:14
quote:
Originally posted by tunnelrush:ANY input is welcome. thank again.
All I can say is BE CAREFUL when you sign up, and MAKE SURE you're going to learn what you want / need to learn, and NOT too much else. I know at least half a dozen people who started engineering courses and either didn't finish them (because they didn't like them / didn't learn what they wanted / etc), or finished them but felt like they'd walked away with nothing useful. For the sake of it, some of these people include DOK, The Panacea, DJ Rushout, DJ Breakage (not the DnB one, the one who's done some Hardcore with me), my mate Emma O, DJ Milo.... not sure if you'll know many or any of them, but they all had something similar to report. Actually, I don't know anyone who went to one of these schools and liked it!!
Personally, I think the problem is with such a rigid educational structure (the terms & semesters, etc). You need to learn things at your own pace. That means if you want to spend more time learning how to program a lush pad, and less time learning how to mike-up a hi-hat, you've got to do it that way. You won't learn well if you're forced down a path that, because you absorb things more easily when you thoroughly enjoy them. That's just the nature of learning! I know, for myself, to learn everything I have, I had to FIRST learn how to learn well. That's where my power is - in knowing how to teach myself.
Anyway, lots of people would argue that the way to learn is to get right in the middle of things. Go round your mate's house while they're producing something, and join in. Get them to show you the basics, and learn while you get creative. You'll be surprised how much you learn just by watching. I didn't do it this way myself, but most people I know who have excelled in music production have either been mentored (i.e. Sharkey, Storm, V.A.G.A.B.O.N.D.) or they've learnt a hell of a lot by close observation of what other people are doing. Then when you feel a bit more comfortable, get in the studio.
I'm not gonna be totally ruthless and suggest that you should come to my studio and my studio only... haha, but I do allow note-taking and question asking, which I believe is a unique feature I offer. There are no secrets in my room (a philosophy I learnt from Sharkey, actually), so studio sessions can become learning sessions, which can even help get your creative juices flowing so that the whole experience is even more satisfying. But yes, talk to the engineer you book studio time with before you go in, and find out if they're willing to help you get on your own two feet. If they care about the scene, I'm sure they'll be more than willing to give you a big boost.
Peace
Owen...
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Owen P
Average Member
United Kingdom
154 posts
Joined: Nov, 2005
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 Posted - 2005/12/14 : 10:05:31
P.S. - more on the "learning studio" here: http://www.happyhardcore.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24942
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tunnelrush
Advanced Member
United States
1,831 posts
Joined: Jun, 2004
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Posted - 2005/12/14 : 18:35:50
Im extremely appreciative of your feedback. Thank you very much!
I do plan on talking to the tour guide about just WHAT this place can do for me once ive graduated. Id hate to have an experience like your friends' in that they did NOT enjoy their time in these schools.
I myself, like to meddle with things and see what my freinds do every now and then but im just about the only person i know that LOVES this scene (hardcore) If i knew people like you, who were helpful at all times, then id more likely be picking their brains all day but here i am :)
I do understand that this school does not teach me HOW to make music but more of the 'finishing touches' aspect of music. Am i understanding that correctly at least?
once again thanks owen. seriously
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<Pioneer CDJ-1000 Mk3's
<Mackie D.2 w Firewire
<M-Audio BX8's/ Peavey 15" Neo
<Sennheiser HD25's/Technics RPDJ 1200
<Tracktion 2
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Owen P
Average Member
United Kingdom
154 posts
Joined: Nov, 2005
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Posted - 2005/12/15 : 13:21:46
quote:
Originally posted by tunnelrush:I do understand that this school does not teach me HOW to make music but more of the 'finishing touches' aspect of music. Am i understanding that correctly at least?
I wouldn't say "finishing touches"... it's a bit more than that. But certainly technology courses don't tend to teach creativity. I think that's a downfall of a lot of the students - they expect to be taught how to write music. In actual fact, they're expected to already know how to write music, or to learn in their own time, or producer other people's music. I get the impression most people think that the ability to write music is some kind of natural, inherent thing - you're stuck with the skills you're born with. If I'd believed that early on, I'd have given up years ago!
quote:
once again thanks owen. seriously
You're welcome! It makes a nice change to be posting to someone with manners.. haha.
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DJ_FunDaBounce
Advanced Member
Colombia
2,026 posts
Joined: Nov, 2001
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Posted - 2005/12/15 : 14:39:16
try looking for a shorter course.I found an audio engineer giving courses in his studio in my city.the course lasted from june till november(wasn't supposed to take that long,which in a way was a slight benefit from being a personalized course.we could take longer on certain areas).I feel I walked away with what I wanted which was mostly propper theory and practice on the basics(compressing,eqing,electronics,and a bunch of jargon).
The course was aimed more at traditional recording techniques like miking techniques but in the end I think that contributes to being a better engineer.
I think the internet is a great place to get information and to stay updated but I recomend getting an actual mentor because since on the internet you'll find countless points of view on the same thing it's easy to get confused.
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http://www.brightspeedrecordings.com/
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milo
Advanced Member
Canada
3,391 posts
Joined: Sep, 2001
347 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2005/12/15 : 16:49:26
I think it's safe to say that most engineering schools are not geared towards electronic music production, but rather audio post for film and tv, and recording bands. There is certainly a lot to learn from this as they teach you about all the dynamics and effects, but just like anything, you learn how to do it from being taught/reading, you learn how to do it right from having hands on experience. Whatever school you're checking out, make sure they give you lots (and lots) of hands-on time. Talk to students at the school and find out what they think, and before anything, make sure you're learning what you want, otherwise it's a bleak future working as an assistant for a bit before things get rolling, that is only good if it's what you want.
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DarrenJ
Advanced Member
Australia
2,626 posts
Joined: Jul, 2003
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Posted - 2005/12/15 : 17:49:50
I did a course called "introduction to midi music"
which taught me how to use software like fruityloops, db levels and levels for tracks, when to and when not to raise levels, using midi equipment and software, setting up midi keyboards and types of mics to use
was 80 aus dollars thu a local organisation that deals with adult learning, and was 12hours long
I feel thats a better choice, then spending 10,000 dollars on a collage course, that wont get u a job
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Edited by - DarrenJ on 2005/12/15 17:51:00 |
tunnelrush
Advanced Member
United States
1,831 posts
Joined: Jun, 2004
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Posted - 2005/12/15 : 18:55:44
Point taken DarrenJ, thanks.
Milo, i was thinking about talking to students. ill have to do that :)
Fundabounce, your lucky! haha someone there for you for the hands on stuff in your community, nice!
Owen, thanks again man. You said the most students EXpect to be taught to make music when they should already BE taught. does this apply to me too? lol ill start with that first.
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<Pioneer CDJ-1000 Mk3's
<Mackie D.2 w Firewire
<M-Audio BX8's/ Peavey 15" Neo
<Sennheiser HD25's/Technics RPDJ 1200
<Tracktion 2
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Owen P
Average Member
United Kingdom
154 posts
Joined: Nov, 2005
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Posted - 2005/12/15 : 23:10:26
quote:
Originally posted by tunnelrush:Owen, thanks again man. You said the most students EXpect to be taught to make music when they should already BE taught. does this apply to me too? lol ill start with that first.
<shrugs> I couldn't claim to know! It's just the impression I get. You certainly won't learn to WRITE music on a regular audio engineer's course, anyway.
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