Audio engineering schools| MC/producer

Sup all.I am Emcee/Producer thinking about getting into engineering.

Has anybody attended either SAE ( http://www.sae-la.com/index.php ),

Los Angeles Recording School http://www.recordingcareer.com/flash/index.html

Or MI:
http://www.mi.edu/

?

Im really liking SAE because of the cheaper price and the fact that they include a MACBOOK with all of the audio software in comparison to LARS and MI which dont do that, but i would like some experiences,reviews anybody has on any engineering school as well.

I figure that since i produce and MC,my capabilitys will be expanded to the fact that I wont have to pay someone to master/edit my tracks etc, and I can also make money mastering/editing other artists music on the side while simultaneously putting my music out.Isnt Kanye an engineer/producer?

I am also concerned that it may be almost pointless almost, now that music has gone the "ringtone" route, and the industry isnt as productive as it used to be.However, i figure that since hip hop artists come out like catholic child birth in abundances now,it shouldnt be THAT hard to get some money engineering an artist.

I love music a LOT, but as everybody does,I want to make some GOOD money as well. However,since it seems almost pointless to work in music industry,i would also use my knowledge to work in film industry,has anybody had sucess with that?
Your advice is greatly appreciated.

As a cat who semi-recently did a stint at a private audio-engineering college I can give you some feedback about my experience and hopefully offer you some insight.The reason you're interested in taking the course makes sense-cut down on the middle men- like mixing engineers and mastering engineers. I agree with that ten-fold. There aren't too many true do-it-all MC/Producer/Engineers that can 'do it all' -and be nice in all areas. I'm thinking you could be one of the gifted ones. MCing, producing music and engineering are all artistic in their own right, however engineering demands a more logical thought process and there are guidelines you have to follow in order to record and release professional quality material. Audio Engineering to me, is 'the understanding of the science of sound'. You can be a bit creative mixing a track, but certain instruments or elements have to be 'treated' properly. The word 'treated' in this case encompasses a lot of different variables. It's intense man-and to me wasn't very fun-since I like producing and MCing more than anything. Being a creative thinker, it was difficult at times to understand the plethora of concepts audio engineering consists of, but I got through it-and you will too-if you study and ask questions. Every engineering school will teach pretty much the same theory-different equipment may be used for applying your knowledge, but the theory is what it is...the science behind 'sound'. You will most likely meet some very opinionated, interesting, creatively idiosincratic cats-some you might even think are crazy, some ARE actually crazy-or is that their genius shining through? I'll leave it for you to decide if you meet someone like that! Lol! I was fortunate enough to meet TWO geniuses (or damn-near)-who became my friends and we're planning on working on some songs together-I can't wait! Ultimately during my studies, I filled in some very important knowledge gaps which definitely helped with my compositions, but most importantly, I met some really cool cats-and kittens-yeah women! The sad truth though, is about job-prospects...there aren't too many. If you get an engineering job, you're very fortunate. Internship might lead to something later, but if you're looking for big money, you have to be willing to put in some serious years before you see some serious money. We were told that from day 1. If you're not passionate about 'audio engineering' itself-you most likely will not actually make a living as one. I'm not an audio engineer, because my true passion is writing and producing music-and we all know how hard it is to make a living doing that right?! Mixing my own shit is fun-don't get me wrong...I love listening to a dope mix that I personally did, but having a job where I mix other people's music while not being able to offer any real creative input-just doesn't work for me. I'm not trying to push you away from your goal bro, but I felt that I had to fill you in a little-from one MC/Producer to another. I don't look at going to school as a mistake-quite the opposite actually. Just remember, it definitely won't hurt your career to gain some knowledge and network yourself-especially at an audio school!

Take care and good luck bro!

Fess

Isnt Kanye an engineer/producer?


No, Kanye is no audio engineer. He might be marketed as one-like Puff Daddy, but neither of them know how to engineer a recording properly by themselves. The recording industry is a sneaky business man. Things aren't always what they seem...

Fess wrote:As a cat who semi-recently did a stint at a private audio-engineering college I can give you some feedback about my experience and hopefully offer you some insight.The reason you're interested in taking the course makes sense-cut down on the middle men- like mixing engineers and mastering engineers. I agree with that ten-fold. There aren't too many true do-it-all MC/Producer/Engineers that can 'do it all' -and be nice in all areas. I'm thinking you could be one of the gifted ones. MCing, producing music and engineering are all artistic in their own right, however engineering demands a more logical thought process and there are guidelines you have to follow in order to record and release professional quality material. Audio Engineering to me, is 'the understanding of the science of sound'. You can be a bit creative mixing a track, but certain instruments or elements have to be 'treated' properly. The word 'treated' in this case encompasses a lot of different variables. It's intense man-and to me wasn't very fun-since I like producing and MCing more than anything. Being a creative thinker, it was difficult at times to understand the plethora of concepts audio engineering consists of, but I got through it-and you will too-if you study and ask questions. Every engineering school will teach pretty much the same theory-different equipment may be used for applying your knowledge, but the theory is what it is...the science behind 'sound'. You will most likely meet some very opinionated, interesting, creatively idiosincratic cats-some you might even think are crazy, some ARE actually crazy-or is that their genius shining through? I'll leave it for you to decide if you meet someone like that! Lol! I was fortunate enough to meet TWO geniuses (or damn-near)-who became my friends and we're planning on working on some songs together-I can't wait! Ultimately during my studies, I filled in some very important knowledge gaps which definitely helped with my compositions, but most importantly, I met some really cool cats-and kittens-yeah women! The sad truth though, is about job-prospects...there aren't too many. If you get an engineering job, you're very fortunate. Internship might lead to something later, but if you're looking for big money, you have to be willing to put in some serious years before you see some serious money. We were told that from day 1. If you're not passionate about 'audio engineering' itself-you most likely will not actually make a living as one. I'm not an audio engineer, because my true passion is writing and producing music-and we all know how hard it is to make a living doing that right?! Mixing my own **** is fun-don't get me wrong...I love listening to a dope mix that I personally did, but having a job where I mix other people's music while not being able to offer any real creative input-just doesn't work for me. I'm not trying to push you away from your goal bro, but I felt that I had to fill you in a little-from one MC/Producer to another. I don't look at going to school as a mistake-quite the opposite actually. Just remember, it definitely won't hurt your career to gain some knowledge and network yourself-especially at an audio school!

Take care and good luck bro!

Fess

Yo wassup bro?Thanks for your input, greatly appreciated.How come you dont use your skills in other areas of entertainment like in the film or video game indsutry?

Ahhhhh workin' on it bro! I've always been interested in composing for video games-wrote a few pieces to test the waters but could never really commit to finishing anything that I was totally happy with. It's a different process-writing for games. Actually in school, one of our assignments was to compose a short score piece. It turned out well to my surprise. My instructor said that the music made him feel like there was about to be a huge battle of somekind-then I told him the title-"Before the Battle", so I must have did something right:)

Do it for your own personal needs, but don't take the courses if you simply want a decent job later on. Myself, and quite a few of my friends took the classes (I didn't complete it tho) and I can tell you that none of us are making 6 figures..in fact, none of them are doing jobs that remotely relate to music. If you have a studio/label and you simply want to learn more to make your business more efficient, then I'd say do it. If your simply interested in learning to improve your knowledge, I'd suggest buying yourself a decent version of protools, a computer, and teaching yourself for a year or so. After that, if your still interested, THEN I would take the classes. At this point, your out a few thousand bucks, but that's nothing compared to a 30 year college loan with interest.
PS, also, keep in mind that technology and software is evolving fast, and big studio's are going down faster than the twin towers. Only a few that do really outstanding work (and charge LOTS of money) will remain standing. Most studio's in the Detroit area are ran by guys like you and me simply trying to make a buck with great rates, impressively branded equipment, and a lack of knowledge to really use it. If your gonna take the courses, shoot for the stars and go all the way with it. Please don't let me see your flyer in the record store talking about $20/hour,Equipment: Protools, and MPC. haha

I went to a school in NY called IAR (institute of audio research) but no one there really wanted to learn anything they all just wanted to be rappers, so we always called it the institute of aspiring rappers.

Don't waste money on school, get an internship.

I can understand going to school for engineering, but I hear of some people going for music production. I figure if you have to go to school to produce hip-hop, this just isn't what you were meant to do. Anyone else feel that way?

check out the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences

or

Full Sail.

i really want to go to full sail because they offer Degree programs in Recording Arts, Music Business, and Entertainment Business. you can get all area of the industry tackled in 3 years with a masters in science to prove it!

good luck homie!

at the college i'm at, they pretty much only have one music studio type degree and that's audio engineering. i suppose i'd be interested except i'd have to take some more math classes (whats up with that? flowers that)

Alistar wrote:I can understand going to school for engineering, but I hear of some people going for music production. I figure if you have to go to school to produce hip-hop, this just isn't what you were meant to do. Anyone else feel that way?

I don't get the idea of trying to teach music production. You can teach people about the business of music, but I honestly feel the ability to write and produce music is a combination of natural ability (having a golden ear), passion and technical inclination. You either have 'it' or you don't.

I was thinking of going to school for audio engineering until I did some research and came across a few threads. One is by a parent: http://forum.recordingreview.com/content/parents-should-your-kids-attend-recording-school-55/#comments

Another is research I did to find out if Recording Connection (in LA) http://recordingconnection.com was for real. Some people think many businesses like these are a scam:

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?466655-recording-connections......does-it-seem-legit&p=40910556&highlight=#post40910556

Then I saw this free video on PBS about people making money of kids that want to pay for higher education called "College Inc": http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/collegeinc/

Finally, I saw this funny video, and in short: this explained it all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvNLJHlC8gQ

From what I can guess, the Home Studio, self motivation and Networking route seems to be the general answer.

I would recommend Audio Institute of America at http://www.audioinstitute.com/

You learn everything those big universities teach at a fraction of the price (only a flat rate of $299.00 for online course) and the school master is none other than Peter Miller, sound engineer for the Beatles and many other 60's rock bands. This is legit and the school is located in San Francisco. Peter Miller came down to my town in Puerto Rico for a convention and he definitely knows his stuff and very down to earth, he wrote most of the course too.

As for the course its very easy to get into and breaks down the jargon of engineering in the studio and even gives advice of what to do and don't when looking for a job in the industry. There's videos and audio clips to help understand the text. There's even quiz's and exams but the great thing is that you can do them at your own pace and hand it in whenever your ready. If you cheat the exams, you're only cheating yourself because the information is practically gold and helps in the long run.

The price of the mac is added to your course fees. Its not free.

Problem with these courses is that they tell you what exists out there and how to use it. Nothing you cant learn on your own.
I also doubt a certificate from these courses could land you a job. Unless you're under 20 and get lucky.

In my opinion.

Anybody Looking for Audio engineering schools| MC/producer
Visit http://www.soundtechmedia.com/