Recording Engineer or Luthier

ThumbFreak · #1 01-15-2011, 10:06 PM

I'm trying to get some information on these two careers

I'm thinking Atlanta Institute of Music for Recording Engineering and Luthiers International..

Luthiers International is much cheaper and faster but no degree. AIM is much more expensive and longer of a program, but would work be harder to find even with a college degree?

Dirk Diggler · #2 01-15-2011, 10:31 PM

A piece of paper in either of those cases would be pretty much meaningless.

IMHO both those fields are very limited job markets. Even with extreme talent, both fields you consider yourself lucky to put dinner on the table consistently. You stand just a slightly better chance getting a gig in either field as winning your state lottery.

Sorry to burst your bubble, just trying to tell it like it is. Oh and yes I have had personal experience in both fields for many years.
Good luck,
Dirk

ThumbFreak · #3 01-16-2011, 08:38 AM

Hey, I appreciate the input. I figured that's what I would get.

I'm just trying to see what my options are with anything music related that I could go to school for and have some hope for a career after I graduate.

ggunn · #4 01-16-2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumbFreak

Hey, I appreciate the input. I figured that's what I would get.

I'm just trying to see what my options are with anything music related that I could go to school for and have some hope for a career after I graduate.

Well, the sad truth is that nowadays no educational program carries a guarantee of a job when you are done. That said, some offer more hope than others. THAT said, those that you mention aren't among them.

With the advent of the digital age, the music industry has been set on its head. Those who are still making a decent living at it are in a constant cutthroat competition to remain doing so. Don't limit yourself to that business; it's a small pond (and getting smaller) and there are some very big and hungry fish already occupying it.

My advice to someone who is at the point in life where you are is to get a "serious" degree and do whatever studies you want to pursue in music on the side. And study something difficult; you'll learn more than the subject matter. You'll learn to discipline and focus yourself, and that will serve you well in the long run.

Electrical power engineering, IMO, is a field which will have huge opportunities over the next few decades.

Getting off my soap box now...

Pilgrim · #5 01-16-2011, 11:23 AM

I agree with Ggunn, and I've worked in higher ed for 30 years.

Get a mainstream degree, and add on the luthier or engineer skills as time and budget allow, but get the Bachelor's degree. Many jobs and careers are closed to you without a Bachelor's degree. Your first need is steady income, which means a job.

pasta4lnch · #6 01-16-2011, 11:32 AM

+1000 nothing sucks harder than being 10 years outta music college (w/ 2 degrees) w/ a new wife, and a bun in the oven, going back to school to learn a new trade (I start in 2 days

)

follow your dream - just don't do it blindly!

ggunn · #7 01-16-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasta4lnch

+1000 nothing sucks harder than being 10 years outta music college (w/ 2 degrees) w/ a new wife, and a bun in the oven, going back to school to learn a new trade (I start in 2 days

)

Good for you. I've had to reinvent myself a few times and I know how easy it isn't. As an older student with a wife and kid and paying for it all myself I came to realize that my situation gave me a couple of advantages, though; giving up wasn't an option, and while my classmates were all down at the coast drinking, drugging, and chasing casual sex partners over the Spring Breaks, I was in the library getting a leg up on them.

More power to you, and good luck with your new direction in life. Don't hang up your axe, though.

flypejose · #8 01-16-2011, 04:18 PM

Warren Buffett once said “if you take another job you don’t like, isn’t it like saving up s.x for your old days? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1LiA...eature=related 8:42
I think it’s true in a sense for education as well!

Nobody knows whether or not you’re gonna be the next most revolutionary engineer or luthier in the industry. However, even if pretty much anything is possible with the right dose of stamina, there are areas where you are more productive and creative than others. I bet you know what passionate you the most between these two different disciplines!

walker rosewood · #9 01-16-2011, 04:45 PM

whatever you do, just don't go to Full Sail.

dj150888 · #10 01-16-2011, 04:47 PM

Any interest in a degree that would serve as a gateway into something like recording music? Something like physics would, I'd imagine, stand you in good stead, while providing you with a lot of other potential careers.

pasta4lnch · #11 01-16-2011, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggunn

Don't hang up your axe, though.

Never!

Pilgrim · #12 01-16-2011, 07:37 PM

I often suggest to students that if you're up in the air, get a degree in Business - plus whatever else interests you. There are business aspects to every skill and specialty, so that makes a good baseline and you can add your specialty to it.

**lowfreqgeek** · #13 01-16-2011, 08:01 PM

Through high school I dreamed of going to LA or Nashville and becoming a recording engineer. As a sophomore in HS, I attended a concert and the FOH engineer told me that if I wanted to have the best shot at success, I would be better off getting my Electrical Engineering degree than doing anything else.

So I went into electrical engineering with the intent of heading to the Recording Workshop and eventually Nashville when I was done. Except I met a girl. 2 years later, with a year and a half to go still, we were married. When we were both done with school, my plans were put on hold because I had full-time work with benefits in hand and the dream was still a dream.

So here we are 10 years later - I never made it to full-time audio (or luthiery, though I've built a few instruments). However, I've had a cool career in electronics and I've been able to do audio work on the side, and more importantly to me, I've been able to play a LOT of music with a lot of great musicians. The best part, though, is that I've had steady, well-paying which has provided for my family (wife and 2 kids) in a way that would have been very difficult otherwise.

The reality is that I'll probably never make it into audio engineering as a career, but I wouldn't trade what I have for anything. I have worked with a A-list recording engineer from LA who worked his way up at The Village Recorders from cleaning toilets and making burger runs to engineering and producing. He's doing well and has a killer resume, but he'd be the first to tell you that your personal life WILL suffer if you have any chance of success in that route. I don't intend to discourage you, but only to say that if you have a broader degree like physics or engineering, you'll have something to fall back on if you don't make it.

But if you're at a point where you can go for it, then DO IT! Good luck!

ThumbFreak · #14 01-16-2011, 10:41 PM

I've defiantly given the thought about going for business and marketing and using that to apply with my music or whatever else I want to do.

From what I've researched at Luthiers International it would seem that I would have a lot of opportunity with working with repairs at shops, general woodworking, and inlay.

I just turned 20 years old, yesterday actually. The only reason I'm pushing so hard towards these career paths is that I'm confident that it's where I need to be. If I don't start strong now and go for it with every thing I've got then I'll never know what I missed. I've been looking at sites about all sorts of careers and really nothing interests me other than professional dog training..

But no matter what I'll always be playing music and doing what I love with music.

stoutkraut · #15 01-16-2011, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumbFreak

But no matter what I'll always be playing music and doing what I love with music.

With that attitude, it doesn't matter where you go, you'll do alright.

iamlowsound · #16 01-16-2011, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumbFreak

I've defiantly given the thought about going for business and marketing and using that to apply with my music or whatever else I want to do.

From what I've researched at Luthiers International it would seem that I would have a lot of opportunity with working with repairs at shops, general woodworking, and inlay.

I just turned 20 years old, yesterday actually. The only reason I'm pushing so hard towards these career paths is that I'm confident that it's where I need to be. If I don't start strong now and go for it with every thing I've got then I'll never know what I missed. I've been looking at sites about all sorts of careers and really nothing interests me other than professional dog training..

But no matter what I'll always be playing music and doing what I love with music.

If you want to build guitars, get into cabinet building. You will get a bunch of experience working with wood and when you clock out for the night, you might just be able to use the tools for your guitar building. Plus, you have the benefit of a job that will pay you a steady income.

lowsound