Recording school? Is this right for me?

twangman · #1 02-05-2011, 07:32 PM

Hello TalkBass. Here's the deal. I've been thinking of going to Los Angeles Recording school. I know nothing about recording, other than the old school cassette four tracks. I have become obsessed with recording, and eager to learn. Anyway, in these days, does it even make a difference if you went to school for recording? Is it worth it? Seems like everyone is recording at home these days.

naturalkinds · #2 02-05-2011, 07:43 PM

I'm studying sound design at college right now. Best decision I've made in a long, long time. It's given me the opportunity to start my life over. I left a career in academia to pursue the audio arts, and I find the school environment is just wonderful.

People say again and again that recording school is neither necessary nor sufficient for building a life as a professional in audio. This is true. But what school does -- if you are enthusiastic enough to jump into everything going on -- is let you experience an ungodly amount of gear and techniques that can give you a sense for where you want to fit in as a professional.

I just love it. I'm sitting in a room with a $16k console, mixing music. It's just fantastic. Make sure the school you choose suits your general interests. I'm in a department that gives me a ton of flexibility to pursue a career in film and TV, but not so much music. I wanted this, especially given my experience as a musician. But some of my classmates are less than enthusiastic about the minimal music component. Me? I welcome it. We still use the same toys; we just study it from another perspective, and the benefit is that we can work outside of the music industry.

Don't knock recording voice artists for animation -- or mixing film dialogue -- before you try it. It's really, really fun.

twangman · #3 02-05-2011, 07:59 PM

Thanks for the response! It's an 18 month program (I think). I'd like to attend that school full time. My family laughs at the idea, saying nothing will become of it. I'd like to prove them wrong.

projectMalamute · #4 02-05-2011, 08:17 PM

Recording schools are an expensive fantasy camp for audio geeks. You will learn nothing you couldn't teach yourself with just the least bit of motivation and smarts. You will get to play with cool toys, maybe even meet people who once met people who are famous. How much is that worth to you?

If you really want a set of skills that will give you an advantage over the million other people trying to be recording engineers enroll in an engineering program at a real university.

twangman · #5 02-05-2011, 08:36 PM

Another excellent point. I'm just trying to learn the basics, and this was only one school I've looked at so far.

NineSpine · #6 02-05-2011, 08:42 PM

The school itself will probably be a fun and interesting experience. However, it will most likely not be worth the money or time from an actual career perspective. The comparison to a "fantasy camp" is spot on.

DubSound · #7 02-05-2011, 08:46 PM

Im in rolled in an audio engineering program at my local community college. Tons cheaper than one of those recording schools, and I've talked to a few engineers that told me the program at the community college is far superior.

sonic assassin · #8 02-05-2011, 08:53 PM

im a full sail grad. i learned a lot WITH the information they gave me. i can connect the dots now. they teach a lot of really basic stuff and plant the seeds, and i have flourished because of it. due my present situation, im not working in audio, but i certainly could.

i record bands all the time, and for my little bit of equipment, i do pretty well. if you've got the time and the cash, go for it. it never hurts to learn

boris · #9 02-05-2011, 09:11 PM

www.recordingworkshop.com

I highly recommend this school. Great program, extremely knowledgeable instructors, amazing studios/gear, super cool atmosphere, and all at a very affordable price. I went in with a basic knowledge and passion for music and recording and came out being a fully certified audio engineer.

Sure you could learn a lot from books and the internet, but what those don't give you is real world experience. I was in the studio setting up, tracking, over dubbing, mixing and mastering actual artists and bands. As well as doing trouble shooting, gear maintenance, Foley work for movie scenes, video game audio, radio plugs, live sound, and our own side project work.

I really have nothing bad to say about this school except its not long enough! The living situations and atmosphere are simply awesome, you're in the middle of nowhere with nothing but beautiful mother nature around you (and of course million dollar studios

)

Check it out. I'm sure glad I did.

twangman · #10 02-05-2011, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic assassin

im a full sail grad. i learned a lot WITH the information they gave me. i can connect the dots now. they teach a lot of really basic stuff and plant the seeds, and i have flourished because of it. due my present situation, im not working in audio, but i certainly could.

i record bands all the time, and for my little bit of equipment, i do pretty well. if you've got the time and the cash, go for it. it never hurts to learn

Sounds good. Where did you go? Was it a recording program or community college ?

sonic assassin · #11 02-05-2011, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twangman

Sounds good. Where did you go? Was it a recording program or community college ?

its full sail. LARS is (from what i understand) the west coast sister school of full sail.

dave_p · #12 02-07-2011, 09:44 AM

honestly, I would see if a local studio has an intro to recording class or the like. I think I paid 500$ to spend 12 weeks at a local studio. There was a basic electronics component that lasted 2 weeks, and then it was in the studio 2 nights a week for 10 weeks, recording bands. This was back in the early 90's.

magneezius · #13 02-07-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twangman

Hello TalkBass. Here's the deal. I've been thinking of going to Los Angeles Recording school. I know nothing about recording, other than the old school cassette four tracks. I have become obsessed with recording, and eager to learn. Anyway, in these days, does it even make a difference if you went to school for recording? Is it worth it? Seems like everyone is recording at home these days.

Do it!....Follow your dreams man. I did the same thing a few years back and went to SAE (School of Audio Engineering) which is right across the street from LARS and it was the best move of my life. I moved from northern cali and quit my job as a realtor just to take the chance to follow my dream of recording and it was the best decision i've ever made. As far as which school you choose thats up to you but don't listen to all the nay sayers who say you can learn the same stuff by going to community college or just interning at some studio....thats completely and utterly incorrect. I know this for a fact because i tried this at first and it got me nowhere fast. studios don't care about teaching interns and community colleges don't have the money for the gear. Been there done that. LARS will give you the basic knowledge you need to compete in the industry.

I was in your same position a few years back and understand exactly how you feel and whats going through your head, feel free to PM me if you'd like. I have friends who are currently enrolled in LARS and im an SAE alumni myself and currently work as a professional Audio Engineer in Glendale.