Taking Charge of Your Education in Recording

If you’re looking for a career in the recording industry, while recording isn’t necessarily easy to get into, there are many possible paths to take to get there. Recording as a profession is barely a century old, and for much of that time recording engineers and producers have been self-taught or mentored by others; going to school for it wasn’t even an option in the earlier days of recording.  Even now, recording is largely a results-based industry, which means if you can do something well, people don’t care how you learned it.  The key to navigating a path into recording is not to be personally responsible for your own learning experience, not pinning your hope on any one particular school or program. Here are some ways for you to take charge of your education in recording.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

If there are several pathways to a recording career, look around you and determine what those pathways are, so you can make a decision suitable for you. Are there any recording schools in your area?  What are the costs? What are their teaching methods?  How current is their equipment?  Is the learning atmosphere intense or laid back, and which atmosphere works best for you? Are there alternative programs in your area practicing the mentor-apprentice approach? Who do you know who is doing this, and would they be willing to give you some pointers?  Don’t be afraid to ask these questions, and lots more.  Before you go to school, do your homework.

VOLUNTEER

A great way to take charge of your recording education is to volunteer to help out in a studio or other place that uses audio equipment.  Many times studios need errands run or leg-work done, and volunteering helps get your foot in the door. While you’re there, ask questions (don’t be annoying), make friends with the technicians. Many engineers are more than willing to share what they love to do, and a mentoring relationship might develop there.  One of the best ways to learn the industry is to become part of a community within it.

TEACH YOURSELF

Don’t wait for someone to teach you how to run equipment; if you can, invest in some sound gear yourself and read the manuals.  Experiment with sounds and amplification. Read books about acoustics and sound engineering.  Try to dedicate a space to work on building your own studio, and always seek input from any friends you have that do audio work. You will learn a great deal in the process.

No matter what path you take, whether through recording school, mentorship, self-education or a combination of the three—taking charge of your education in recording means you recognize the key factor in your education is you.  The best schools will do you no good without your dedication to learn.  With this attitude, life and experience themselves become your teachers, whether or not recording school is part of the experience.