Getting a job at a recording studio

[MrGuitarguy]

I responded to a post from Sir Dan suggesting that he get a job working in a studio so that he could stay involved with music. I actually recieved a few PM's/emails about how to go about this from various HFCer's. I can't claim to be the ultimate expert by any means but I can tell you how I did it. I know there are a few other guys here working in the industry. I'd like to read their experiances as well.

After graduating from high school I took a year off and eventually went to Orlando Flordia (1999) to attend Full Sail (on of the top recording schools in the world). While I was in Florida I did some work at a few small studio's while in school. Eventually I finished up with everything. I moved back to Ohio after deciding that I wanted to study guitar. I thought I'd be happier performing or possibly teaching at a college.

I studied jazz for a little while and eventually changed my major to Public Relations and got my B.A. I was still involved with music as I put myself through college playing in various bands and had started to think perhaps music might still be an avenue to explore. I continued doing a bit of audio work here and there.

Later I decided it would be cool to go to The Recording Workshop (RECW) here in Ohio (another of the top recording schools). The RECW was a good refresher course, but I mostly when there to get caught up on the new veersions of Protools. Things had changed dramtically with digital recording since my days at Full Sail (people still hated it then and 24 bit recording was just starting to be a real option). After graduating I started looking for a job with either post production for TV/film or something in a regular studio.

Eventually I interviewed with John Schwab Recording (here in Columbus). I was asked to come in and sit in on a session, which I ended up assisting on. I placed a lot of mics etc. and answered several questions for the band. The head engineer was impressed and got a job. I was hired due to my experiance and education background. I was fortunate enough not to have to be an intern and make coffee, clean the floor, go get lunch, etc. I can honestly say that my boss is an awesome guy who's also a fantastic engineer.

I was later told I got the job, not only because I knew what I was doing, but because I wasn't "a jackass." I always show up to my sessions and do what I'm expected to do. I work well with clients and have been asked to produce several of their albums as a result. My boss has asked me to do a number of his sessions when he couldn't be there for some reason (a family issue, etc.) and he knows he can count on me and that the tracks will be up to his standards (which are quite high).

I will say that this isn't typical. Most people starting at a mid to large studio will have to intern. (I was told I'd "clearly paid for my education" with two audio schools behind me, plus normal college). Some internships are paid, others aren't. Some are awesome and some suck. I've heard a number of different stories from friends of mine.

Finding a job can be a little tricky. Most schools will help you find something, but it really depends on the area you're looking in. Obviously there are more jobs in Nashville, TN than Cody, Wy. There's also a bit of luck involved. I got lucky you could say (or some of my friends do anyway).

Pay:

Ok, this is the part everyone asked/asks me about. While I'm not comfortable describing my personal finances here I can say that I've got food on the table and the lights are still on. As some of you know I bought a house this past Nov. as well. Things are going well. In addition to working at the studio, I play out regularly and I do some session work as a guitarist too (Not that I'm by any means the world's greatest player, beacuse I'm clearly not, but people seem to like working with me and what I do).

I can honestly say I'll never be rich doing what I'm doing now, but I'm very happy. I look forward to going to work and that means far more to me than money. I've had jobs I hated that paid a lot and I couldn't take it. I'm a single guy so I don't have a family to support. I'm sure I'd make a lot more in L.A., N.Y., Nashville, etc. However, our head engineer owns a house, has five kids, his wife is a stay at home mom, and he seems to live comfortably with vacations, etc. and he has a lot of cool "toys" (studio gear, guitars, amps, etc.)

I hope this is a little helpful for some of you. If anyone wants to know more about schools, interning, etc., please feel free to post or message me. I just tried to hit the basics. Sorry for the spelling errors, etc. I just woke up! (I keep some crazy hours with this lifestyle. However, other guys I work with keep them pretty normal.)

Again, I'm not the ultimate expert, but if I can help any of you I'm glad to. Hopefully we'll hear from a few of the others as well.

Oh, I missed something:

No, not all recording schools are the same. Full Sail is 13 months (I've heard they may now have a longer program available, I can't confirm or deny this however) The Recording Workshop here in Ohio is 9 weeks with all the optional programs. I'd recomned you attend the RECW as it's inexpensive and the staff is very good. You'll learn all the basics you need to get started and learn the way the studio you'll be working at does things. Full Sail is more comprehensive, but it costs 15 times as much.

I think someone here (if I understand correctly) teaches audio engineering at a college somewhere. I'm sure they can share their insight as well.

Also on a funny note, don't get into this industry to meet chicks (at least not in school). We used to call Full Sail, Full Male, due to the 50:1 guy to girl ratio. lol! You must look outside of the school.

[SouthernShred]

great post!

[tomteriffic]

I'd have to second Colin's admisson of being a little lucky, although somebody once defined luck as the point at which preparedness meets opportunity.

When I was in the biz, the Workshop in Chillicothe was about the only school around.that I was aware of. Full Sail and the others came along later. The studio I worked at had just taken delivery of the 8th Ampex 16 track tape machine ever made. In short, it was a different time. I just wanted to work that corner of the world and, since there were no schools that taught it, really, and a BSEE was beside the point, I joined the AES (Audio Engineering Society). Basically I read everything I could get my hands on and a neighbor who was a retired Air Force engineer gave me the occasional clue when I came up against the Greek stuff. A few years later, though my dad's business, I got some intros, but that was all, just intros. Two studios I visited had 'entrance exams' for folks like me, just to thin out the herd. I aced them both, something nobody off the street had ever done.

The first two years were basically a minimum-wage internship. Then the money got a bit better and chair I sat in got nicer.

If you get an opportunity, be a fly on the wall who happens to be psychic. If you can anticipate what the first engineer wants before he even knows he wants it, and otherwise be invisible, you'll have a leg up. Work on your chops after hours or whenever you can without stepping on any toes.

I'm guessing on this, and Colin can probably bear this out or refute it, but these days, being wicked good with Pro Tools only gets them to answer the phone when you call, no more. My calling card at the time was being wicked good with a razor blade and analog tape....

[MrGuitarguy]

I'll second Tom's points.

Also with the availability of Protools and the like to the public it's easy to get started. But Tom's right about that only being part of it. Understanding good mic placement/miking techniques as well as which mics are good for certain applications is huge. If you can't get a good sound to tape (or hard drive) then it doesn't matter how cool the rest of your gear or software is.

Also you need practice mixing (as Tom mentioned). It's not nearly as easy as it seems. Always have a reference CD of music that's similar to what you're working with. That way even if you aren't familiar with the room you're mixing in you'll have something to help you figure out where things go in the mix. Just like learning to play guitar, it takes time and practice and you'll continue to get better all the time.

[Luke]

Also on a funny note, don't get into this industry to meet chicks (at least not in school). We used to call Full Sail, Full Male, due to the 50:1 guy to girl ratio. lol! You must look outside of the school.

If you want chicks, go to beautician school where the straight guy to girl ratio is 5000:1. I have a friend that has used that avenue several times, but he has a successful career. He tells the chicks he is there to learn the business so he can open a chain of salons.........utter BS.