Although Sound Engineering is seen as a 'hands on', practical job, there are many benefits to be gained from studying for a qualification in the subject.
Most obviously, a qualification in audio engineering can help fill holes in your knowledge, and also force you to look into areas that you may not be familiar with - for instance you may be reasonably au fait with operating a desk but how about having to quickly produce a snare drum sound from an analogue synth or ensuring the your audio PC can handle as many simultaneous 24/96kHz tracks as possible without glitching? This more rounded overview you achieve through study is beneficial both for yourself and any future employers.
Studying also really hones your ability to find relevant information and apply it to tasks at hand - the internet is a mine of information but at times it can be overwhelming, and even more often it can inaccurate if you look in the wrong places. However, whilst studying for a sound engineering qualification, you will quickly learn how to filter out irrelevant and incorrect information, and also how to cross reference and double check the quality of your sources. This ability it valuable in all areas of life, not just audio engineering! If you are in a working environment, being known as the man/woman who can quickly find accurate information is a definite bonus and increases your value in the workplace.
There are also the benefits of solidifying your practical knowledge with a theoretical framework. You may be well capable of plugging an XLR into a mic, but what about those 3 pins in the XLR - what are each of them doing? What is a balanced line and what is common mode rejection? How about polar patterns and the proximity effect? These are all things that are taking place when you are using a XLR and a microphone, and understanding how they work can only improve your abilities as an engineer.
Finally, the fun and social elements of studying should not be ignored. Learning about a subject you love is fun, although hard work at times. You also meet other people who have something in common with you and it is not uncommon for students to make lifelong friends when studying for a qualification - here at Audiocourses many of our ex-students stay in touch and often drop into our live workshops to talk to the new cohort and pass on advice as well as staying active on our forums. This 'networking' is an important part of most industries and audio engineering is no different.
If you are interested in online sound engineering qualifications then please take a look at the courses we offer.
