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timbo
Newbie

Joined: 23 Jun 2003
Posts: 8

Audio Sound Qualifications

Hello,

I'm looking for opinions/ advice.

I've completed the first part of a music technology/ audio recording course at a place called Islington Music Workshop. The course was extremely informative, as well as being incredibly cheap. I've earned a certificate from them and I'm hoping to get on their diploma course very soon, because I'm very satisfied (so far) with what my money has bought me.

The diploma on offer is advertised as being recognised by the "Royal society of Arts" (RSA for short). I'd like to know if anyone out there recognises the RSA - in terms of employability, will this hold any weight? I've got bags of enthusiasm, some non-paid experience, the will to learn in spades and I'm not even hung up on getting a job in the music industry (anything audio related would be a dream) but I'm aware that these things on their own aren't likely to get me a job - hence I'm trying to get qualified.

Would you take someone on with this diploma? or am I likely to need something else?

Any replies to this post would be welcome!

Cheers

Wed Feb 04, 2004 8:26 pm

wailingalleycat
Forum Manager

Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 694
Location: Jersey C.I (UK)

diploma in entertainment

poor Timbo he cries and he cries but no one replies - see im a poet too.

Hi

Ive heard of the RSA so they must mean something. If you enjoy the course then go for it, any diploma in entertainment will look good to an employer. Although get as much experience as posible coz that counts for more i would say. Like i was told when i first started sound engineering is easy to do but damn near impossible to master so keep at it.

If you have the determination and will to do it then theres no reason why you cant fulfill your dream.

Good Luck

-Paul
_________________
If In Doubt...Hit It With a Hammer, If Still In Doubt... Find a Bigger Hammer.

Sat Feb 07, 2004 3:18 am

timbo
Newbie

Joined: 23 Jun 2003
Posts: 8

heard of RSA

Thanks Wailing.

I guess the fact that you've heard of RSA is encouraging!

Cheers

Tue Feb 10, 2004 5:13 pm

AUdIoCoUrSeS

Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 2014

Audio Education - What's the Right Course?

Hi Timbo.

I waited a while before posting to see if anyone would come to your rescue, well done Wailing!

I'm not aware of the particular educational institution you mention but I will say that there are key things about audio education, or just education in general (wheather institutionalised or not) that are paramount to you being employable.

I have posted an article here that contains some thoughts.
http://www.audiocourses.com/article202.html

Please do keep posting guys, maybe some of you also have some stories of your college? Please do not mention actual colleges/schools though. But if you have specific tasks or assignments you thought were great, or useless, I'm sure many would be interested.

Thanks
_________________
It's all in the ears. - Learn the concepts not the software. Audio Courses is a way into the music business for you

Tue Feb 10, 2004 9:10 pm

timbo
Newbie

Joined: 23 Jun 2003
Posts: 8

record and mix one - the band

Thanks for the article, some interesting stuff there. As it happens the second part of the course I'm on will involve a practical project where each study group gets to record and mix one - the band (any band) get the studio time for free on the understanding that they may not get a finished product (If the students screw up, for instance!).

I guess the course I'm on really is tailored towards the budget end of the market (it will only last three months) so it may just be the first step on a long journey.

I have another question: for a unqualified/ recently qualified relative newb, how much does age play a part? I'm 24 now but I know that a lot of engineers start much earlier (remember I DON'T have my heart set on music recording). Is unpaid work experience my only option?

cheers

Tue Feb 10, 2004 11:09 pm

Will.W

Joined: 03 Oct 2002
Posts: 101
Location: NOTinfrontofcRuN

Courses and unpaid work

Hi Timbo,

Ive done a C&G in sound engineering(a very practical course).Ive now progressed to an HND in Sound eng. with multimedia integration.I have just started the final semeister.The course has had its ups and downs for me, but thats probably true of all courses.
You dont seem to know (or mind)what field you want to specialize in?I feel it is important to know what field or goal you wish to achieve.If you dont know you may choose the wrong course.If this is the case you may leave before the end ,wasting a lot of your time and effort!
That said,any kind of diploma will show a future employer that you are capable of working to a specified level.
If you check out a course try to speak to the students(not just lecturers and other staff).Make sure you talk to as many students as possible to get a 'balanced' picture.
It doesn't matter what age you are(a good set of ears is often required!)as long as you have experience and are capable of the job in hand.
Often,if you have connections in the music business,qualifications can often become irrelevant.(maybe others could comment on this?!? Question

)
Finally, from doing unpaid work , I have on many occasions gained paid work! Very Happy

Good luck!

Will

Wed Feb 11, 2004 10:42 pm

wailingalleycat
Forum Manager

Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 694
Location: Jersey C.I (UK)

hi again

did you all like my poetic splurge? lol.

well wen im 16 i plan on applying for a job at delta (a conferencing company) or the local arts centre, theatre. If they dont say yes ill offer to work for free and see if that helps and hopefully they see i know what im doing, and will enjoy my poetry (hehe) and will offer me money.

Reckon it will work?

keep it up Timbo
-Paul
_________________
If In Doubt...Hit It With a Hammer, If Still In Doubt... Find a Bigger Hammer.

Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:13 am

timbo
Newbie

Joined: 23 Jun 2003
Posts: 8

doing the C&G

Thanks guys.

I can see myself doing the C&G eventually.

You are right in your assumption that I'm not sure what field to specialise in - I guess that is part of my problem at the moment.

I have plenty of experience of theatre sound (design and operation) from uni and before that, but I'm a little scared of live sound. Also my passion IS music (I used to play in a band. How many times you heard that one?) but there again I'm also into films, TV and radio and I'm still trying to decide which appeals to me most.

Another consideration is how easy/ hard each field might be to break into and the chance of making any MONEY - I wish I didn't have to think about that but I've been sticking at an non audio-related job saving up for this course for well over a year, and if I leave it I'd better have some idea where my next rent cheque is coming from!

I've heard that some fields (namely video production, but others have been mentioned) pay better than others but lack the creative element of, say studio recording. This wouldn't matter to me as it would be at least in some way audio related, and I wouldn't feel like I was accruing work experience which was totally useless for what I want to do! At least that was my thinking up till now.

But I guess you're right, I need to start thinking about specialising. Maybe if what I really want to do is break into studio recording then that's what I should aim for instead of casting the net too wide. But hell, it's all so exciting!

Thanks again for your help guys. Good luck to you too Wailing!

Thu Feb 12, 2004 6:39 pm

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