Jobs
in recording studios - getting a job as an assistant
engineer
Getting
a job in a recording studio will be difficult but it
is not impossible and the key skills needed are determination
and drive. The skills of recording can be taught
but a key skill that is much harder to learn is attitude.
When
there is a job at a recording studio the number of people
to choose from is enormous so you must demonstrate that
you have a personality that shows you can get on with
people in the demanding and often stressful environment
you'll be working in. An ability to keep your
mouth shut and not offer advice to artists and producers
will be important, no one likes the kid know all.
You'll be there to help and assist by doing any number
of chores that you may find unfair, after all, you've
got maybe a degree and you 'know everything'.
As
mentioned on other pages, you may find that getting
in to a recording studio is near impossible in your
area. An alternative is to track down a record
producer or artist with their own private recording
studio, many would appreciate having someone help out
even if you do the washing up to start with. This
is a people business and having nice people around is
often much better than having no one around.
We
have produced hundreds or interviews with leading recording
engineers and record producers - many of these cover
how they got started on their career. If you take
time to watch these you can learn a lot. Maybe
they're quite a bit older than you so times have changed
but in most cases all of the advice is as true today
as it was then.
Visit
the record producers pages to choose the interviews that interest you and
remember, it was just as hard for them as it's going
to be for you but they show that it can be done.
One
thing that crops up on our recording
studio jobs forums are the qualifications needed.
Well, getting a degree is a fine thing but stop and
think before you commit yourself to a recording or production
degree. Ask yourself, 'can I use this degree if
I decide the business is not for me'? Also, is
having a recording degree going to offer any advantage?
Maybe, you could look at other degree's, possibly music,
possibly a science. We have met so many producers
with physics degrees it surprising!
Do
you need a degree at all? Many of us studdied
at the school of hard knocks. Having a determined
and single minded focus on getting to their goal motivated
them so much that they made it. This is one of
the most important things really, degrees are great
but no matter how many qualifications that you have,
unless you have the attitude and personality that fits
you won't get far.
Coventry like many leading universities now run excellent music technology and production degrees
OK,
so say you get a job in a studio, what can you expect
and how can you move forward? We will cover that
in the next articles but in a nutshell, you will be
working for peanuts doing all the jobs you hate and
unless you are driven you'll lose interest. Do
yourself a favour, think hard before you start out on
this career as so many people start with massive enthusiasm
and then it wears off, the novelty is gone and after
a while get out of the business. Do be absolutely
sure you want to put the effort in.
Market
yourself. Today, being good isn't enough.
You will need to make sure that once in a studio and
you are impressing people with your flair and results
that you keep an eye on self promotion. Even before
getting that far think about how to present yourself.
Sending a reply to a forum post offering a job with
'hi, I want a job, email me' will be an immediate turn
off. Find out where the job is, if it's within
range send a letter. Maybe send it in a 5 foot
envelope painted with pink spots - just get yourself
noticed and show creativity. We will go in to
this further on later pages.
Good
luck with your quest. Be sure it really is what
you want as the journey is long, tough and in so many
cases, unrewarding. However, if you put the work
in, keep focused and take advantage of the bits of good
luck that come your way, you could be the next George
Martin, Nile Rodgers, Gary Katz, Phil Ramone etc etc.
Our
own FORUM has helped a few people get some great jobs. You can
search our FORUM but remember that jobs don't just come to you, you need
to get out there and hussle! Keep an eye on when the
job ad was posted as some people reply to jobs that
were posted ages ago!
Major career links - please let us know of any good links that you find!
UK
Glamorgan University
Aberdeen College
Salford University
Guildford University
Coventry University
LIPA
De Montford University
Islington Music Workshop
University of Hertfordshire
BBC
Future Works
USA
Berklee College
Full Sail
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