Where to study?

So, I'm going to finish secondary school next year and I'm looking where to study. Maybe any of you have any suggestions? I'd like to study something so I would learn sound design, mixing and mastering maybe so that later I could work as a sound designer or/and a music composer. But actually i'm interested in everything related to audio and electronic music. I'd prefer to study in Europe but if anyone knows something in other places, please share, I might change my mind. Oh and I only know english. Help me please!! Thank you.

Study to become an Audio/Sound Designer for video games and movies. That's what I do. Yay.

yay that's perfect. I'd love that. But where do you do that?

I study at the University but I would stay as far away from the University as possible if I was you, because University professors are not creative people and having non-creative teachers teach Audio Design is just one big contradiction. I don't know what the possibilities of studying Audio Design in Lithuania are but just make sure that wherever you end up studying focuses on the production rather on the theory because you can't use theory for jack shit if you don't know how to produce sound and vice versa of course. But producing is of course a lot more fun than reading about producing. If you end up studying it at let's say the University and it turns out to be rather heavily focused on theory then make sure to get attached to as many non-school projects as possible. I've been fortunate enough to make music and sound on animated movies, promos, viral videos and so on while studying and it has taught me a lot more than any lecture or project at the University ever has. Of course I've learned a bunch about different mics, hard disk recorders, reverbs, and so on and school related projects have taught me about creating sound designs but these assignments are always bound to certain criterias that you have to follow and they end up being a pain in the ass because you can't just do whatever you want to do. Plus you'll most likely have to write a huge paper about the audio design when you're done with the project. So make sure to keep yourself above water by focusing on audio projects that are not related to any school projects because these projects are a lot closer to real life situations than the ones they put together at the University. At least that's what I've experienced throughout my years studying but I'm almost done and I can't fucking wait to get out of school.

If you find any schools in Lithuania where you can study Audio/Sound Design then post them here. A friend of mine has just been accepted to a school where he will study Audio/Sound Communcation and instead of getting a regular bachelor in this he'll get a professional bachelor's degree which means that the education will focus a lot on producing rather than theory.

I have no idea whether or not anything I just wrote helps but feel free to ask any questions you may have :)

Whoaa. Yeah thanks a lot. I have experienced this myself. I've learned much more from making music than from reading books about how to make it. But it helped too. I probably still wouldn't know how compressor works if i hadn't read any books.

In Lithuania there's absolutely nothing about audio at all. There's like one course and I know a guy who finished it and I already have many times more knowledge than him. The only way for me is to go abroad, obviously.

What I would like to know is the exact place where you're studying if that's not a secret . And if possible that place where your friend has been accepted . I don't know any schools or courses so I would really appreciate some recomendations.

The tonmeister degree at surrey uni in the UK is very highly regarded apparently

I was looking at this myself not so long ago. never went to uni and figured now is as good a time as any. Got put off but the cost in the end, stuff aint cheep!

there are loads of options all over the UK, offering all kinda different experiences. some are pretty specialist on certain aspects of audio engineering, while some offer a more all encompassing attitude. Just depends what you're particularly interested in learning, would be worth just checking out some websites and see what takes your fancy.

here's a couple Ive heard about, loads more though..

http://www.nftsfilm-tv.ac.uk/?module=Frontpage National Film and Television School, just outside London. more focused towards sound for films, sound design etc.

http://www.alchemea.com/ Alchemea, London, supposed to be very good, also supposed to be very expensive

http://www.s-s-r.com/ SSR in Manchester & London, have a friend who went in Manchester, said it was worth while, came out with a lot of good contacts too.

http://www.acm.ac.uk/ ACM in Guildford. I think it's a little less intense than some others, not quite as pricey either.

http://london.sae.edu/en-gb/home/ SAE, again in London, good reputation, again very high fees.

There are also universities that have audio engineering courses, not sure which ones mind.

as people have already mentioned on here, a lot of this stuff can be learned by yourself. In my opinion, a lot of what you pay for is that opportunity to log hours on proper desks and studio kit, the chance to make some contacts, and the word "degree' on your CV. while it's definately no promise of industry work, it can help to get your foot in the door, and if it's something well respected like SAE or Alchemea, it counts for quite a lot, to some people anyway.

personally I'd really like to go to Berklee in Boston, the courses look amazing, have heard a lot of good things from people who've been, and I like the city itself. If only I could scrounge together the TENS OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS I'd need in order to go :(

best of luck whatever you decide!

Listen to Squee... you can learn a LOT at school, but you need to apply it. Best case scenario? Do both!

What I loved about school, was that I lived and breathed it with people that wanted the same... heavy exchange of ideas and information.... inspiration and even some good spirited competition to push you.

I went to Berklee, in Boston. They have a great audio department (2 actually... one is Music Production and Engineering which is heavily focused on recording live players, and then there was Electronic Production and Design, (it was called Music Synthesis, when I was there... I like synth better!) which covers all sorts of things, from production, sound design, midi/audio, etc. I highly recommend it!

Here are the EPD courses . Check out the rest of that website to see the studios, labs, equipment, faculty, etc etc

Good luck man!

you could come to Seattle and hit up Shoreline Community College for a music tech degree of your choosing. As a bonus welcoem tooda USA gift I'll buy you a cold beer and miniature flag.

Adam; you seem quite accomplished in regard to knowledge and maturity in electronic music and sound design. Perhaps you should find someone who you respect and approach them with a proposal for some sort of apprenticeship. You can pay them well for their time and expertise and in the end it will still be significantly cheaper than what you would spend going to school.

I went to school for music and were I to do it again I would heavily consider devoting the money spent on school on private tutorship instead. If you can find someone who makes a living doing the things you aspire to why not dedicate yourself to them? They will provide plenty of wisdom and guidance. They can direct you towards each of the subjects you ought to be focusing on. I think this is good plan of action if you are a highly motivated individual with the discipline to study a variety of subjects independently.

That being said, the main advantages I got from my time at school were the studio resources and equipment, the wide variety of teachers, the library, and, perhaps most importantly, the community of like-minded people. I cant stress the importance of constantly being in the presence of like-minded people.

ya if i were to say anything from experience it would be to stay away from school. it was extremely disappointing for me, you just can't teach the stuff we watmmers are into. and soooooooo much can be learned from books and the internet (youtube!) and i personally found i took away way more from those resources than i did from my schooling.

if i were to do it again i'd put my money towards a real career, and if you are truly meant to be in music you will naturally get back to it. but if you are going to go to school, it should be for something that you can use as a backup plan. i know that may seem like giving up but i can't tell you how hard it is working a blue collar job and staying motivated to write your music.

check out local workshops and clinics too if there are ever any. i also like wall bird's recommendation to just find a tutor, maybe be a go-for getting coffee for some guys at a recording studio, just being a part of the process would be so beneficial. i found one myself through school, this guy carl and i were tight, sort of the black sheep around those parts, and i learned so much just hanging out with the guy (about music and just life in general).

just my 2¢.

I'm with the other peeps here. I went to school for a couple of years studying Sound Recording Technology at Texas State University. It was really fucking cool, I learned a lot, and I regret nothing, but I can't heartily recommend it. University is great for connections and some specific things, but all the real knowledge comes from elsewhere.

The best thing you can do is just make friends who are doing stuff you think is cool and try to talk with people you admire. Ask questions, play with projects, and get on board with things that are even a little out of your league. Look for an internship somewhere even.

school nearly ruined my original passion/medium of self-expression (computer science). i'd stay the fuck away from school

  On 7/20/2011 at 3:21 AM, Wall Bird said:

Adam; you seem quite accomplished in regard to knowledge and maturity in electronic music and sound design. Perhaps you should find someone who you respect and approach them with a proposal for some sort of apprenticeship. You can pay them well for their time and expertise and in the end it will still be significantly cheaper than what you would spend going to school.

this. find a master

Way too many people do music/media and other waste things in Uni which is just stoopid 'cause there simply aren't the jobs out there. Do something where there's a demand such as Engineering. Don't waste your time on some fantasy course.

  On 7/20/2011 at 10:46 AM, Promo said:

Way too many people do music/media and other waste things in Uni which is just stoopid 'cause there simply aren't the jobs out there. Do something where there's a demand such as Engineering. Don't waste your time on some fantasy course.

Not true. You just have to realise that you won't be making explosion sound effects 24/7. Everything needs sound effect. I can't think of any media whether it is technology media, movies, games and so on, that doesn't make use of sound. Sound is the best feedback element you can implement into technology and interactive entertainment because contrary to the rest of your senses you use for these interactive medias your hearing is the only thing that is constantly being used. You can close your eyes but you can't close your ears, right?

I think the reason why you would say that there aren't any jobs out there is because sound is so overlooked in the final product. Not in the sense that the producers haven't focused on it but you have to remember that sound must not steal the focus. Audio is most of the time still just a subconscious element. Sound needs to work together with the visuals. If sound takes over then you're fucked. Luckily, more and more people are starting to realise this which is why audio design educations are booming at the moment.

hehe promo is not that wrong I suppose.

there is this argument from students: yeah man I wanna be creative and free as a bird n shit. Cmon, It depends where you are: University will rather give you a classic approch to education: theory theory theory, escpacially if you go for engineering in "audio what not".

Its a technical skill, lets face it, creativity comes after it. Therefore you have to get involved in practical shit with ppl, you know.

The advantage is: you get a paper that is worth something and is internationally accepted (or should be).

If you go to fantasy collage this might not be the case. If you are an engineer in the first place, you are enabled to more jobs, even for those you don't want, in the frist place, but they can hold you above the surface, if you struggle. It will bring you in a better position to get the job you want. If you go for fanboyism, to workship some god, be sure not to fuck his girlfriend, train the duck face as kissing asses might be appropriate, as a generic lifeskill, but how probabl is that to find that someone? Its just not realistic. Even if, you get his fantasy paper, nobody gives a shit about. so my pro tip: listen to your mom, go classic. anyways good luck.

music/media is very hard to get into job wise and its often more a case of who you know rather than what you know

best bet is to get as much knowledge over a good range if technical things from production to live sound as see where it takes you

you can always focus on what you want to do in your own time but to get feet in doors you have to gain experience, get around and meet people in the industry

And what better way to get to know people than to go to school with hundreds of them?

Huddersfield Uni is supposed to be one of the best for this kinda thing. Horrible, dreary little town though...

  On 7/20/2011 at 3:18 PM, Kcinsu said:

And what better way to get to know people than to go to school with hundreds of them?

Yep, exactly - but don't expect things to come to you. You'll have to actively seek out people who need your help, because people don't realise how important sound is until they've heard good sound.

Whoa. Thanks a lot guys. Some really good advices here.

@Techdiff

SSR looks great. And those Industry Courses aren't that expensive. They won't give me an academic degree though, but I don't really need it anyway. I know there are some great academic courses in UK but that would cost me about 10k pounds a year. That's way too much.

@Kcinsu and Luke Viia

Thanks, if possible I'll try to find something in Europe. Berklee looks really great though. But it's expensive as hell isn't it? I can't find the prices.

@Wall Bird

Thanks a lot! Finding a tutor is actually an interesting idea. My good friend makes living from sound and music and also is one of like 3 best producers in Lithuania. I'll ask him what he thinks about it. After all I need knowledge, experience and conections, not a piece of paper.

@Promo

no.

And I don't really need a degree or something. But I need to do something after finishing secondary school, I can't stay at home and keep learning from books and youtube. If anyone would offer me a good right job now I would even quit school lol. And studying at university could give me right conections, experience and knowledge. And I also would like to get out of my country.

  On 7/20/2011 at 12:10 PM, schlucharski said:

hehe promo is not that wrong I suppose.

there is this argument from students: yeah man I wanna be creative and free as a bird n shit. Cmon, It depends where you are: University will rather give you a classic approch to education: theory theory theory, escpacially if you go for engineering in "audio what not".

 

Its a technical skill, lets face it, creativity comes after it. Therefore you have to get involved in practical shit with ppl, you know.

The advantage is: you get a paper that is worth something and is internationally accepted (or should be).

If you go to fantasy collage this might not be the case. If you are an engineer in the first place, you are enabled to more jobs, even for those you don't want, in the frist place, but they can hold you above the surface, if you struggle. It will bring you in a better position to get the job you want. If you go for fanboyism, to workship some god, be sure not to fuck his girlfriend, train the duck face as kissing asses might be appropriate, as a generic lifeskill, but how probabl is that to find that someone? Its just not realistic. Even if, you get his fantasy paper, nobody gives a shit about. so my pro tip: listen to your mom, go classic. anyways good luck.

Thanks. And my mom doesn't recomend me to go classic.

  On 7/20/2011 at 3:31 PM, Squee said:

  On 7/20/2011 at 3:18 PM, Kcinsu said:

And what better way to get to know people than to go to school with hundreds of them?

 

Yep, exactly - but don't expect things to come to you. You'll have to actively seek out people who need your help, because people don't realise how important sound is until they've heard good sound.

this is true but don't expect more than 10% of the class to gain any substantial carreer from this

I've met a few post grads who can tell you the impedence of a line signal but can't get a simple projector to work or dare touch a lighting console with more than 10 faders

fingers in pie's is the way to go until a door opens and dont be duped into impressive looking nowhere courses with shit you can easily pick up yourself as the education system is big business rather than academic excellence especially with tuition fees the way they are

Well whatever you guys say I hold to my view that media/music/sound is a waste subject. Sure it may be fun but basically there's infinitely more supply than demand for creatives. Be smart and get a degree in Engineering. Trust me I would have. I work for a big Oil & Gas company and you know what they're short of Engineers. A lot of them are 60+ and there aren't as many youngens around. And you know what these guys earn ridiculous amounts of money per hour ... £60-65!! Now tell me that ain't a smarter decision.