KVR Audio

JacekPlacek · Post by **JacekPlacek** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 2:04 am

Hi everyone,

Basically I am writing here to tap into any information anyone may have on this forum regarding "quality" schools for music production. I have been researching this for some time. I live in the east bay, close to San Francisco - and I am desperately looking for the best possible/affordable schools either within my vicinity - or at least California. Also I am wondering from all the people that are in the music industry how important (if at all) a name of a school is in reference to career oppurtunities, and also how certificates/programs/diploma's/accredations all factor in the career process as well (what is favored more over the others). I have a few colleges I have been looking into and will have to make a decision soon about where to go and how much to spend etc etc. Here are some of my choices:

1. the MRI program at SFSU-CEL
Though this is the most cheapest, it also offers the least it seems in field related hands-on technical training. It is more tailored to music business tna production.

2. SAE in Los Angeles
I just happened to stumble upon this institute and it seems to deliver quite graciously in regards to hands on technical traing and very up to date. I do believe it is a private funded institute running at around 17K for the 9-17 month program. I really seem to like it more than anything else but am wondering if it is transeferable/accredited and how this fares to actual college certified course work????

3. I have also heard of FullSail, which I haven't researched yet - but have heard a great deal about. If anyone has relivant info please do share.

Basically I want to cover all my bases, as many aspiring artists do-- so thats why I am asking everyone here to supply any info they may have (personal, hearsay, etc) regarding these schools or any others I did not mention. What I am looking for of course is curriculmn, job placement, and also affordablity ( Expressions in Emeryville is WAY too expensive for me hence why I didn't mention it). Thank you for reading this and putting in your 2 cents everyone. Take care

~Jacek

Hink · Post by **Hink** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 2:11 am

full sail is very good

o'malley · Post by **o'malley** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 2:13 am

My friend is going to Expressions, in Emeryville next year. He's told me good things about it. Apperently they they have the one of the best facillitys in the US.

Hink · Post by **Hink** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 2:21 am

they advertise one of these cheapie schools here...they show a guy with a wool cap pulled over his ears, some dunce over a beatbox, monitors on their side....and not that it's a bad thing but the software they show is cool edit (not AA)...

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 2:43 am

I know someone personally who went to Full Sail as well so a 'someone who knows someone' who went there as well. One is a mastering engineer, the other does live sound now. I've heard only but good thigns about Full Sail for sound. For video games, forget about it. You can't teach how to program games in a few months, and have met someone who has done their video game program. Wasn't impressed with his programming knowledge.

Devon

The Chase · Post by **The Chase** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 2:47 am

Im going to the arts institute in boston that has a badass audio production course

Hink · Post by **Hink** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 2:54 am

Chase Altertone wrote:Im going to the arts institute in boston that has a badass audio production course

uhm...ahh...hmmm...nevermind....

The Chase · Post by **The Chase** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 2:59 am

do you have something to say, hink?

Hink · Post by **Hink** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 3:03 am

Chase Altertone wrote:do you have something to say, hink?

I'll have to wait for that commercial to come on again, frankly I don't remember the name...but hey if you're up here you better damn site drop me a line...

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 3:10 am

I am a student with only 3 months left at SAE in Nashville. And I'll tell you that I'm very pleased.

First of all, job wise, SAE is great. With the Nashville school, they have requirements from the state as to what percentage of students have to be placed in a job. The number is about 70%.

Here's an example. Me, for instance. Just because I'm a student at SAE, I'm about to start interning at a studio here in Nashville that has recorded the likes of Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, and many more. Seems like school has paid off so far.

But with that aside, I will say that in comparison to Full Sail, cost is definately in SAE's favor. Full Sail is WAY more expensive. The difference is that at FS you get a Bachelor's Degree of sorts, instead of just a diploma.

But here's the plain truth, and I get this from my own lurkings around Nashville and solid conversations with studio owners, managers, engineers, and more that are VERY active here in Nashville. A Bachelor's degree doesn't matter much in most cases. Plain and simple, you just have to know your stuff. You need to learn ProTools, which as of this year, SAE provides a laptop with PT system as part of enrollment, as well as Digidesign Certification as part of the curriculum.

Also, you need to know signal flow. That is key when it comes to any major studio. If you don't know signal flow, you don't know jack about Neve, SSL, high-end Mackie consoles, all of which are taught at SAE. You will also be taught everything from electronics to MIDI to mastering and business to studio management and so much more.

If you are going into video games music, however, the Bachelor's degree will likely help you. However, it's an INTENSE job and VERY long hours and LOTS of deadlines.

Yes, I'm very much in support of SAE, but not because I am paid by them of course. I've just enjoyed my stay there. You might want to check specifically in your SAE there in LA because a few things in the curriculum may be different. But it will likely teach the same essentials.

Going to school is one of the only ways to really get to get into the "industry" these days. Some places won't let you intern(most, in fact) unless you are a student. At least in the "industry".

If you have any other questions, please ask. I'll do what I can. And good luck!

Koolkeys

The Chase · Post by **The Chase** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 3:10 am

oh. They dont show any commercials for the one here. silly

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 3:13 am

Oh, and the SAE in Nashville is now federally accredited, but I don't believe the LA one is yet. But when it comes to transferrability, I don't know how much would transfer. I don't see why you would really need more after you are done though.

You did get the price correct, and there is primarily hands on training with ALL the equipment, which is crucial. And SAE is very cutting edge.

Koolkeys

ahja · Post by **ahja** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 4:25 am

I went to full sail some years ago. It was a good time... Got to touch some really impressive gear that I'll probably never touch again. If you are willing to learn, it's a pretty good school. Beware there are a lot slackers that go there who pay big dollars, but ditch class or talk the whole time... really stupid, and can be very distracting. No offense to anyone who may take offense to this, but most of em were dudes who just wanted to make rap beats, and release big records.

To really benifit from Full Sail you need to talk to you instructors, and be very interesting in what they are telling, else its a snoozer. Was nice living in Orlando, of course. Pretty cheap to live... and most apartment complexes offer student discounts since Full Sail does not have housing for their students.

One of the best things about the school, atleast for me, was finding like minded people who you could actually sit down and talk to about elborate audio nonesense. Yeh, It's nerdy, but if you enjoy doing this stuff as much as me... Well... Yeh.

If you have any specific questions... Feel free to ask here, or PM. Ah, and beware... Just like any 'audio school', don't expect to be sitting next to some attractive girl. They were all in the film studies.

PS. Can't tell, but I've had a few drinks tonight... I apologize if I make no sense.

mgcollins21 · Post by **mgcollins21** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 3:46 pm

I went to Full Sail. Don't expect to learn how to make great mixes, we had very little time to do that. They basically trained us how to be good audio interns. If you don't want to work your way up the industry ladder, this is not a school for you. If you want to learn good production techniques, stay with KVR and teach yourself, you'll save yourself $50,000.

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 4:40 pm

I agree, that most of what you learn could be learned elsewhere. However, if you want to work in the "industry", then you need to learn the gear they use. And going to a school is the only way of doing that.

SAE is like FS in the fact that it isn't comprehensive on anything, although you will improve mixes going there. But as was said, to get somewhere in the industry, you need to know how to be a good intern and do the grunt work. Yes, you really do have to get bagels and coffee for the engineer in the morning, and refill the snack room for the clients, and wrap 200 cables at the end of the day. So regardless of what school you go to, you still have to work your way on up the ladder. And if you're not willing to do that, then this isn't the INDUSTRY for you.

Koolkeys

Music Production Schools?