Growing as a sound engineer!

[Hana Suarez]

Hi I'm going to be a sound engineer.
I'm fifteen years old and had the opportunity to graduate early. I'm using this time now to get internships and gain as much knowledge about the audio/music world. There's sort of three questions/requests here so those'll be bold.

My primary interest is live shows, but I'm enthusiastic about any type of job. Mixing for podcasts/television/studio records, live sound setup/operation/mixing, tracking/recording for an independent artist or studio, touring with bands to be on their audio team.

What I'm proficient in so far: I already mix for two separate bands. One is completely live, the other is live as well but I'm solely handling their livestream mix. I know how to set up a PA system, patching cables, operating mixing boards and all that. I can basically set up for a small venue and operate it. At the live band venue I'm at now 90% of the time I can solve any problems without having to call my mentor up for some advice. Setup to record/use DAWS. I can mix tracks as well but am still practicing.

Just to be clear, I am NOT looking for schools to go to. Seems like an absolute waste. That said, feel free if you want to drop any free resources for me to practice or other handy things.
Already utilizing free tools but I'm always down to check out new stuff that might help me.

So, what are things that I should pick up and know about? I know networking is half the battle, so that's already a huge thing on my list. But in any situation, I like to have a lot of tools in my belt. Doesn't directly need to be mixing/engineering technique related. Maybe some of you work with sound guys and think "yeah it'd be convenient if they knew this." Stuff like instrument/gear repair, quick trick/fixes/substitutes if something goes wrong instrument or gear side, soldering cables, getting experience with different types of software/hardware. I don't know, you tell me

For those of you in the field, I won't turn an ear if you also want to leave something you wish you would've known.

[Forgotten]

Sounds like you’re doing a lot of things right already - nothing beats experience and making contacts.

I agree with you on schools - you might learn something worthwhile when you’re there, but I think your time is way better spent gaining real world experience. However, I’d say never stop learning - there’s always more to learn, and always someone who has knowledge to give.

Lots of things are really worthwhile learning, especially troubleshooting and repairs - learn how to solder, test simple circuits, and how to pull a working rig together from less than ideal gear.

I think you’re off to a good start and should keep doing what you’re doing. You already have a lot of good ideas, so just keep thinking that way.

[vurt]

at 15 this probably isnt helpful, but in the next few years, definitely something you'll need.

make sure you have a passport and are ready to travel. you dont know if one of those bands you are already with might get a gig international.

but as forgotten says, you sound like you're on the right track. adding the basic electronics will certainly be helpful.
as is driving.

and as you say yourself networking is a big part of it, as is the willingness to do anything needed.
yeah you may well be an awesome engineer, but we need some cable runners...
show willing on the less exciting jobs, it's a foot in the door

[Obsolete317542]

[DELETED]

[funky lime]

School is not just for information. School is for meeting people who share your passions, for meeting future business partners, for meeting people who can change your life. Whether or not those resources are an "absolute waste" is up to you, but some may disagree.

[Hana Suarez]

School is not just for information. School is for meeting people who share your passions, for meeting future business partners, for meeting people who can change your life. Whether or not those resources are an "absolute waste" is up to you, but some may disagree.

I know. This was my kinda of iffy moment about considering college, but from what I'm getting is it's mostly for networking. Maybe not a waste for other people, but I've already got a few connections. Offering to do anything on site as long as I can sit in and pick up a few things. I just think in my position getting anywhere from 50-78 thousand dollars in debt is a trap, plus my time training me on what I know and a little more when I could've been building a reputation and cultivating relationships. Not saying they can't teach me anything or that I know better people, but is it worth it? Not for me I think.

[vurt]

School is not just for information. School is for meeting people who share your passions, for meeting future business partners, for meeting people who can change your life. Whether or not those resources are an "absolute waste" is up to you, but some may disagree.

I know. This was my kinda of iffy moment about considering college, but from what I'm getting is it's mostly for networking. Maybe not a waste for other people, but I've already got a few connections. Offering to do anything on site as long as I can sit in and pick up a few things. I just think in my position getting anywhere from 50-78 thousand dollars in debt is a trap, plus my time training me on what I know and a little more when I could've been building a reputation and cultivating relationships. Not saying they can't teach me anything or that I know better people, but is it worth it? Not for me I think.

i would agree, in your position you're already getting a fair bit of what college would offer.
plus, a few years from now you can always take a few years out and do college as an older student.
but if you're getting actual experience and contacts, college would in this instance get in the way.

"oh sorry, cant do those two weeks on tour, ive got an assignment due..."

[rifftrax]

Look for clever ways of adding automation programming into your process.

Even if it's just lua scripting within a daw that supports it (like Reaper).

It will become a method of adding value that separates you even further from other sound engineers. I wish I had known how insanely powerful Python chops would be years ago for almost any task.

You're doing quite well for 15.

[codec_spurt]

...

[Kelvina00]

How has it gone? Are you getting anywhere?