How many of you went to school for sound?

Question

I was curious how many of you went to school (and where about if so) and how many of you picked up your craft in another way (how so?).

Cheers!

Answer 1

I went to NZFTT Film School in Christchurch in 1990 - my theory is this: if you are going to be a film sound editor, then you need to learn to be a film maker. Sound may be your chosen field, but to actively collaborate in the process of film making you need to have at least a basic understanding of all the other roles....

Answer 2

This might be a little long winded, but I think I have likely some interesting and unique insight to the question and the information you seek.

Well, I never attended school for Audio (sort of,like I said... my situation is a bit unique). I started making "Industrial" music (music made mostly with found sounds, samplers, synthesizers and effects) and started working in recording studios by the time I was 17. I realized that I loved sound for picture just as much due to it's similarities with the type of music I was making, where the entire world of sound is your instrument. It took me a while before I was able to secure employment (in the audio industry) where I could get by financially and it took several (re: many unpaid and low paid) internships, but I really value my experiences and I think I made the most of them.

I started this on the cusp of "Recording Engineering Schools" becoming a prominent and now almost "accepted" thing. I essentially grew up in Winter Park, FL. Which is the home to Full Sail. When I was 18/19 I wanted to go there but I couldn't afford it and thus couldn't attend. I spent the next 10 years working in Music and Post studios, working in a synth museum, getting my hands on any project I could (hopefully it paid). Did sound design for ride installations at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, Disney World... Industrial work for Lockheed Martin. Actually, a lot of what I did was on the cusp of many other things as well. When I first started it was the mid-90's and the advent of Analog to Digital... and I was in a decent growth market area that then crashed hard after 9/11. I got to learn the best of both technologies, see the struggle to adapt to these seriously new technologies, then the struggle to adapt to the new economy. It's been rough, but I've learned a lot and I'm still here.

10 Years after my start at the synth museum at 17 I was then called upon to go teach audio post at Full Sail. So oddly, after 10 years of wanting to go there, I finally got my "Full Sail" experience, except it was from the other side of the desk. And being someone who had to beg and fight for every scrap of info that they learned over the previous 10 years; from observing the students there over the course of 2.5 years teaching there... I have realized that an education (no matter what your focus/major is) is only what you make of it. I had amazing students that were sponges trying to soak up every bit of info that any of us had to offer and then there were students that felt like they didn't have to work for it or that they were entitled because of how much money they paid to be there. Some I would hire, some I wouldn't. It really depends on a multitude of things.

One major flaw that many of the students had was that after they graduated they thought they were "experts". A formal education is only an introduction. Almost any profession (and especially Audio) is a craft that is mostly learned "hands-on" through trial and error. It's 1/2 Science and 1/2 Art. Hence why we are an internship/apprentice based industry that hasn't had a traditional "formal education/curriculum" until the past 15 years. What it really is is an opportunity to get your hands on equipment that only the combined tuition of many students can buy. The chance to soak up information from a mass group of experienced professionals centrally located in one area where if you really dig and push them for it, you can learn even more than the average student. It's a chance to have an accelerated opportunity to learn things in 2 years that took me 4-6yrs on my own out in the real world. It's also a chance to meet people that you may spend the rest of your life working with.

It's far too common for instructors/teachers to be apathetic, especially if they've been in the industry and educational field for a while and/or if they're underpaid. If you don't care about your education, neither will they. If you fight for it you will earn their respect and they will go above and beyond for you. Some of them will initially go the extra mile and try and get you interested (I am/was one of those teachers), but you really only get one shot with that. You have to want to make the most of it and no one can care for you. I've seen students graduate on to massive Hollywood films and Academy Awards and Platinum Records to ex-students who now work at Fast Food joints. It's all what you make of it.

If I were considering hiring anyone to work for me the things I would consider is whether or not they pay attention, how well they listen, how dedicated they are, how much do they care about the quality of their work and are they capable of learning how to improve these things? I could care less if your work isn't groundbreaking as long as you have the aptitude to listen and learn. You could be the next Ben Burtt, but if you can't listen, learn, or you're apathetic to work ethic or you have an ego the size of Russia, then I'd rather have someone with less experience, that might not be able to pull it off 100% yet... but can be trained and encouraged. Work ethic and comprehension go a long way. Skills and experience help as well, but they can also be a drawback.

In the end, in reality all it still really boils down to is "how well do you know your stuff, how good of a job can you do, how well can you listen and learn as well as how fast can you do it and for what price?"

A degree means nothing if you can't use it to your advantage. Sure, it may show some people you're dedicated and can complete a project (even if that project is simply your degree program). The situation may make you contacts and it may accelerate the amount of time you spend learning certain concepts, but if you still suck after that or you didn't and don't take advantage of your opportunities then none of it matters.

Anyways... that's my shiny two cents from someone who's been on both sides of the desk from a rather unique perspective.

Answer 3

Currently a student at Vancouver Film School's Sound Design Program.

Answer 4

Great site, great posts and a good honest, sincerely helpful vibe. I wanted to switch careers and looked into a few programs, the SAE, IAR, Tuoro and The Recording Connection (being in nyc).

Went to all the schools, sat in on classes, did my due diligence, talked to as many working folks in the field and felt that the Recording Connection was the most direct, affordable route.

The institution behind the RC has problems, I'm well aware. But I think they're approach and methodology is sound. I could be totally wrong about this.

Answer 5

Never went to school for audio.

I had played the guitar from age 5 to present and came down to Los Angeles after graduating high-school a year early when I was 17 in hopes to "make it" in the entertainment industry. I gave myself a year before I went back home with my tail between my legs to go start college. I immediately got a job renovating a music studio and asked if I could work there and got declined because they wanted "already trained professionals". I then continued nagging and showing up and persistently demonstrated I wanted to learn and they hired me. I started as a recordist and now I'm a re-recording mixer and ADR mixer here, as well as a fully trained music recordist and mixer with many albums under my belt. My musical ear has been a huge leg up on my learning and training and all of my training has been apprenticeships and learning on the job - no film school, no audio school, never went back home to start college. I've been here ever since and never looked back.

Answer 6

I attended Columbia College Chicago graduated with a BA in Film and Video. They have a concentration of Audio for Visual Media but I took sound classes of my own choosing. They also have a BA in Audio Arts and Acoustics witha concentration in Audio for Visual Media.

Answer 7

I graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1992 with a degree in Music Production & Engineering. The knowledge and experiences I gained from that major set me on the path to post-production sound, first for commercials and television and eventually to feature films and games.

Answer 8

I completed the Master Recording Program at the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences. It's a full-time, fast-paced, intensive 10 month (approx.) program that focuses more so on the art of capturing quality sound at the source (mic techniques, phase alignment, wave theory, etc.) than sound design, per se. Much more emphasis on music production than on-set or post-production audio, but they do set aside 3 weeks dedicated to post (introductions to ADR, Foley, sync, etc.). The internship placement program is a nice bonus, as well. Plus, it's one of the last remaining schools to teach analog alongside digital. Even though analog is basically dead to the post world, I would argue that having that understanding of how things are/were done in the analog realm can give you a leg up, or at the very least, a greater understanding of the different levels of a constantly evolving medium and how those levels relate to each other (not to mention, a huge heaping amount of respect for the ground-breakers that came before us, that we all try so hard to emulate, that cut all of their work on tape). I recommend, however, you're only going to take away as much as you're willing to put in because they cram in an immense amount of knowledge in such a short time span that if you try to coast your way through it you won't be successful. From there, it was a mixture of luck, timing, skill, persistence, and attitude that helped land me my gig at a post-production studio in L.A. that handles mostly network television and indie film. Being a musician, I already had a base understanding of sound, but without school I would not be where I am today (partially because I wouldn't have had the confidence to move across the country chasing a "dream" job) and more importantly, now I'll never have to wait tables again! (*knocks on wood)

Answer 9

Nope and it hasn't hurt my career at all.

I often say, "College was the best twenty weeks of my life". As far as sound goes either you've got that creative spark or you don't. If you don't then no amount of school is going to help you. The vast majority of my favorite sound designers and FX editors have little or no formal schooling at all.

Answer 10

I did an undergrad BA in film and tv at Queensland College of Art, then a MA in Sound Design at AFTRS (Australian Film, TV and Radio School). People seem to put down film school, but good teachers and a flexible/up-to-date curriculum can really funnel that knowledge into your head.

Answer 11

I did a National Diploma in "Popular Music", and a BA in "Music, Technoloy and Innovation". Most of this time was spent playing around with different microphones, hardware and Software packages and gaining confidence in using them. We also learnt alot about acoustics which I do still think about when working.

I have certainly learnt more since working in the real world. But to get those real world jobs you need to be able to prove that you are interested in the area that you want to work in. Qualifications do help this, but are not a guarantee to get the job.

After Uni, I interned a few times and ran alot of my own sound recording projects, set up a blog and podcast just to show employers I am interested in what I am doing. I then started to do unpaid projects with other people to build contacts and experience. This was the most important part of my CV and receives alot of attention during interviews.

I think going to University gave me the confidence to go out and build my portfolio and experience. If I hadn't have gone to University I would probably not have gone down a different route. But that is how I am and the opportunities that I have had. I have met many other people who haven't been to University and still do a great job at what they do.

Answer 12

I received a BA in Sound Design/Audio Post-Production from Emerson College in Boston, MA.

While the classes were alright, I learned the most by spending my weekends in the school's studios and out on set. Academics can only prep you so much for what goes on in the real world, and by simply getting out and doing it, you can learn much more.

Answer 13

I am in my graduation year for around 4 years... I still need to pass 2 classes! I was in the Music Technology and Acoustics department in Crete, Greece. I am happy i was there cause i got all the necessary knowledge i needed afterwards.

I am still not interested to get my diploma though cause it has actually not value at all... I learned afterwards that diplomas are not valuable, but knowledge is! (of course that is my point of view and might not apply for other countries / personalities)

Answer 14

It was the school of hard (loud?) knocks for me.

I studied Computers in college and worked as a programmer (finance industry), for a while. Then quit and interned for free on the picture editing side of an indie film. Then I moved over to sound (I always knew I was more interested in sound than picture). After that, I volunteered my time at a small NYC studio in exchange for access to equipment late at night. I struck a deal at that studio where I could bring in late night clients if the studio got 50% and I still worked days for free.

Eventually I got a pro-tools rig and paying day jobs and became a free-lancer in NYC. Got into games by luck. Now I mostly do game audio, but still do the occasional audio post or scoring gig.

Answer 15

I'm nearly finished my Masters Degree in Sound for the Moving Image at the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland. I Studied Music technology for my undergrad course.
The Biggest piece of advice i could offer you is that altough courses give you the knowledge and to some extent practical know how - it wont guarentee you a job.
College will give you the understanding to know what you're talking about on set or in the studio but dont proclaim you're any sort of expert once you leave. there is a HUUUUUGE difference between real like and college life and i think thats something that people have to recognise. most of the people i did my undergrad with dont have jobs in the industry because they werent given a job on a plate when they left - in a sad way it is about who you know, but thats only to get your foot in the door, once you are recognised your work will speak for itself. :)

Hope that helps!

Answer 16

Still deciding on a school. I've wanted to attend Vancouver Film School's SD program for a while now, but I don't think as an American student I'll be able to secure any loans, which is such a shame... Still looking into it.

Does anybody on here have any unbiased opinions/experiences with Video Symphony in LA? I've heard good and bad. Seems mostly geared toward to the technical side of things with very little sound design/film-post training. I feel like I've looked at every audio school in the country this week!

Answer 17

The National Danish Filmschool -Studied Production Sound & Sound Design

Answer 18

BS from Cornell in Communication (Media & Technology focus) & Computing in the Arts minor.
Working on MFA at UC Santa Cruz - Digital Art & New Media.

Answer 19

I got a BM from Berklee School of Music with a dual-major in Music Production and Engineering and Music Synthesis (I think now called Electronic Production and Design). This had the best of both worlds (recording/engineering and computer music/sound design). One of the best parts about going to a music school was that while learning all the technical components of audio engineering and sound design, I was also learning the fundamentals of sound and music which is such a strong attribute when it comes to sound design. It may sound overly "poetic" but sound design can be very melodic and harmonic if not tonal. I have learned SO much since I started working professionally about 6 years ago, but school is a great place to experiment, make mistakes (of which you will continue to do), and give you the basics when you enter the working world. Also, there is no denying the value of networking, both with faculty and guest speakers along with other students. I went to an arts High School majoring in something not related to music or sound. The school had just started a film program. Three of the last films I worked on came through people from that program who I either new directly or via other friends. There is something to be said of learning in the "real world" but I think school is a great option as well.

Answer 20

No sound school, too expensive. I learned all by myself, but i went to music university in france.

Answer 21

Did BA in the polytechnic school whith honors (international AV prodcuts), graduated in 2010.

Answer 22

In my final year of BA Film and Screen Production at Griffith Film School, Australia. I haven't learned as much as I would have liked sound-wise, the sound department is pretty undercooked compared with the other departments, but it has given me more opportunities and put me in contact with more industry professionals than I could have ever hoped to by my own efforts.

Answer 23

I studied Electronic Media, Arts and Communications as part of a dual major at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute which included some sound components, but I did it mostly because it was a freebee to add on to my Computer Science major.

I didn't learn a whole lot in the program as I had already picked up a ton doing A/V work in high school, but the requirements fit in to my humanities and social science electives so it didn't cost me anything and I figured it wouldn't hurt to have a piece of paper that spoke to my training.

If I hadn't had that option available though, I wouldn't have gone to school just for A/V stuff alone.

Answer 24

Well, I'm currently going to school for sound at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Answer 25

I graduated from the Recording Workshop (Chilicothe Oh) in 2000. audiio engineering

Answer 26

IAV- Instituto de Audio e Video (Audio and Video Institute, altho there's no video classes at all LOL) in Brazil :) FANTASTIC school! Did Fundamentals of Audio and Pro Tools courses :)

Answer 27

I graduated from the National Danish Film School in 2001, where I studied sound.

Answer 28

Currently studying at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). 3 weeks left to go!

Answer 29

Currently in my graduation year sound design at The school of arts Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Answer 30

HND on Sound Production at Jewel&Esk Valley College in Edinburgh, BSc Honours Degree on Digital Media at Edinburgh Napier University, and currently doing a Masters on Sound Design at the University of Edinburgh.

Answer 31

Graduated, BA Degree in Sound arts and design at University of Arts London, London College of Communication.

I do not recommend it if you wish to do go into post production for film. On the other hand if you enjoy recording and sound art, go!

Answer 32

AAS in sound technology from South Plains College in Levelland.

I learned all of my fundamentals there - acoustics, mic theory, signal flow, electronics, troubleshooting, basic mixing, etc.

From there I interned, got hired and started learning at warp speed on the job. Still learning as fast as I can 12 years later.

Answer 33

I had a few sound classes in my undergrad curriculum in multimedia but learned most everything about professional audio work on the job at an unpaid internship which shortly thereafter turned into full-time job.

Answer 34

I studied sound engineering in Universidad Vicente Perez Rosales, Santiago of Chile. I had the luck to have amazing teachers.

Answer 35

I studied film with a specialization in sound in USC's Cinema School graduate program. I'll be paying back my student loans for a looooong time, but I wouldn't be a sound designer without having gone through it. The sound faculty is excellent and I learned a lot while I was there.

Answer 36

BA in Telecommunications (which was the department that housed the TV and Radio/audio programs) from Michigan State University.

Answer 37

Studied at Leeds Metropolitan University 2005 - 2008 (BSc): "Creative Music and Sound Technology".

Quite a broad course of sound design: Music Recording/Film Post/Audio/Interactive Audio Design/Electro Acoustic Music/Psycho Acoustics.

Fully recommend great tools and facilities and most importantly great teachers!!

Answer 38

Ontario
Institute
of
Audio
Recording
Technology

Answer 39

I attended AFDA in Cape Town, South Africa, where I took a sound design major. towards the end of my degree I was totally burnt out and kinda had a nervous breakdown from the workload( well not just school, but from PAing on tv commercials to pay my rent) In the end I traumatised myself by delivering a crappy degree project, which shook my confidence in my ability to do sound. So I ended up spending the next 3,5 years working in Production.... It's only in the last 1,5 years that I've started doing sound, with lo/no pay jobs then some-pay jobs and now more and more properly paid gigs.

In a way now I'm starting from scratch, re-learning how to do location sound, editing dialogue etc. Which for me is good, as I needed the distance/time to realise that I wanted to do this job badly enough. Anyway, I think school was good in the sense that I learnt a helluva lot about how films are made and unmade(personal experience to boot). But that's just my long, boring story. One of the best sound editors I know hasn't been near a film school/sound training course. He studied biology !

Answer 40

I never studied beyond high school - but I've been playing with sound on computers since computers had soundcards. And I've never worked a day in any other industry than sound - I've been at it for a decade now, and it's taken me halfway around the world.

If you're passionate, committed, enthusiastic, motivated and have half a brain on you, in a field like ours, anything is possible.

Approach everything with an open mind, always be prepared to learn new things (no matter how long you've been at it for, and even from those who've been doing it for less time than yourself), never be satisfied with "near enough is good enough", and the world of sonically-employed-satisfaction is your oyster

Answer 41

I have a Bachelors in Biology. Then began a career change and graduated from a 2 year trade school for sound design. If you're going to go to a school, I would argue that you'd get a more robust education from a Bachelor's degree program. But if resources are tight, then take a close look at the curriculum offered from the many 2 year programs and see what works best for you. But if you do have the resources and time, then you should dive into a 4 year program.

Answer 42

I started out doing live sound and eventually shifted to the recorded medium. As far as schooling, I double majored in Anthropology and History in undergrad (almost picked up a third in Theatre...technical side...sound, of course). When I got tired of the theatre and concert gigs, I enrolled in a Master's program. That's where I made the shift to recording, editing and non-real-time mixing. Finished that off back in '04.

I learned less about the technical craft in school than I have on my own (both before and after schooling). However, the schools did expand my perspective and force me to look at things from stylistic, aesthetic and theoretical angles. I needed that more than anything else, and school awakened an ongoing hunger to explore those ideas.

Answer 43

I did a BA degree (digital audio and commercial music in 2010 and global creative economy degree in 2008. Also got 2nd degree papers in audiovisual media.... Currently schooling myself at a top notch game studio to be an sound designer.