Deciding to become a music engineer can be exciting and very rewarding. But choosing the best music engineering school to attend can be very daunting. Music engineering is a recognized and respected field that can offer you great opportunities in music, television and film. There are many music courses available and the purpose of this guide is to help you choose the right one.
Often referred to as audio engineering or sound engineering, music engineering involves editing, mixing, recording, copying, and reproducing sounds electronically. This industry has grown tremendously over the years, especially as new technologies have been developed that take music and sound to new and higher levels.
As this industry has grown, the level of experience and expectations for music engineers are higher than ever. However, if you do it right and plan your career as a music engineer wisely, you will be rewarded by working on some extremely exciting projects.
So where do you start and what exactly should you look for when choosing a music engineering school?
If you are serious about a career in this industry, you are expected to have the right training and recognized qualifications. In some circumstances this is not always the case. The exception is if you have had at least two years of experience and developed good working skills within the audio industry. However, without experience, training and qualifications at an accredited school will be the best way forward.
The usual way to receive training and qualifications in this field is by attending a recognized training institute, certified by accreditation associations such as EURING and NORDING. Since there are many institutions to choose from, there are certain criteria that you should consider before making your decision on which institution will be best for you. Here are the top 5 things to consider:
1. The Reputation of the School/College – Once you have put together your list of possible training establishments that you are considering, it is very important that you check the credibility of the school. The way to do this is to see how many people are willing to attend and how hard or easy it is to get in. What are your entry criteria? What links do they have with other industries within the same field, etc.? If it’s just a matter of having the funds, maybe I’d consider another reputable institution that offers a little more!
2. What facilities do you offer? Things to consider include how modern your studios and training equipment are. Do you offer job training on the job? Do you offer internships? Do they have up-to-date mixing consoles and the latest technologies to work with, etc.?
3. Class Numbers – Find out how many students are enrolled in your course. The less the statistics reveal, the more attention you will receive, therefore the better your training will be.
4. Specialized or non-specialized: Will you choose a school designed specifically for students who want a career in music engineering, or will you choose a course taught at a large facility that offers other programs? Find out which works best for you weigh the pros and cons.
5. Location – How far are you willing to travel to attend the right training center? Music engineering courses have become quite popular over the years, so many don’t have to travel far. However, look at your commitments, time scale, and travel costs when deciding which audio engineering school is best for you.
Take your time and look at all the pros and cons when choosing which music engineering school you want to attend. Find a music school that offers the right comprehensive skills and training, and compare curricula. Most will offer you the flexibility of 12- or 14-week music engineering courses, but remember to choose a nationally recognized and accredited course.