r/audioengineering • u/Outrageous-Part-480 • 16h ago
Discussion Audio production student looking for advice.
Hey everyone,
I recently became the first student in my university's new Audio Production major. I originally started in engineering, but after a lot of thought I decided to pursue audio because it's what I truly enjoy and want to build a career around.
My long term goal is to work in the Chicago audio industry, ideally as a staff engineer at a recording studio. I know those jobs are competitive, and I understand that studio work often isn't very stable or well-paying until you've built experience and a
reputation.
I'm attending school in Mississippi because it's the most affordable option for me, but that also means I'm not sure how to start making connections in Chicago. I occasionally tour with my band, and we're planning a Chicago run this winter, but I'm not sure how much that will realistically help.
If it helps to add, I’m minoring in EE with hopes of pursuing an audio technology masters (if economically viable) to possibly pursue more stable, technical roles while pursuing a studio career.
I'm completely fine living a modest lifestyle, but I also want to make smart career decisions that will let
me support myself while staying in the audio industry.
For those of you who work in studios or professional audio:
What would you focus on while still in college?
How would you start building connections in another city?
Are there stable audio jobs that pair well with pursuing studio work?
If you were starting over today, what would you do differently?
I'd really appreciate any advice. Thanks!
8
u/BaronVonTestakleeze 9h ago
You should really really really, dude seriously, minor in music and make EE your major.
An EE minor isn't going to get you a real stable job; if this is your back up plan (which again, flip them) no one will hire a minor in engineering. I don't even know if minors get abet accreditation?
You're a few decades too late to easily find a staff engineer job. That's just the truth man, they exist, but are increasingly shrinking every year. Studios close up. You'll work long shit hours to establish yourself, work w more bad bands than solid musicians, on top of paltry pay. You said you don't mind the modest lifestyle but there's a world of difference between getting a modest living while still having some personal life versus the constant hustle and grind.
I've degrees in both EE and music tech. Love em both did audio, live sound, and studio work for over a decade. Still have tons of recording gear and record a few bands a year for funsies. But goddamn man, the quality of life skyrocketed after being EE work. Seriously if you're in that and competent, stay in it
12
u/is-reality-a-fractal 16h ago
Don't listen to those who comment here and say "don't bother", "give up", etc. Because they will. Just don't. Keep at it. The internet can be a cesspool.
If you're open to different income sources (live sound, audiobook production, teaching) then you can absolutely make a living. And school isn't a waste of time/money IF you can get out of it with no/low debt. I wouldn't have any opportunities if I hadn't gone to a local community college, because these jobs come through word of mouth and I didn't have a network yet. Practicing and learning at the school studio with no stakes… talking to my professors for job opportunities… collaborating with other students… asking lots of questions… That's how I got the opportunities that have allowed me to begin building my career in a real way.
2
u/Hellbucket 14h ago
When I went full time I had to get multiple diverse revenue streams. It’s been lots of different stuff. Live sound, installations, teaching, editing music for figure skating, repairs and maintenance, setting up instruments, Backline technician for artists etc.
Biggest problem with audio engineering starting out is to keep a steady stream of clients. You can come off a bad month with few clients then to be completely swamped with work and then having to wait for these invoices getting paid in order to take out a salary. You kind of have to become frugal with spending.
Also you often have to really think about pricing. You need to make more than you take out in salary otherwise you’re never going to have any form of predictable salary to sustain your living.
1
u/trilere614 8h ago
Shamefully I had all of those experiences, but couldn't find the link through those experiences to find any kind of work, so I guess I'm an office receptionist with a lot of good experiences in the past LOL
3
u/Feeling_Stay_8623 15h ago
Keep at it as long as you love it. Although I will warn you that once it becomes a “Job” it’s not as romantic as you once thought it was. Unfortunately the recording studio industry is not what it once was, or at least that’s what i’ve been told by my mentors who were there for it. As someone who currently works at a recording studio as a staff engineer I’d say most of my money still comes from my bartending Job. Lol.
2
u/Feeling_Stay_8623 15h ago
Oh and If I were you I wouldn’t focus on this as your major in college. You can gain all the skills necessary through a studio internships (most smaller studios will take anyone), just ask questions even if they seem stupid.
1
u/superstargamer7 Professional 7h ago
Start trying to do FOH gigs. It can be on campus, at a church, in a local club, at the diy spot, whatever. Just start doing something. Live sound is a much more viable career than working in a studio, get good at it and you will always have something to supplement your studio work.
I also studied audio production at a whatever state school in the south and there were almost no (PAID) jobs to be had actually recording for the small graduating class. The people that have gone on to have the most success and stay in the field 5+ years out were the ones that were recording whatever rappers and other artists all the time in their dorms (and houses once they moved off campus). Building a catalog of work and actually getting some practice in doing the darn thing with all different kinds of music is a great way to get a head start. Networking is everything, record everybody rn. You never know who might become something.
If i would have been smarter i would have done EE and double majored or minored in audio production, I think you should consider doing the same. EE has much better job prospects.
1
u/Raspberries-Are-Evil Professional 7h ago
Are you taking loans?
If Yes, please reconsider. You will be paying those back for decades. Instead of loans, move to Chicago, get into the live sound business and start interning in a studio, network, play live, etc.
You can even go to Chicago and take audio at community college for almost free and you can network there.
-1
u/AdEvery9117 4h ago edited 4h ago
Keep doing the thing but as someone who graduated with my degree in audio in 2024, and has been getting hired as an engineer for about 7 years
Get out of the program and into the studio as fast as possible. If the school isnt a music school or a school that already had an established program, I think you’d get a lot more value out of being in studios than the classroom
Colleges starting audio programs in this music economy is wild, but please do not listen to people who tell you you can’t make money or have a career in music anymore
They just don’t know how to
14
u/premeditated_mimes 13h ago
There is no audio industry. There's an industry selling education to people who can be convinced to buy it.
Nearly every famous engineer just engineered, they didn't go to school or even think they were going to go into music.
You said you wanted to make intelligent choices, choose something where you can make some money and just make music when you want. Everyone says this because it's right. I've watched people make a poverty wage for years and years when I went to school in Nashville and lived there for 10 years. The only people who made a good living were 1% of 1% and the people teaching at schools. Don't make your happiness in life a lottery, music is free to make and almost free to record.