Confessions of an Audio Engineer
Why it’s so important to finish your music and share it with the world
Giving up on something you set out to do when it stops being fun or relevant saves time and frustration, but it also reinforces an extremely detrimental habit. I’ve never been good at finishing things. I don’t think I completed a single self-motivated project until I was well into my adult years. And at age 30, it’s still something that I struggle with.
Read more →Why you need to stop arguing about audio gear online
I love talking about audio and music. I love having discussions with other people that enjoy the same things that I do. This is why I found myself frequenting not only forums, message boards, and Facebook groups but also live events and other places where people who enjoy recording audio and making music gather.
Read more →Cultivating new habits and why you shouldn’t wait for motivation
I’m just as likely to be reading this type of article as I am to be writing it. I’ve struggled with getting rid of bad habits my entire life. I wish I could tell you I’m the hardest working engineer in the biz, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. I’m always looking for ways to work harder and smarter.
Read more →The most embarrassing audio mistake I’ve ever made
We've all had embarrassing moments in the studio. From an intern to lead engineers, everyone royally messes up sessions in significant ways, from recording over that perfect take to dropping a microphone worth more than a car. There are so many different ways to make mistakes while recording that I'm surprised I don't mess up more often.
Read more →Why anyone that says the recording industry is dead is wrong
The industry is dead! You can’t make any money! Stop now! Don’t even try it! You’re crazy! Get out of music! Sell your interface! Go get a “real” job! Yeah yeah, we’ve all heard this, and maybe you’ve even said some version of this at some point in your life.
Read more →Why trying to be perfect is detrimental to your growth as an audio engineer
Recording and mixing are two forms of artistic expression. Like drawing or painting, there's a lot more to being proficient than just having natural talent. Innate talent will only get you so far, while hard work and practice will get you further. A combination of both is when true genius happens.
Read more →How to survive as a working audio engineer
It's almost impossible to find steady work at the start of your career. Most audio engineers are grinders, we start small-- going from one gig to the next (more significant) gig until we eventually have enough work to support ourselves solely on audio and music. The truth is that it takes a long time to get there, and there's always the risk that it may never happen.
Read more →Should you go to audio engineering school?
So you like making music...maybe you make EDM in your bedroom, or you’re in a band, or you want to be the next big rapper. Whatever it is, you might be considering going to music or audio engineering school or trying to make music into a career. If this is you, perfect, you’re in the right place.
Read more →Is your career where you thought it would be? Neither is mine.
I turned 28 a few months ago, and if, at age 18, you had told me my audio career would be where it is at this point in my life, I’d have been extremely disappointed. I’d imagined I’d have at least ten gold records by now, and I’d have been to the Grammy's at least three times. Well… that didn't happen.
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