Jobs in the recording industry and education for a career in music

You need to understand just how tough it is out there. It's never been easy to get in to the business but these days where many major record companies have not been investing in new talent and a vast number of the public don't expect to pay for a record, the people who dedicate their lives to creating great music are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet let alone earn a decent income.

To be a producer or an engineer has always been a vocation - not a job. It will not pay that well unless you are really lucky and if you stick to your guns and spend years establishing yourself, learning and networking. Actually, even getting your first step on to the ladder means that you've been very lucky as there are so few jobs around.

If you are really dedicated and understand that your going to have to put in many years of hard, unglamorous work, and if you really are vitally interested in this industry you will need to have a single minded determination to succeed. Great, now lets try and help you get that foot in the door!

uk coventry university features ssl aws 900 console

Coventry University, UK, like many other education establishments take recording industry training seriously

Firstly, there really are jobs out there. Our own FORUM has helped a few people get some great jobs. You can search our FORUM but remember that jobs don't just come to you, you need to get out there and hussle! Keep an eye on when the job ad was posted as some people reply to jobs that were posted ages ago!

The site here is not really dedicated to getting people their first jobs but you can learn a lot from watching the video interviews with producers and engineers. Many of the videos cover how they got their jobs, what got them started and how they progressed. Get a great amount of background on studios that you may want to visit by watching our tours, a studio manager that talks with you will be impressed if you have put in effort to know about them!

Also, if you're looking for a job as an assistant engineer, remember that there are many producers out there these days that have their own set-ups and may be interested in having a helpful dogsbody around. It may also be worth noting that if there are no jobs in your area you could find some musicians that need to make demos and work with them to build up some experience, who knows, they may end up taking you to the studio with them when they have some more budget!

The following links may offer some help in your quest to be the next Gary Katz or Spike Stent, just remember that it's up to you to get off your @£$% - that's what they did!

Getting a job in a recording studio.

The jobs available in a recording studio.

College and University courses for the music and recording industry.

Major career links - please let us know of any good links that you find

UK

Deep
Glamorgan University
Aberdeen College
Salford University
Guildford University
Coventry University
LIPA
De Montford University
Islington Music Workshop
University of Hertfordshire
BBC
Future Works

 

USA

Berklee College
Full Sail
McNally

APRS AND MPG CREATE JAMES

In a move to supply increased support to their course Accreditation Scheme and associated services, the APRS (Association of Professional Recording Services) and MPG (Music Producers Guild) have recently launched a new enterprise: JAMES, Joint Audio Media Education Services. JAMES is endorsed by the patronage of Sir George Martin.

Established ten years ago, the APRS|MPG course Accreditation process has historically assessed universities’ and colleges’ teaching content and technique to ensure that it is appropriate to the needs of the recording industry, whilst confirming a standard to the prospective student.

The first initiative under JAMES is to offer a series of seminar panels hosted by industry professionals. These will be available to all educational bodies throughout the UK and Europe and will illustrate engineering and production techniques used on specific recordings to handle aspects in analogue and digital recording and mixing. A consultancy and advisory service will also be developed promoting JAMES as the first point of contact for all bodies requiring information and advice on recording industry training and education.

JAMES will also undertake representation of the music production and recording industry‘s training and education interests to government agencies and wider sectors such as the Sector Skills Councils and awarding bodies. Simon van Zwanenberg, JAMES’ chairman comments, “It made a lot of sense to create this new administration. By consolidating APRS and MPG resources, we can draw on a huge range of industry talent and knowledge to pass on to students. It also allows us to talk to educational and governmental bodies with a stronger, single voice.”

JAMES is a partnership between the Association of Professional Recording Services and the Music Producers Guild www.jamesonline.org.uk

More blog articles