How can you choose the best audio training program for your career?

In my experience, getting the knowledge down to find what you want to take is key, and in doing so I always recommend volunteering or finding some odd jobs in the field locally in your area before starting to search for courses needed to further your career. Getting your "feet wet" as some say will help you get that better understanding of what path you're looking to take.

One word: Mentorship. Tons of audio training programs will give you the basic skills you need to navigate DAWs, but the only thing that will help you establish your true voice is getting a mentor that you respect and admire. This can often suffice instead of an expensive audio training curriculum. There are also tons of videos on Linked In Learning and other sources that will fill in the technical gaps. The artistic knowledge should come from direct training with a mentor; not a structured program, in my opinion.

Are you all about theory or practice? We all need to understand the technical aspects of mixing but I have always found that dropping yourself deep into the task is the best way to learn fast. A self taught studio engineer, my first live show was mixing a band for 40,000 people. I told the system tech that I may have bitten off more than I could chew and asked if he could step in should it all go horribly wrong, but it didn’t and so he didn’t. During that show, through the process of trying to pull the mix back to a starting point between numbers and with the help of that generous engineer, I learned the importance of unity gain and my education had begun. Whilst this may not work for everyone, you’ll know if it’s right for you pretty fast!

The first step to finding the audio training program that best fits your career and goals is to determine your specific gifts, talents and passions. It may be audio engineering but be as specific as possible. Narrowing the field down to a certain area, like audio engineering for video games or tv & film, will definitely make choosing the right school or training program for needs easier.

I think that you must do your research into each program finding one that will work within the direction of your career. There are many fine programs out there, by researching each program thoroughly you have the knowledge to proceed.

The Instagram comment section. Where else do like minded individuals come together, in there favorite musicians comment sections. You'd be surprised to see that some of these other accounts that are commenting might have similar interests that expand outside past the music. This is how you end up connecting with producers and engineers in your city. Start in your backyard, for free and find someone with a studio. That's where you will meet the different players of the game which is "The Music Industry." Best of luck!

I started my audio engineering journey when still at school. I used to do the SFX (sound effects) for school plays, and performed at two 'concerts' with my rock band, one in the school hall, where I set up the PA and made sure that it all sounded great for the audience. I borrowed a tape recorder and microphone (yes, I'm that old) from our next door neighbour and one of my first ever recordings was of me playing easy piano pieces on the baby grand my parents had in the front room of our house. Recorded on tape, this was turned into an LP, cut onto an acetate that I still have. For anyone wishing to become a great audio engineer, my advice would be to seek out a programme where you can learn the basics. How does a microphone work? etc.

The content of the training program's curriculum or syllabus should be evaluated. Are they up-to-date and related to your career goals. Ensure that they explore the topics and abilities you are interested in acquiring.

Investing money in a good university will help a lot professionally, good contacts and being operational at work. Training and education at all times, our career needs this at all times

These schools can be incredibly costly, but if you steps 1 and 2 of this article, you can determine if it is the right fit and worth it. What are the networking opportunities at the program. Are you being taught by some retirees or people still plugged into the scene and working? How many successful grads are now at the top of their fields? What is the projected income of the job you expect to have after graduating? Many people don't think about this and it is a huge consideration when doing a cost-benefit analysis.

Consider the cost of the training program and see if there are financial aid options, scholarships, or payment plans to make the program more affordable.

I would consider four main factors: 1. What does it include? Is it an official/international title? Are you getting any official certifications besides the main program (in software, knowledge, training...)? 2. Since networking is one of the most important things in any industry, would you be able to network, being it with teachers, colleagues, professionals or other disciplines? 3. Is the equipment used real world professional level? Is the hardware you'll find and learn with the actual hardware you will use in the professional world? 4. Is the school well recognized professionally? This is not the most important thing, but it can help open doors sometimes.

In addition to accreditation, evaluate the program's alumni network. A strong network can be invaluable in finding job opportunities and gaining industry insights.

Ask for referrals from coworkers, mentors, or businesspeople in your sector who have used audio training programs. Do not hesitate to contact the program's administrators or instructors if you require further information.

Don't limit your research to online reviews. Reach out to professionals currently working in the audio industry and ask for their recommendations and insights. They can provide valuable advice on which programs are respected in the field.

First knowing what you want is very Key in life, and so you cut your coat according to your size in terms of spending on the program and the school where you want to study or learn from. Also search within yourself to choose the program that best suits you so that you don't waste money. Knowing your skills too is very important as it helps to choose a program.

Consider the cost of the training program and see if there are financial aid options, scholarships, or payment plans to make the program more affordable. Don't be satisfied with the first program you come across. Compare several plans to find the one that best suits your needs and preferences.

Definitely do this. A lot of courses look good on paper but the instructor might not have the best teaching method. A lot of bad teachers are appearing here and there and there are people who also lack experience. I’m an audio educator myself and see a lot of people not understanding theories well.

Take advantage of any career counseling or guidance services offered by the program. These services can help you align your education with your career goals and provide additional support during your studies.

Speaking as a former owner of a sound & lighting company for nearly 20 years, and as an A/V professional who has worked with a wide array of freelancers for the past 8 years: real world, hands on, experience beats the 'audio engineers' who learned in the classroom and are 'certified'. If you want to work in either aspect of the industry (music or corporate) there is always a company around you can get your foot in the door with and start learning!

Besides formal training, try doing the things you want to do as soon and often as possible. Want to be a live sound engineer? Try volunteering for a local amateur theater group. Get your hands on a mixing desk. Learn some basic mic placing and live mixing and try, try, try. Do bad placings. Do bad mixes. Get a lot of feedback. Do it wrong until you learn how to do it right. Experience will trump any kind of course of formal training 90% of the time.

Research is key. Remember that the end goal of acquiring this training is to eventually get employed and the audio industry is a tough one to enter, sustain and grow in. Find out what the job market is like - know about the skills required in those jobs and see if the program is offering you those skills. Start networking from the 1st day. It’s key. Being proactive and finding internships which provide real world experience before you actually start out could be a great advantage. Lastly, stay grounded. Every institution is going to sell you their course like it’s a piece of treasure so be very thorough while doing your research about the courses you are looking for.

No matter the strength of an educational series on YouTube or paying for a pre-made course, it is inevitable that you'll find that your educational goals do not align with this premade content - whether its something you already know, a style of learning that pushes you outside of your Zone of Proximal Learning, or more issues, there really is no beating a real teacher or tutor to guide you through your educational process. No matter your learning goals or budget, starting with a personalized plan and pace from a professional educator will put you on the right path to achieving your goals more quickly.

In the end what you want is learn how to learn and make yourself progress during your entire career, look at how others did it by reading articles and bios. It will always be a blend of technical knowledge and tons of practical experimentation.