Electrical Engineering College?

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Q. I an 16 and i want to be a recording engineer. I have talked to some people who say that i should get my degree in Electrical Engineering specializing in audio. What do you think of that? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

A. -I imagine there are at least a hundred schools in the US where you can get a *quality* EE degree. That won't necessarily help you with anything particular in recording, but you'll have a much more solid idea about "how things work", and you might find something else you really like. It's a hell of a degree to have in today's job market. That having been said, why not look at one of the schools that has solid engineering AND music/technology departments? The University of Miami comes to mind . . . maybe get an EE degree, take a few courses in acoustics, maybe a music class or two, and see what their music technology program offers as one-off courses as well. Hell, get a double major. It may seem like 4-7 years is a long time now, but you better believe that it's a drop in the bucket compared to not having a college degree (or two), which makes you flexible if the recording thing doesn't work out. An engineering paycheck is a nice way to battle the occasional recession! -There is no such beast. An undergrad degree in EE will not specialize in audio (at least at any of the colleges I'm aware of). If you go the EE route you will have to wait until at least the Masters level before you will get to work on audio stuff (that is, you will do research often of your own choosing at this level). I was a recording engineer first (still am part time), then went back to school and am now in a PhD program and I guarantee you traditional engineering curriculum has nothing to do with what most of us on this group think of when we say 'audio engineer'. If you want to be an overeducated maintenance tech or you think you'd like to eventually design all the toys we use then by all means get a EE degree. Hell, get it anyway. It can't hurt but it won't help in the way I suspect you are thinking. I actually went back to school 'cause I got a job as a maintenance tech at a studio and started really getting into electronics for its own sake. OK, that's the grumpy old man news. Here's a possible solution out of many. Go to one of those short term trade school courses like The Recording Workshop (I did way back when) to get some knowledge of what you are wanting to do. A lot of people decide at that point that it isn't what they thought it was (then they are only out the $2500 and a few weeks, not 4 years). Then gofer for a recording studio. You may have to do this a few times before you are offered a paying position. Don't give up and you'll eventually get to where you want to go. Regardless, still go to college. It will be tough but you can still be a second engineer at a studio and take college classes part time. It will broaden your options and make you more marketable in the long run. Don't fall for that 'get this degree so you have something to fall back on' crap. Do something because you've got passion for it and then do it well. Having something to fall back on is a good idea but not if its something you loathe to do. It is beneficial to have a passion for more than one thing.

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