Should You Go To School for Audio Engineering? (in 2023)

Summary

In this video, Jordan Easler, a professional audio engineer and studio owner, discusses the viability of investing in audio engineering school. He shares his personal journey, highlighting the high costs and limited job guarantees post-graduation. Jordan compares traditional education with self-learning through free online resources and paid courses. He advocates for the latter, suggesting that learning from industry professionals online is a more cost-effective and relevant approach, offering direct access to practical knowledge and skills needed in the field.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Jordan Easler, an audio engineer and studio owner, shares his insights on whether audio engineering school is a worthwhile investment.
• 🏫 Traditional audio engineering school can cost between $17,000 to over $100,000, not including additional expenses.
• 📚 Attending audio engineering school provides a structured curriculum, access to mentors, and opportunities to learn from industry professionals.
• 💼 There's no guarantee of a job after graduation, and many start with unpaid internships, which can be achieved without a degree through networking and persistence.
• 💰 The high cost of education could be better spent on other aspects of building a career, such as gear or studio time.
• 🚀 Jordan suggests that learning online through courses and training from active industry professionals is a more cost-effective and relevant approach.
• 🌐 Online learning allows for self-paced education and the ability to learn directly from those working on current projects and hits.
• 🔧 The script emphasizes the importance of practical knowledge and skills over theoretical learning, which may not be as applicable in real-world studio settings.
• 💡 Jordan offers his own trainings and courses as a shortcut to avoid common pitfalls and to fast-track learning, based on his 13 years of experience.
• 🔗 The video provides resources, both free and paid, for those interested in pursuing audio engineering education outside of traditional schooling.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is whether attending audio engineering school is the best investment for someone considering a career in audio engineering.

Who is the speaker in the video?

The speaker in the video is Jordan Easler, an audio engineer and recording studio owner at Speak Live Studio in South Carolina.

Why did Jordan decide not to attend audio engineering school?

Jordan decided not to attend audio engineering school because financial aid fell through and he would have to pay approximately $130,000 for a four-year degree.

What are some pros of attending audio engineering school according to the video?

Some pros of attending audio engineering school include having a structured blueprint for learning, access to mentors and professors, and opportunities to interact with active industry professionals.

What is the average tuition fee for audio engineering school as mentioned in the video?

The average tuition fee for audio engineering school ranges from about $17,000 to $50,000, excluding top private schools which can cost upwards of $80,000 to $100,000.

What are the potential downsides of attending audio engineering school?

Potential downsides include the high cost with no guarantee of a job after graduation, the possibility of learning information not directly applicable to real-world studio environments, and the time investment of two to four years.

What alternative does Jordan suggest to learning in a traditional classroom setting?

Jordan suggests learning online, either through free resources or by investing in courses and trainings from industry professionals.

What are the pros and cons of learning audio engineering through free online resources?

The pro is the low cost, while cons include lack of a structured learning blueprint, potential to learn from unreliable sources, and absence of personal mentorship.

What does Jordan recommend as the best solution for learning audio engineering?

Jordan recommends investing in online courses and trainings from active industry professionals as the best solution for learning audio engineering.

How does Jordan suggest approaching the learning process if one chooses to invest in online courses?

Jordan suggests starting with free resources to get a feel for the material, then investing in paid courses to deepen the learning experience and gain more serious, structured knowledge.

What is the final recommendation Jordan gives to those considering audio engineering school?

Jordan's final recommendation is to consider the investment in online courses and trainings as a more cost-effective and potentially more practical alternative to traditional audio engineering school.