Recording training

Riaan

Hey guys
Do any of you have experience with recording courses offered over the internet? I'm thinking of doing one of these sometime in future. One that I'm looking into is offered by David Mellor, and called Audio Masterclass Music Production and Sound Engineering online course, which by the looks of it seems quite good. I know there are lots of good info available on the internet, but of course there are also a lot of BS as well and for a novice and inexperienced in this field it's difficult to distinguish. That's why I thought a structured course may be better. Due to work/family etc. I can't really do anything other than an internet based thing at my own pace. What do you think Allan? Also, is it worth doing this for something which for me will always be just a hobby?
Cheers

AlanRatcliffe

No experience with the current crop, but I know of David Mellor, if that helps.

It's always a good idea to do a decent course. You learn a lot that applies to you both as a home studio user and as a musician. A good course gives you a thorough grounding in principles that are universal and will give you a better sense of the direction your studio must take. While there is no substitute for hands on usage, the theoretical side is a lot harder to learn by yourself, and learning something as simple as how to read and understand specs can save you thousands on buying and selling the wrong equipment.

A good example is my own degree, which was done at the height of the tape boom. Digital and CDs were still very much an audiophile phenomenon and the ADAT wasn't around yet. Regardless, every time I open up Sonar I'm using tricks and techniques I learned during my course. Invaluable in putting together my studios over the years too, from my first Fostex 4-track based studio to the PC-based effort I have now.

My only proviso is don't go for an online streaming video based lesson - you want something that gives you solid reference material (books, CDs, downloads - whatever) that you can keep going back to as the need arises. Otherwise, a good DVD/book-based course might also be worth looking at.

Speaking books: get yourself a copy of the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Guide. While it's a little outdated as far as equipment goes, the theory is comprehensive and solid.

Riaan

Thanks Alan! I had a look at the Yamaha Guide preview on Amazon - I hope it's the right one. It does look like a good place to start, and I will probably go for David Mellor's course. This course does offer hardcopies of all the modules. All of this is still a few months off, but I'll get there eventually. For now, some fiscal discipline is needed following my renovations ?

AlanRatcliffe

The Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook

Its aimed more at live sound, but as a theory reference it's invaluable.

Riaan

Yep, that's the one I was looking at. Thanks!

Riaan

Hey Alan
My Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook arrived yesterday. It looks like an excellent book, though definitely not bedtime reading... ? Hope you won't mind some really stupid questions from me from time to time!
Cheers

AlanRatcliffe

Riaan wrote My Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook arrived yesterday. It looks like an excellent book, though definitely not bedtime reading... ?

? Great. Just don't start with the chapter on decibels - it still twists my brain every time I try and read it (almost as much as The Master Handbook of Acoustics by Everest ;D ) It's one of those books that you grasp a little more each time you read it.

Hope you won't mind some really stupid questions from me from time to time!

No problem!