The education section of this site will hopefully be completed during 2006.
There is a large back log on frequently asked questions for this page. The most repeated question is about the value of audio and multi-media education providers.
Can you please advise the best way to obtain an education in audio engineering ?
The majority of people in the industry are self taught. Musicians with technical skills can become producers or engineers. Many with electronic engineering backgrounds become technical designers in lighting and sound. Some architects specialise in auditorium and studio design . The term sound-engineer can jokingly refer to a rock group roadie with a pony tail and a multiple set keys attached to his jeans. The skills that are described on this site are described as Electro Acoustic Engineering. Formal education in this field has yet to evolve and negotiations are underway with various universities.
First we must separate the different types of education providers. The professional short workshops on particular applications; eg rigging of line arrays for live concerts, or Foley techniques for film production, or software applications including protools and many more. These workshops are often delivered by skilled people within the industry and the information can be of great value.
Next are the providers of certificate diploma courses $10,000 pa approx marketed to school leavers. These courses are often advertised as associated with universities. University faculties of medicine and engineering are aimed at a high standard, but external associated courses of multi-media and entertainment may only be for profit making, providing minimal resources, taught by inexperienced tutors with little or no supervision. The quality of education left to the random outcome of skill and integrity of a low paid lecturer. There are exceptions.
Many of these courses can be considered infantile, often playing with computer packages and promoting the hype of hardware model numbers and brand names with superficial understanding of acoustics, mixing and hardware function. Many large film TV and recording studios do not recognise these providers and some will outwardly state they will not employ people who have attended these courses, as in their view it may be too difficult to retrain them. However there are exceptions and it is essential to cross check any education provider as having acceptance with potential employers.
I have heard that you were responsible along with Tom Misner for creating SAE School of Audio Engineering. Can you describe why you are no longer associated with SAE. This story is of as much interest to the media as myself and others doing research on the entertainment industry.
There are two opposing stories how SAE came into being. The first story is in Robert Alexander's biography of Tom Misner 'The Misner Factor'. Robert Alexander (Dora Music) was only given Tom Misner's account of what occurred. Click on the link to read the first chapter of the book.
The Misner Factor by Robert Alexander (Chapter 1)
BWR Business Review Weekly in Sydney, researched editorial on the Misner SAE business.
'A Wrong Way to The Top' by Kath Walters. This editorial appears on many web sites. Click on this link to read the editorial.
A Wrong Way to The Top
The second story of the beginning of SAE referred to in the BRW editorial, is written as an interview by Greg Tingle www.mediaman.com.au with John Burnett, including the essay on media.
www.mediaman.com.au/interviews/burnett
www.mediaman.com.au/articles/media_and
This is one of three accounts written of the beginning of SAE that was sent to Robert Alexander after he wrote The Misner Factor biography. The other accounts will be sent by request. If anyone wishes to obtain the full accounts or communicate about the opposing stories of the beginning of SAE, please let me know.
Technical FAQ to be added.