Assistant Engineer Handbook

This book is your complete reference for technical careers in the recording studio. Whether you're still in high school, enrolled in a college of music or recording program, or about to embark on your first studio internship, you'll refer to this manual again and again.

Sarah Jones is Features Editor of Mix Magazine

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

vi

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

vii

INTRODUCTION

ix

CHAPTER ONE: ASSISTANT ENGINEERING 101

1

(22)

ENGINEERING, DEFINED

2

(2)

CHANGING TECHNOLOGIES MEAN NEW SKILLS

4

(2)

AN EDUCATIONAL EVOLUTION

6

(1)

A LONG LIST OF SKILLS

7

(5)

Math and Science

7

(1)

Music

8

(1)

Electronics

9

(1)

Signal Flow

9

(1)

Web Skills

10

(1)

Human Hearing

11

(1)

Communication

11

(1)

Ears!

11

(1)

OPPORTUNFCIES IN A COMPETITIVE FIELD

12

(1)

BEYOND THE STUDIO GIG

13

(5)

Music Recording

13

(2)

Sound Reinforcement

15

(1)

Film and Broadcast

16

(1)

Other Careers

17

(1)

DO SOME CAREER DETECTIVE WORK

18

(2)

SPOTLIGHT: Crystal Davis

20

(3)

CHAPTER TWO: YOUR GAME PLAN

23

(22)

CREATIVE EXPRESSION THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

23

(1)

THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION

24

(3)

RESEARCH THE JOB BEFORE COMMITTING TO SCHOOL

27

(1)

WHAT TYPE OF PROGRAM IS BEST?

28

(1)

Music-Based

28

(1)

Industry/Business Specialty

29

(1)

Engineering Focus

29

(1)

PROGRAM LENGTHS

29

(3)

Seminars, Short Courses, Web Programs

30

(1)

Certificate/One-Year/Two-Year Programs

30

(1)

University Programs

31

(1)

DO YOU NEED A DEGREE?

32

(1)

SELECTING A SCHOOL

33

(4)

Considerations

34

(3)

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR EDUCATION

37

(5)

At School, Outside the Classroom

37

(3)

Beyond the Campus: Out in the Field

40

(2)

SPOTLIGHT: Robert Scovill

42

(3)

CHAPTER THREE: GOING WHERE THE JOBS ARE

45

(10)

MOVING TO A TRADITIONAL MARKET

45

(1)

BIG CITY, BIG LIFESTYLE CHANGE

46

(2)

BUILDING A CAREER IN A SECONDARY MARKET

48

(2)

REGIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

50

(1)

CITY COMPARISON CHART

51

(1)

SPOTLIGHT: Janet Kalas

52

(3)

CHAPTER FOUR: WORKING FOR FREE: THE INTERNSHIP

55

(26)

BIG OR SMALL FACILITY?

56

(1)

PAID VS. UNPAID PROGRAMS

57

(1)

MOVING AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

58

(1)

THE SEARCH PROCESS

58

(1)

YOU, ON PAPER: THE RESUME

59

(5)

Résumé Anatomy, Top to Bottom

60

(2)

Keeping it Clean: Style Tips

62

(1)

Finishing Touches

63

(1)

THE ART OF THE COVER LETTER

64

(1)

CONTACTING FACILITIES

65

(1)

THE INTERVIEW

66

(5)

Pre-interview Research and Preparation

66

(1)

Day-of-Interview Do's and Don'ts

67

(1)

In the Interview

68

(1)

Post-Interview Follow-Up

69

(1)

Learning From Rejection

70

(1)

THE FOOTS IN THE DOOR: THE INTERNSHIP

71

(8)

Display A Professional Attitude

71

(2)

Know Your Place

73

(1)

Learn By Doing-Even Menial Tasks

74

(2)

Perseverance Is Key

76

(1)

When Bad Things Happen to Good Interns

77

(1)

Getting a Recommendation

77

(2)

SPOTLIGHT: Arthur Rochester

79

(2)

CHAPTER FIVE: MAKING THE CUT: LANDING AN ASSISTANT GIG

81

(12)

THE TRANSITION FROM INTERN: WHAT NOW?

81

(1)

THE ASSISTANT'S ROLE

82

(2)

DEMONSTRATE SKILLS, EARN RESPECT

84

(1)

MAKE YOURSELF INDISPENSABLE

85

(1)

MASTER THE TECHNOLOGY

86

(1)

KEEP THE RIGHT ATTITUDE

87

(1)

LEARN GOOD JUDGMENT

88

(2)

SPOTLIGHT: Roy Jorge

90

(3)

CHAPTER SIX: ETIQUETTE DO's AND DON'TS

93

(14)

ACTING THE PART: YOU'RE A PROFESSIONAL

93

(3)

BE A TEAM PLAYER

96

(3)

ASSISTANTS: SEEN, NOT HEARD

99

(2)

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE

101

(1)

CROSSING THE LINE

102

(3)

SPOTLIGHT: K.K. Proffitt

105

(2)

CHAPTER SEVEN: STAYING ON TOP OF YOUR GAME

107

(10)

NETWORKING EQUALS NETTING JOBS

107

(1)

GET OUT THERE, GET INVOLVED

108

(1)

CONTINUING YOUR EDUCATION, AVOIDING COMPLACENCY

109

(1)

MOVING ON

110

(1)

FINDING YOUR NICHE

111

(1)

STRIVE FOR LIFE BALANCE

112

(1)

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

113

(1)

A LONG-TERM STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS

114

(3)

RESOURCES: INDUSTRY FOUNDATIONS/SUPPORT GROUPS

117

(2)

RESOURCES: AUDIO INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS

119

(6)

RESOURCES: AUDIO EDUCATION PROGRAMS

125

(32)

RESOURCES: INDUSTRY TRADE MAGAZINES

157

(4)

RESOURCES: TRADE SHOWS AND INDUSTRY EVENTS

161

(2)

RESOURCES: SAMPLE LETTERS

163

(4)

NETWORKING LETTER: INFORMAL E-MAIL

164

(1)

INTERNSHIP COVER LETTER

165

(1)

THANK YOU LETTER

166

(1)

RESOURCES: SAMPLE RÉSUMÉS

167

(4)

INDEX

171

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The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

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Assistant Engineer Handbook

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

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Assistant Engineer Handbook

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

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