Are Audio Schools Still Worth It?

In this episode the guys discuss the topic of brick and mortar audio schools. Are they still a good idea in todays world? Is youtube really the one stop shop for learning everything about audio? Are there new alternatives to learning audio from the comforts of your home? Are online courses a worthy alternative? Lets find out
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[@ZaiXPMusic]

Been going back and forth from listening and watching this podcast. I cannot stress enough, how much this podcast means to me. To be able to have people to listen to that love audio as a whole as much as I do is priceless. The amount of education, fun, and brotherhood being displayed and given is a breath of fresh air! Thank you!

[@thestreetdisciple3955]

How many of y'all are actually self taught or self teaching? Devon, mixbuss tv and Dave taught me allot even audio companies which I feel like isn't talked about enough. Izotope has soooo many great videos on mixing AND MASTERING. When I got into uad plugins I was learning about so much different gear and how they work waves even has good articles on it. I brought my Avalon preamp because of so many shootouts this age of audio being taught online (if you put in the hours and apply to others people mixes or your own) is HUGE.

[@PRIDEATH]

I'd say majority of engineers and producers are trial and error and not book witty

[@cleardigitalstudios7878]

✋

[@bloomingbeats1318]

It’s good to learn online. But nothing can replace learning in person. Hands on experience is essential. That’s just how it is.

[@BLK-TEE]

I'm currently attending fullsail, and I agree that the connections are very important. Great topic guys keep it up

[@JarardKenneth]

The connections are def important. My director worked with a bunch of famous R&B artists and then won 3 Grammys for Gospel Albums. That's a whole connection right there.

[@JustDaNorm]

How I look so forward to these episodes. Gotta love my fellow audio nerds. You all rock!

[@chemdrum]

Dope episode. Audio schools will forever have their place in our world. Especially for those who are just starting out. I think you will learn the true essence of audio when you attend a school because you'll be in the environment, around people with the same interest, engaged and focused on the subject matter as you should be in any school. KZbin is awesome!! I always joke around about how "KZbin University" should be the only school needed to attend LOL. However, I don't think you'll get the same features I stated earlier while watching videos on KZbin. KZbin is great for certain pointers or specific topics that are narrowed down. For example: I never learned about gain staging your tracks in Pro Tools or any other DAW when I was in school. I learned about this upon watching videos on KZbin lol.

[@1beatsbytdot]

I started making beats in 2015 (FL and Pro Tools user here lol) and self taught at engineering then during the pandemic I went to my local community college that offered “Audio Production/Entertainment Technology” got my certificate last year. You def learn more on your free time. School introduces Pro Tools (we also used Adobe Audition) and industry standards that look good on your resume. Both options are viable 💯

[@GastorAlmonte]

As a New Yorker - If Devvon remembers the Institute of Audio Research. They had that jingle that would play on Hot 97 "We got your future, we're I. A. R" At the time, it was a 6 month full time program for a diploma (no AA or BA degree/programs.) Program was around 10k by then for the 6 months. At the time they were the quickest program that had a solid rep. (DJ Clue worked exclusively with an Engineer named Duro, who graduated from there. This reference ages me.) I found it to be helpful but also because it was a diploma program that allowed anyone in, it quickly became clear that there were 3 groups: a) people there to learn as much as possible b) people who used it to make connections and c) people just hanging out and killing time but signed up because it sounded cool. I could see each of those people viewing the experience very differently today.

[@adamb.6359]

I attended IAR in 06 it closed a few years ago.

[@GastorAlmonte]

@@adamb.6359 yup. It was an nyc institution

[@Beatsxnova]

I attended IAR in the early 2000’s. Not so great experience for me.

[@JarardKenneth]

27:21 bro, I'm tell yall something... I graduated last year in September with a degree in Audio Production from Full Sail with 3.83 GPA. I ended up getting hired at a well known church here in San Antonio. No pun but for me it was literally an act of God cuz I planning on doing coffee runs and cleaning toilets for an internship somewhere. Mind you, I have a wife and daughter.

[@therealea]

SAE GANG💪🏾 if you do the Audio Diploma program for 25K, you finish in 12 months. 16 months for the associates degree which is just adding on Gen Ed classes.

[@stevenblingproductions]

I was fortunate to be a nephew of a popular producer who had a studio and bounced from studio to studio learning/interning since I was a kid. I played the long grind. What I've learned from that path was that there was no way to mix a song and that the basics are the most important, everything after is your stamp.

[@362mediagroup7]

I like how the ableton dude, be in the cut just really watching yall go through tangents...it's the funniest thing when the camera pans to him and he be looking unbothered lol.

[@fatboytony7651]

Legendary Podcast. I appreciate what yall do for the community.

[@FreshWorldMob]

As a Detroit native... I just wanna say... THE DISRESPECT... 😂😂😂 Detroit is protools... but overall great episode appreciate you guys 💪🏾

[@alekofficial1st]

Hiii guyz! I am doing my bachelor in an Audio Design course in Berlin Rn and I can say that most of the teachers are geniuses! They literally teach us AI already!!!! The truth is that the prices are high and the student loan is a lil fcked, but hey...there are also scholarships. The access to crazy studios is amazing and the environment motivates everyone;) My experience has been good so far

[@streetlife20]

I graduated with a BA in audio production from Webster University in 2002….. if I had to do it now days I’d learn everything from KZbin for free. Best thing I did was intern

[@Thekidsisco]

I graduated from fullsail definitely will teach you a lot but I still think like everything the only way to get really good is by actually doing it and being around people who can teach you. Full sail will teach you the basics of everything but becoming really good is all up to the work you put in

[@Mexzy.MadeIt]

And they do have an audio school in Oklahoma. I went . It’s fantastic . 💯 come to Oklahoma to visit, you home meet the most down to earth , super talented , nicest people. No egos , no judgement, just good vibes and good food , great music . This the south ! Where grandmas raise us and we attend church 🙌🏾

[@drewj4531]

As an SAE Alumni, I can honestly say they do their best in preparing you to be engineers in this vasty changing industry. Im from the NY campus I definitely got the benefit of having fantastic professors and life long mentors such as Michael John, John Terelle, and Ken Candelas. Those 3 in particular will drop some crazy gems that will carry you thought your entire career.

[@803MUSICGROUP]

I'm a Full Sail graduate. I wen't through both the BA & MA programs and it was totally worth it. It's even more worth it now at Full Sail because of all the networking opportunities. I felt like it was worth getting the paper behind my name.....plus....you were instructed by professors who actually work in the industry and they were on top of all of the current techniques being used. They pushed having high standards & professionalism. It's definitely a fast-paced program and more for aspiring professionals but they are open to all who really wants to learn their craft. So it's really going to be up to the individual to see school as being worth going to. I was trying to encourage a friend to go a while back and he would rebuttal saying that I went for the both of us because even though he already knew a lot and had placements and all....he was always asking me music techniques & technology questions and give his famous statement..."You went to Full Sail" ....lol....and I'd always tell him to go and he still refuses to this day. However....on another note...I've encouraged 2 more of my close friends to go and they both registered to FSU. One has already started and the other starts in a few more months. The Launch Boxes they get ware way better than what I got...makes me want to go back...lol....jk..... I'll say it like this...when talking to investors and execs ....when they are looking at your educational background....having a school on there is much better than having KZbin. This is not to discredit KZbin (because it's a good information resource) but from a professional stand point...the school looks better on the resume. I hope this adds to the conversation as well as help someone who is thinking about attending a music university. My BA is in Music Production and my MA is in Entertainment Business (Both totally worth getting).

[@HumbleGthaFiddla]

Thank you for your comment! I've been mixing for about 7 yrs and I've been a professional touring musician (Violinist and vocalist) for 10yrs plus. I learned mixing and mastering from youtube etc... and I got really good fast but I knew I would cut alot of trail and error if I went to school so I looked up Full Sail and it blew my mind! I'm currently finishing my BA in Audio production and going back for my Masters in Entertainment business. I've been grinding as a musician for over 20yrs and make a good living but it came with alot of trial and error that I could of made leaps over if I would've did full sail back in like 09. Having those degrees on you resume especially from Full Sail goes along way in the professional world. There are tip paying contracts that will only hire your if you have your degree and that's before even experiencing how great you are. It cuts out alot of red tape.

[@803MUSICGROUP]

Also...at Full Sail....They do the same thing you were talking about with the Q&A with their live class sessions. Plus, the professors were generally available outside of the class sessions by email, phone, and sometimes live face to face sessions if time allowed.

[@houseofgraceworship]

The berklee certificate classes and courses are awesome! If u can’t do the whole degree program their certificate programs are kool.

[@Treighhoe]

Shout out FIRST Institute in Orlando Florida! Being there put me in the mindset of audio engineering. Without the school I don't think I would be pursuing this dream as hard as I am today.

[@francisguyman3819]

Ok I used to work for a pretty popular Audio Engineering Mentorship last year, which advertises itself as a school, which was accredited and for the most part had really good connections. The issue was the program was only fit for a very specific type of person, while the incentive was to sell it to anyone at all. This is why I ended up leaving the company, as I felt we were robbing a lot of people's parents blind. It was a great program if you were already a talented engineer and wanted to spend 10 bands to network with legit Billboard engineers and maybe learn some of their techniques. It was awful if you actually want to learn how to become an engineer, and have no prior knowledge to audio engineering. The courses looked rushed and the engineers you mentored with rarely followed any coherent structure (maybe for the better). The part that really got on my nerves was when they started selling "Beat making" courses for the same price (about 10k) and it was all shit you could learn on KZbin for free. They started bleeding into other areas like Culinary and Film and it became very obvious to me they were not concerned about having a high quality audio engineering program for future engineers.

[@iskandergonzalez5810]

Can I contact you somehow? I believe i l know exactly what you are talking about (rc?)

[@mixedbygoat]

This was needed , studio one in the building btw 🔥😎

[@cleardigitalstudios7878]

Studio one is here to stay💪🏾💯🔥

[@stevenblingproductions]

S1 gang!

[@mEmShannonDAB]

I learn everything from KZbin and I have a friend that’s a producer that went to school that’s like my OG. Busy Works Beats is the reason I’m in music production now. The only thing I really wish I had was that community that Devvon was talking about. It would’ve been great to school every day with other people learning this

[@JhusVibes]

shout out to "YOU TUBE UNIVERSITY" formal! it made me the engineer I am today and thanks to you guys fam!! Mad love!!

[@JiggzBrickwall]

Great episode 🙏🏾🙏🏾🔥

[@ZynDromeBeats]

Shout out Sheffield in Maryland . Short program but it covered a ton . Recording, mixing and basic mastering on an SSL, live sound and basic production . I only needed a good foundation and then I was good to experiment on my own cuz i don't have the attention span for hella tutorials unless I'm tryna figure somethin out in the moment . But that's me tho, it could be different for anybody else . It depends on their needs foreal #PTGang

[@DohBoi863]

@16:13 - 17:55 bro did a whole SNL skit unintentionally 🤣🤣🤣

[@Lifeisripe]

Not berni takeoff 🤣😂 36:45

[@PRIDEATH]

13:53 I love this podcast so much😭😂😭😂 He's at it again 16:21😂😂😂😂

[@SmashavelliTV]

😅😅😅

[@HelpMeDevvon]

I WAS CRYING 😂😂😂

[@cleardigitalstudios7878]

​@@HelpMeDevvon I Need That Rosetta EQ Bro! 😅 💪🏾💯

[@trustdaplan]

8:31 What's ya geography looking like? 😂😂😂

[@mikegmusic]

I was just trying to workout and be serious while listening to this but y’all made me leave the gym 😂 😂 😂

[@RiteyasJoahua]

We had an audio class class in my Animation course and that's how I got into production

[@RiteyasJoahua]

But I think schools are important to keep the history and culture of music coz their ain't no way a random guy picking up sonators from the classical greats

[@HelpMeDevvon]

Wow that’s randommm

[@wavgxwd]

So we just all out here not backing up music files?

[@PRODBYPROTAG]

“If it doesn’t exist in two places, it doesn’t exist” - some guy somewhere probably

[@darklightengineering]

Very good conversation. Shout out from Canada!

[@Seriouspup]

13:55 Devon said this response with his whole soul

[@ScottFarlee]

man i was on the accelerated program and living circumstances made me turn away but i’ve acquired so much knowledge since then to where I really feel like i only gained a macbook frm Full Sail lol

[@kazzd58]

Im the prime example of a hands on faster learner vs a hr lecture when it comes to learning from a teacher… what takes an hr in lecture form I can learn better actually in 10-15 minutes trial and error hands on🤷🏾‍♂️. In general.. Dope Show!

[@prezidentjeff]

Id say its only worth it for the networking opportunities if you're starting from scratch, don't know a soul in the industry, and/or if no one knows who you are. Outside of that, there's too much information & resources available online to justify paying tens of thousands of dollars to go to school. Not to mention internships, so valuable

[@zamirwilliams2981]

I was starting kindergarten back in 08… I turn 20 next month lol great episode

[@makethemix]

This pod always has me laughing out loud with my AirPods in. 😂

[@toyaavant5129]

As a 2002 graduate of Full Sail, I would say no... If I had KZbin university back then i would have never paid money to attend Full Sail.

[@cdauterive1]

I’m 55 and I’d like to learn more production and mastering as a bedroom producer. What online training would you recommend?

[@Ryanthemusician]

He said anybody that has a protools session that 2TB throw the whole song away 😂😂😂😂😂😂 lol

[@pillowzzzbox3466]

I originally wanted to go to full sail for animation but I could also produce. But that tuition man! I kinda glad I didn’t because 80k I don’t have. That’s expensive.

[@TheUndebunkable]

So much information flowing in this video

[@Mexzy.MadeIt]

Not too much on Oklahoma 🙌🏾 the most underrated state there is in alllll facets !

[@Jesse4EVEReaL]

incredible episode!!! Hilarious as well!

[@ReapWhatYouSow_RM]

It ain't my job to store your files and back them up and I'm definitely sending a wetransfer what I'm bout to be paying drop box from extra storage for

[@davidfields1920]

I’m so glad I watched this before I ended up listening to it again 😂😂😂

[@prod.xx808xx]

Yo Rosetta, lemme halatchu real quick😂. I need that Rosetta, stop playin me.

[@fenyileshabane5911]

Almost went a whole episode without mentioning Behringer😂😂

[@SC36DC]

Yo, we need a whole episode about Logic Pro coming to iPad and what it could mean going forward.

[@RodneyD]

I still have backups but it’s a nightmare. Artist calling and text for instrumentals from 6 months ago!! And all studio sessions are a $100 minimum

[@DohBoi863]

Random shit... but I love drinking a cup of coffee ☕ and watching the podcast.

[@themcsha]

YOOOO IM 19 MINS IN AND IM CTTTFFFFUUUUUUU BRUUHH

[@803MUSICGROUP]

FS Networking opportunities is mad crazy!!!! One of the best in my opinion.

[@quincymiller782]

my favorite podcast

[@CameronDuff-w8h]

Ay Devvon funnily enough I'm currently attending SAE out in Auckland, New Zealand lmao About 3 months in, the institute is pretty on to it. They got three I guess areas - Audio , Music and Video and either one year (diploma) or three years (bachelor's degree) and it's roughly $10,000k NZD (so like $6k-ish USD) a year I'd be lying if I said I wasn't lost but I blame myself and pro tools for being so fuckin complicated ahahaha

[@TheUndebunkable]

Man y’all funny as hell🤣🤣💀💀😭😭☠️☠️

[@TROYD9669]

Drop box is good but they need too much money for my likings and you need space on you cumputer for it to work. We transfer is better for me and your file will save online without fulling up your computer 👌🏾.

[@thekidcalledBLACK]

Logic finally coming to iPad os. Please speak on it soon. I think it’s a game changer ! Logic just got that much better ! Logic gang

[@donzellbailey3810]

By far the best episode. Burny Maydolph😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@typcam2]

Oklahoma music scene is growing every year! we will be well known in the next 5 years. we just dont have the resources or spotlight like everywhere else.

[@millyisrael1988]

I couldn't understand the instructions to get the free rosetta eq lol ill buy it if i have to tho Pair that with my tlm 102 🔥🔥🔥

[@claffmatic]

The mount Vernon slander is crazy 😭

[@TheReal_E.IRIZARRY]

Full Sail ignored my app back in the 2000s. So glad they did because I saved mad gwap in stacks. Now I know how to M.E./Audio Engineer ITB with the best of them via trial and error like a mugg. (Okay so Full Sail teaches OTB Audio Master Engineering and ???! LoL

[@najee2123]

Yooo my nigga Devvon in his late 40’s n shit lmao 😂

[@HelpMeDevvon]

CAPPPPP NO IM NOT 😂

[@najee2123]

How ya knees feel? 👀 lol jk I love y’all frfr 💯❤

[@mprhustle888]

Love this pod 😂

[@ScottFarlee]

this the 420 ep we was supposed to get lmaoo

[@montanamaxxamillion]

Yo I hate mad buggy sessions too bro 🤣🤣🤣

[@AVDRE]

put a soundgoodizer on that lmfaoo episode got me dying bruh

[@typcam2]

easy on us oklahoma folks lmao we really real out here!

[@Twist-Diesel]

Good thoughts 🫡

[@joseguz5233]

Good podcast I learn alot

[@mattolivo]

I vote for LONGER EPISODES!!! Like this if you feel the same. I feel unsatisfied after only 30 min of this podcast bc I feel there is still stuff to talk about on these topics.

[@julianwwilson]

As a recent Berklee Grad… No 💀. You’re really just paying for a platform and connections. Music school is really what you make of it, and if you go with the mentality that the school is what will make you great, it’ll be a waste of time and/or money.

[@Valeofmusic]

This should be the shout out show 😂

[@KLmusiconline]

Big Shout Out to the artists that write in session!

[@lalystar4230]

honestly, i now kinda wanna hear a song called: 'I love my passion' xD

[@therealonetherealone]

Dropbox is a big key for real

[@HelpMeDevvon]

Dropbox is my lifeeeeeee

[@tylermarks1769]

I get his question lowkey

[@houseofgraceworship]

Was that made in fl studio?? 😂😂😂

[@kerylmcjohnson]

What school was LJ going to? That's an interesting program

[@msb1704]

wait wait wait 😭 whts wrong with wetransfer

[@matroEnt]

LJ talking for everyone who was a lil kid in 08. They was talking about Bernie Maddoff like he was Hitler on the news

[@SweataWeatha]

FACTS!!!

[@lilian896]

Adam @ imamusicmogul is the only channel that can best explain Attack and Release, in my oppinion. Never laughed so hard today. You guys are great!

[@HelpMeDevvon]

Todays episode was tearsssssssss 😂😂

[@JayK817]

good LORD do NOT send me any stems to anything in .mp3 !! lmao

[@omgitskaiju9864]

Devon tried FL once and been on LJ ass ever since smh 😂

[@HelpMeDevvon]

Never going backkkkkkk

[@Itsanasmusic]

goats

[@ivanreza6541]

Y’all should get Monte booker

[@bryantlroeback3287]

I have a wetransfer unlimited account. you can make all your uploads in your account with no expiration date. Also there is no data transfer size cap per transfer. Devvon, please get at me...you promised me a free gift but i never received it. Thanks Devvon. I know you are a busy guy. Love your content.

[@BoomdockBeats]

Why can't you say how much you paid for school? Couldn't we figure out online, roughly, what it cost anyway?

[@PRIDEATH]

2TB in 1 session is wild😭

[@yehmerakaryahai_]

BEST

[@thestreetdisciple3955]

Courtney made a good point about teaching Fr fr

[@oldmanchristian4333]

I'm dying laughing - we need a t shirt! "Bernie Madoff ruined my audio journey"

[@lovelegacy500]

Shoutout the Audio Engineers that have an SSL in front of them and Act like they're using it. 😢

[@akashanme1126]

SAE in the Bay Area is trash I bounced out and went to a different school, no lie it was a waste of time and got away from the music aspect doing more A-G requirements