I went to recording school, and I have to say that of the 80 or so people I graduated with only myself and one other person are still in the business now that I know of (I graduated 10 years ago).

I think the schools have their place and give you a good technical knowledge, though I don't think they're essential if you have a lot of ambition and self discipline. I found that a lot of the others who went weren't very motivated/thought they would become a star by the end of the term etc and dropped out when reality hit them. I got a lot out of certain teachers, and I think anyone who makes the effort to work hard at learning would too.

The important thing to know is that most schools don't give nearly enough 'hands on' experience - so if you decide to go, attend a school with a good internship program and choose where you intern wisely (aim to be offered a job when you finish). That was what worked for both myself and the other guy I graduated with who's still in the business!!!

Keep in mind that great marks at these places won't make you a good engineer as well. The most important thing is having a good set of ears, and it sounds like you have that aspect already sorted! The technical knowledge is a lot easier come by, in my opinion. If the idea of going to school appeals to you, it'll probably help you to go. If you'd rather gain the technical knowledge through your own personal experience, then that's totally valid too!

Hope that's of some help to you

Steve Chahley.

My .02.

Don't go to recording school. Whether you go to school for it or not, you'll still have to start as an intern wherever you start working, so why not get the real world education for free rather than spend thousands of dollars and a year or more of your time just to have to start out at the same spot you would coming in off the street?
I started my career knowing nothing about recording but by being an intern at a studio, running errands, sweeping floors, etc. During all my spare time I wasn't doing errands or chores, I sat and observed sessions and read all the gear manuals until I got to the point a few months later when I got my first opportunity to assist on sessions. Had I gone to recording school I still would have had to spend the same amount of time as an intern doing grunt work and chores. The difference is it's a lot less bruising to the ego to start out at that position when you haven't gone to recording school and spent all that money just to start as a glorified "janitor".

In addition, when you intern you learn skills that aren't taught at school, such as people skills and client relations, which can be as crucial as the technical knowhow. My advice--get an intern position at a good studio, keep your head up, learn all that you can and get a free education during the time that you would otherwise be spending thousands of dollars just to start at the same spot in the end.