The amount of information contained within this post has absolutely blown my mind. Let me read it again to make sure I got it all!

I'm guessing you are talking about the program at the Recording Connection Audio Institute? See, I had never hear of that before so I had to look it up just to find out what you were talking about.

Well, upon initial inspection, I find that their list of software scares me; "...Pro Tools, Reason, Logic, Q-Base, Abelton Live..." WTF is Q-base? Cubase perhaps? :)

Looking at the course curriculum, what you will be learning are the basics...which is what you learn at pretty much any of the recording schools. They will teach you what the tools are and how they are used. However, they don't necessarily teach you how to make beautiful music. That is left up to you.

To me, this program sounds like you are paying to be an intern. That's not a bad way to learn but seems a bit sketchy to me...I quote "This week I watched my mentor work with Logic and Digital Performer." Why wasn't the mentor teaching him, instead of letting him just watch. Wouldn't the quote be better if it was something like 'I got to record some tracks using logic'. That just strikes me as odd.

If you don't know anything, you'll learn something. If you already know some things, you could probably save some cash and intern at a real studio or work on starting your own home studio or work in some clubs.
If you have the opportunity, attend a regular college and learn there.

Thanks for the advice progr4m..I'm sure there are people on this forum who has heard of them, and didnt reply.. So thnx again..

But to get back to there software, that's what I don't understand, they say they'll find a studio near your home. So it kind matters what studio you attend..because not every studio has the same equip.So it's almost like hit or miss, depending on were you live and what studio they send you to. ?

If any one else has heard or had any experience with Recording Connections, your input would be much appreciated. By asking around and being a ghost in several forums. I learned pretty quick that taking out a huge loan to to to some school isn't the best path in this industry... Making alot of money right away isn't the most important thing here. I have a passion for what I do, and I belive that if you love what you do it will show in your work and that will eventually lead you to success. As I said making money RIGHT away isn't an issue, but paying off some stupid loan for 15 years is. The Recording Connection cost about 7k,not as big of a risk. Now I know alot of you guys are gonna say just buy some equip with that money and teach yourself, trust me Id love to but school loans don't give you the option of "Do you just the cash to buy your equipment".YES!! Wish they did, I think we all wish they did. So gain any advice would be great Im all EARS.. Thanx...

I went to Recording Workshop in Chillicothe, OH. Costs about 4k with housing. Awesome school. Loved it!

I very nearly registered for the Recording Workshop this year, I had the money and had the time and opportunity as well. 4k for the price is a bit misleading, you gotta consider time off of work to go do that sort of thing. I estimated that if I went the full 8 weeks the cost was to be nearly $10,000 in total monetary cost. Which I suppose is fine for most people.

Then I did some research on the matter... the book that they use heavily up there for teaching the basics, Modern Recording Techniques, is on my bookshelf. Then I spent the next 8 weeks searching various employment sites and other recording forums for openings in studio or anywhere for that matter that they needed someone with an engineer's skillset. Not a single job popped up. And then a thought crept into my head that started to trouble me, that being that I'm going to spend all this money on knowledge but not really leave with any major tools. No computers, no software, no rack gear, no fancy guitars, just a head full of stuff that is largely useless without a medium to use it on.

The last straw was talking to my probation officer (yea, I've been a bad boy lol) who happens to be a world-class drummer and was nominated for a Juno in the 80's. He said to never pay for anything in the music industry that you can't get for free. That's what basically tipped the scales in the direction I'm headed. Either way I go, when I get back I'm gonna have to whore myself out night after night to look for recording gigs, work the day job and basically burn the candle at both ends until either I got sick of it all or got a well enough reputation and client list to cut the day job umbilical and record for a living.

So what have I decided to do? I've got a Mac Pro sitting in Indianapolis right now and will be delivered home tomorrow, as well as a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 on the way. I'm gonna build a custom desk that will hold all my rack gear, have a sliding shelf for my Radium61 and elevated, sloping mounts for my monitors. I'm highly considering purchasing Logic Express 8 (I actually only use Ableton atm, it's quite adequate for me and the session window is inspiring) and I'm going to give my office in my basement some acoustical treatment. And for the next 6 months I'm gonna just be a slave to my rig and that book that's been on my bookshelf, memorizing the whole thing and getting my art to a science. And then the whoring, of course.

Everyone I've talked to that's ever had the credentials to voice and opinion has told me that it's who you know and what you do, almost more than what you know. I mean look at Steve Albini, for every nice comment I see about his production work he's got 2 bad comments floating around. But he's networked in and he gets bands that make him the topic of discussion, and it's purely off the sweat of his brow. And if you search for Butch Vig on this site, you can read a write-up of what he had to do to get the big acts. He didn't waltz into a job, he grinded his way there.

I'm sure that not all of this is right, but I just don't see a reason to pay for knowledge that you can freely learn on your own. Can someone please tell me where I'm wrong, it may help me out a bit as well. :)[/url]

I agree with you ALMOST totally, intchr.
I too considered attending the Chillicothe program, but I had already done a 10 week, once a week workshop here in town that cost $250. Led by some of the best engineers in town and about 10 people in the class.
I was fortunate.

You're right about the lack of tools, and the ability to learn much of it on your own.
However.
Nothing beats having someone over your shoulder. The learning happens a lot more quickly that way. And w/o projects to practice your trade, there's only so much you can do by yourself. Eventually you have to have some real, live bands to work with, if you ever plan on working with real, live bands.

soapfloats wrote: I agree with you ALMOST totally, intchr.
I too considered attending the Chillicothe program, but I had already done a 10 week, once a week workshop here in town that cost $250. Led by some of the best engineers in town and about 10 people in the class.
I was fortunate.

You're right about the lack of tools, and the ability to learn much of it on your own.
However.
Nothing beats having someone over your shoulder. The learning happens a lot more quickly that way. And w/o projects to practice your trade, there's only so much you can do by yourself. Eventually you have to have some real, live bands to work with, if you ever plan on working with real, live bands.

I can't deny you there man. The idea of having a mentor to help you through is the real x-factor with a training program, and I've pretty much waived my ability to have one in the route I've decided to go. Fortunately I've got my own music to produce, and a production credit to my name already for a local band so I'm logging some hours in the "do" aspect of recording but there are many times that I wish I had someone there with me to nudge me forward and answer a question. On the bright side though that's also forced me to just persevere and figure things out on my own, as well as figure out my own way to make something happen. I think therein lies the art of recording, adding your own personal touch.

I'll probably try to pick up some solo artists or something and offer them a pro bono situation in exchange for more credits. Being able to show people what you've done is a good way to earn some faith, and when there is faith, there is hopefully a little bit of monetary compensation. :)

I'm on much the same path...
Luckily I've got a guy in Austin that did well here, to talk to almost on call, and his former partner here in town from time to time.
Still not real "mentors", but plenty helpful.

I don't want to encourage anyone from doing something that will help them.
I just don't want them to waste time or money.
If you have plenty of both, then by all means do everything!

Since I teach some recording workshops, take anything I say with a big grain of salt, but..

Close to $8000 is a lot of money. If this is lessons one on one, twice a week for 6 months with an amazing producer and engineer that loves teaching, its a good deal, if its not a great engineer/teacher, this could be really bad.

For that amount of money, I think its fair of you to ask them who your mentor would be so that you can research and meet them. If they will not tell you, I would not move forward.