Now that I've decided to finally come back to school, I'm really thinking about pursuing a career in the audio field. First off, I would like to earn a degree in audio/acoustical engineering, but I really do not know where to start searching. I've googled and came across a few sites with some general information on the available programs, but not much I consider very useful.
I hope that I can find someone on here with experience in the field and tip me in the right direction.
A few questions.
1) As I was googling, I became aware that the audio/acoustical engineering degree can only acquire through a Master's program. Is that correct?
2) If question number 1 applies, what are the undergraduate programs for an inexperience person like me?
3) I prefer a school in California, preferably in Southern California. But, I'm open for suggestions with the best schools within the US. Can you recommend me one?
I appreciate your time reading this. Words of encouragement are welcome. I hope I've made the right decision in doing this.
Kev.
I hope that I can find someone on here with experience in the field and tip me in the right direction.
A few questions.
1) As I was googling, I became aware that the audio/acoustical engineering degree can only acquire through a Master's program. Is that correct?
2) If question number 1 applies, what are the undergraduate programs for an inexperience person like me?
3) I prefer a school in California, preferably in Southern California. But, I'm open for suggestions with the best schools within the US. Can you recommend me one?
I appreciate your time reading this. Words of encouragement are welcome. I hope I've made the right decision in doing this.
Kev.
Physics and math courses. Major in physics and later on, like you said, you can study more specialized topics.
I studied (BS)Video and Audio Production at the University level; concominant in music. That was easy, but as I undersatand it, if you get into what makes audio work, you'll have to be very good at math. I wasn't so I never went on.
I bought the (Dr) Joe D' Appolito book on testing loudspeakers, thinking it would be a good way to learn how to test drivers and cabinets...it's all equations. I get a headache just reading the intro!
I don't think it is written anywhere that you must absolutely go to school to get into the audio field. I'm sure some haven't, but it helps.
my 2 cents.
Vince
I studied (BS)Video and Audio Production at the University level; concominant in music. That was easy, but as I undersatand it, if you get into what makes audio work, you'll have to be very good at math. I wasn't so I never went on.
I bought the (Dr) Joe D' Appolito book on testing loudspeakers, thinking it would be a good way to learn how to test drivers and cabinets...it's all equations. I get a headache just reading the intro!
I don't think it is written anywhere that you must absolutely go to school to get into the audio field. I'm sure some haven't, but it helps.
my 2 cents.
Vince
You might check with the Audio Engineering Society (AES), they have a program for careers in Audio, but I don't know the details. They are also very close to industry if you need apprenticeships etc, and they do sometimes scholarships. They are at www.aes.org/education I think.
Jan Didden
Jan Didden
Kev- Vince is right on. Physics is what you want to do. With a solid physics background, you'll be able to understand the basics of mechanics (especially vibrations and waves), solid state, optics, materials, thermodynamics, and of course electromagnetism. Once you understand those basics, you can learn any of the specialized stuff on your own or on the job.
sqlkev said:Now that I've decided to finally come back to school, I'm really thinking about pursuing a career in the audio field. First off, I would like to earn a degree in audio/acoustical engineering, but I really do not know where to start searching. I've googled and came across a few sites with some general information on the available programs, but not much I consider very useful.
I hope that I can find someone on here with experience in the field and tip me in the right direction.
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Although I am in the UK, I know quite a lot about the engineering system in the US.
First, do an accredited degree; it will serve your career much better and give you room for lateral movement.
Second, choose a basic degree such as Mechanical Engineering with electronics or vice versa, with the right engineering sciences, vibrations and mathematical grounding; then perhaps an MSc in acoustics/sound engineering. The reason is that you should not narrow your choice of field at an early stage. There are many graduates in acoustics and sound production electronics who cannot find professional work as the industry is relatively small. Keep your interest in audio whilst at university and develop it in parallel.
I speak as a professional mechanical engineer and acoustician with more than 30 years of interest in audio and noise control.
Best of luck.
SY said:
Physics is nice, I minored in it -- but depending on the program you can just swamp yourself in the math -- some programs don't create any experimentalists !!! If you are getting into Audio Engineering here are Universitites with AES sections: http://www.aes.org/sections/
If you do physics or EE or ME you are going to spend a lot of time in calculus -- I never found this to be useful until I got into Finance! As a chem major you had to have 2 years of calculus. A year of statistics and a year of calc would have been more helpful.
If you have the resources I would suggest that you also spend your electives wisely -- philosophy, music, film, a course in comparative theology -- surprisingly all of the aforementioned will help you understand the enjoyment of music. If for no other reason you will be able to talk to well-heeled customers in their lingua franca.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------sqlkev said:thanks for all your suggestions
I guess fmak is right. I should go for a basic degree first, just to keep my options open. Now I'm not sure if its mechanical or electronics that I should look into.
In the British system, mechanical engineering is a lot broader than electronics. They say that mechanicals adapt to the use of electronics and computer technology a lot more readily than electronics graduates.
Of course, mechatronics and optomatronics (marriage of mechanics, electronics, computing and optics) are accpeted here as part of mechanical engineering (as a specialism). And the world is going that way.
You can go to the ABET (Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology US) to see lists of accredited degrees.
Incidentally, calculus and differential equations are the core behind engineering science and must not be ignored.
AES
ISince you appear to be SoCal, like me, I might sugest going to the AES show i San Fran at the end of October. You will likely find everyone who can help you there. Also, there is an AES chapter that meets in LA. Look at the AES web site to find out where and when. Ask these people what they did to get into the business.
Myself, I've got an electronics diploma and am otherwise self taught.
ISince you appear to be SoCal, like me, I might sugest going to the AES show i San Fran at the end of October. You will likely find everyone who can help you there. Also, there is an AES chapter that meets in LA. Look at the AES web site to find out where and when. Ask these people what they did to get into the business.
Myself, I've got an electronics diploma and am otherwise self taught.
I would think that acoustical engineeering would be a part of mechanical engineering, though it works with electronics a lot. Talk to some university engineering departments for their insight.
Do you have some idea what you want to do with it? Acoustical engineering goes into designing concert halls as well as designing table radios. it deals with noise abatement and soundproofing. It concerns itself with audibility. It cares about microphones as well as speakers. it is a very broad field.
In the practical range there are many applications. Places like Full Sail have degree programs inthe recording arts. (As well as FIlm, computer animation, etc.) Asoustics figure heavily in designing, building, and operating a recording studio. Not to mention the stuff in it.
Try Googling Acoustic Engineering. Up comes things like oil exploration, sonar for the defense industry. All kinds of stuff.
Do you have some idea what you want to do with it? Acoustical engineering goes into designing concert halls as well as designing table radios. it deals with noise abatement and soundproofing. It concerns itself with audibility. It cares about microphones as well as speakers. it is a very broad field.
In the practical range there are many applications. Places like Full Sail have degree programs inthe recording arts. (As well as FIlm, computer animation, etc.) Asoustics figure heavily in designing, building, and operating a recording studio. Not to mention the stuff in it.
Try Googling Acoustic Engineering. Up comes things like oil exploration, sonar for the defense industry. All kinds of stuff.
Places like Full Sail have degree programs inthe recording arts. (As well as FIlm, computer animation, etc.)
Yes, but to be fair, they are not a true engineering school in even the broadest sense. They are OK for just being the guy who works in the studio, but anything more conplex than that and you NEED to go to a real engineering school......trust me.
Greg
Yes, but to be fair, they are not a true engineering school in even the broadest sense. They are OK for just being the guy who works in the studio, but anything more conplex than that and you NEED to go to a real engineering school......trust me.
Greg
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