PREREQUISITES
A thorough knowledge of how to set
up and use recording equipment is a
must. The ability to listen, take
instruc-
tions, and communicate well with an
underlying positive personality are
skills
that will help you succeed.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
On the day of recording, Ricky
Cobble arrives at the studio one to
two
hours before the session begins so
that
he can set up the equipment,
including
microphones, stands, any specially
ordered gear. He puts tape in place
and
makes appropriate notations on the board. When
the musicians arrive, he assists in
getting them set up and miked, with all lines
working properly. Throughout the
session he is available to assist with anything
from getting coffee to running the board
while the first engineer steps away. At the end
of the session, the second helps break
down the equipment.
POINTERS FOR THE JOB SEARCH
"Enroll in an accredited school where you can
learn about all aspects of the indus-
try. I highly recommend learning how all the
different areas of the industry work. Get
into an engineering class and learn about
signal flow and how the different pieces of
equipment work, and what pieces of equipment
you should use to get the sound you
"Many times, writers, manage-
ment, publishers, and promo-
tion people come into the
studio. It's really helpful if you
know about other people's jobs
in the industry."
"A lot of people come to town
and don't progress as quickly as
they expect and become frus-
trated and quit. You've got to be
willing to work hard and stick
with it."
THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS
JOB:
"My least favorite part of my job are the hours
and being away from
my family. The engineer is the first to arrive
at the studio and the last
to leave. The arsenal of musicians shows up
after everything is set up,
and once the recording is over, they leave.
You're there another hour or
so, tidying things up."
THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS JOB:
"The thing I love the most is working with all
the musicians."
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