Q. What qualifications route did you take to realise your career?    
 None. There were none that were relevant when I started. To a large extent this is still true today. Studios are more interested in experience than qualifications.
 
Q. Please explain in detail what students will learn during your course.
That's quite a big question. Essentially all the principles of the use of all the equipment in a recording studio as well as all the relevant software commonly used in professional studios. eg Logic Studio, Cubase, ProTools, audio recording, microphone techniques, mixing, mastering, synthesiser programming, sampling, studio design, wiring etc..
 
Q. What’s the first thing you teach your students?
The physics of sound and how to listen to a production.
 
Q. What qualities do you need to succeed in your industry?
Enthusiasm, commitment, reliability, working in a team for long hours in close proximity, resourcefulness and most importantly networking skills.
 
Q. What are the benefits of studying your subject?
To be able to professionally produce your own or others music and a chance to work with world famous artists.
 
Q. Please explain why you love your subject.
Ever since the Beatle's Sgt Pepper album I have been fascinated by music production. You get the chance to push to the limits of how a piece of music can affect your emotions and create any atmosphere you want and make people say "wow" when their hear it for the first time.
 
Q. What skills do your students have by the end of the course?
They can produce any style of music to a professional standard. Work with all the professional computer applications commonly used in this field as well as record drums, vocals, guitars, bass and a whole range of other instruments.
 
Q. What do students normally do once they’ve finished their course?
Get a work experience placement in a studio or other audio media related establishment.
 
Q. What’s the best way to go about getting a job in your industry?
Getting a work experience placement after having completed a good course.
 
Q. Can you describe a typical day in your working life?
I get in at 10:30, check all my email and complete any correspondence. Let the morning students in. Go to the various studios and check everything has been turned on correctly. Teach for the day and then in the evening get set up to run a recording session.
 
Q. What advice do you have for people interested in studying a course like yours?
Go and see the school. Check how many students there are in a class. Look at the equipment, is it all computer based? Software is easy to get hold of but it is the hardware that matters most in a studio. What experience do the tutors have? Have a chat with them. A good engineer is not automatically a good teacher. The 2 are completely different. Ask yourself if you will feel comfortable to ask questions in the school or does it look a bit intimidating and impersonal. Here at The Recording Workshop we pride ourselves on being accessible and able to support our students with any problems they may have relating to our courses.