Audio Production

Our First CDIA Student Chapter AES Event

February 5, 2009 On January 12th, 2009, the CDIA Waltham campus hosted its first CDIABU Student Chapter Audio Engineering Society event, titled "Building and Maintaining a Successful Career in Audio Production."  We had a panel of Boston-based producers and engineers answering questions and sharing their experiences in the world of audio.

Our three panelists were Gabe Herman, J Franze and Dana Colley. Gabe is familiar to CDIA students as one of our instructors, helping us master the art of mixing. He also works extensively in the world of audio as an engineer, producer, sound designer and composer, as well as running his own studio out of the Jamspot complex in Somerville. J Franze owns his own production company and is a seasoned professional in many areas of the audio industry, with a diploma in Audio Production from the SAE Institute of Technology as well as certification in Engineering and Music Production and a certificate in Music Business. He’s also written two books and worked with many artists in Nashville, New York and Boston. Dana Colley is best known for playing the baritone sax for Boston's own Morphine. He is currently involved with HI-N-DRY Studios and is a core member of the Mark Sandman Music Project, which actively brings music and music education to local youth. 

Since this was our first event at CDIA, we were keen to have a good turnout, and we were not disappointed – all seats were filled. I was moderating the evening, but it had been a while since I'd done any public speaking so I was a little nervous – especially when confronted with a panel of audio giants for whom I have so much respect. I’m always surprised by how comfortable I am making a fool of myself playing music on stage in front of any number of people (and in my music career, that number has ranged anywhere from a lone barman wishing for a customer to serve to a few thousand at some festivals), but when speaking to an assembly of mostly familiar people, the nerves kick in.  

I began the evening with some general questions on how the panel members got started in the audio business. It’s always interesting to hear about the many ways people get started. Everyone has a different story, but the common factors are always a passion for audio, hard work and a hunger to succeed. We then moved on to a discussion of how the panelists currently manage the business side of their audio careers. They talked about the advantages/disadvantages to working out of your own studio and shared their strategies for keeping current clients and attracting new ones.

As a student who will soon be set free into the real world of audio, I was very interested in the panelists’ tips for students doing internships. Their expert advice: be enthusiastic and always on the lookout for something that needs to be done, whether it's closing an open door, getting an artist a glass of water or grabbing a mic that's about to fall off of a dodgy stand.  

I'd like to thank everyone who attended the event, as well as our panel, and I look forward to hosting our next event at CDIA.      

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