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Engineering sound to bring music to your ears [Star, The (South Africa)](Star, The (South Africa) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) What role do you play in the Academy of Sound Engineering (ASE) and how long have you been involved? I have been a professional musician for 20 years. I head the marketing department, and lecture at ASE in music theory and train engineers and producers to discern subtle differences in audio reproduction that most inexperienced and untrained listeners cannot. I also assist the industry in placing qualified students in jobs. What is your background in the music industry and what attracted you to the business? I attended the Drakensberg Boys' Choir School and studied music through Unisa. Most of my music career has been performing at corporate events. What qualifications are required for your job and how do they help you? My music qualifications have assisted me in developing what is now the Diploma in Audio Technology. Years of experience in sales and marketing have led me to the education sector. Who has inspired you the most and who was your role-model? My father, who dedicated his life to music education and introduced the first qualifications we offer. He inspired countless sound engineers with his passion. He was a great man and his legacy lives on in the industry and at ASE. What has been the highlight of your career? As a marketer, I believe I have played a major role in growing |the ASE brand into the largest |and most respected educational provider in entertainment techno-logy in Africa. Other highlights include performing to more than 30 000 people in Yallingup, Western Australia, and Mozart's Queen of the Night solo in front of multiple audiences across South Africa and the US when I was 15. What are the advantages of being in the SABC? We have access to state-of-the-art studio facilities, and our students get to interact and network with major players in the industry on a daily basis, giving them a start in their careers. What is the role of a sound engineer and what job opportunities are available for graduates? Sound engineers are involved in every aspect of audio, from writing and recording songs, to editing and mixing, to what is heard on CD or radio. Also from sound systems at big concerts, shopping malls and lifts, to writing adverts and jingles for radio (the biggest money-spinners in the industry). Explain why the BSc qualification has been introduced by ASE. Because of the shift in technology, the world of sound, film and video have come together to share common platforms. Although the equipment has become easier to use at a basic level, the implementation of this technology at higher levels is much more complex and technical, hence the need to produce professionals with the technical abilities the industry demands. What advice would you give to someone wanting to become a sound engineer? It's about being in the right place, all the time. Go to events. Show interest in the equipment and ensure you leave a lasting impression on everyone you meet. Be confident, not arrogant, and remember that success in the entertainment industry is about freelancing, passion and working long hours. l Visit www.ase.co.za or call 011 482 9200. The Star (c) 2014 Independent Newspapers (Pty) Limited. All rights strictly reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |