The reason I decided to attend Harbourside Institute of Technology was not just because I lived really close to it, or that it was the cheapest school that I could find; it was the fact that I just needed the most basic and important information to get started in the field.
When I asked past students what they had learned and what they thought of the school, I received answers coming from all different directions. Then it became clear to me that everything would depend on how I ended up using what I was taught, and how seriously I took the program.
Prior to admission, the only real expertise I had was playing the drums for 12 years and being involved with music constantly. As for education goes, the only requirement was a high-school diploma and other than that, I was good to go.
The School Facilities, Faculty, and Equipment
As for the cost of the program itself, I believe that it was fair compared to other schools that offer the same type of program. It covered everything including books, headphones, hard drives, and any other necessities that were required.
It’s not used just for teaching, but local artists also come in for professional recording as well.
The quality of the facilities were very good. The studio that you use is a Real Recording Studio. It’s not used just for teaching, but local artists also come in for professional recording as well. So on top of the education, you also get the experience of working with gear that you might not have had the chance to use at another institution. Students are also able to use the equipment for personal use as well (band recording, school projects, etc.) although studio time does depend on availability and which semester you are currently in.
There is one class on the main floor and another on the second. At the time I was there, the classes were small, so it was great that each of us could have more one-on-one time with the instructors to learn extra tips and tricks. The faculty at the school are very well rounded and have a lot of experience in the field, especially since they do this for a living.
The Program
The program itself was broken down into three semesters:
Semester 1
The first thing they started us off with was learning different recording techniques (eg. different microphones, placements, signal flows, etc.), how to make a proper studio, producing an album, working with digital audio workstations (such as Pro tools and Logic Pro), and Pro tools 101.
Semester 2
We then moved on to working on modern mixing techniques (effects, EQ, re-mixing, ect.), electronic music production (sampling, working with MIDI, synths, etc.), music theory and song writing, music business (recording contracts, networking, etc.), and live sound (live recording, PA Design, room tuning, etc.).
Semester 3
Finally, we finished the program with audio for film, video, new media, media delivery (making demo reels, web page designs, etc.) and finally pro tools 110.
I still personally believe that the focus of the entire program is mainly on a career in the music industry, but it also covered film and other media well enough so that you could get started in those fields too. This actually surprised me in the end, because I went there mainly just to learn about the music biz, but ended up having more fun working with audio for film.
Overall I think the program was well done, but at times it did seem a bit unorganized.
Overall I think the program was well done, but at times it did seem a bit unorganized. Sometimes, it felt like we were doing random exercises to kill time, because of short lesson plans or that the teachers didn’t know what was supposed to happen next. There was also supposed to be a field trip to downtown for the second semester as a practice for live sound, but due to a confusion with the schedule, we were not able to go until after graduation. But other than those few problems, I was still pleased with how everything turned out.
The Verdict
In the end, I would recommend the program only to those who are interested in all things audio. You really must have a passion for it. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, why do it? I especially think it’s more beneficial for musicians like myself, as it has given me that extra edge. Now I know what the music industry is really like, and how I can survive within it. Of course, even with this review, I have only touched the tip of the iceberg in describing the school.
At the end of the program, the school definitely did live up to my expectations and more. I came into the class, being the only student who knew absolutely nothing about any of the audio programs. Now I know how to work with different types of audio, whether if it’s for music, film, or television.
With this program, they will give you all the basic tools that you need, but after that, the rest is up to you.
The most important thing HIT made very clear was that you would not reach your career goals unless you were fully committed to it. As with any job, you will start from the very bottom of the food chain, and hopefully over time climb your way to the top. With this program, they will give you all the basic tools that you need, but after that, the rest is up to you.
I am currently still trying to work my way into the industry…as you probably know, it’s very hard to get into. Since I am in a band now, I have started to utilize some of the skills I have learned at the school, especially in terms of recording. As for future plans, we’ll have to see. I just plan to keep using the knowledge I have attained, and try to find my place within in the music industry.
Just as a side note, this school is still fairly new. It has only been up for maybe 3-5 years, and it was not too long ago that I graduated. The school is still going through some changes with its schedule, teachers, and such, so don’t just judge the school based only on my review. Do what I did, and ask other students that have attended this school about it. I hope this was helpful for everybody reading!
You can find more information about the program at http://www.harboursideit.com.
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Dear Reg, this was very useful review. I would really like some more info about HIT, and I would be delighted if you are willing to share some more info with me.
If you are ok with this, please e-mail me at matijagajic@hotmail.com
Thank you so much in advance!
Matt