After researching every audio school available to me in Canada, I ultimately ended up selecting TARA Toronto because I was able to communicate and speak directly with the owner and President of the school [Shannon Murray]. This conversation was the breaker for me personally, as I was able to hear just how serious she was about who attended and participated in her program, facility and studios. At the same time, she was also more than truthful and realistic with me. I got hit with some pretty hard questions about my future, experience, and knowledge of music and audio recording.
I also had around 7 years experience tackling my own personal DJ dreams.
Before I contacted the school, I was (and still do) run my own live radio program at CFMU 93.3 fm within Mcmaster University. Vinyl Sinners Radio and Vibe Factory Fridays were also my love and creations. These programs allowed me to DJ live on the airwaves and were an open invitation to all my friends in the business, featuring new and upcoming mixers and producers from around Southern Ontario. I also had around 7 years experience tackling my own personal DJ dreams, playing around Ontario at some of the most popular floors, with some of the baddest DJ’s and producers in Canada and the world.
The Applied Audio Program
The cost of the program was perfect at around $15.000. I was commuting every day from Hamilton to Toronto by way of Go transit, then walked 45 mins to get to the doors of my dreams. The studios were more than I thought they could ever be.
Each term was broken down into several large projects based on the subjects we were learning. From cables and connectors, studio time, introduction to microphones, polar patterns, make and models, pre-amps, microphone techniques, stereo technique, history, analog tape recording on 2″ tape machines (old school), etc. The list goes on. We had tests every couple of weeks, which I found really cool. So much information and topics were covered with so much detail, that it was nice to have many smaller tests rather than 5 or 6 huge ones.
Being creative and having the opportunity to use the school’s studio is really a big help to students starting out.
While all this information is taught, you are applying everything you learn in the studio either in your own personal studio lab times, or in the class with the teacher demoing everything to you step by step. One important thing about TARA is that they let you get in the studio and put down your own work. Being creative and having the opportunity to use the school’s studio is really a big help to students starting out. I believe they have 5 separate studios now and EMI’s recording section to work on.
Each Monday, everyone from the class would sign a sheet for their allotted 2/4hr slots each week. Sometimes you could get more than 8 hrs a week. With me, I rocked the studio time real hard. I would get around 20-30 hrs a week. I would show up with a coffee in the morning and start putting down work. I ended up being there every weekday and on Saturdays just to see if somebody missed their studio time.
For me the program was difficult, but at the same time it built up my confidence. I mean, if you’re going to one of these schools, then you’re obviously in love with some form of audio or music in your life. No matter how hard or how much pressure I felt, I always knew that I could smash the project or production I was working on.
Aside from that, my classmates were off the charts talented. We all studied together, laughed together, learned together, and took time to help each other out. You definitely want to feel a part of the student body at a school like this. Amazing musicians and personalities placed in a single room does wonders for your progress. And with only 11 students in my class, everything seemed that much more personal. When the teacher gave lessons, he could see who exactly was on board, and who needed to go over the topics once more.
The staff were more than helpful and I’m happy to call them friends. To this day, I still go to them for help and advice as I look to open my own record label. Our teacher, producer and record label owner Damon De Szegheo was really on point. He was able to connect with every student and teach technical subjects with laughter and an ability to recognize if you needed that extra little bit of attention. He cares about your future and he has fun doing it. What a perfect personality to have while holding the dreams of many musicians and artists in the palm of his hands. Another mention goes out to teacher Phil Strong, an amazing man with so much passion for his talent and work in the Post Production field.
It’s easy to see and feel like you’re on the right path in the music business.
The Verdict
I would strongly recommend TARA’s Applied Audio Recording program. For me, the vibe of the staff and building were dope. After all, we were here to learn how to create and record audio. With Gold records on the wall and EMI artists and producers walking around all the time, it’s easy to see and feel like you’re on the right path in the music business.
I know you’re thinking there must have been some aspects that were crap or weak, but honestly, walk in there determined to create tracks and everything will be golden.
Currently, I am opening my own record label and home studio with Vinyl Sinners Records. I am also applying to many of Toronto’s studios and recording facilities. I will say this about the music business – It is no joke. You’re going to have to put in even more work after school to be able to lock down a career in music business.
You can listen to some of my work at these sites:
http://www.myspace.com/djcoopdeville0
http://www.myspace.com/commyunitykicks
http://www.facebook.com/DJCOOPDEVILLE
http://soundcloud.com/coopdeville
Manager & Bookings:
Kelly Renee
12 Inch Vinyl Stars
kelly@12inchvinylstars.com
Colin Cooper-Coop DeVille
vinylsinners@live.com
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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