"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Phildo wrote:
Of course one has to have some talent, geting through a total of 8 + 4
+ 4 years in becoming a tonemeister will weed many non talented out,
dont't you think?

Being good at a subject and managing to get a degree in it is no measure
of competence for the job. I have known engineers with no
qualifications but lots of experience who could knock spots off
Tonmeister graduates and tonmeister graduates who couldn't mix concrete.

Absolutely. Being a musician - ie being capable of playing a musical
instrument to a high standard - just ain't necessary to balance music. And
it's not something that anyone can learn. So a bit like being a musician
in that respect - you need a particular talent.

And yet, it is surprising how many balance engineers, can play an instrument
to a high standard. At the companies where I have worked, one has always
been
expected to be able to mark up a full score, pre session, and edit from one,
post session. I have yet to come across a classical engineer who cannot do
this.

As regards pop music. I have known many tape ops/assistant engineers
who could play guitar, bs gtr, and drums as well as or better than many of
the artists we were recording.

Of course to balance music you have to be able to identify the various
parts of the mix. Reading music - at least to lead sheet level - is also
useful.

Probably essential.
Would you drive in a rally without a map? :-)

Iain