What school should I go to learn game audio?

[deity307]

I've been trying to look for a program in college/university for game audio, but have had no luck. Should I just goto a school that teaches general recording and music production?

[irishlostboy]

yes, you should just study general music/ sound engineering/ audio design.
the skills you need are the same, only going a more general route (even if the option to specialise is open to you) gives you more options later on.
there is not a lot of work in audio for games, and it seems to be the one area where supply outstrips demand, so dont bet your livelyhood on it alone.

on the other hand if you prove to be really really good at what you do, and really dedicated, you will stand equil to better chance of getting a job in audio design in a games company to someone who did a specialised "audio for games" course.

[deity307]

So should I learn programming at a school as a primary option and leave audio design as a secondary option?

[irishlostboy]

Originally Posted by deity307

So should I learn programming at a school as a primary option and leave audio design as a secondary option?

if this sounds suitable to you, yes. if you think you could handle programming. its a very "in-demand" skill. audio, not so in demand. but if audio is your thing, and there is no two ways about it, dont over specialize by only doing audio for games.

[Thumper_34]

I would leave sound as a secondary its not that I dont like audio its just you are better at finding a programming job than a music job.

[Spec]

As someone who has been stalking the game audio and game composition job openings for the last three years I can say this: You're probably not getting hired in this capacity right out of school. The postings companies have had have universally been for SENIOR sound designers in positions that "require" 5+ years of industry experience or equivalent.

Talking to guys in the industry it seems most people move sideways into the gaming industry from straight recording gigs in music and film. I can't authoratatively back this because I'm not working in the games industry but I don't know if entry level positions in this dicipline even exsist. To break into this scene I'd advise, as I've been advised by others, to get in with a mod team and do some sound design so amazing it just can't be ignored. THEN try to get companies to look at your portfolio (and your mod) for the only positions they have: Senior Sound Designer.

All this comes back to education. If you're getting an education and thinking in terms of a 4 year degree followed by a job search Audio is a very dicey prospect (as is anything in music due to market saturation). If you're thinking in terms of 10+ years of post secondary schooling, a terminal degree, and cooling your heels as a professor for a while doing enthusiast mod work on your spare time then Audio is more up your alley. Alternately becoming wildly successful in another area of Audio is a proven method of breaking in.

[soundfx]

do programming...more jobs. audio doesn't pay much. programming will make you more $$. if you want an audio intern job...sony computers is hiring.

[ChristyTonic]

If you're interested in video game audio you should look into Pinnacle College. Pinnacle College recently announced the nation's first accredited degree in video game audio. It's a 16-month Occupational Associate Degree program where you learn all aspects of creating and managing sound for interactive media; including music composition, sound design, dialog recording, audio asset management and sound mixing.

For more information on the school or program you can go to the Web site: http://pinnaclecollege.edu

The new program has also teamed up with Dream Builder Studios to offer video game audio students access to the Heresy War video game in development. You can see the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/pinnaclecollege

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions! http://www.facebook.com/christytonic

Christy

[SchoolOfVideoGameAudio]

If you already have a bit of sound design or composing experience and just want some courses on game audio, you might want to investigate our classes online at the School of Video Game Audio: http://School.VideoGameAudio.com

There's more background information on the school available on Creating Sound and Designing Sound as well.

-Leonard

[tsloper]

SchoolOfVideoGameAudio, please do not necro three-year-old discussion topics to tout your program. Find newer ones.