Week 7: New Sound Format

I read this article about how they are coming up with a new sound format. So the question is could a new sound format change music production? DJ and producer Prime Cuts from the Scratch Perverts explains why he's using a new music format called Stems, which has been developed by Native Instruments. Stems software splits a track into four separate musical elements: drums, bass line, melody and vocals. Prime Cuts tells BBC Click's LJ Rich that rather than making life easier for a DJ, the creative options the format brings are vast.

Week 6: Atmosphere

The atmosphere at my internship is great. People are always moving and doing something at all times. It's very productive. The dress code is all black unless the event that is going on is strict and they want you to wear a specific color based on what they choose. Say that you have a wedding going on and they want you to wear red then you wear a red or try and incorporate into your outfit. It's a good way to match and blend in with the event but usually we wear all black. There are two main guys I report to but usually just the owner. He is my supervisor and tells me what to do and gives me pointers. There are a couple people working there and setting up for the bands that are at the event. We all report to the supervisor. If you do either the video or audio just make sure you get your job done and whatever else you are assigned to do.

Week 5: Internship

My internship is at a local company called Casa Blanca. I work on doing AV tech work. Hooking up microphones, wrapping cables, setting up, pictures, video, and sound checking. I hope that I have a better understanding of the mixing consoles and how to properly work with them. This company holds events like weddings, sweet 16’s, local events, fundraisers, Etc. The owner of the company has a radio background and used to work on the radio and did events for them and then decided to come up with his own company.

Week 4: Las Vegas Industry

Hakkasan Group is a global hospitality company committed to creating world-class experiences through excellence in service, design and innovation. Currently, it has a collection of entertainment, dining and nightlife venues located across the United States, Europe, Middle East, and Asia. Its namesake is taken from its Michelin-star restaurant that set the high-level standard for the group’s collection of diverse brands. Its ‘brand-first’ philosophy builds dining, nightlife, day life, and soon-to-be hotel concepts into world-class lifestyle hospitality brands, all with a focus on service, design, innovation and the experience. Under the nightlife and daylife umbrella of brands are Hakkasan Nightclub, OMNIA Nightclub Las Vegas, OMNIA Nightclub San Diego, Wet Republic, and many more. There are job opportunities such as graphic design assistant, digital marketing manager, social media supervisor, and in-house photographer.

Week 3: Salary Trends

Broadcast and sound engineering technicians make about $41,200. Broadcast and sound engineering technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for radio and television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, movies and in office and school buildings. Editors make around $53,880, editors plan, review, and revise content for publication. Film and video editors and camera operators make $46,280, Film and video editors and camera operators manipulate images that entertain or inform an audience. Photographers make $28,490, photographers use their technical expertise, creativity, and composition skills to produce and preserve images that visually tell a story or record an event. Graphic Designers make about $44,150, graphic designers create visual concepts, by hand or using computer software, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports. Producers and directors make about $71,350, producers and directors create motion pictures, television shows, live theater, and other performing arts productions. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience. Audio and video equipment technicians make around $20.09 hourly, $41,780 annually. Audio and video equipment technicians install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations. Diagnose and resolve media system problems. Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming. Mix and regulate sound inputs and feeds or coordinate audio feeds with television pictures. Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.

Week 2: Job Titles In Audio

Three job titles that would fit me would be an AV tech (audio visual technician), PA operator (public address operator), sound technician. I really enjoy doing audio visual work. I like to film and do photography as well. During my intern I helped set up the projector, make sure everything is set up properly and running smoothly. I have to make sure the microphones are working, everything in connected to the board. I also do some filming and photography but between the two I have to say that I enjoy the filming a lot more. I like to edit and do some color correction to my videos. I feel as the perfect job title for me in this company would be the audio visual technician. I do a little of everything, from setting up and making sure everything is working properly, connected to the board correctly. If something isn’t working them I have to figure out ho to fix it.

Week 1: Narrative

I come from a small town located in the central coast of California called Santa Maria. As a kid I was always surrounded by art. As I grew up I enjoyed simple things like drawing, taking pictures, filming, and deejaying. I would go to the beach and lakes and take pictures. In high school during the rallies I would usually be the one taking pictures and filming as well as deejaying when I could. I would deejay house parties as well and I really enjoyed doing it. After high school I moved to Las Vegas and I would help my uncle set up the sound systems for events that he had going on. That's where I got my first experience as a professional. I would work with Mexican bandas, mariachis, norteño grupos, etc. I would also do some photography and filming whenever I can as well. I would set up and be in charge of setting up and breaking down at the end. Also I would be in charge of the board and making sure everything is working properly. Since I’ve attended The Art Institute of Las Vegas I have acquired the skills as an audio tech from mixing and editing to basic camera skills. Not only that but understand and know to trouble shoot equipment and is needed I’m able to fix it, basic electronic engineering skills. I’ve been offered gigs such as being a deejay at one of the clubs on the strip. Ive also been offered to film company events.