Joe Dodd : Sound Engineering Work at Neuron Pro Audio
Pharmacist turned Midi School Student turned Audio Engineer, Joe Dodd talks us of his work with Neuron Pro Audio…
Hey Joe! Talk us through how you started working with Neuron Pro Audio.
I saw the Neuron Pro Audio post on the MMS noticeboard here when I first started the 18 month Music Production, Audio Engineering and Music Business Course – but I hadn’t done my Audio Engineering module at that point. But, when I felt like I was ready enough to work with them I emailed them through in October and they were happy enough to let me come along with them, and I’ve been doing sound engineering work ever since!
Describe some of the work you’ve been doing…
I’ve helped Neuron Pro Audio setup the Void Soundsystems. So like, travelling to different venues – Manchester, Liverpool and so on. We liaise with the club owners familiarise ourselves with their setup and route it through the rig. I’ve also helped them with live gigs; so I’ve set up all the monitoring speakers on the stage for bands, as well as routing all the instruments, micing them up, and doing all the changeovers. Really hectic, in busy environments where everyone is still partying and you’ve got to do quite quick changeovers!
Are you enjoying it?
I am! It’s challenging but I felt quite comfortable after my Midi School Audio Engineering module. Jonny, the chief engineer, would instruct me of what needed routing through e.g. “I need those appliers routed to those monitor with monitors 3,4 linked” etc, and then he would let me get on with it. At times if there were problems I’d just work it out from there, so it was great.
Would you say that the course here has helped prepare you?
Most definitely, yes, particularly the audio engineering module where we familiarise ourselves with suitable microphones for instruments or vocalists and all the necessary outboard gear. Also with in-house studio wiring – it’s completely the same and applicable to live setups with different considerations to monitoring and live venue acoustics. I couldn’t have done it without the course at all.
Are there any really satisfying bits you’ve had so far?
The best bit was probably when we had to do a quick changeover – we had 20 minutes to changeover Riot Jazz – so from a 5 piece band with like generic guitars, bass guitars, drums and then remiccing it to 3 trumpets, a trombone… there was 6 brass instrument players, a drummer and the MC, and the sousamaphone of course. So yeah, that was kind of off the cuff!
Do you think you’ve come quite a long way since the days of your MMS Tour, back when you were doing pharmacy?
Music started off as just a passion, a hobby, but since coming to the school, particularly nearer the end of my course I’ve realised ‘OK there are all these possibilities’, and it’s made me more confident with the direction that I’d like to go in. At first, I wanted to have a career where there was a creative process and I could see something through from start to finish, so I delved into music production. Now, I can see a career in music with a whole new perspective. Whether it’s in live sound, music licensing or sound for screen. Also, it’s all about what you do with the knowledge you have gained and how pro-active you can be with it. Don’t just go to studio slots, also, meet other musicians and jam or make music, contact companies for experience or even offer to produce other bands music for free – it’s all a learning curve.
Definitely agree, you’ve got to be switched on about the steps it takes to get a job in the industry…
Yeah, there’s a weird battle now – I really want to get my music out there, but at the same time, I’d still like to venture in the industry with an alternative career as well, in case my music productions don’t earn my keep – it’s good to keep my options open and develop multiple skills in different fields. I’d still prefer to be working in music and earning a crust, as well as working on my music. It doesn’t really matter, as long as you’re delving into music and being submersed in it – around bands and around like-minded people – unsociable hours of course, but it’s worth it.
Fancy taking the course Joe did? Check out our 18 month Music Production and Audio Engineering Diploma if you like the sound of it!
