Wanting to work with technology and music?

learningsumthing · 03-27-2011, 09:57 PM

Hey guys,
I'm currently a sophomore in college and I'm stuck trying to decide what I want to do as a career. I've been thinking a lot, and I'm coming to conclusion that I want to work with both music and technology. I've been a musician all my life (I started college as a piano performance major actually) but I've also always loved technology and am excited for what the future holds.
I'm thinking the best major to pick would be some type of an engineering one. I'm aware that as a sophomore, I would be starting late but I talked to my counselors and they said with hard work, I may still be eligible.
What type of engineering would you guys recommend? I'm thinking computer science or computer engineering for development on software like GarageBand, etc. Maybe electrical?

Thanks.

bl4ke360 · 03-27-2011, 10:09 PM

you could try be an audio engineer for movie or video game studios, kind of like this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_Ex8oApXyw

But you would likely have to have experience learned outside of college classes to get a position like that.

you_of_eh · 03-27-2011, 10:20 PM

If you like audio in general I'd look into holophonics, I think that stuff is incredible. If someone can figure out how to integrate that into movies/video games/porn (seriously lol) they'd be an instant millionaire. 3D video with holophonic sound has got to be the future, it would be insane. I feel like you could make a whole "movie" using just holophonics with no video at all and just let the the listener visualize whats going on. I think marijuana users alone would provide a big enough market for that.

kkwa · 03-29-2011, 04:28 AM

I completed degrees in viola performance and EE. Like you, I wanted to do something that combined the two disciplines. What I came to realize is that they can be somewhat mutually exclusive, you can pursue them both, and you can often use one (EE) to fund the other (piano). You can still play at a very high level and enjoy music the rest of your life without trying to make it a career. If you are planning on going into software, it's a great escape from the routine of standup and triage.

Simbot · 03-29-2011, 12:55 PM

There is a ton of technology in music production, recording, editing, etc. I'd call a recording studio and ask them what field of study would be best. If you can get a hold of teh right person I bet they could give you some good advice.

Lakemom · 03-29-2011, 03:57 PM

What about Acoustical Engineering?

susgeek · 03-29-2011, 08:27 PM

Take a look at Lehigh's IDEAS program:

Lehigh University :: RCEAS: Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts & Science (IDEAS)

Montegut · 03-31-2011, 05:03 PM

University of Miami has a Music Engineering program offered through their excellent music school. They also have a good engineering program, if you want to switch majors to a more traditional engineering degree.

skbryan · 03-31-2011, 06:56 PM

Just some ideas...

Any major:
1. Get a job, do music as a hobby.
2. Buy an iPod.

CS:
1. Go into game programming. Put on your resume you can do music for games as a plus.
2. Make computer software for music. This can range from Autotune-like software to just media libraries.

MechE:
Design new musical instruments.

CompE/EE:
Make hardware for then next generation of music instruments that are computerized (e.g. next gen synthesizers)

Aerospace Engineering:
Design aircraft to be quieter with your expertise in music.

learningsumthing · 04-02-2011, 05:08 AM

thanks for the input guys. forgot to mention: i'm currently @ ucla so some of the advice of going to another college would be difficult.

i will consider everything that's been posted here