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As Digidesign rolls out the latest version of its flagship software/hardware recording and mixing platform, Pro Tools, which recently entered its second decade of existence, the company has certified only a handful of operators at the expert level worldwide. This is due in part to the intensity of the hardcore curriculum coupled with the expert certification process, and the limited number of advanced operators who have access to the facilities and equipment necessary to complete the high level training.
These hurdles, however, were not enough to deter three dedicated and experienced leaders in the Sound Arts department at Expression College from facing the challenge head-on. John Scanlon (Sound Arts Program Director), George Borden (SA Associate Program Director), and Steve Orlando (SA Course Director) successfully completed over a year of intensive training and eventually survived the six-plus hour, hands-on examination on the school’s newly-installed ICON D-Control digital console.
“The expert certification process for Pro Tools 7 was one of the biggest and most exciting challenges we’ve faced yet,” said John Scanlon, who has been the driving force behind the continual expansion of the Sound Arts program at Expression College since its inception. John continued, “With the integration of Protools 7 and the ICON consoles, there are so many different ways to achieve the same result. It can be overwhelming trying to keep these separate but equal approaches clear in your head…especially under pressure. But it’s this same flexibility and power that separates the Digidesign system from all other digital audio workstations.”
The successful certification of these three talented engineer/instructors puts Expression College in a rare category of teaching institutions designated as a Digidesign Certified Training Location. This allows the college to teach and certify its students in all of the Pro Tools classifications, from the 100- to 210M and 210P-level certifications in both music and audio post-production applications.
“We are very optimistic about the future employability of our sound graduates with the addition of the Pro Tools certification and the accompanying skill-set,” said Shiloh Hobel, Senior Director of Industry Relations and Sound Arts Career Development at Expression. “Just about every professional audio production in the music, film, television, and game industries passes through Pro Tools at some stage. Therefore, being able to train and certify our students at the highest level can give them a huge advantage in the job marketplace.”
In anticipation of the growing number of Sound Arts students who will be taking advantage of this rare opportunity, Expression College recently brought a brand new ICON studio-classroom on-line. “This unique learning environment merges all the support functions of a classroom, like video projection, white boards, and an open lecture space with the functionality and aesthetic of a professional recording studio, complete with surround sound monitoring, an isolation booth, and dedicated machine room,” explained George Borden, who has been teaching the advanced recording courses in the new room since it opened in early August. “The new space is working beautifully! It’s a very accurate and professional studio, as well as an extremely comfortable and well thought-out classroom. We’re very excited to be teaching these incredible new tools in such a cutting edge environment.”
For more information on these certifications:
