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Issue #51 – Apprentices in Action
by L. Swift and Jeff McQ
Approximately six months ago, Michael Ilumin was living in Austin and considering going to grad school for further study in his current field–nursing. Then, he thought about his what he really wanted to do, to be an electronic music producer.
“Recording Connection just happened to be in the back of my mind. I’ve seen their ads a few years back, and I thought it was great that I’d get actual studio learning and I know the importance of that because in my current profession with nursing I’ve had the experience of learning from textbooks and classroom-based institutions and actually being in the professional world. I’ve come to realize if you really want to learn something and master your craft, then you have to do it on the job.”
So Michael kept his nursing job and enrolled in Recording Connection. He was matched up with mentor Nick Joswick at 5th Street Studios in Austin, TX, whom Michael says is “One of the best in the business I tell you!”
Over the next few months, Nick helped Michael move beyond mixing-in-the-box to something that provided him with a larger scope. Speaking of his time in the studio, he says:
“I feel like that’s where the human element comes in at the music, because of the live aspect. You know music is a shared experience and I think another thing that contributed to me starting the program was that I was making music at home and very I’m fascinated about how to make things sound the way they do. What was missing was the human element and collaborating with other people who enjoyed what I did. In the studio, I have that around me.”
Michael’s experience as an apprentice was the very thing he needed to make the next major step on his journey–move to Los Angeles.
Using nursing as a means to open doors for himself, he made the move to L.A. and landed work locally as a cardio-thoracic intensive care unit nurse!
“The Recording Connection helped me with this decision. A lot of what we do right now in Austin is rock n’ roll. Austin is a great city for live music where I’ve been lucky to work with such talented artists and overall great people. I can see myself continuing what I’ve learned back in Austin and I’m bringing that to my work in LA. I think LA is going to provide me with more opportunities for electronic music, which is what I’m really passionate about.”
Michael Ilumin, who goes by the electro-music moniker, Nuumod, says he’s looking forward to “learning from the best and becoming one of the best engineers and electronic music producers in LA!”
And…
He’s scouting for singers for a few of his tracks. Send him an email for more information.
Hear a couple of Nuumod’s tracks below!
or call (800) 755-7597
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