What would you need...

Serendipity

To work at a company such as Polk Audio?

An electrical engineering degree? Experience with sound recording? Interest in everything audio?

Why I am asking is because when I finish school, I really want to work for a company like Polk Audio. I enjoy tinkering with audio gear at home, help my friends set up their HT systems, and run the PA at my church. I'm also a musician and love all things audio.

madmax

You need to have greatness.

LessisNevermore

Have lunch catered in for their whole office, with a copy of your resume under each plate.

(sorry, I know you're looking for honest advice here...)

I would think that any related experience in audio that can translate as a marketable skill would increase your chances. You have to have the confidence to sell a company on your skills. Attitude goes a long way. As a new entrant to the work force, (fresh meat) you would do well to take what ever position they could offer, but convey to them your end goal, up front. Acknowledge you are green, and want to learn.

(another tip: )
When you do land somewhere, and an experienced pro tells you something-even if you already know it, the WORST reply you can give, is "Yeah, I know..." Bite your tongue, and thank them for the tip.

Serendipity

madmax wrote: »

You need to have greatness.

No kidding. I'm being serious here.

After I graduate, I'm either going to take Mechanical Engineering courses or do grad school in EE (which is my major, and I like it very much).

But what I don't know much about is the whole audio industry. Like should I join CEDIA? Or take courses in sound engineering? How about CES? I already go to CES...

Serendipity

LessisNevermore wrote: »

I would think that any related experience in audio that can translate as a marketable skill would increase your chances. You have to have the confidence to sell a company on your skills. Attitude goes a long way. As a new entrant to the work force, (fresh meat) you would do well to take what ever position they could offer, but convey to them your end goal, up front. Acknowledge you are green, and want to learn.

(another tip: )
When you do land somewhere, and an experienced pro tells you something-even if you already know it, the WORST reply you can give, is "Yeah, I know..." Bite your tongue, and thank them for the tip.

Thanks! That's exactly what I am looking for, and want to learn. I'd like to join CEDIA, and take some courses there. Also looking into things like ISF (anyone here a member?) and learning about the world of custom installation.

In the meantime, there's a theatre in Brooklyn (off-Broadway) that is interested in a sound engineer. Would experience in that field help with an audio career?

LessisNevermore

appadv wrote: »

In the meantime, there's a theatre in Brooklyn (off-Broadway) that is interested in a sound engineer. Would experience in that field help with an audio career?

You could inquire if they have an internship program....(Polk, or other audio company)


That's one field that I'm not sure would actually get you to where you want to be. It would be more of a first step towards recording studio work. I think a better approach might be to get into a service tech job. Learn how to diagnose and troubleshoot. It will serve you well when designing, if it leads you to that.

Serendipity

LessisNevermore wrote: »

You could inquire if they have an internship program....(Polk, or other audio company)

Polk and Definitive Technology would be my first choices.

LessisNevermore

appadv wrote: »

Polk and Definitive Technology would be my first choices.

Well, I poked around on the main site, and found their employment page.
http://www.polkaudio.com/inside/employment.php

The posted job isn't what you are looking for, but there is an HR contact email link at the bottom. I'd compose a brief summation of what you are about, what you want to do, and ask for an application, by mail, if it's more convenient for her. HR folks tend to be busy people, so save the life story for the application/interview.;)

Best of luck, hopefully others can chime in with better advice....I'm tapped out.:D

sTiLlLeArNiNg

Big lip's and a brown nose? lol

J/K j/K lol

Systems

A solid physics background and excellent CAD/CAM skills will be of importance.

Serendipity

GV#27 wrote: »

A solid physics background and excellent CAD/CAM skills will be of importance.

1. Thanks.
2. CAD skills? I haven't worked with a CAD program outside of PSpice and Electronics Workbench. Is this something they teach in Electrical Engineering? Or something I need to learn outside of school?

Thanks in advance!

Systems

The CAD part would be something along the lines of LEAP which is used for the similulation and optimization process in the development of crossovers and enclosures.Many companies will have their own proprietary software for this but some smaller ones will use an off the shelf program like LEAP. http://www.linearx.com/products/software/LEAP5/LEAP5_01.htm

more related software http://www.linearx.com/

Also AutoCAD or similar may be utilized for 3D enclosure modeling and FEA software for driver development.I would think having some experience in these areas would be necessary.

Serendipity

Where I work now (architectural firm) they use AutoCAD, but not in the same context as speaker design.

Any ideas on how to get started with this stuff? The only experience I have with CAD software is in circuit modeling and design (SPICE/Multisim/etc.)

Systems

Sure a good starting point would be to get yourself a basic PC based test and measuement set up,some good drivers and import their measured data into a software program like this freeware http://www.pvconsultants.com/audio/crossover/pcd.htm and experiment.

Systems

I should add that a good practical knowledge of the basic concepts of the various crossover and enclosure designs are essential so I would recommend getting copy of Vance Dickasons Loudspeaker Design Cookbook.

Serendipity

GV#27 wrote: »

I should add that a good practical knowledge of the basic concepts of the various crossover and enclosure designs are essential so I would recommend getting copy of Vance Dickasons Loudspeaker Design Cookbook.

Thanks. I will look into that book (Parts Express has it in their catalog).

One question: my school does not really cover the audio side of EE as most of the courses offered here are on analog/digital circuits - with focus on microelectronics. Stuff like circuit design involving op amps, BJT's, MOSFETs, etc.

Is this expected of a typical Electrical Engineering curriculum at a University? Are there additional courses I need to take to familiarize myself with audio?

Systems

appadv wrote: »

Is this expected of a typical Electrical Engineering curriculum at a University? Are there additional courses I need to take to familiarize myself with audio?

Sorry I can't help with that one as I'm not University educated and not familiar with their curriculm's.As for audio related courses maybe there are Technical Colleges that offer such?I personally know a few individuals that have made it into the audio field without a College or University degree.Their practical knowledge gained by hands on experience was their education.

Serendipity

GV#27 wrote: »

Sorry I can't help with that one as I'm not University educated and not familiar with their curriculm's.As for audio related courses maybe there are Technical Colleges that offer such?I personally know a few individuals that have made it into the audio field without a College or University degree.Their practical knowledge gained by hands on experience was their education.

Good to know. At my university almost all of the classes are theoretical (lots of Math, Physics, and Circuit Analysis) but very few Lab / hands-on courses. I'm more interested in applied math vs. the theoretical.

Heck, one of my courses last semester dealt with the theory of MOSFETs but I still haven't handled one in the lab. Nor have I picked up a soldering iron. I guess that's what you learn in a Technical College...

Sherardp

I would say definitely EE degree would get you in the door. If Polk doesn't hire you, shoot me a PM when your ready and I'll introduce you to the powers that be with John Deere or Osh Kosh. Don't be afraid to get dirty or play in the sand with these amazing toys we build.

madmax

appadv wrote: »

my school does not really cover the audio side of EE as most of the courses offered here are on analog/digital circuits - with focus on microelectronics.

You can say that about almost any work you end up doing. For example the EE degree did not instruct me on flow meter design. The idea is to have basic knowlege which you can apply to something that is new to you. For example learn some CAD package. When you go to work for someone they will have a different CAD package but with the skills you aquired you will move to the new one fairly quickly. It may be different keystrokes or whatever but the basic structure will be similar. In other words you will already know what you want to do, just not quite how.