The MTM sound internship program has long been a key feature of MTM operations and has produced many talented engineers, including some of our key staff. Former interns have also become the heads of university level sound departments, have toured with national level bands, and have worked on major events all of the way up to the inauguration.
This year the MTM internship program took a huge leap forward. While previously the program has operated during the live MTM concerts, this year we added a more intensive school year component. Using the main MTM sound boards and equipment, we built a state of the art networked “console farm” which were fed multi track recordings of live concerts. The interns were able to work on their mix technique on industry leading equipment. Specialized subjects were taught in a small group setting and then the interns were able to use the information in improving their mixes.
While the technical skills are important, we also wanted to focus on the soft skills aspect of the industry. Partnering with Solid State Logic’s lead training engineer Fernando Guzman, we set up as series of zoom calls with industry leading engineers, including Kenny Keiser (The Killers), Orlando Calzada (David Foster and many others), Tom Evans (The Eagles) James McCullogh (Backstreet Boys) Jim Ebdon (The Grammys), and Jim Yakabuski (Peter Frampton). These were honest open conversations focused on what it takes to make it in the industry, and how hard work and being a good person are keys to success.
Finally, MTM purchased an entire console set up with a remote stage rack to go on live shows this summer. The dedicated console will get a complete set of inputs from the stage and will allow the interns to create their own mix in headphones live during the show. This mix will be recorded to USB and can be given to the bands at the end of the night, as well as being material for the intern’s portfolios.