Interning at 4ZZZ Radio - Stepping out of the Digital World

Hey guys! Back again for another update but I thought I'd give you all a break from project blogs just this once! This is something I've been keeping in for a while (or just forgetting to tell you) and I'm super keen to finally blog about it! Today's post is going to be all about the internship I'm currently doing with 4ZZZ 102.1FM Brisbane and how it's furthering me as an audio engineer! Let's jump right in!

What do I do?

As far as the general public knows, most of the people who work on a radio station just do all the talking and play songs. However, from what I've experienced over the last 2 or so months, its so much more. I'm part of the production department at the station, meaning I'm spending a lot of my time in Pro Tools editing and producing promotions and other various audio related clips for the station to use on air. Some of these clips consist of advertisements for local companies, music festivals and even language warnings in case the next song we play has swearing in it. "What? Levels you stepped out of Ableton?", yeah I know guys, its a shock. But funnily enough, within the first third of degree, Pro Tools was what I spent most of my time around and I'm actually quite glad to be revisiting it and having the knowledge to run two different DAW's simultaneously.

Studio 3 Control Room at 4ZZZ (Currently under renovation). Photo taken by yours truly at work ;)

Right Here, Right Now

When I started working at 4ZZZ as an intern, my regular shift day was every Tuesday, once a week. What I came to learn very quickly (first day, actually) was that every Tuesday night, 4ZZZ runs a live performance broadcast session with local artists around the Brisbane area. As I worked every Tuesday (still do, just now twice a week now with Monday as my main day), I came to learn how to be the live technician for a variety of different acts such as Rappers, Bands, Electronic based performers and more!

Jaycee and his band (currently unnamed)

Killing their set last week. Again, photo taken

by yours truly.

Having this job has given me so many things in terms of audio experience and still is. As this job is very hands on, it has driven me out of my cozy little space in the digital world of electronic music and thrown me straight into the deep end, which I love. Luckily, with the help of my very talented superiors and by using the experience I've gained throughout my degree at SAE, I was able to quickly adjust and set-up acts in time for broadcasting.

My Production Co-ordinator - Jbox

Now where would I be without my superiors in all of this? This section is going to be a little bit of an appreciation write-up as well as me giving a little background on who's teaching me!

Jbox - Photos from Jbox's Facebook page

Lachy Gleeson, also known as Jbox, is a Brisbane based electronic producer and performer who specialises in chilled, tropical house style music. After graduating from SAE, he began working at 4zzz radio and has been since. He also plays his own gigs around the Brisbane area such as the Arcadia event and the Big Pineapple festival supporting up and coming acts such as pop artist Doolie.

As an electronic producer myself, its been really great to get tips from someone who's been doing this for a lot longer than I have. In addition to this, he also has a large amount of experience in working with local artists and convey's his teaching on this perfectly. Overall, I couldn't ask for a better teacher and really hope I get to collaborate with him one day!

To finish...

To think I've learnt so much from my experiences at 4ZZZ already and its only been 2 months is insane. It's truly such a blast to work there to the point where it doesn't even seem like work. They do say that if you're doing what you love as work then you never work a day in your life, well I guess they're right! Can't wait to put what I learn slowly into action throughout the remainder of my degree and come out knowing that I came from nothing to something. Until next time guys