Jerry Stoddard has taught at South Plains College since 1988 as an instructor in Sound Recording. His degrees are in Business and Sound Technology.
What is your background in music and sound recording?
I've played the guitar and keyboards since I was thirteen, and became interested in sound recording after I recorded several demo songs in college. Later, I built my own project studio.
Who are some of your greatest influences?
The Beatles, Cream and other rock influences.
Do you feel it is necessary to read music to be a good studio engineer?
I feel that reading music is important. The more you know about music, the more you are able to communicate with the musicians. Anything and everything you learn and know will make you a better engineer, producer, or technician. The more you know, the more employable you are.
What is the most difficult thing about being a studio engineer?
The most difficult thing about being a studio engineer is the discipline of organization. You have to keep good track sheets, keep up a high level of concentration, and be able to solve a problem, either musical or technical, in a hurry.
What are the essentials to being a good sound engineer?
An easy-going personality is the trademark of a good engineer.
How does the equipment you now use compare with what you have used in the past?
The recording equipment is changing constantly. We are now moving away from console-centered production toward the use of computers. More and more projects are now begun at project studios since the technology has become so inexpensive.
What do you consider your greatest experience?
I recently had the chance to work with a doctor who is also a sports-trainer from South Africa working with Olympic athletes. After a thorough understanding of the desired end product, I was able to produce a
music cassette which enhances memory retention if listened to during academic study or physical training.
Current studies show promising results. I am very interested in the long term results and effectiveness.
Besides playing and recording, which is always a joy, it's great when a former student sends me some of his or her professional work, or calls up to say they have a job because of the education at South Plains College.
Describe your first professional recording experience.
One of my first professional recording experiences was my work with Redd Stewart, who wrote "The Tennessee Waltz". He is a great gentleman to work with, and the recording session went very well, but everything was recorded very quickly and required intense concentration. I learned quite a bit from having to solve problems on the fly. My being new in the field made the experience both challenging and rewarding.
What sort of projects are keeping you busy at this time?
I'm currently working on an album of my own material. I am also a writer, and have sold articles to Keyboard Magazine and InCider, and science fiction to Amazing Stories and others. I've just completed a fantasy novel, which is making the rounds of publishers, and I am in the middle of writing another.
What players do you enjoy listening to these days?
I try to stay current with what's happening, so I listen to an assortment of different material. My son is seventeen, so he helps me to stay abreast of current material for the younger set, particularly in alternative rock.
Do you have any inspiring words for individuals who are considering sound technology or musical performing as a career field?
As far as musical performance and recording goes, one needs to stay focused at all times. Don't try to do everything. Find where your strengths are, what you really have a passion for, then follow it with all your heart. It is important to set realistic goals, rather than one extremely difficult goal, (such as being a star). By accomplishing the smaller goals, one will continue to get closer and closer to the difficult, long term goal. Set goals for what material you want to have learned within a certain time, then do your best to meet them.
A good recording session or live performance is a team effort. Everyone must do their job in a highly professional manner. The greatest vocalist in the world will not succeed without being surrounded by excellent musicians and excellent audio and video technical support. That is the strength of our Sound Technology program at South Plains College, in that we continually strive for excellence. The atmosphere here is "high tech-high touch", in that we have the best and latest technology and we also believe in individual attention for each student. We want to impart all the knowledge we can to our students. We want our students to be successful.
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