For years now, there’s been an almost constant discussion around one question; ‘Is Avid Certification worth it?’. Whilst Pro Tools courses aren't designed to make you a better audio engineer, and are by no means essential to forging a career in creative audio environments, there are a variety of benefits to being certified, even at the most basic level.
Avid offer a number of courses that provide an industry recognized credential for both academic users, and industry professionals, allowing Pro Tools users to become an Avid Certified Specialist, Professional or Expert. The first 3 courses (PT101, 110 and 201) cover everything from the software's technical fundamentals, to efficiently running Pro Tools HD systems in large, professional environments. With additional courses also available that focus on advanced features for working in music (201/301M), audio-post production (201/301P), and Dolby Atmos (201/205D), respectively.
It goes without saying that creative knowledge, techniques and workflows are important in the industry. However, knowing how things work under the hood, and how to troubleshoot efficiently is also of great value. And whilst there is a plethora of educational content available online, what better way is there to learn the technical ins and outs of the software than from the creators themselves, and in a much more timely manor? And for those moments your brain goes blank, having access to all this information permanently via the course books needed to undertake the exams also makes it efficient to find whatever you need, whenever you need it.
Most creative industries are notoriously competitive, especially when it comes to acquiring entry level roles. Being able to include Avid Certified Specialist (The first level of certification gained after completing PT101 & PT110) on your resume to bolster other academic qualifications will help you stand out amongst other candidates when applying for studio facilities, and help you portray a knowledgeable and professional image to clients for freelancers.
On a personal level (especially for those who are self taught), passing each exam provides an extra layer of pride, and confidence in yourself and your technical abilities, no matter the experience level.
Ultimately, whether to pursue Avid Certification or not will vary depending on each individuals circumstances and career path of choice. For example, If you’re a sound designer at the early stages of a career in audio post-production (an industry largely dominated by Pro Tools usage), the benefits are certainly more attractive and valuable than to someone who has held a steady job in the music industry for 10 years.
If you want to become an Avid Certified | Pro Tools Specialist, follow the link to secure your place on our next cohort:
https://www.344audio.com/learn-pro-tools
344 Audio is an Audio Post Production Company in Manchester.
If you enjoyed this post, discover our Ultimate Guide to Audio Post-Production.
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