In the age of video learning, it’s easy to forget the ultimate container of information: the written word. With the quality of video information varying immensely, we suggest that written information has never been more important.

Who’s Teaching Whom?

There is a saying that goes along the lines of “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing”. It’s a given that the teacher has to know more than the learner. When the latter knows literally nothing, it opens up the possibility for those who know very little to present themselves as the teacher, with the internet providing the ideal vehicle. On the flipside, the same medium has opened up learning from those at the very top of their game, often for free. The point here is that there is no verification or methodology as to who gets published and who doesn’t.

Thanks to centuries of academic convention, the written word is different. Having itself been open to abuse arising from the control of who gets to speak, factual modern print media has settled into a well-established resource ranging from overwhelmingly reliable ‘interest’ books, to full-blown academic publications.

A Familiar Friend

It was said to me recently that a book stops when you put it down. Very true, and something that the video can’t really match as elegantly. For those who grew up in the 20th century, there is the familiarity of interaction with print media, and for many learning a new piece of gear with The Manual and a coffee is a simple pleasure that’s heard to beat. Learning about audio in general also lends itself well to printed media, with the book affording the learner time away from their studio or system.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of the written word is its ability to convey pure information. Words don’t need to be well recorded or nicely lit, or be imbued with any performance-enhancing elements. The medium is the message.

Of course you’re reading the book’s modern relative right now. The electronic word isn’t always subject to all of the same checks and balances enjoyed by the printed word. However it does have some advantages over other electronic media such as YouTube as it brings the immediacy of text without the constriction of a physical object.

The Ebook- Text At Its Best?

By presenting information in a familiar form without the constraints of physical print, the eBook presents perhaps the closest solution to a best-of-both container for text-based learning. Certainly, a few megabytes is lighter to carry than a bag of books, as any student will agree. Authors can update their text whenever needed, and the eBook only needs dusting when your laptop or reader does!

With a considerable body of research of their own, Sonarworks, makers of SoundID Reference, have made a considerable online library of high-quality audio related content available for anyone to access for free. With a leaning towards Sonarworks’ specialist subject of managing the acoustic of your mixing space, Subjects include:

• Creation and Translation

• Mix Your Low End Like a Pro

• Everything Equalizers Part 1

• Everything Equalizers Part 2

• Crafting Your Drum Sound

• Get the Most from Mixing on Headphones

• Improve Your Listening Experience

• Digital Audio Demystified

• Successful Studio Setup

• Delivering Great Mixes

Pitched beyond beginner-level content, the resource covers intermediate level subjects for advanced beginners, or those already on the path leading to audio guru nirvana… Featuring Key Takeaways checklists, there is also the odd hidden gem for those of some experience. The content is high on information and surprisingly low on product placement, for which Sonarworks should be given credit. As a free written resource requiring nothing more than an email address, it certainly provides a great place to start.

The Ultimate Carrier Of Information

The business of teaching and learning anything is really just the act of moving information from one human host to the next. A combination of practical experience, video consumption, or the reading of text must surely be the best of all worlds when learning audio skills. This is simply because of the nature of audio work that combines hands-on work and listening skills, with an understanding of musical and technical concepts as well.

When faced with learning a new concept, the written word still has a powerful ability to convey the essence of information. To learn our craft, practical experience is also essential, and in combination with text-based learning provides a potent basis for learning. The newer medium of video isn’t going anywhere, but while many know what the world learning looked like before video learning, can anyone imagine learning without the written word? Until the direct transfer of information between minds is possible, the answer to that must surely be “No”.