MetalWorks Institute Of Sound And Music Production False Advertisting Marketing School Abuse Scheduling Poor Administration Mississauga Ontario

For more information visit:

www.harrisinstitute.com 

I took the audio engineering course back in 2010. Graduated with *honors*, stayed in touch with several instructors, networked, and never found a single real job from this training.

MW added their job board just as my class graduated. For 6 months there was absolutely nothing on it. Then one day it was filled with crap jobs that had nothing to do with audio. Stuff like computer network engineer and marketing manager.

I sent my resume to every audio production house in toronto, begging even for an unpaid intern position. 99% of them didn't reply, the few that did never had anything available. Working for free is actually illegal and even this wasn't available.

The course coordinators do nothing for you. Nobody at MWI has any "hookups" with industry for even the crappiest, entry-level jobs. I went to industry events, and the odd time I ran into MWI instructors, they didn't want to have anything to do with you.

The course itself is amusing, some of it is useful/relevant. You get very little access to the real studios, instead they dump everyone in the horrible computer lab that just has MBOX's and you use headphones. The desks are crap, the chairs are uncomfortable. Most students just worked at home or on laptop. The theory classes are much too long, with ridiculous exams every 3 weeks about minutia that nobody needed to know. "how a compact disc" works. 

The whole place is an utter waste of money. It's a private, for-profit school. The only priority for them is tuition. You have to pay the entire $20,000 up front, even if you quit after 4 weeks.

If you need a structured learning environment go to Harris or Trebas.

It's hard to express what a waste of time and money MWI is. I would rather have my 2 years back (1 year of school, 1 years of slogging for a job) than the money. Please do not go here.

 Metalworks unfortunately is a money grab, there are a few great teachers the rest are sexist and scared about losing their jobs, they are intimidated by the real artists and false advertise unlimited studio time, scheduling is terrible, resources are limited and outlook of staff and industry is negative and outdated from that institution

hello Justin I would like to talk to you off of this site as my son wants to go to metal works. I want to hear more of your thoughts on metal works. I don't want to see him get ripped off of his hard earned money by people just looking to make money off of people who aren't well informed. I don't want input from people who work there as yes they will tell me it's the best place to go cause they want the money. I want the cold hard facts about the school . i want a unbais input and a employee from there cant give me that 

Just sharing my experience at the place with everyone. I decided to sign up for their Audio Engineering program and looking back in hindsight, if I could do it over again, I would have never chose to attend this place. They throw big names (i.e. Drake) at you in an attempt to get you in the door but as soon as you walk in, they've got you hook, line and sinker. I was commuting an hour to and from this place everyday. There were a couple days a week where there were 6 hr breaks in between my classes and I didn't really want to hang out in Mississauga for 6 hrs, so I asked them if they could adjust my class schedule to better help my situation but all I was met with was attitude and resistence. So I offered up a solution, as I clearly remember hearing on the tour that I would have full access to all the amenities right away. I asked if I could use the drum set in one of the auditoriums when there were no classes to work on some personal material but that was met with an emphatic NO. One of the classes I was enrolled in was "Introdution To Reason". I had no previous experience with using Reason and with the class being called "Introduction To Reason", I figured it was me being taught how to use Reason but 2 classes into the course, my instructor's words to me where "go home, watch youtube and learn how to use Reason". My reply was "I don't think so, I'm not paying all this money to this place to learn on my own at home on how to use this program". The only real positive was I got to meet a lot of really cool people while attending this place for the time I did but for a place as renowned as they are, I was really dissapointed on how low class they are run as an organization in whole. I would personally not recommend this place to any of my friends or family

My comment was in response to #11 'Dissapointed Graduate' by jonathan, who wrote, "Schools like this are in fact a rip-off". I have had numerous inquiries about my post and I wish to clarify that I was not saying that Metalworks Institute is a rip-off, only that not all schools like this are a rip-off. However many schools are a rip-off and prospective students should do thorough research. The best information you can get about any school is from a graduate, not from an admissions/sales rep.

It is not rocket science to figure out that Ken F. - (United States of America) is a MW employee/ally pretending to be an upcoming student, why would someone who is not even a student go about posting 3 replies defending metalworks and argue against (EX) students who attended the school and are writing based on their real valid experience. and there you have someone who hasn't even attended the school trying to debunk and argue against the ex students and calling them potheads and lazy people, what does he even know? went on a tour? lol f***ing faker, it doesn't even make  sense, also those were students who (graduated), how could they be lazy people if they graduated? you know how hard metalworks programs can get, it is not a cake walk. those people worked hard, and you have absolutely no right to talk down on them you dumb greedy faker MW b***h. you are a living example of the deception and dishonesty of metalworks, you are a complete FAKE, trying to lure possible future victims into the trap and away from the truth I don't give a s**t about what proof you have, it is so easy to snap a photo of an ID, you are a big a** faker employee, MAD because metalworks's true colors are being revealed.


I graduated from Metalworks and currently working for an auto parts shop which is by far the best job I got since graduation, none of which were entertainment related. what you hear from the angry and disappointed graduates is nothing but the absolute truth. so people please don't feed the devil, don't waste your money, unless you're super rich and losing 20k wouldn't harm you, then to each their own.

wow,

I just graduated from MW, I'm a international student with a Journalism and Media Production degree and 5 years of experience in the production field.

just a thought, quit f**king whining. those who complaint about MW are probably the same idiotic kids that did not do s**t while they were on classes and of course, fail miserably or barely pass the course. and of course, blame the teachers and the institute, not their irresponsable and stupid behaviour, but the institute.

grow up, you get what you paid for, class "A" equipment, teachers and education. It's up to you if you actually use your time to learn and become a profesional and do networking, if you choose to be an a*****e who's to lazy to use your brain, well after you finished/drop out i guess you'll be posting something about MW being a ripoff...

I'm actually impressed by most of the postings here, I'm a average student, and as you can see, I'm not f**king Shakespeare writing in english, so for me was twice as hard understand and get my diploma, so stupid kids saying that their time there was a fraud just makes me sad, NO ONE promise me anything about a job or any kind of BS, you go to school, you learn the tools, and you build your career and life based on your experiences. GROW UP.

MW is indeed a great place to learn the tools, I went there because i want it to become a better sound editor and producer, well, i got that, plus a lot of useful tools as well, and enough knowledge to start working in the audio area in Canada and back home. what else do you want? 3 meals and that the teachers take you to nap time? this is not elementary school where you have to do what the teachers tell you, you are free (and a grown man... supposedly) to go to classes and use the time to learn, if you want to play nintendo and b***h about the institute it's just because it was too much for you to handle.

Hey Jonny. I guess it must make you feel better to minimize my accomplishments. That's cool. Not sure who you are but it's funny that you know how much I know about engineering and you know ppl who "know more than me" lol. Who made you the expert on Noel? How the hell do you figure Metalworks was my only stepping stone? You must know me very well sir. Furthermore, if the only reason I am where I am is because of Metalworks how have I survived so long in this. And I'm sure the employment rate was the deciding factor for all of you. Lol. This is so childish...I'm done. My whole point was to let ppl know that they should just go see it instead of listening to bitter ppl b***h about their own personal s**t.

You're a loser for suggesting the my skills don't have merit, you're and a*****e for calling me a liar and if you burn you Diploma youre dumber than you seem to be. And you did offend me buddy. No Offense intended!

Yeah...these days, so many men lack to balls to say I f**ked up. I gave up. I stopped trying so I just took a construction job and now I'm so pissed I wanna burn my Diploma. Smh! No Offense intended!

Currently working in construction (decks and fences)

I spent a year after graduation trying to get a decent job, the only job i was able to get was a sound guy in a bar, i am not lazy, in fact i have done my fair share of volunteer work during my studies (still have my crew tags from many events and willing to post them as long as i scratch my name out), I have worked hard, but I realized, that if metalworks don't take you, then just throw your diploma in the toilet and flush it. it is really worth nothing, in fact i will be making a video of me burning my diploma from metalworks and i'm posting it on youtube. will link it here once done.

I think that Metalworks is not a school, it is basically an employee training program, they train people to work for them, the ones that impress metalworks get hired right away, the ones that do not, get tossed aside.

Mr. Noel, I respect that you made it, but you cannot deny that the number 1 factor in the opportunity you got was being an employee of metalworks, don't act so tough now, I'm not going to say that my knowledge surpasses yours, but I do know other graduates who are more knowledgeable than you. why weren't they able to get a job? simply because metalworks didn't like them enough.

but due all respect if you didn't work for metalworks, you wouldn't have gotten lucky with drake getting stoned at midnight and wanting to record, and you happened to be available.

so don't deny that working for metalworks was your (only stepping stone).

Yes you are right, no school ever promise its graduates a job, but yet no school ever f**king lie to people, telling them that their employment rate is 90%, and that there are tons of jobs available for them upon graduation and that metalworks graduates are extremely wanted. lies, lies, f*king lies.

that was the argument that the other gentleman wanted to communicate, but I guess you didn't get it?

if metalworks's tuition fee was like 5 grand, i wouldn't b***h about them being liars and unprofessional, but i paid like 19 grand, i wanted my moneys worth, and i didn't get it.

yeah, these days, so many men lack balls, the balls to speak the truth despite of losing a beneficial link.

no offense intended.

cheers

Apologies to Noel Cadastre.  Congrats on your new career in the real world (living the dream) AND to your continued strong allegiance to the Metalworks organization.  This is proof that anything is possible.

FYI I haven't been an employee at Metalworks since 2009. Maybe you wanna do some fact checking before you start running your mouth Jonathan! Been livin' the dream and guess what I worked hard for it!

Noel Cadastre is an employee at Metalworks Institute and has been since he graduated.

My name is Noel Cadastre. I am a graduate of Metalworks Institute of Sound & Music Production (Class of 06). I currently work in the Music Industry as a Audio Engineer/Mixer/Producer. I saw this post and figured I should say something to defend the school I attended. Call it pride, but I worked really hard to make it though those courses and grasp the information that was coming at me and I am proud of what I accomplished there. It is a good school and it was the right school for me! I'm not here to list my accomplishments but if you doubt me...google me!

We are all individual people and what works for some may not work for others but it is wrong to blame the educator or the institution. I made a choice when a decided to sign those papers and go to that school. Don't get me wrong it wasn't everything that I thought it was going to be but at the time it was everything I needed to get into the industry and make this my career. I met a lot of great people in the faculty, staff and students who remain friends and colleagues in my "network".

With regard to some of the other stuff that has been said...I mean come on people grow up. NO school promises anyone a job when they are done, not Harvard, not Yale, not Berkley...no-one. And you have to know that this is one of the toughest industries in the world. School is prep for the real world and the real world is 1000 times tougher. So if you want in be prepared to work for it. So ya MWI was tough.  Some of these comments are just petty. Thats all I'm saying. If you go lease a car and you don't pay....guess what...they start chasing you for their money...real life. So if you are not paying your tuition....hmmmmm?

We all have a choice and I made the right choice for me. That was Metalworks Institute. I was sure that this is what I wanted for my life. I was sure that this school was the best I could find for the money that I had. I was never promised a job. I was taught by a great group of individuals. I got involved in every school event possible. I spent every moment I could trying to learn from the people around me students and staff a like. Having real studios in the building...amazing. So in my year as a student I did everything I could to get this foundation for my career. That's it. One man's opinion. I think if you feel like this career path is for don't take anyone's word for it. Go see it for yourself. That's how people shop...for houses, cars, clothes...education...go see it and form your own opinion. 

Good luck to all of you if this is something you take seriously regardless of what school you attend! We're all trying to eat off the same plate :)

Please investigate Harris Institute in Toronto at www.harrisinstitute.com.

John Harris, President

My name is Naser Abuhamdan, I was in MWI through the year 2010 in the "Professional" Sound Production. Which is mostly supposed to be aimed at "inside the studio" production. I applied for the 2 year course but left by the end of first year, I had much absence because whatever I expected, I did not get.  I had finished my diploma in Audio Engineering first in Jordan then I traveled to Canada "thinking" that I would learn from experienced people.

The whole first year was about Live Audio (Which is not what I applied for). Very basic shortcuts and adding new tracks on protools (Which is what I applied for), the whole year we did not enter the Studio once! Not even the Lab, we had our own Mboxes and Notebooks to work on in class. I do not want to mention how many times, teachers lost their student grades.

I left Metalworks, and also one month after I had left, I paid 2500 Dollars that came out of nowhere, after I had paid the whole tuition for the first year, I had to pay taxes and other scams that MWI imposed on me, yes money hungry, and they would not let me go and were going to sue me if I did not pay them, and guess as a student with limited cash, what I had to go through.

I transferred to Trebas, and it is considered Alien Tech next to MWI. If you hear from Trebas, where did MWI get the stolen curriculum from and see the coin from the other side you will know where you were.

I have to Admit, students in Metalworks are nice, and Teachers, some are nice, some racist, since I am an Arab I have heard racism against Arabs while I was in class. It was from that lights Teacher.

Elliot Sairan, Peter Stoynich, Richard Stone and Alex Andronache are 5 Star people, the rest really don't care about you or if you pass. Some teachers, or people in the Administration, that locked studio on the side, could be replaced with a guitar stand or a vase, it would be more productive for the Institute.

One thing was good in MWI, offering students opportunities as a staff and crew in Live Festivals, but other Audio colleges also offer the same so doesn't make it a specialty.

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I transferred to Trebas after a year of time wasting in Mississauga. I stayed there for 4 months, then had to leave back to Jordan due to personal reasons, so I quit Trebas. 1 month later I received a check for 2300 Dollars, it was from Trebas, paid me back half my tuition that I attended, because they wanted to help me "A Foreign Student" in getting my things done so I can go back home and my application is still open so i can get back if I wish, as I was a top student in Trebas. I did not even ask for the money or even knew it was coming but it did come, so I just started thinking, there is a huge difference between these two Institutes.

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MWI does not give what it promises or shows, this is basically it.

Hello Rip-off Readers

I'm just coming across this latest entry around Metalworks Institute and thought I'd put my 2 cents worth in.  Two cents because after graduating from this school in 2009, that's about how much I've made in the "Music Business" since.  I was given a whole different perspective going in - we all were. 

After applying to dozens of places looking for work, even volunteering/interning to get my foot in the door I am left with nothing to grab on to.  What I discovered (unfortunately), is that there are so many graduates from these schools now, that companies use and discard them as free labour (in and out they go - next) as temporary interns and Metalworks Production Group is a good example of that.   They tell you that if you perform well, they'll hire you on but they rarely do.

There were about 60 students coming in to Metalworks when I started and about 8 graduated and none of us are working in the entertainment business now.  I'm a host at a Kelseys Restaurant, play guitar in my band and am still looking for an alternative where I can use my skills, still trying to stay positive.  I learned a lot at Metalworks but I don't use it. 

I think everyone wants to think that It's a really good thing.   It's like they (student/graduates) want it to work because the music business is so cool that being at Metalworks just feels good.  It's like (as students) we're IN already even though we're just paying them a lot of money to be part of the club and when it's over, we're right back to where we started.

My suggestion would be to go to a public school and get an education that's both cheaper and get's you a job after.   Schools like this are in fact a rip-off

Metalworks is a complete joke, as a previous student in the entertainment business management program, I've made several realizations about the school during the year of which I was studying there. All of these realizations are negative, none are positive.

I really cannot wrap it all in just one report, there's way too much to write about but i'm going to try my best.

Metalworks is 90% functioning for money and 10% functioning for the student. their initial and main objective is, GET THE f**kING MONEY, when you go to these orientation events, and they take you on tour and s**t, they sell you the school so good, telling you lies like oh our employment rate was 92% from last year's graduates and we are actually expecting it to jump to 96% this year. now lets see if that is true, out of everyone who graduated from my program approximately 18 students (won't say exact number) one of us got a job in the entertainment industry and she's working for metalworks (take the best toss the rest) won't mention her name. as for  the rest of us? i'm working in shoppers drug-mart, one girl working in jack astors as a waitress. all the rest working in similar jobs that don't require a degree. the most decent job someone from my program got was in an insurance company, and it had ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the degree, they didn't even know what metalworks was.

how much do you pay? 17-20 grand, you would expect a high professional organization, which will seem like it is (during the orientation and tour) they will tell you, your instructors are TOP figures in the entertainment industry and s**t like that. god be my witness, it happened so many times that the instructors didn't know what they were talking about, gave us wrong information just to correct it later and confuse the hell out of us, everything I learned on the business program is just one click away from google. I honestly think the program was designed from just googling stuff and putting it in a powerpoint. the only courses that are of true value are the entertainment law classes with Paul Anderson, he is a legit instructor that teaches great information, well communicated and beneficial. as for the rest? definitely not worth 17 grand, not now, not in many years.  

Yes they have a huge reputation, but only recording artists and doing live production, as a school, they're nothing. as a school, it is a complete FAIL. biggest regret of my life. I could have gone to university with 20 grand, and got a degree that can actually get me a decent job.

I don't know about now, but when I took the program, the grading system was horrible, you would literally wait 3 weeks+ for a quiz to be marked, a lot of times we went into finals not knowing where we stand in terms of marks, no assignments or quizzes marked. just blindly going into the finals and hoping we have done fine prior to it. it even happened that we started a new semester without having our grades from the previous one. what can I say? i guess LOL would be the right thing to say right now.

Many instructors are jokes, you have the BLABLA type, who just talk about their life every class, and just when the exams are approaching, they do a review and give you the questions lol. for example, financial principles class, the instructor is living in a world of his own, he just talks and talks with himself about the topic thinking everyone is actually understanding what the f**k he is saying. how we pass? every test is open book, and every assignment he actually solved for us in class. you get enough grades from that so you can pass the course easy. other wise, don't think many would.

You have many unnecessary courses like style and genres I, you would be learning about Mid-evil times and music, HOW THE f**k IS THAT RELEVANT to the entertainment industry?! oh wait wait music back in the day used to be sacred and in favor of the church, if you wrote music that is secular and not in favor of the church you will be killed and called the devil and then the renaissance movement started to form in the depths of the underground and supported secular art. WOOOOWWWW I am now so smart I can prosper in the music industry. thank you metalworks for making me intelligent and rich in knowledge that will set me aside from everyone else that graduated from a different school. I would have not known what to do with my life if it wasn't you.. I would't have been able to get my job at shoppers drugmart if it wasn't for you.

Anyways, There are many things I can tell, but I don't have more time to waste.

Metalworks was my biggest regret in life. and I hope it won't be yours.

Hello,

If you want to go for Live Audio then Metalworks is good, but if you want to go for in-the-studio works, Post Production and other related things, Metalworks is the last thing you ant to think about.

 I agree with this report and it is true, Metalworks is filled with fake promises. If only Metalworks can have better management and less lies it would be over the top.

Where does it happen in an Audio school when a student wants to book a studio, lots of money has to be paid? that is epic BS.

I have been to SAE and graduated from there before Metalworks, I was able to book the studios there free of charge and as long as I want. as long as its 24 hours notice and the studio is available, which was available for students too (NOT only famous artists: Hint)

Not to mention having some racist moments against my self from one of the Instructors who seriously has some issues; One of the many reasons I dropped out of this Institute.

Peace!

Dave, I plan on enrolling next September. I went to an open house last year, and I loved it. I respect that you have knowledge and real expierience with the school.

I plan on taking the 2 year Pro-Audio course, for live entertainment. I am just wondering why these people would talk so badly of a college or institute.

I wonder what made them so mad, you are probably right, they could not take the pressure, and the constant work that they were getting. Some people just can not handle hard working enviorments, and do not have the dedication needed for production.

I loved every second I was in Metalworks, the tours were fantastic, and I know there is a ton of knowledge in that building. I am sure the people who speak poorly of Metalworks could not handle it. They were most likely hoping it was like a regular college and there is more partyingand hanging out than there is work. On the other hand, this place is meant to sculpt you into a professional. It turns you into someone who can both lead, and take orders, and work with others. I know for a fact if you have attittude problems, and you cant work with others you will definately have problems only here, but in the work enviorment too. No-one wants to work with people who have attitutdes, it makes the work just less enjoyable. As for the posters who have nothing good to say, its unfortunate for them.

When I start next year, I know there will be people who just cant do it, its that simple. I will succeed, and thats all I care about, I do not give up, and will not go to a different facility just because someone posts negative comments, because they had a bad expierience there. All I know is when I met all the instructors, no one could be nicer, and more enjoyable to talk to.

Thanks for your honesty.

Ken

My name is Dave Mohacsi.  I am a producer/engineer.  I work with one of Canada's top producers 7 days a week, 14 hours a day.  I have engineering and production credits on several major label releases with artists such as Metric, Stereos, and Sarah Harmer.  Some of my most recent work was featured in the latest Twilight movie.

None of this would have been even remotely possible had it not been for Metalworks Institute.

The attitude conveyed by the original poster seems congruent with most of the kids that were in my class that either a) couldn't hack it,  b) were too lazy, or c) seemed to have some strange issue with authority.

Metalworks is like any other life experience.  You get out what you put in.  If you don't come to class, don't take your work seriously, and don't take oppurtunities to connect with the vast number of industry pros you will meet along the way, you won't get much out of it.  Yes, it was expensive, but with a lot of hard work and determination I have made my money back several times over by working on music every single day.

I worked my a*s off for a year (not nearly as hard as I work now to try to be successful in a small, competitive music industry) and as a result, was able to find great work!

I'm surprised that the OP complains about MWI not helping him find work.  They were amazing in helping me find work after graduation.

As far as the instructors not being industry professionals... Anyone that does their research can find that this could not be further from the truth... But if you're too lazy to search around and just want to go by what this website says... I'll do the research for you.  Here is some of the staff at MWI

Joel Kazmi - Engineer - worked with Sum41, NSYNC, Fefe Dobson, Sloan, The Tea Party

Alf Annabilini - Engineer - worked with Our Lady Peace, DMX, Nelly Furtado, Kardinal Offishall

Brian Allen - Producer - co-wrote Heart's smash hit "What about Love," produced Lee Aaron, managed Socan's International and Concert department, A & R for record labels

Scott Purdy - Post production - Mixed Stargate (the movie with James Spader - HOLLYWOOD), mixed 3 Van Damme movies, won a gemini for a movie that he mixed in his living room - this guy is seriously talented and a great teacher to those that will put in the time to learn.

Graham Brewer - Engineer - worked with Jet, Sean Desmond, Sam Roberts

Elliott Sairan - Owner and operator of Vyner Road Studios - worked with Gavin Brown, Dale Penner, Natalie McMaster, Universal Honey

Morgan Pottruff - teaches midi, logic, cubase, melodyne, reason etc - Morgan plays keys for violinist Dr. Draw.  He also produces professional instructional dvds for ASK Video on all the music software listed above.

Craig Titus - director of the school - session pianist, engineer, producer - has done a ton of post production also

Matt Blakely - Live Sound - FOH and tour manager for Billy Talent, Slayer, and countless others - this guy seriously knows his stuff.

Is that enough?  I could go on but you get the picture.  These guys are pros.  A few are extremely seasoned veterans, and all have tons of knowledge to share with you.

The original OP talks about checking out other schools.  Well, I hate to bash, but I go through a lot of interns, and after a few bad experiences, I will pretty much only hire MWI grads.  Students from other schools usually don't seem to have learned enough.  Their knowledge of pro tools is usually non-existent, and have no idea about studio etiquette.  YES, when you start, you will be taking out the garbage, cleaning the bathroom, and doing TONS of mundane pro tools work.  NO, you won't be engineering, writing songs, or producing.  That is life.  It's tough, but if you can't get my lunch order right, would we trust you to mix a record?  Hell no!

This brings me to an important point, and is probably the reason why the OP and some other former students seem disgruntled.  MWI was TOUGH.  It was an intense year and the hardest I had ever worked in my life.  That is, until I actually started working in the industry.  MWI whips you into shape and those that can deal with it will be more than ready to enter the industry and go to work.  Those who couldn't deal with it?  They usually spent more time in class complaining about how much work they had or how unfair the teachers were or that the administration didn't care about how much work they had or how unfair the teachers were!  MWI is HARD, the Canadian music industry is HARDER.  GET READY.

If anyone has any specific questions about MWI, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I don't want to post my email, but I think you can email through this site.

D

My name is Dave Mohacsi.  I am a producer/engineer.  I work with one of Canada's top producers 7 days a week, 14 hours a day.  I have engineering and production credits on several major label releases with artists such as Metric, Stereos, and Sarah Harmer.  Some of my most recent work was featured in the latest Twilight movie.

None of this would have been even remotely possible had it not been for Metalworks Institute.

The attitude conveyed by the original poster seems congruent with most of the kids that were in my class that either a) couldn't hack it,  b) were too lazy, or c) seemed to have some strange issue with authority.

Metalworks is like any other life experience.  You get out what you put in.  If you don't come to class, don't take your work seriously, and don't take oppurtunities to connect with the vast number of industry pros you will meet along the way, you won't get much out of it.  Yes, it was expensive, but with a lot of hard work and determination I have made my money back several times over by working on music every single day.

I worked my a*s off for a year (not nearly as hard as I work now to try to be successful in a small, competitive music industry) and as a result, was able to find great work!

I'm surprised that the OP complains about MWI not helping him find work.  They were amazing in helping me find work after graduation.

As far as the instructors not being industry professionals... Anyone that does their research can find that this could not be further from the truth... But if you're too lazy to search around and just want to go by what this website says... I'll do the research for you.  Here is some of the staff at MWI

Joel Kazmi - Engineer - worked with Sum41, NSYNC, Fefe Dobson, Sloan, The Tea Party

Alf Annabilini - Engineer - worked with Our Lady Peace, DMX, Nelly Furtado, Kardinal Offishall

Brian Allen - Producer - co-wrote Heart's smash hit "What about Love," produced Lee Aaron, managed Socan's International and Concert department, A & R for record labels

Scott Purdy - Post production - Mixed Stargate (the movie with James Spader - HOLLYWOOD), mixed 3 Van Damme movies, won a gemini for a movie that he mixed in his living room - this guy is seriously talented and a great teacher to those that will put in the time to learn.

Graham Brewer - Engineer - worked with Jet, Sean Desmond, Sam Roberts

Elliott Sairan - Owner and operator of Vyner Road Studios - worked with Gavin Brown, Dale Penner, Natalie McMaster, Universal Honey

Morgan Pottruff - teaches midi, logic, cubase, melodyne, reason etc - Morgan plays keys for violinist Dr. Draw.  He also produces professional instructional dvds for ASK Video on all the music software listed above.

Craig Titus - director of the school - session pianist, engineer, producer - has done a ton of post production also

Matt Blakely - Live Sound - FOH and tour manager for Billy Talent, Slayer, and countless others - this guy seriously knows his stuff.

Is that enough?  I could go on but you get the picture.  These guys are pros.  A few are extremely seasoned veterans, and all have tons of knowledge to share with you.

The original OP talks about checking out other schools.  Well, I hate to bash, but I go through a lot of interns, and after a few bad experiences, I will pretty much only hire MWI grads.  Students from other schools usually don't seem to have learned enough.  Their knowledge of pro tools is usually non-existent, and have no idea about studio etiquette.  YES, when you start, you will be taking out the garbage, cleaning the bathroom, and doing TONS of mundane pro tools work.  NO, you won't be engineering, writing songs, or producing.  That is life.  It's tough, but if you can't get my lunch order right, would we trust you to mix a record?  Hell no!

This brings me to an important point, and is probably the reason why the OP and some other former students seem disgruntled.  MWI was TOUGH.  It was an intense year and the hardest I had ever worked in my life.  That is, until I actually started working in the industry.  MWI whips you into shape and those that can deal with it will be more than ready to enter the industry and go to work.  Those who couldn't deal with it?  They usually spent more time in class complaining about how much work they had or how unfair the teachers were or that the administration didn't care about how much work they had or how unfair the teachers were!  MWI is HARD, the Canadian music industry is HARDER.  GET READY.

If anyone has any specific questions about MWI, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I don't want to post my email, but I think you can email through this site.

D

I searched everywhere on MWI.com and there is no one who works at MWI named Roger D. Is that your real name?? Or is that another falsified comment just like the original review? Justin is real, he has proof, I have proof, look me up online, I want to cross reference " Roger D" to see if he is just a troll. Give your real name so we can get the truth.

lol,

I'm not from the USA as it says beside my name, I'm not sure where you change that, i'm from Mississauga, I am a student at Metalworks - I've got dreads past my a*s and am always wearing a black or gray bandanna if you're looking for me. Nothing i said was measured or paid for, I'm paying to go to the school, s**t loads of money, I'm just sick of people complaining and making false statements...

-- Justin

I don't think that the person with the first rebuttal (to Trents original post) was saying that MetalWorks Institute is a fake school - but that the glowing review of MetalWorks Institute following Trents rant was in fact - fake.  I would have to agree - looks like carefully executed "damage control" than an honest response.  Being familiar with MetalWorks, I can say that much of what Trent says is true and that smoking weed and being late for class was probably not an issue.  Being a teacher there, I can attest to the fact that I've never seen students under the influence while studying.

Trents first post above represents real observations made by a student there who spoke up about his experience - that simple.  A look from the inside from a unique perspective.  This is what he saw.  To disregard his experience and imply that he's whining and complaining (or smoking weed or whatever)  has no merit in it at all.  It's true that everyone creates their own life motivation and that schools like MetalWorks Institute are just a means to an end.  There are however times when people need to speak up and get the truth out there.  I can tell at this point what's real and what's fake.  I commend Trent for speaking up and encourage others to do the same. 
I think this last comment by Ken F. says it all ...

"You do not learn from the rock stars, and if anything you learn from the people who make the rock stars sound how they sound.  I took a tour in February 2010 and it was unreal".


Embarrassing - even for MetalWorks.

And anyone who finishes their thread saying that they're from the "United States of America"?   is someone i just can't take seriously.

RogerD - Mississauga ON

First off, what are you talking about?

Metal Works Institute is not fake, of faslified. It is a real school in Mississauga Canada, and does not rip you off, in any way or form. Obiviously the first poster must have gotten kicked out for smoking weed or being late to class, or something that is completely HIS fault. MWI is a strict school, if you fail, you will not be able to return. How is it fake when it is accredited, and many companies and artists swear by it, and have an in depth realtionship with the people who work there. They teach the business and production side of touring, and the music industry. You do not learn from the rock stars, and if anything you learn from the people who make the Rockstars sound how they sound. I took a tour in February 2010, and it was unreal. All the artists who redcorded and have performed seminars there, is unbelievable. They have a massive warehouse of FOH, monitor, backline, staging, rigging, and all other kinds of gear. They also have 6 professional high fidelity studios (correct me if I am wrong). THIS IS NOT A FAKE SCHOOL. IT IS ALL 100% REAL. From graduation to get a job, well that is easy, you have to get your a*s out there and promote yourself. Tell people what you do, send out resume's, get business cards printed and network. You have to make an effort to get work, it's not the school's problem. No one got by in life, by recieving handouts left and right. I am a real genuine person, and I know how hard it is to get a great job but you have to make an effort. If you still are skeptical, take a tour of the school, and if you felt the same way I did when I saw it, you would feel confidenthow it is run by the real professionals of the industry, and they know what they are doing.

"1.False advertising When you're taken on a tour of the "school" you're told things like "you'll be learning from rockstars" and "we can't guarantee you a job coming out of school, but with our references and accreditation, you'll be working in no time". you're told that the school is a professional environment where you can learn and will be respected by teachers and administrators... this couldn't be farther from the truth."


Having attended several tours of the school I can assure you no one has ever promised "you will be learning from rockstars" first off Metalworks is an audio production / business school, you don't learn to be a musician or "rockstar" by attending this school nor is it promised. It would also entirely lack relevance to be taught business, or engineering by anyone other than an engineer or business professional.


"The reality? The majority of your teachers don't work in the entertainment industry, and haven't for a number of years (in such a rapidly changing business, knowledge becomes obsolete in days, nevermind years). You are taught the old model of business, something that hasn't been practiced since the 80s and early 90s - and this is by the few teachers that aren't telling you that the industry is dead and that we shouldn't bother looking for work. A number of the teachers berate and belittle students because they don't know things that they shouldn't be expected to know, going as far as calling them names like "Retard" and other, cruder words. On a number of occasions, I had seen students cry because of things teachers had called them - and yet the school did nothing to punish said teachers, when they knew full well (and even acknowledged to us) that they knew from personal experience how vulgar and hurtful the teachers could be to students."

As a student who has been attending the school for over a year now I can report that this is far from the truth. Classes are taught be industry professionals, and hands-on experience is plentiful, I have NEVER seen a student insulted, berated or made to cry by a member of the faculty. In truth this school is more concerned and accessible in regards to student life and grievances then any other institution I have attended, a result of it's small student body and high teacher to student ratio.


"In terms of finding work after school? Don't even bother trying. The school makes no effort to help you find work, other than offering you "employment" working in their studio and production house segments for minimum wage (around $10.00/hr). Now, to me, after having been told that I'd be coming out of MWI (MetalWorks Institute) as a skilled industry professional, being offered a job at a facility that I've just paid 17k to attend, working for $10/hr (they know you wont find work anywhere else and take advantage of your desperation) is rather insulting, to say the least."

I'm not sure how to respond to this comment, although, it is amusing. No school can guarantee work right out of school, and as is made abundantly clear all the way along by Metalworks, the Music/Entertainment industry is a highly specialized field, it is a small industry, and job advancement is heavily dependant upon experience and seniority, expecting to be managing or producing big name acts right out of school as naive.

"We were taught, for example, how to create and manage a record label and roster - meanwhile it's common knowledge that Record labels around the world are rapidly declining in power and are essentially dying."

What? Go to HMV, pick up a CD look on the back... now find one not published by a RECORD LABEL...



I could go on dissecting this rant, if anyone cares; this "ripoff report" is unfounded and completely misleading the facilities at Metalworks are top notch, and what you do with your education and your attitude in life will determine whether you will succeed. Don't believe every slanderous diatribe you encounter on the Internet, you may miss out out something amazing.