I know exactly what Michael is saying here and it's not good for the cheap manufacturers of condenser microphones. Shortcuts taken during manufacturing like those described are really inexcusable. Michael's article is definitely worth a read - Why Many Condenser Mics Are Too Bright and Sibilant by Michael Joly

or in case the original link disappears I have PDF'd it here.

I started there in 1986 and worked there full time for 18 years and freelance for another 10. It never always looked like it did in the photo above. It had been added onto and changed around and I don't recall how many times I've said, "I'd like to see it razed to the ground". But I never believed I would see the day when it was really gone. And now it is. Whilst I really don't miss the old building, it was where my career started and for that I have to be grateful.

Yes, I wish I'd written this article that rings so true. I totally agree with the writer in all aspects. Everyone take note.

Why going to an audio engineering school is generally a waste of your time and money by Byron J. Scullin

or in case the original link disappears I have PDF'd it here. But please go to the website in preference to this file as he really makes an extreme amount of sense.

A response from FTI was received on the 26th May 2015 from Roslyn Walker. A meeting has apparently been organised for 4th June 2015 at the State Library to discuss sound issues in the state. The timing of this meeting has nothing to do with my letter, it just coincided with it. I wish the meeting well although I feel that mostly film sound discussion will take place at the meeting (my guess).

Very pleasing to see at least one of the educational institutions taking interest in what they're teaching they're students.

Ok, so to date (25th May 2015) no replies to the open letter I sent out out on the 11th May 2015. Why does that not surprise me? Institutional change is slow. Rightly or wrongly that is how it is. I have also sent the letter today to FTI as I missed them in my initial mail out. Maybe they will be more open to criticism of their course curriculum than the other institutions? We shall see.

I've noticed that over the lat year or so the quality of students coming out of courses at educational institutions is not as good as it could be. I feel very strongly about this as it appears that students are wasting their time. And I don't mean that impolitely or nastily. I'm just referring to the skill set they are given during the course is not the most appropriate as it could be. Maybe it needs to be updated? Audio skills are not the only things that need to be taught at these places of learning. In fact on the strength of my belief I've written an open letter to all education intuitions that I am aware of in Western Australia, being Edith Cowan University, Curtin University, SAE and TAFE.

You might like to read this letter as well; in the interest of openness and not hiding behind closed doors you can find it here.