Bill Sellar graduated from dBs back in 2018 and since then, has cemented his place in the music industry. Find out what he’s been doing in the six years since graduating and how dBs helped get him there.
At dBs Institute, we love to hear what our students are doing during their studies, but connecting with students who have been graduates for several years gives us a much greater sense of the impact our music production courses can have on people who want to work in the music industry.
Bill Sellar graduated with a First Class Honours in our BA (Hons) Music Production & Sound Engineering course in 2018 and is now a Mastering Engineer at Super Audio Mastering, a Mixing Engineer at his own studio TruPeak Audio and a Mastering engineer at LOUD Mastering.
Learn how he got to where he is today and how studying at dBs Institute helped get him there here!
Hi Bill! Please introduce yourself and your role at Super Audio Mastering
I am Bill Sellar, a Mastering Engineer at Super Audio Mastering and Loud Mastering. I also have my own studio which I initially designed as part of the Acoustics Module at dBs and built from the ground up. It’s called TruPeak Audio from which I offer mixing services.
What first drew you to Super Audio Mastering and the role of a Mastering Engineer generally?
Before joining dBs, I used to make my own music. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in engineering as that was my favourite part of the creative process. I learnt about Super Audio Mastering in the work-based learning unit at dBs and got in touch with Simon Heyworth to join him for a day. From my first day there, I knew I wanted to pursue this as a full-time career.
How long have you been working in the role?
I have been working at Super Audio Mastering for two to four days a week for seven years now. I was also working one or two days a week there throughout the second and third years of my degree.
What have been some of the highlights of your time there?
Mastering the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child soundtrack by Imogen Heap was pretty amazing and getting to attend the release party at the Palace Theatre in London. I also, quite recently, had the opportunity to work with Academy award-winning music producers in LA on some video game soundtracks, including the soundtrack for Street Fighter 6 and songs from Metal Gear Solid. Venturing into Dolby Atmos has also been an incredible journey, working in any surround format is a lot of fun!
Looking further back, what other work have you been involved in within the music industry?
I've scored a few advertisements for London-based clothing companies and mixed numerous EPs and albums for artists such as Olivia Fern, Jana Varga and Madrum. I've mastered audio for artists including Rita Ora, Yes, Rick Wakeman, Alison Moyet and many more.
What do you enjoy most about working in the music industry?
I love working in the music industry. I wouldn't say I enjoy any part of it more than any other. I like the variety of work. Doing everything from mixing, mastering and occasionally some composition keeps things interesting and helps make sure I'm applying myself and learning continuously. One of the most rewarding parts of the job is definitely seeing the satisfaction of the client.
How important would you say studying at dBs Institute was for your career in the music industry so far?
It was the beginning of my career! Although I had 8 years of experience, dBs taught me how to apply my skills, gave me the support I needed to grow as an engineer and, of course, taught me how to use analogue gear and mixing desks.
What skills were the most important for getting you from being a student to a professional?
In my line of work, critical listening is one of the most important skills. Alongside that, you need time management, the ability to converse with clients and a good understanding of the whole music production process, from concept to manufacture.
How important were the staff and facilities at dBs in your career journey?
The facilities at dBs were fundamental to gaining an in-depth knowledge of analogue processing and mixing. The tutors were also amazing. My previous experience meant that my knowledge was quite advanced in comparison to many others on the course; the tutors made a real effort to help me take my understanding further by delving deeper into topics with me personally, even if that was a little too far for others.
How prepared did you feel to get into the industry after you graduated?
I was very confident about my ability when leaving dBs. I had already developed and applied ideas for my website design and had a view of the future and a foothold in the industry. dBs helped me open the doors to my career and supported me after I left. I have even been back to deliver guest lectures on mastering on three occasions since leaving!
What was your favourite part of studying at dBs?
I loved every minute of my time at dBs. It would be hard to choose a "favourite" part. If I had to choose one thing that stands out, it would probably be feeling inspired by the passion of the tutors and the hands-on learning across so many disciplines.
Would you recommend dBs to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps and get a job in the music industry?
Yes absolutely. Without attending dBs, I may never have followed this path to turn my passion into a career. However, I also fundamentally believe you get out what you put into these situations. I was 100% invested in the course and my direction and that makes a big difference to the experience in my opinion.
Want to join the likes of Bill and turn your passion into a profession? Find out more about dBs at our next Open Day and check out our website.
