If you plan to record with software such as Pro Tools or Logic Pro, you should know that Digidesign (Pro Tools) and Apple (Logic Pro) offer certifications on their software. Getting certified requires that you attend a Pro Tools or Logic training facility, which can be found in major cities across the country. You enroll in courses that train you in the specifics of the application and how to be a master user. After you complete the various levels of certification, you are awarded a certificate as an operator and expert user. Typically, earning certification is no small feat; the tests are usually quite comprehensive. If you're awarded a certification, rest assured that you know and can use the software in practically every way!

After you complete the certification process, which, by the way, costs a moderate sum of money, you may have a better shot at landing a job. Many studio owners who honed their skills in the analog world aren't necessarily adept at computers and computer software, even if it's designed for recording. They will sometimes hire people specifically to operate the software aspect of the recording industry. Bigger studios and postproduction houses might employ a computer engineer, who is responsible for running the computer and the software.

For a prospective employer, certification doesn't mean that you know anything about making music in a studio. The certifications cover only the software you're trained on, which we all know is only one part of the equation.

You'll need other experience in general recording studios to help boost your resume. However, certification and experience make for an attractive resume. Considering the pace at which computers are changing the recording industry, certification in software may be a prerequisite one day.