Questions about transferring from a PHD program in Physics to Audio Engineer

[sc123]

Hi,
I am a first year PHD student in physics at a top ten university.
I finished my undergraduate degree at a Liberal Arts college (hence, my degree was a Bachelors of the Arts) in math and physics. I didn't do too poorly during my first semester (I got a B average), but I decided that I want to pursue something slightly different than I originally thought. Throughout my life, I have never wavered in my interest in music, and I would like to combine my technical side with musical creativity. I am not sure what kind of programs are offered, but so far I have been looking at audio engineering and music technology. Does anyone have ideas about programs that I should look into or what my next step should be? Do I even have a chance pursuing a masters or PHD degree in something that is so different from what I have done in the past?
Thanks

 

[Dr Lots-o'watts]

This sounds relevant: http://www.acosoc.org/student/

 

[AlephZero]

I don't know about the US situation but here is a warning about what this is like in the UK.

There are lots of colleges running music technology courses, mainly because they are popular with students and hence they make lots of money for the college. But the bottom line is there is virtually ZERO employment opportinities for people who come through that route.

Jobs in music recording studios etc are not filled by interviewing kids out of college. They are filled by people who the studio already know, and know they are good. Academic qualifications count for nothing if you haven't got those "golden ears".

If you REALLY want a career in music technology, drop out of college and find a studio that will let you get some work experience. Don't expect to get paid. Don't even expect them to let you work for free. You will probably have to pay them to get your foot in the door.

After that, the only thing that matters is how good you are. Being prepared to work 20 hours a day 7 days a week (and crash out on the studio floor for the other 4 hours) is also useful, in the early stages.

As a career option, this is in the same category as "astronaut" or "olympic gold medallist".

Of course there are also more conventional science-based jobs in non-musical applications of acoustics, like noise reduction in machinery and the environment, sonar, etc.