Alumni Profile: Ross Western

Ross Western is a graduate from the Centre for Music and Audio Technology,currently working at Warner Bros. De Lane Lea Studios.

What are you doing now?
I am currently a Studio Assistant at Warner Bros De Lane Lea Studios. In addition to this, I work as a sound designer/composer/music producer for a number of different projects.

What attracted you to your course, and to Kent?
I liked how eclectic the courses were and the amazing facilities available to the students.

Which aspects of your degree did you enjoy the most, and why?
I really enjoyed collaborating with other students and using the fantastic facilities whenever I could.

What impressed you most about our academic staff?
The diverse range of specialties and hands on teaching approach/

Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now in your career?
The discounted Pro Tools courses were a huge benefit to where I am today. But I use info from most of the modules I study on a daily basis whether it’s in my job or the projects I do on the side

Are you still in touch with any of your fellow students?
Yeah and we also give each other work every now and then!

Did you undertake any work experience whilst at Kent?
I actually started temping as a runner at De Lane Lea whilst studying which was awesome because I had a job waiting for me for when I left.

Could you describe a typical day in your current role?
I work in the dubbing stages for Warner Bros. So I look after the stage, make sure everything is working how it should and I assist the rerecord mixers however they need (ranging from moving data to cleaning up audio). We work on projects ranging from independent films and tv shows to big blockbusters so no project is the same.

What are your future plans/aspirations?
I would love to move into the music department of films whether working as a music editor or composer’s assistant. I’m also debating getting my masters in composing for film but we’ll see!

What is your favourite memory of Kent?
Using the awesome studios to create the music and sounds I wanted to make without being held back by my lack of professional equipment.

What advice would you give to somebody thinking of coming to Kent?
Get in the studios as soon as you can cause you’ll miss having that available to you when you leave!

How would you describe your time at Kent in three words?
Challenging, rewarding and nurturing.