Networking is important if you want to make it in any business and Conservatory grad Josh Weaver (also known as Tone) knows this first-hand. Weaver parlayed his attorney/contact into a gig at Studio 880 in the Bay Area. The attorney contacted Studio 880 owner John Lucasey who was looking for an audio-savvy employee. "Good talent is hard to find," says Lucasey. So I gave this kid, Josh Weaver, a chance as an intern. I told him how it was going to be. Recognition and success doesn’t come easy. He understood."

Since graduating from CRAS, fulfilling a six-month internship, and then working full-time at Studio 880, Tone has become a freelance engineer, working with such acclaimed artists as Santana as well as producing local Bay Area bands. Tone adds that what has to be the biggest trip of his career to date was working with Green Day on their CD Warning. The band was so happy with him and liked him so much that Tone can be heard being whipped by a dominatrix in the beginning of the song "Blood, Sex, and Booze". He can also be seen in the 20-minute Warning CD-ROM release.

One of the biggest changes since Josh graduated from the school is his name. Lucasey explains Josh's new moniker: "One day he was practicing getting sounds on the console, and I kept shouting, ‘It’s all in the Tone, go for the fat Tone.’ Then whenever I walked in the room I would just say ‘tone’ to get him to work on sounds. After a while, we just titled him 'Tone’, and it stuck!"

At the Conservatory, Josh learned by doing, which in turn prepared him for the real-world opportunities that appeared after graduation. Lucasey explains: "The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences taught him about the real world. No matter how much or little you know, SHUT UP AND LISTEN! You must pay your dues, and you always start at the bottom. We’ve had a couple other students from the Conservatory intern here because we REALLY like the attitude of the students that come out of there. They learn on top-notch gear, but know they have to climb their way to the top. They have a fighting chance because they know what they are getting into."

Tone agrees. "I'd say the biggest thing I learned at the Conservatory was that you're not an engineer just because you graduate from school. It usually takes a long time to become successful in this industry and more often than not you're going to end up paying some dues. All of the instructors at the Conservatory hit on that constantly. As far as the technical side of things, the Conservatory gave me a strong foundation for working in the real world, such as teaching us on equipment that we will use to eventually earn a living, such as SSL, Tascam, Hafler, and Pro Tools. I'd recommend the Conservatory to anyone who's serious about pursuing a career in audio engineering. The instructors are all great and very supportive in trying to help others succeed in the music industry."

Josh Weaver is well on his way to a promising career in audio and it seems that both he and his new boss have both learned something from their interaction with the Conservatory: The importance of Tone.