Carter Potts (BMus – DAA ’20) made an impact on his faculty and his classmates during his time as a Digital Audio Arts student. Serving as chair of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) Student Chapter for two years he helped organize many events during his leadership. Carter received the Joyce & Ron Sakamoto Prize for Research in Digital Audio Arts in 2018-2019, creating an augmented drum kit with classmate Kierian Turner.

Faculty member Amandine Pras was impressed with his academic ability, highlighting his final research project presented during the 2020 Digital Audio Arts and Music Student Symposium on analog and digital dynamic range compressors. Pras was also impressed with a video editing and audio mixing/mastering of the Music at noon concert of Brazilian pianist and vocalist Luciane Cardassi under her supervision. She proudly shared videos of the work that can be found here, here, and here.

What is your most memorable uLethbridge experience?

Some of my most memorable experiences were in the recording studios with friends and colleagues. The late night sessions were the most fun and creative, and the most enjoyable.

Is there someone specific who had an important influence on your time at uLethbridge?

My friend, Nate Thomas, was a huge influence during my degree. We went to high school together, then both ended up taking DAA. We worked on projects together both for class and outside of class and were roommates for 3 years. We still work on things together because we’ve developed such an efficient work relationship AND are also really good friends.

What is the most important lesson you learned?

The most important lesson I learned was to have a good “work-life” balance. Every hour doesn’t have to be the most productive hour.

What are your hopes/plans for the future?

In the immediate future, I’m returning to school to do a one-year accounting diploma. I am also involved as an audio editor for a podcast network and a drum teacher at a local music academy, and I hope that one or both of these jobs grows into a full-time career in audio in the next few years.

What advice would you give to students who are about to being their post-secondary journeys?

To any post-secondary student entering university, I would say to make sure and leave time for your hobbies, social time, self-care, whatever. Especially in the fine arts, often our work often is our hobby, too, so it can be good to just take time for yourself. That being said, definitely get involved in activities as soon as you can. Clubs and other events are where I had the most fun!

Photo credit: Nate Thomas.