Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Polgar.
Hi Patricia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am originally from Budapest, Hungary. When I was 8 years old, my Dad took me to his friend’s concert. The whole experience inspired me to start taking guitar lessons. Later on, my plan to be a full-time musician changed. Turned out, I was super nervous on stage so I left music school after a few months. While I tried to find my place in the music industry, I completed a Music Business certificate in Hungary, and I got an internship at Universal Music as an A&R assistant. I missed the creative process behind the job, but I learned so much about the industry. My drive to find my fit was still strong.
In 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, I self-learned how to use Logic Pro and I started recording myself playing guitar. Growing up flying to the US every year to see family members, I felt like I had something to do here. I decided I have to make the move if I want the career I’ve always dreamed of. After months of uncertainty, I started my first semester in Las Vegas, studying audio engineering, music business. Right after I graduated, I got an internship opportunity at a recording studio where I gained hands-on experience. From an intern, I became an assistant engineer, and I had the chance to work on sessions with legends like Carlos Santana, Ceelo Green, TyDolla, The Audibles and many more Grammy-award winner artists, and producers.
In June 2022 I attended Josh Gudwin’s Masterclass in LA and it was the most inspiring couple of days. The lessons I learned, the connections I made, I’m very grateful for. A bit later after the Masterclass, I went back and forth between Vegas and LA to network, and now most of my time I spend it in LA.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been anything but smooth. To begin with, living far from home and loved ones on hard days and figure out everything by myself in a foreign country was challenging and sometimes it still is. In my field, being a female as an engineer is far from common to see, so I try and work extra hard to make sure I get the same respect. It’s a definitely a lot of hustling, but I’m known to like challenges.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m super precise and detail-oriented. I specialize in recording and mixing, and I know ProTools from in and out. Session editing, vocal tuning has been one of my favorite parts of my job. I would say that my technical knowledge when it comes to any type of gear, as well as my musical background, definitely helps me to get the right sound for the records I’m working on. I also have experience mixing and recording on SSL consoles.
A couple of months ago my good friend Nick Ngo, the Jabbawockeez’s manager called me if I can wire their studio. I immediately said yes and now they are using analog gears as well. I care a lot about my relationships with people I’m partnering with. Having a good connection network is a value. Reliability, generosity is very important to me in my every-day life and in my career.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I learned that to me, working in a professional environment with people I know they do their job right and they are as serious about it as me, makes a huge difference. I believe that with my work ethic and personality, I can create a safe and comfortable space for the artists where they have nothing to worry about and we can focus on the magic; music.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patyka/
Image Credits
Marlon Lenard
