From Tabla to Tech: Nitish Kulkarni
02/05/2020
How did you become interested in the work you do now? I was always interested in music production. Like most of us, I started by recording myself on basic audio recorders with whatever software was available on my familys computer when I was growing up. Later on, I got more involved with DAWs [digital audio workstations] like Logic and Pro Tools throughout college. As for performance, I was involved with music performance in the Indian music scene in the United States from a young age. I began performing on the Indian tabla drums professionally around age 13 or 14, if memory serves me correctly. Over the years, Ive also played the role of keyboardist, music arranger, and director/producer for several shows.
Something I had missed when pursuing my undergraduate degree was being around other people who were pursuing music with the same passion and intensity as I wanted to, and I found that community at Berklee.
-Nitish Kulkarni M.M. 16
What was your experience at Berklee Valencia like? Berklee Valencia was a dream come true. I finally had the chance to do everything I had always wanted to do, but had been distracted from by prior schooling or other commitments. Something I had missed when pursuing my undergraduate degree was being around other people who were pursuing music with the same passion and intensity as I wanted to, and I found that community at Berklee. Having the chance to collaborate with truly world-class musicians was all I had wanted, so I was in heaven at Berklee.
Tell us a bit about the work you do now at Sweetwater. Im a sales engineer at Sweetwater, which means I work one-on-one with my database of clients and help them with purchasing the products they need for their music rigs. This means acting as a consultant and salesperson. I work with a variety of clients, from individual and hobbyist musicians to professional studios, touring companies, and even celebrities. Its a very dynamic job that requires keeping up with the latest trends in the music industry and the newest technologies that are emerging in the marketplace.
How did your time at Berklee Valencia prepare you for your current job? I wasnt necessarily preparing for a career as a music technology consultant and sales engineer at a place like Sweetwater, but Berklee thoroughly prepared me for it. A critical aspect of being an effective consultant and salesperson is having a thorough and deep knowledge of essential music technology concepts, such as studio signal flow and microphone techniques. Whether it is designing a MIDI-based composer setup or setting a tracking facility with all the gear theyll need, having been hands-on with all the gear at Berklee certainly helps me at Sweetwater.
Learn What It Takes to Innovate
The MPTI program helps you develop skills for a career as an artist, technologist, producer, DJ, software/hardware designer, and more.
What projects are you most proud of? Last year, I had the opportunity to finally make my dream project come true. I traveled all around the U.S. and recorded Indian vocalists that I had accompanied or run live sound for during my tours, eventually creating a composite music video for a cover song of a very popular song in my mother tongue, Marathi. The video was released last July and went viral in India, making its way around Facebook and WhatsApp. It currently has more than 500,000 views [across multiple platforms]. Definitely something I am proud of!
What are you working on now, outside of your day job? Outside my work at Sweetwater, I have continued building out my own personal project studio. I'm frequently involved with mixing projects for friends around the world who are busy with their own recording projects. I also tour frequently around the country as a live sound engineer, and work on my solo material in my spare time.
Related categories:
News
Related Reading
30 under 30 To celebrate Berklee Todays 30th anniversary, we are highlighting a selection of alumni who were born after that inaugural issue was printed.
Its Time for Women to Play a Bigger Role in Music Tech She Knows Tech works to close the music technology gender gap through mentorships and events that empower women in the industry.
Can You Land a Successful Career with a Performing Arts Degree? In an economy that rewards improvisation and entrepreneurship, well-trained artists and musicians are equipped to thrive.
More from Berklee Now
Most Popular
Mikhail Baryshnikov, Andr De Shields, Sheila E., John Legend, Cassandra Wilson to Receive Honorary Doctorates This years honorees will be recognized by Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee in virtual commencement ceremonies on May 9.
Latest
BGJI Celebrates International Jazz Day with the Wayne Shorter Quartet Reunion Danilo P rez will unite the Wayne Shorter Quartet for a virtual reunion on International Jazz Day.
Amid Coronavirus Challenges, Courtney Powers Finds New Ways to Inspire Students The alumna and high school music director recently earned a 2021 Music Educator Award nomination.
From Tabla to Tech: Nitish Kulkarni The tabla player and producer shares how his time at Berklee Valencia prepared him for his work as a music technology consultant and sales engineer.
Read All
Subscribe The latest sounds, stories
LINK: | https://www.berklee.edu/news/berklee-now/from-tabla-tech-nitish-kulkar... |
See more stories from berklee |
More from Berklee
27/03/2024
15 Latin Artists Who Became Musical Idols
15 Latin Artists Who Became Musical Idols Listen to iconic Latin musicians across genres in this playlist and read about how they've influenced Berklee st...
22/03/2024
Berklee, A3 Communication, and the Gnaoua and World Music Festival Launch Berklee on the Road Program
Berklee, A3 Communication, and the Gnaoua and World Music Festival Launch Berkle...
19/03/2024
What Is Dembow? Tracing the Roots of a Global Phenomenon
What Is Dembow? Tracing the Roots of a Global Phenomenon The story of the dembow beat, which can be found in reggaeton, hip-hop, pop, and far beyond, speaks t...
19/03/2024
Berklee's Roger H. Brown Jr. Building Honored by Boston Society for Architecture
Berklee's Roger H. Brown Jr. Building Honored by Boston Society for Architec...
19/03/2024
Applications Open for 2024 Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics
Applications Open for 2024 Berklee at Umbria Jazz Clinics The 39th edition of the program will be held from July 9-21. By Callista Chan March 21, 2024 Ima...
14/03/2024
Berklee Career Jam Concert Showcases Student Artists for Music and Entertainment Industry
Berklee Career Jam Concert Showcases Student Artists for Music and Entertainment...
14/03/2024
BPMI to Host 22nd Annual Showcase at Brighton Music Hall on April 17
BPMI to Host 22nd Annual Showcase at Brighton Music Hall on April 17 The Berklee Popular Music Institute will showcase performances from six rising stars who ...
08/03/2024
Berklee Presents the Michael Jackson Ensemble: Human Nature
Berklee Presents the Michael Jackson Ensemble: Human Nature The Signature Series concert honors the King of Pop, surveying the entirety of his iconic career. ...
07/03/2024
Bruce Hornsby Is Still Seeing What He Can Get Away With
Bruce Hornsby Is Still Seeing What He Can Get Away With Since The Way It Is, the visionary songwriter has made his mark on so many genres. His latest, Deep Se...
06/03/2024
Student Spotlight: Mehrpouya Daneshvar
Student Spotlight: Mehrpouya Daneshvar The clarinetist from Iran talks about discovering a love for Iranian classical music and how coming to Berklee has allo...
02/03/2024
Applications Open for Berklee in Puerto Rico 2024
Applications Open for Berklee in Puerto Rico 2024 Registration is open now through April 11. By Colette Greenstein March 1, 2024 Students perform at Berklee...
01/03/2024
Student Spotlight: Shivaraj Natraj
Student Spotlight: Shivaraj Natraj The vocalist, konnakol beatboxer, and percussionist reflects on his musical journey from Oman to India and beyond, and how ...
01/03/2024
Berklee to Present American Master Award to Arturo Sandoval
Berklee to Present American Master Award to Arturo Sandoval Berklee will recognize the Cuban-American legend's legacy and impact on jazz and Latin music. ...
28/02/2024
Announcing the 2024 Issue of STAGES Magazine: Future Proof
Announcing the 2024 Issue of STAGES Magazine: Future Proof This issue takes a deep dive into how a Boston Conservatory education lays the foundation for futu...
28/02/2024
40 Years Later, Thriller's Grammy Sweep Still Resonates
40 Years Later, Thriller's Grammy Sweep Still Resonates Professors Lil John Roberts and Mimi Jones, part of the team leading the upcoming Michael Jackson ...
27/02/2024
The Rubin Brothers Bring Circus Spectacle to American Idol
The Rubin Brothers Bring Circus Spectacle to American Idol Berklee alum Colescott Rubin and his brother, current student A.J., rode unicycles and sang about lov...
24/02/2024
Berklee International Hip-Hop Symposium Spotlights Local Artists, Entrepreneurs
Berklee International Hip-Hop Symposium Spotlights Local Artists, Entrepreneurs SAMMUS, DJ Troy Frost, and DJ WhySham are among featured guest speakers for th...
22/02/2024
Berklee's Signature Series Celebrates Vibraphone Master, Composer, and Educator Joel Ross
Berklee's Signature Series Celebrates Vibraphone Master, Composer, and Educa...
17/02/2024
Boston Conservatory Dance Students Perform in New Music Video by Pop Artist Piao
Boston Conservatory Dance Students Perform in New Music Video by Pop Artist Piao The video for Neopet features choreography by commercial dance major Sofia ...
17/02/2024
Berklee Awards Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant to Five Organizations
Berklee Awards Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant to Five Organizations A total of $25,000 will be distributed amongst the Boston-based nonprofits. By Co...
14/02/2024
Cecil Adderley Named President-Elect of the National Association for Music Education
Cecil Adderley Named President-Elect of the National Association for Music Educa...
14/02/2024
Cecil Adderley Named President of the National Association for Music Education
Cecil Adderley Named President of the National Association for Music Education The chair of Berklee's Music Education Department will serve as NAfME's...
14/02/2024
Berklee's Signature Series Presents Great American Songbook: Night and Day-A Celebration of Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Berklee's Signature Series Presents Great American Songbook: Night and Day-A...
09/02/2024
Sounds of Black History at Symphony Hall
Sounds of Black History at Symphony Hall Boston Conservatory Orchestra will showcase works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Margaret Bonds, Valerie Coleman, and ot...
09/02/2024
Berklee Valencia Alumni Recognized at the Grammy Awards
Berklee Valencia Alumni Recognized at the Grammy Awards Carla Patullo, Gracie Laboy, and MT Aditya Srinivasan took home awards on musics biggest night. Febr...
09/02/2024
Lee Berk Tribute Concert Honors Legacy of Music Education Pioneer and Former Berklee President
Lee Berk Tribute Concert Honors Legacy of Music Education Pioneer and Former Ber...
07/02/2024
Berklee Abu Dhabi Music Summit Aims to Empower Aspiring Artists
Berklee Abu Dhabi Music Summit Aims to Empower Aspiring Artists The third annual event will focus on essential music business principles that enable creatives...
06/02/2024
Boston Conservatory at Berklee's New Music Festival Highlights Original Student Works
Boston Conservatory at Berklee's New Music Festival Highlights Original Stud...
05/02/2024
Berklee Alumni and Faculty Win at the 2024 Grammy Awards
Berklee Alumni and Faculty Win at the 2024 Grammy Awards Laufey, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Miguel Zen n, and Carla Patullo were among the winners of musi...
02/02/2024
Vimbayi Kaziboni Wins Prestigious Ditson Conductor's Award
Vimbayi Kaziboni Wins Prestigious Ditson Conductor's Award The Boston Conservatory faculty member joins a group of legendary conductors who have received th...
01/02/2024
Dancing with the Stars: Berklee Edition Puts the Fun in Fundraiser
Dancing with the Stars: Berklee Edition Puts the Fun in Fundraiser The annual dance competition exceeded fundraising goals, fully endowing a new Dance Divisio...
01/02/2024
Vimbayi Kaziboni Wins 2024 Alice M. Ditson Fund Conductor's Award
Vimbayi Kaziboni Wins 2024 Alice M. Ditson Fund Conductor's Award The Boston Conservatory faculty member joins a group of legendary conductors who have re...
31/01/2024
Berklee Receives $1.8 Million Donation to Fund Innovative Student Success Initiative
Berklee Receives $1.8 Million Donation to Fund Innovative Student Success Initia...
27/01/2024
Pop Culture Icon Cyndi Lauper Gives Keynote at Berklee NYC Career Expo
Pop Culture Icon Cyndi Lauper Gives Keynote at Berklee NYC Career Expo The entertainment legend was joined by performing arts industry leaders from Broadway t...
27/01/2024
Berklee and the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Culture Expand Partnership
Berklee and the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Culture Expand Partnership The two organizations signed a student credit transfer agreement in January 20...
26/01/2024
Berklee Welcomes Dani and Debora Gurgel Quarteto for Signature Series Concert
Berklee Welcomes Dani and Debora Gurgel Quarteto for Signature Series Concert The virtuosic foursome will visit the college for a weeklong residency, culminat...
24/01/2024
The Berklee Global Jazz Institute Hosts 15th Anniversary Concert
The Berklee Global Jazz Institute Hosts 15th Anniversary Concert The Signature Series event will commemorate the life and artistry of the late Wayne Shorter. ...
20/01/2024
Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education Announces Inclusive Teaching and Learning Capsule
Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education Announces Inclusive Teaching and...
19/01/2024
Carla Patullo Howls and Heals on Grammy-Nominated Ambient Album
Carla Patullo Howls and Heals on Grammy-Nominated Ambient Album On So She Howls, the film composer, songwriter, and alum guides listeners through a cycle of h...
17/01/2024
Berklee Alumni Win Emmy Awards for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story and Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight
Berklee Alumni Win Emmy Awards for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story and Kung Fu Pand...
12/01/2024
Alums Make Big-Screen Debut in Musical Adaptation of Mean Girls
Alums Make Big-Screen Debut in Musical Adaptation of Mean Girls Francesca Castro and Matilde Heckler bring Band Freak energy to the cinematic version of Tina ...
11/01/2024
Boston Conservatory Orchestra Celebrates Black History Month
Boston Conservatory Orchestra Celebrates Black History Month This powerful performance, featuring Anita Hill reciting the words of Martin Luther King Jr., wil...
05/01/2024
Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Announces 2024 Sebastin Yatra Scholarship
Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Announces 2024 Sebasti n Yatra Scholarship A four-year scholarship providing up to $200,000 in financial aid towards a bachel...
22/12/2023
The Best Music of 2023 Was Made with Berklee Artists
The Best Music of 2023 Was Made with Berklee Artists Behind the mic, at the boards, or in the band, Berklee artists made some of the year's best music in ...
21/12/2023
Berklees Top News and Stories of 2023
Berklees Top News and Stories of 2023 From AI in the classroom to music licensing 101, 50 years of hip-hop to the next great American jam band, take a look at...
19/12/2023
Student Spotlight: Yamur Soydemir
Student Spotlight: Ya mur Soydemir The Berklee graduate student discusses her greatest inspirations, her love of ultimate frisbee, and the process of reworkin...
16/12/2023
Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Announces 2024 Sebastin Yarta Scholarship
Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Announces 2024 Sebasti n Yarta Scholarship A four-year scholarship providing up to $200,000 in financial aid towards a bachel...
15/12/2023
Berklee Professor Releases Heartfelt Hanukkah Song
Berklee Professor Releases Heartfelt Hanukkah Song Mike Sempert recently released Hold On to the Light, a catchy track with a sincere message about what it me...
14/12/2023
Olivia Soler Espinosa Brings Cuba's National Instrument to Berklee
Olivia Soler Espinosa Brings Cuba's National Instrument to Berklee The college's first woman tres player discusses the instrument's distinctive so...
13/12/2023
Berklee Presents 2024 Spring Signature Series
Berklee Presents 2024 Spring Signature Series The series will celebrate the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, as well as pay tribute to the music of Tony Bennett...