The
Misner Factor
The Official History of SAE Institute
by Robert Charles Alexander
ISBN 0-9545163-0-3
Published by SAE Publications, 2003

The information on this website was last updated:
Friday, 24 February 2006
@ 15:28 GMT

Welcome to The Misner Factor website.

This website was launched in late July 2003, to coincide with the publication of my book 'The Misner Factor - The Official History of SAE Institute', ISBN 0-9545163-0-3, Publ. SAE Publications, 2003. In June 2005, the official hit-counter passed the two million mark - thank you. I hope that you will find the many continually added to attractions of this website of interest.

GETTING AROUND THIS WEBSITE

Though at first glance, this website may seem deceptively simple, there are in fact more than 100 pages of information, much of it only available through this medium - and some never previously published. You can choose the large navigator buttons above for quick, easy access to the eight different main areas of the site, or alternatively, read on and use the hotlinks contained within this text In addition, you can use the site map button to help you navigate your way around.

If you require additional information on the book which accompanies this website, please take a moment to look through the list of 'Reviews' which can be found on the 'About This Book' page.

WHO IS TOM MISNER?

Have you ever wanted to be a billionaire? This is the story of one mans’ endeavour to prove that common sense, with a little luck, can turn just one good idea into a global education system worth in excess of a billion dollars. He has no business training or academic background whatsoever. The original rags to riches story.

He arrived in Australia in 1969, with nothing. Yet, thirty years later he’s constructed a vast network of audio, video and multimedia colleges that span the globe, and he still manages to achieve a level of anonymity others with his wealth can only envy.

And who is this man? Well, the ‘Golden Goose’ is called Tom Misner; and the ‘Golden Egg’ a concept called SAE.

This is their story.

Tom is the first to admit that he has no business training or academic background whatsoever. Yet, despite all the odds he’s constructed a vast realm, and manages to achieve a level of anonymity others with his wealth can only dream of. Despite no lack of ego or for that matter self-promotion, he’s still virtually unknown outside of close circles. Yet he could well be one of the richest men in Australia - a country where famous multi, multi-millionaires are hardly a rare species! His privacy, that rarest of commodities among the very rich, remains intact for others in his position to marvel at and envy. And yet, he gleans self-evident joy from reading articles about himself, or seeing his picture in magazines, no matter how obscure.

However, the picture he presents to the world is a façade that belies the real man - something he delights in exploiting. He looks and sounds utterly foreboding, and his frame, all 1m 95cm and 120kg of it, enhances this image to his obvious satisfaction. Known for speaking in monosyllabic tones, words are used sparingly and this tends to leave those new to his presence somewhat subdued, maybe even belittled. Undoubtedly done with intention, he likes to make you guess, while he sums you up.

Yet underneath the gruff exterior one first encounters, lies a deeply shy man, not accustomed to seeking, or indeed liking the company of strangers. He never gets ‘stressed out’, he rarely gets angry, and I’ve never known him to even raise his voice. This is most definitely a person that you have to take time to get to know. And even if he lets you, you’ll still only ‘know him’ as far as he wants you to.

Regularly dressing like any Sunday antipodean, those who’ve not been introduced can be forgiven for needing to have him pointed out among his endless staff constantly buzzing around this ‘Colossus’. Even those who know him find it strange at times watching him so glib and jovial with the kind of problems capable of weighing down an Atlas… or two.

But even when you think you ‘know’ him, you shouldn’t be misled by the quiet, laid-back manner. He enjoys likening himself to a sleeping Polar Bear. Walk past gently, and the bear will cast a casual, if somewhat uninterested glance at you. But, make a noise or step on his tail, and he’ll rise up and swipe out!

And along the way there’ve been people who’ve fallen foul of his wrath. But he’s always given them enough rope to hang themselves first. He freely admits it. Many have made the mistake of thinking ‘he’s a fool’ with ‘over-big ideas’ that ‘somehow came good’. They paid the price for their lack of perspective. It may sound harsh, but in reality everybody who has worked with him has, in their own little way, done exactly the same thing. Just on a smaller scale. It’s only because he’s bigger, richer more powerful than they are, that they claim justification in feeling ‘hard done by’. Australia in particular is a country rife with moaning jealous people pretending not to be snobs, while secretly harbouring deeply engrained hypocrisies.

Maybe, in some cases, these discarded people were right. But if they’re honest, to themselves as much as to anybody else, then this is a man that it’s more useful to know, not least of which financially, than it is to have as an enemy. Yet, it’s the funniest thing, most of his business ‘enemies’ have rarely if ever met him. They certainly don’t know him, and only imagine him to be a particular way, then measure him accordingly – I guess it’s the price he must pay for keeping that anonymity. ‘Bear’ with him (if you’ll pardon the pun!), work yourself into part of his master plan – walk past gently – and he’ll reward you in kind.

Despite those who’ve been discarded, he’ll still say his greatest assets are his people. And they are legion. Certainly, with their skills, many could earn much more elsewhere. He rarely, if ever shows them any thanks. Yet they’re incredibly loyal specifically to him, and not necessarily to the job they do. Most are fantastically hard workers. It’s a phenomenon hard to explain, a great pleasure to witness, and if it could be bottled he’d earn his many millions twice over.

Here then, is a genuine phenomenon – a real thinker. A man who ponders every angle before decisions are made, and always at his own pace. When decisions are made, that’s it. There’s never any going back. Only forward. He’s quite prepared to take chances where others wouldn’t dare, sometimes seemingly foolhardy, but in reality rarely so. Though he’s not a gambler – in any sense of the word – his risks (‘business decisions’, as he sees them), are usually amply rewarded. And the success it brings with it is heaped higher with each passing year.

And therein lies the enigma. For twenty-eight years he’s managed to promote his ideology far beyond the shores of his adopted country, based entirely on the desires of others. He is, it’s fair to say, a true master of the over statement. “Find a gap in a market, think big, look even bigger and provide a decent service. Then exploit the dreams of others to the full. With some luck, and a bit of common sense… anything’s possible, isn’t it?”

The truth is that in life, as in business, he likes to win. Second is not an option. That’s why he only ever flies First Class or Economy! For him, Business Class is second place! And he just doesn’t do second place (Oh, and by the way, he really does fly Economy… from time to time!). Being savage and ruthless in real life, as in business, it’s all one and the same thing as far as he’s concerned.

Here, for the first time, is the official history of how it all came about. So, ask yourself this, have you ever wanted to be a billionaire? Have you had great ideas and just didn’t know how to turn them into your own global corporation?

Well here’s the one-man instruction manual.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SAE INSTITUTE

1976
The School of Audio Engineering (SAE) is set up in June 1976 by engineer/producer Tom Misner who, in so doing, develops the first practical/theoretical curriculum. At this point in time there are NO other colleges anywhere in the world offering practical audio education. The first course was mostly held in their own 4-track recording studio.

1977
The first nine month course commences in February, in Sydney Australia with a Sony 4-track tape recorder and a custom made 12 channel mixing console.

1978
SAE Melbourne, the 2nd college, is established in North Fitzroy, a suburb of Melbourne, with a small 8 track studio and some editing tape machines.

1979
SAE Sydney is upgraded with a Soundcraft Series II console and an Ampex 24 track tape recorder. Tom Misner commences publishing Australia's first professional audio magazine - Australian Sound & Broadcast.

1980
SAE Brisbane, the 3rd college, as it turns out later will move three times in the next few years and the first commercial studio Central Recorder is opened in Sydney.

1981
SAE Sydney commences with the acceptance of overseas students and gains the first form of government recognition - a public service grading. Because SAE want to give all students individual practical studio time, the first practical audio workstations are designed by Tom Misner. SAE Townsville (Australia), a special SAE college, is designed to operate for one year only to train the local TV and radio station staff in the area.

1982
SAE Adelaide, the 4th college commences operation early in the year. SAE Perth, the 5th college, is established in August.

1983
The year of consolidation and learning. The main expansion this year is in the direction of publishing with the introduction of a number of new magazine titles including the well known UK magazine International Musician and Recording World (Australian Edition). SAE Brisbane relocates to larger premises and update their equipment. This was to be the first SAE college to be 'purpose built' into an empty warehouse, allowing Tom Misner to lay the architectural foundations for all future design of SAE colleges. The first 'clones' of the SAE concept started appearing in Australia and on the international level in America.

1984
SAE Coffs Harbour (Australia) is set up for one year only to conduct a course on behalf of the local television and radio stations, but, due to surprising local demand, the college stays open for a further year.

1985
On a business trip to London, Tom Misner notices that there are no professional audio colleges operating in the UK. This leads directly to the establishment of SAE London, the first overseas college. Operation commences in March. The college is equipped with a Fostex 16 track tape recorder and a Studiomaster console. The new logo (current logo) is used for the first time in advertisements.

1986
SAE Munich, the first foreign language school, opens in Germany. The course is extended to fifteen months part-time. SAE Frankfurt commences later in the year, both German colleges are initially equipped with the TAC Scorpion consoles. The first UK clone of an SAE college opens in Manchester.

1987
SAE Vienna the first college in Austria is opened in February. The first custom-designed program is conducted by SAE Germany for radio station 'Radio Free Europe'. The radio station is controlled from the USA by the CIA. SAE Perth moves premises (to next door) and expands all studio facilities and sponsors the Santana Concert in Perth.

1988
SAE Sydney undertakes a major move and equipment update. In London, SAE graduate Tim Simenon (Bomb the Bass) gains his first success as an artist and producer of dance music tracks. SAE Berlin the third German college is opened late in the year with special assistance from the German government. SAE registers the world rights to the 'Tonmeister' label. A new course 'Live Sound Engineering' (another first) is offered by SAE.

1989
SAE London relocates to much larger premises the equipment is updated to a Neve console. SAE introduces the six months part-time 'Studio Sound Certificate' course.

1990
SAE Auckland is established with a 24-track studio and the Auckland college is granted full government approval (NZQA). SAE introduces the 'DJ and Sampling' course in London. SAE Glasgow commences operation late in the year. Robert Charles Alexander's association with Tom Misner begins in July 1990, first as a student, then working with Tom on two album projects and later as a Lecturer at SAE Sydney.

1991
SAE Amsterdam, the new European operational head office is opened. The SAE newsletter circulation commences in Europe and is now available in three languages, to assist students in finding jobs. One of the largest orders of Neve consoles ever placed, called for the supply of 11 VR series consoles. The first SAE student CD, a compilation of various student projects is mastered. SAE Singapore commences in September as the first audio college in Asia. It too is based upon the Neve VR console.

1992
SAE Berlin college is updated with a Neve console. SAE Sydney updates the main studio with a Sony MXP fully automated console. SAE Munich relocates to larger premises and installs a Neve VR console. The audio engineering programme is extended to eighteen months part-time in all SAE colleges. SAE Kuala Lumpur opens in October with a Jade console and Otari 24 track. The College is based in the complex of King Musical Industries one of the largest record distributors and recording studios in the region. Robert Charles Alexander returns to his native England from Australia to begin work as Principal Lecturer at SAE London in August 1992.

1993
SAE Paris opens in a large free standing building owned by Tom. The college has a Neve VR console with Flying Faders, two recording studios and a total of twenty various workstations. Partial government approval and funding for students is given to SAE by the French Government. SAE Melbourne is relocated and updated with a Sony MXP console and 24-track studio. SAE Hamburg opens and commences operation as the first SAE college to teach extensive digital practice. The studios are based upon the Soundtracs Jade console, Sony APR multitrack and ProTools III.

1994
SAE Kuala Lumpur gains government approval (Ministry of Education). The first SAE Book (Practical Studio Techniques by Tom Misner) is published. The first SAE European inter-college soccer competition takes place in Amsterdam - the eventual winner is SAE Frankfurt. SAE forms an official link with the Australian University (Southern Cross University) to offer a joint degree program (BA Music Production). The School of Audio Engineering changes its name to SAE Technology College. Tom Misner opens the only new large commercial recording studio in Australia to be built in the 1990s. Known as Mirage Studios it is a world class recording studio (Neve VR with Flying Faders, Studer A 820, ProTools III 32-tracks and four racks full of the latest effects).

1995
The first Digidesign/SAE Pro School is established in London in April 1995, teaching the Digidesign ProTools system with Robert Charles Alexander as Pro School Director. Tom Misner purchases the largest studio complex in Sweden - Soundtrade Studios it houses five studios. The main studio live room has the capacity for a full orchestra. SAE Stockholm (Sweden) commences with the first audio course instructed in Swedish. SAE Glasgow moves into the main business district of Glasgow with its own studios based on the Otari MTR 90 multitrack and digital ADAT multitracks. SAE Zurich has now been established in the Technopark industrial complex. The studio is equipped with a Neve VR console and Studer A800 multitrack. SAE Hobart, the 6th college in Australia, opens. The first multimedia program called 'Multimedia Producer' commences in Sydney with SAE Vienna following later in the year. The multimedia program is now also offered in Berlin, Zurich and Singapore. SAE Asia Sdn Bhd is established to promote the franchise concept within the Asia region. Excluding Singapore and Malaysia, all other SAE colleges around the world are not a franchise. SAE Cologne, the fifth German College, opens later in that year and offers both the audio and multimedia programmes. SAE Singapore receives government approval and is able to accept overseas students. A new student administration system is introduced into all SAE colleges.

1996
A huge party is held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of SAE, lecturers both old and new, and students from all over the world are flown to Bavaria for the celebrations. The SAE Newsletter reaches a circulation of 100,000 copies. The multimedia program is expanded to Zurich and Singapore. The first full university degree programme is launched by SAE Sydney with the co-operation of the Southern Cross University. SAE Singapore is to move to larger premises and is installing a full digital studio. SAE Frankfurt now offers the first live sound program in Germany. SAE Milano, the first college to open in Italy, is based upon a Neve VR console and Otari multitracks. Robert Charles Alexander, by now Principal Lecturer, Course Co-ordinator and Digidesign/SAE Pro School Director, leaves SAE London in March 1996, to persue new challenges as Executive Editor of Audio Media magazine.

1997
SAE becomes landlord and purchases all of its Australian colleges and some of the overseas operations. SAE Sydney moves to all four floors of the building opposite their current location. SAE London doubles in area. SAE Germany increases the multimedia department. The first multimedia-only college in Stuttgart starts in October. SAE forms the SAE Entertainment Company for professional production of CD ROM, CD extra, CD audio and internet homepages.

1998
SAE Adelaide moves to new premises. SAE New York is licensed and a building is chosen on 40th Street. A major deal is signed with Walt Disney Entertainment. SAE Zurich expands college. SAE purchases 4 SSL G+ consoles. Over 500 Macintosh Power PC computers are installed at various SAE colleges. SAE Athens opens late in the year, and SAE London expands again. Currently there are 1.25 million sq ft rented to SAE colleges used for education world wide, making SAE more than ten times larger than the next nearest competitor. SAE enters into a collaborative arrangement with Middlesex University, England and the first BA (Hons) degree programmes are run at the London, Munich and Sydney campuses.

1999
SAE Nashville starts operation. SAE purchases Australia's premier recording facility (Studio 301) which is the world's second oldest recording studio, established in 1926 a few months after Abbey Road. SAE Munich is the first college to start the Digital Film Program in November 1999, with Cologne, Hamburg and Vienna to follow in spring. Tom Misner receives his doctorate from Middlesex University.

2000
SAE Munich starts offering the Digital Film Arts Degree. SAE Hamburg starts the Digital Film Program. For the first time in the history of SAE four new franchise schools are established in India. SAE establishes a new structure with a Board of Directors. SAE Frankfurt and SAE Amsterdam expands to make room for its new multimedia department. SAE Stuttgart moves to a bigger location. SAE Berlin expands institute for the next Digital Film Program. Work begins by Robert Charles Alexander on the book 'The Misner Factor - The Official History of SAE Institute', in Australia in January 2000.

2001
This year see the celebration of 25 years of SAE. Late in the year saw the opening of SAE Miami, Liverpool and Madrid. Final planning approval has been given for the SAEs new head office in Byron Bay, Australia. Tom Misner purchases the largest recording studio in Germany, which is now part of the Studios 301 Group. Version 3 of the SAE Audio Book is released and 17 new franchise Institutes are currently under construction and negotiating. Studio 301 buys the first one million dollar mixing console: the Neve 88R.

2002
The new Digital Film Making Program starts in Australia and Europe. SAE Thiruvananthapuram, India, commences operation. A number of SAE colleges are updated and receive new large consoles (SSL). SAE Miami installs a 120 Channels Sony Oxford console. SAE Berlin and SAE Athens are accredited as Degree Centres by Middlesex University, England.

2003
The SAE Alumni Association is founded. SAE Brussels, Belgium, and SAE Yangon, Myanmar, are opened. SAE Berlin is offering the first Bachelor courses. The new headquarter in Byron Bay, Australia, opens. SAE New York moves to a new location doubling in size. A massive party for more than 550 VIPs is arranged in Byron Bay by Tom Misner to celebrate the opening of the new SAE World Headquarters is held on the evening of Friday, 25 July 2003. People are flown into Australia from all corners of the globe for the event. The book written by Robert Charles Alexander, 'The Misner Factor - The Official History of SAE Institute', is launched at the party with each guest receiving a complimentary signed copy.

2004
SAE Barcelona, Spain; SAE Ljubljana, Slovenia; SAE Leipzig, Germany, all open.

2005
SAE Los Angeles, USA SAE Dubai, UAE opens, SAE acquires AMS Neve the world's leading console manufacturer!

...and the story continues!

MY THANKS...

I should like to give a special thank you to my good friends Andy Bailey of Jayjaybee Ltd, and Nik Crosina of The Multimedia Workshop, for their help and time during the designing, constructing and hosting of this website. Also, to all of my friends, colleagues and of course my family who continue to support me in my endeavours.

Many Thanks

Robert Charles Alexander
rob@doramusic.com

Monthly Statistics for January 2006
49,622 Hits
Thank you!
Total Hits since July 1999 - 2,309,120

Thank you for visiting my website.

"Tom Misner's amazing recollections -
'The Book' that reverberates
across the world..."

CXWeb


The
Misner Factor
The Official History of SAE Institute
by Robert Charles Alexander
ISBN 0-9545163-0-3
Published by SAE Publications, 2003

"Meet Tom Misner, multimedia's mystery multimillionaire "

The Australian

The
Misner Factor
The Official History of SAE Institute
by Robert Charles Alexander
ISBN 0-9545163-0-3
Published by SAE Publications, 2003

"Big Brother is watching!"

The Byron Shire News

The
Misner Factor
The Official History of SAE Institute
by Robert Charles Alexander
ISBN 0-9545163-0-3
Published by SAE Publications, 2003

"This book, 'The Misner Factor -
The Official History of SAE Institute'
is compelling reading. I read it
straight through, all 270 pages
in eight hours!"

CXWeb

The
Misner Factor
The Official History of SAE Institute
by Robert Charles Alexander
ISBN 0-9545163-0-3
Published by SAE Publications, 2003

"Tom Misner - a legend in his own lunchtime!"

Sounds Magazine

The
Misner Factor
The Official History of SAE Institute
by Robert Charles Alexander
ISBN 0-9545163-0-3
Published by SAE Publications, 2003

"Robert Charles Alexander digs around,
like any great journalist should,
and details fairly blatently a kind of
'anti-Tom' society that operates at
the upper echelons of the recording
industry in Australia"

CXWeb

The
Misner Factor
The Official History of SAE Institute
by Robert Charles Alexander
ISBN 0-9545163-0-3
Published by SAE Publications, 2003

"A blow by blow account of the way Misner scammed, charmed and bumbled his way through the early days, establishing the world's largest chain of audio schools."

CXWeb

The
Misner Factor
The Official History of SAE Institute
by Robert Charles Alexander
ISBN 0-9545163-0-3
Published by SAE Publications, 2003

"What Tom probably wished for would
be an honest rendition of his life...
but it is sometimes turned into a
vicious score settler by Alexander...
so now the book is out there,
and Misner can expect a slew of legal
actions on four continents!"

CXWeb

The
Misner Factor
The Official History of SAE Institute
by Robert Charles Alexander
ISBN 0-9545163-0-3
Published by SAE Publications, 2003

"If you’ve ever crossed Tom Misner,
then you’re right there in print.
A bewildering array of people drift
in and out of the book, and some
of their sins are serious – like theft,
drug dealing, and fraud. Others like
Martin Cass, who owns JMC Academy,
are just guilty of having the audacity
to compete with Tom"

CXWeb

The above quotes were written about the book that accompanies this website. If you require information about this book, please take a moment to look through the full list of 'Reviews' which can be found on the 'About This Book' page.

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Dora Media Productions.
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