Program Curriculum
The Recording Connection audio school alternative has audio programs for those who want to pursue careers or personal advancement in:
Looking to land a career as a Music Producer? Our insider access is your opportunity to make lasting hookups to launch your career as a music producer. Learn in private sessions from a professional music producer.
Music Producing DetailsFrom the basics of listening and microphone placement to Pro Tools and mastering, apprentice (extern) with a professional audio engineer in the studio. Learn in the trenches and on-the-job. Take your dreams to the professional level.
Audio Engineering DetailsCapture the music in your head with our hands-on Ableton Live curriculum featuring private training from noted EDM DJs and producers. Take your music to the professional level and get your sound in front of the decision makers at major EDM labels.
Ableton Electronic Music DetailsTake your beat making and hip hop knowledge to the professional level by learning from a major Hip Hop Producer in his or her studio. Learn what separates the real-deals from the wannabes.
Hip Hop / Beat Making DetailsPrepare for a career as a front-of-house engineer by apprenticing (externing) under a touring Audio Engineer. If you goal is to get inside the music industry and tour the world, this recording program is for you.
Live Sound DetailsOur Live DJ Apprentice Program pairs you with a working, touring DJ, who’ll tutor you on what it takes to succeed on the world’s biggest stages. It's the ultimate all-access pass to the music-performance business. Get schooled in one-on-one lessons from a working, touring DJ.
Live DJ DetailsTurn your passion and ear for music into a career by understanding the world of managers, agents, royalties, copyrights, 360 deals and more. ou can't get more inside music business access than this course. Become a music Mogul.
Music Business DetailsLearn Post Audio while apprenticing under a Post Production Specialist in their recording studio. If working on movie, TV and video game soundtracks sounds like an incredible career, this course is for you.
Post Production for Film and TV DetailsLearn advanced audio techniques in overdubbing, mixdown and mastering. Apprentice under a professional audio engineer/music producer/mixer while gaining an insider's access to the music industry. Take your existing skills to the next level while building connections.
Advanced Audio DetailsCollaborate with music producers and learn from some of the most qualified professionals in the industry like those who’ve crafted records for U2, Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Michael Jackson, Shania Twain, Hole, Nirvana, Ozzy Osbourne and hundreds more.
Learn from Legends DetailsLearn Ableton, Logic or Pro Tools. Apprentice under a professional electronic music composer, dance music producer, or touring DJ in their studio. Gain insider access to the electronic music scene. You tell us your favorite genres of electronic music, and we will help you produce that type of music.
Electronic Music Production DetailsFast track your career with certification credentials in Pro Tools. By getting yourself tested and certified you are showing over 5,000 Producers and Engineers worldwide that you have what it takes to work for them as both and an assistant engineer and an Engineer/Producer.
Audio Certification DetailsApply Now
Get Educated,
Get Access,
Get Hired.
With the right experience and connections, you can jumpstart your career in the music industry.
The Recording Connection is the only audio school
alternative that trains you as an apprentice (extern)
Here's how it works:
Based on your specific needs as a person, producer, engineer, or artist, we pair you with a professional audio engineer, music producer or music artist who will train you in his or her professional studio.
If you are looking to be an audio engineer, or if you want to be a producer, or if you just want to deepen your current skills in these areas, we will pair you with a veteran music producer or engineer, someone with over 10-20 years of professional experience, and you will learn from him or her in their studio.
If you want to be a hip-hop producer, beat maker or artist, you will be paired with a hip-hop producer to learn in that producer’s recording studio as his/her apprentice.
If you want to be an electronic musician, producer or DJ, we will match you with a professional electronic music genius, and you will learn one on one from this professional.
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Meet our Mentors
Why learn from teachers when you can learn from industry giants?
Shane Anderson Producer
Shane Anderson Producer
Background
Shane Anderson is a seasoned music industry veteran. With over 20+ years in the music industry Shane has vast experience in production, recording, mixing and mastering as well as the ins and outs of the music business. Shane began his musical career in his early teens as a demo vocalist for labels and also as a sound engineer for the MUZAK corporation. At age 18 he opened his first studio location in Honolulu, HI called “Unique Studios” and oversaw the daily operations of the recording studio as well as landing several indie label deals and distribution agreements while in Hawaii working with local talent. In 2009 Shane released a solo album titled “Dangerous”. This album took off online primarily on MYSPACE and gained much success with over 2.5 Million plays worldwide landing him on BILLBOARD NEWSWIRE and ultimately landing him several placements on TV shows to include “The Kardashians” “MTV” “E- Networks” and Oxygen to name a few. Shane moved down to Los Angeles 2010 where he formed with his long-time high school friend a production company called “The Go Gettas” where he continued to build on his credits and catalog working with artist who have been on American Idol, X Factor, Dancing with The Stars and Disney to name a few. After landing multiple placements in Film/TV Shane relocated to the Sacramento area in 2016 to build on Unique Recording Studios and help bridge the gap between artist and the industry. Shane runs Unique Recording Studios as a production label, distribution company and recording studio for artist to create and focus on their art. Unique Recording Studios has also newly launched an exciting new venture at URS called “The Collective” which will allow producers, engineers, songwriters and artist to collaborate in house at Unique Recording Studios to work together to create music and promote building a large collaborative catalog of music to submit to labels, publishers, music supervisors and overall decision makers in the music industry. This will provide a great opportunity for students who complete their coursework at the recording connection.Articles
Request an InvitationArtists
MTV
Spike TV
Oxygen
E-Networks
BET
The Kardashians
The Fosters
Taking the Stage
Washington Heights
Bad Girls Club
Disney
Make a Wish Foundation
The Truth
Michael Lynche
Mark Ballas
Stephanie Scott
Spun
Alex Mauricio
Amara Jean
AJ Green
Slo-L
CRBL
Missy Crissy
Simplu
Grasu XXL
Maria Cozette
DJ Axenzo Live DJ
DJ Axenzo Live DJ
Background
Axenzo had recently graduated San Diego State University with a degree in mechanical engineering when he found that having achieved a major life goal, namely getting a degree to make his parents happy, had quite an interesting effect on him. Now that he’d achieved that, what else was possible? What could he achieve if he pursued something he was downright passionate about—music. While an engineering student, Axenzo had tried to double in music but the classes weren’t stimulating and were “very theoretical” with nothing practical or new to offer. Brewing at the back of his mind for years been the idea of learning how to produce EDM. While it wasn’t a choice his mother would consider practical, to him it was the natural conclusion. Axenzo was an active EDM explorer who attended shows regularly, a lifelong musician who played guitar and piano, and even wrote melodies on a whim. Music was just the thing going on in his mind. After completing his college degree with high marks, Axenzo spent a number of months training with a professional EDM music mentor who taught him Pro Tools and Logic with direct, one-on-one lessons. Although he already knew how to play a couple instruments he’d never set his hands on a DAW. Nevertheless he excelled fast, and consistently challenged himself while getting hands-on training and tips from his music mentor, a longtime engineer and EDM producer himself. During his time in the program Axenzo was able to create his own EDM songs, first starting on MIDI, then composing from within a digital environment. Crossing the bridge from having to play and record, to creating digitally “opened a door” for the EDM creator and DJ. In the two years since graduating the program, Axenzo has built a promising career in EDM as a DJ who has opened for Bob Sinclar, Robin Schulz, Steve Aoki, Marshmello, Borgeous, Nicky Romero, among others. Nevertheless, for him DJing and especially composing new material as a producer is a never ending journey. The great unifier isn’t by genre or culture for the rising talent. Regularly dipping into multiple genres and researching far and wide, Axenzo is in quest of something singularly specific: “I’m trying to create something that every time people listen to my tracks they’ll know it’s me. That’s my focus right now. I’m working on it every day.” Now, the melodies and musical ideas Axenzo used to write on a whim are being put to use professionally as he divides his workdays between producing new material and performing at venues. He says, he’s even got a surefire way of capturing the music when it hits: “I open the recorder on my phone and just sing the melody to myself. Even if I’m in the shower, I’ll get out and record it.” Now versed in Ableton as well as Logic and Pro Tools, Axenzo is fluent in the various DAWS and he’s confident in his capacity to continually explore and grow as an artist. And as for future goals, he’s got a few: “I definitely would like to play in big festivals. Hopefully at Ultra Miami, EDC Las Vegas, and I would like to go worldwide. I’m working on it. I know there’s lots of competition, but I think nothing is impossible.” As for the time he spent as an apprentice in the program, Axenzo says, “It was an amazing journey. I am extremely thankful.” Axenzo currently performs weeklies at The Hard Rock Café in Las Vegas, Nevada, and The Pool House and Sunset Vibes in San Diego, California. Request an InvitationArtists
Bob Sinclair,Marshmello,Steve Aoki,Robin Schulz,Borgeous,Nicku Romero,DJ Chuckie,WandW
Kevin Sharpe Producer / Engineer
Kevin Sharpe Producer / Engineer
Background
Kevin Sharpe is an Emmy Award winning producer, engineer, and keyboardist. He has produced, recorded or mixed many fine artists. Click here to see a list of credits. Kevin began recording at the age of 15 years old with a 4 track Teac reel to real, a Yamaha mixer, Moog synth and a broken drum machine. Soon he was recording local bands and the neighbors dog. After years of making noise and honing his recording skills he opened a small studio in Troy, Michigan. twenty five years and a couple of thousand bands later, he still gets chills while mixing a great song. As a producer, Kevin is 100 percent committed to doing whats best for the song, while preserving the unique chemistry of the preforming artist or band. By making the recording process work for the music, the artists vision shines through to the finished product. After all it is always about the music! Kevin attended Oakland University before studying music at Rochester College. After completing his education, he has taken several courses at The Berklee College of Music.Articles
Graylyn “Gino” Claiborne gets hired by his mentor’s studio after graduating!Aver
Artists
Critical Bill
My BedBugs
Coven
David Shelby
Avery Sharpe
Mazinga
Blue Snaggletooth
Tiles
Gregory Hainer Post Production
Gregory Hainer Post Production
Background
Recording Connection mentor Gregory Hainer is an interesting case. Usually our Recording mentors work primarily in the music industry but Gregory has made a successful career for himself in music as well as film, television, and video game entertainment as a music composer, voice over specialist, Sound FX designer and mixer on numerous projects including: Plants vs. Zombies 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Guild Wars 2, Prince of Egypt, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, We Were Soldiers, Dishonored, Black Hawk Down, and many more. Gregory does most of his work from Scorpio Sound, his boutique studio located in the Hollywood Hills. His unique skills-set, talent, and setup enables him to do work larger audio studios can’t. “From a client’s perspective, I own the studio, so there is no middle management overhead to worry about because the owner/operator is also the creative head. This means I have the freedom to choose to spend a little more time with my clients in order to get things perfect versus having to be out of a studio by a specific time.” Specialty might as well be Gregory’s middle name. “I get quite a few calls for the most unusual or difficult to design stuff that many in-house teams can’t quite seem to pull off convincingly, such as creating sounds for creatures, magic spells, sci-fi effects, light sabers and the like. But I will also get the occasional call to do the less-fun direct stuff like cleaning up poorly recorded production audio from a film, or digging out inaudible archival dialogue from excessive background noise.” On top of working in the film, TV, and video game industries Gregory also takes on Recording Connection apprentices and teaches them about both the industry and the craft of audio engineering.Articles
RC grad Andrew Holscher reports back on his Eddie Kramer Experience
Recording Connection mentor Gregory Hainer on Vibe and Flow
Artists
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Plants vs. Zombies
Guild Wars 2
Black Hark Down
Fallout 4
Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League - Cosmic Clash
Toxin
The 5th Demention
Dead Island 2
Guild Wars 2
Pirate101
Dishonored
Lost Souls
Wildstar
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Justice League Heroes
Jurassic Park
Quake II
Dishonored 2
Josh Monroy Producer / Engineer
Josh Monroy Producer / Engineer
Background
Recording Connection mentor Josh Monroy is proof-positive that getting in and showing your commitment to the craft, day-in and day-out, can launch your career to unprecedented heights. With more than a decade in the music industry, Josh “Igloo” Monroy has worked with everyone from Justin Bieber to Quincy Jones, to The Notorious B.I.G. The seasoned engineer/composer/producer is also known for his longtime work with iconic artist Ludacris. An Atlanta native, Josh recently answered the call to come out to Los Angeles and is now co-owner of Studio 1 Zero. His most recent success includes the work he’s done on JoJo’s critically-acclaimed album Mad Love, which includes three tracks recorded, produced, and co-written by the multifaceted music professional.Articles
RC mentor Josh Monroy Talks How He Got Hired by Ludacris and Doing JoJo’s “Mad Love”
Jeramy Roberts Producer / Label Founder
Jeramy Roberts Producer / Label Founder
Background
Jeramy Roberts is an EDM producer, composer, DJ and Ableton educator located in Austin, Texas. As founder of the Electronic Musician’s Guild, his approach combines the creative and the pragmatic—an ethos that’s dedicated to helping his students get their music out into the digital marketplace and distributed on major platforms. Jeramy has sold his songs and records in dozens of countries around the world. He has broken the Top 100 spot in numerous international sales charts and even his former students have hit #2 in Amazon’s House Top 100 while training under his direction. A loyal lover of EDM and the great local EDM scene in Austin, Jeramy Roberts is serious about helping today’s most driven and committed newcomers create productive, rewarding careers in music.Articles
#IZCONNECTED 62 | Jeramy Roberts - How To Monetize Your EDM
Recording Connection mentor Jeramy Roberts talks about the new music industry and creating your own job within it
Mehul Tolia Recording Connection Mentor
Mehul Tolia Recording Connection Mentor
Misha Kachkachishvili Engineer
Misha Kachkachishvili Engineer
Background
An established audio engineer/producer based in New Orleans, Recording Connection mentor Misha Kachkachishvili is an industry veteran whose client list includes names like Solange Knowles, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Janelle Monae, Taj Mahal, T-Bone Burnett and many others. A few years ago, he purchased a historic church left decimated by Hurricane Katrina, chose to keep the church’s historic pipe organ donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, and converted the space into what is now Esplanade Studios, the largest recording studio in Louisiana (and one of the most prestigious).Articles
A Day in the Life of Our Student
Recording Connection mentor Misha Kachkachishvili on working with artists and finding opportunity
Artists
Kendrick Lamar
Eric Clapton
Willie Nelson
Dr. John
David Crosby
Bonnie Raitt
Joe Jackson
Elvis Costello
Rickie Jones
Irma Thomas
Van Morrison
Mary J Blige
Common
Janelle Monae
Mary J Blige
Solange Knowles
Sean Combs
Young Jeezy
Lil Boosie
Ana Popovic
Metric
Kim Burrell
John Legend
Rebirth
Juvenile
Scott Lee Studio Manager
Scott Lee Studio Manager
Background
In 1996, Scotty became Production Manager for the powerhouse production team, The Characters. It was during this time that Scott worked on numerous Platinum and Gold albums, including releases by SWV, Johnny Gill, Tyrese, B2K, Brian McKnight, Petey Pablo, and Faith Evans. Scotty has been lending his expertise in Studio and Production Management at Engine Room Audio since 2006. Request an InvitationArtists
Trey Songz
50 Cent
SWV
Johnny Gill
Tyrese
B2K
Brian McKnight
Petey Pablo
Faith Evans.
Mark Christensen Mastering Engineer
Mark Christensen Mastering Engineer
Background
Head Mastering Engineer and owner of Engine Room Audio in New York city. Starting his music career as a guitar player in numerous garage bands, Mark was the owner of the first Tascam Portastudio 4 Track Cassette Recorder in Colorado. He has spent the ensuing thirty years staring at knobs and meters. Recent projects include Mastering for They Might Be Giants, Mr Probz, The Killers, 50cent, Trey Songz, Dr. Dre, and OK GO. Mark and Engine Room Audio have been the recipient of multiple Grammy awards, and have been lucky enough to have been involved with a pile of Gold and Platinum award winning records. In early 2012 Christensen mastered the first single off Trey Songz’ album Chapter V, titled “Heart Attack,” which was produced by Benny Blanco and Rico Love.Around that time he mastered a track for Pauly D on G-Note Records as well, and he worked with the Italian rap group Club Dogo in June 2012. Signed to Universal Music Group, the group’s members DJ Don Joe and engineer Andrea “db” Debernardi flew to New York to mix and master an album with Christensen. Their resulting single “Cattivi Esempi” reached #2 on the Italian music charts. Christensen’s other mastering projects in 2012 included the alt-rock band Weep’s album Alate and the Trey Songz album Chapter V, which reached #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Also that September, 50 Cent was in the studio with Christensen to master his single “New Day,” which features Dr. Dre and Alicia Keys. The song was mixed by Eminem before mastering. In 2013 Mark starting working with the artist “Mr Probz”, initially on his album “The Treatment” and the single “Waves” and new material including the single “Nothing Really Matters”. On 27 April 2014, Waves debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart after selling 127,000 copies in its first week. As of October 2014, it was the fourth-biggest selling single of 2014 in the UK, with sales of 758,000. The song also peaked at number one in Australia (currently 3x platinum), Austria (currently gold), Germany (currently 5x platinum), Italy (currently 3x platinum), Sweden (currently 5x platinum) and Switzerland (currently 1x platinum). In the United States, the remix reached number one on the Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart for the issue dated 16 August 2014 and is currently 1x Platinum. Engine Room Audio in 2014 continued to work on projects by both 50 Cent and Trey Songz, with Christensen mastering albums such as 50 Cent’s Animal Ambition. Other recent mastering projects include Collide by Boyz II Men and Game Changer by Johnny Gill. Christensen’s associated projects had been nominated for five Grammy Awards as of 2015, winning two of them. At that point Christensen had also worked on over 24 Billboard chart top ten hits, and around 25 of the releases had gone platinum or gold. Christensen is an official “mentor” at Recording Connection, a New York-based school for music recording. He also periodically chairs and moderates audio engineering panels at music industry events.Articles
Recording Connection mentor Mark Christensen
Engine Room Audio completes work on 50 Cent, Trey Songz albums!
From Newcastle, Australia to New York, New York, Darren Fewins Gets Going!
Mark Christensen of Engine Room Audio NYC talks Student Success rates with Brian Kraft
Artists
They Might Be Giants
Mr.Probz
OK GO
The Killers
98 Degrees
Alicia Keys
Boyz II Men
Trey Songz
Tony Braxton
50 Cent
The Rooks
Blue Woods
Ryan Leslie
Talib Kweli
The Killers
Dr. Dre
Justin Hachat DJ / Producer
Justin Hachat DJ / Producer
Background
Sweetdrop Digital is a record label founded in 2013 by DJ/Producer Justin Hachat aka Justin David and partners. We are a label built by sound engineers, djs and producers for djs and producers. We have a philosophy of creating something that artists want to be a part of. For our clients we offer a broad array of services including, mixing, mastering, editing, arrangement, sfx placement, foley recording, and background music. For our artists we offer an almost unmatched payout on royalties, worldwide digital distribution, promotional efforts and booking management if chosen. For all others we offer you a selection of music and videos to entertain you. If you are new talent looking for an outlet to get your music heard or a industry professional looking for some of our services please feel free to contact us. Don’t forget to check out our other pages on facebook and soundcloud. Thank you for visiting and enjoy. Request an InvitationArtists
Mihai Sebastian
Justin David
Above & Beyond
Mimo & Kalam
Helios (software)
Asaf Fulks Producer
Asaf Fulks Producer
Background
Asaf Fulks is a record artist, songwriter, music producer, sound engineer, videographer, graphic designer, educator, author, inventor and founder of OC Recording in 2005. He discovered his passion for music production during his college years. While studying Computer Science and Economics at Denison University in Ohio, he also spent time recording and producing in his dorm room. After graduating in 2004, he moved to his family in Hollywood and eventually relocated to Orange County to work for a book publisher. His boss recognized his passion for music and encouraged him to set up a studio in his unused office space. With minimal gear and few contacts Asaf set up shop and The OC Recording Company opened its doors in 2005. [^]Articles
Recording Connection Grads find work at The OC Recording Company Inc!
Artists
Kendrick Lamar
C-Nice
Young Keno
The Dirty Heads
My Hero
Common Kings
Tenelle
Adam Sander's Chuck and Larry
ESPN
Fox TV
JBL
Bad Girls Club
The Franchise
Josh Denhardt Music Producer
Josh Denhardt Music Producer
Background
Josh Denhardt is a music producer, audio engineer, and instructor based in Denver, Colorado. A longtime EDM DJ for more than 10 years, Josh decided to follow his passion for music and changed course from college dropout and self-described “ski bum” to being a highly sought after musical powerhouse with a skillset that ranges from live sound and recording to producing and mixing for numerous well-known musical acts and artists including a recently completed project with Grammy nominated P. J. Olsson of the Alan Parsons Project. As an Ableton and Pro Tools mentor with a hands-on approach, Josh Denhardt takes tremendous pride in helping various artists and aspiring music producers build their studio chops, musicianship, and professional know-how. Request an InvitationArtists
RRFC Graduate
DJ of 10+ years
First solo EDM LP to be released end of August 2017
Produced “The Chase ft BX” to be released end of August 2017
Working with grammy nominated Engineer PJ Olsson of Alan Parsons Project at new destination studio Eagle Wind Sound in Winter Park
CO Fall 2017
Steve Wright Engineer
Steve Wright Engineer
Background
Built in 1990, WrightWay Studios has been a staple of the Mid – Atlantic music scene and a destination for national recording artists since it’s inception. The Studio has an impressive client list including artists ranging from Rihanna, Dru Hill, Bibi Bourelly, Dawn (Danity Kane) and Ryan Leslie to Slipknot, U.N.K.L.E and Bosnian Rainbows (Mars Volta), Misery Index, Evan Taubenfeld (Avril Lavigne), Steel Pulse and Celebration, to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Hezekiah Walker and many more. WrightWay prides itself in its ability to deliver the highest quality projects for artists in any genre. WrightWay has worked with artists from every Major Label including Warner Brothers, EMI, Sony, BMG and Universal and most of their subsidiary labels in addition to most of the region’s budding talent. WrightWay’s Engineers are far more than just engineers. Each is also a musician, trained as a producer who fully understands what it takes to make a great record. Each Producer/Engineer is committed to delivering the highest quality product for every client. Wright Way’s Producers/Engineers have worked with: Rihanna, Mos Def, Blaqstarr/M.I.A., Lake Trout, Slipknot, Mambo Sauce, Lonnie Liston Smith, Dying Fetus, Fertile Ground, SR71, Jimmie’s Chicken Shack Request an InvitationArtists
Mos Def
Rihanna
Dru Hill
Bibi Bourelly
Dawn (Danity Kane) and Ryan Leslie to Slipknot
U.N.K.L.E and Bosnian Rainbows (Mars Volta)
Misery Index
Evan Taubenfeld (Avril Lavigne)
Steel Pulse and Celebration
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Hezekiah Walker
Blaqstarr/M.I.A.
Lake Trout
Slipknot
Mambo Sauce
Lonnie Liston Smith
Dying Fetus
Fertile Ground
SR71
Jimmie’s Chicken Shack
Rob Ruccia Engineer
Rob Ruccia Engineer
Background
“In Late 2001 Rob along with his band-mates of Arista Recording Artist From Zero, spent a week working out material for their new album, though he left From Zero he never left Uptown. With over 20 years experience and expert knowledge in analog and digital recording technology, Rob actively tests software for various companies that keep him ahead of the curve. Rob continues to stay in tune with the local and national music scene, having engineered mixed and mastered many local and national artists.” Request an InvitationArtists
Cameron Esposito
Nonpoint
Stu
Levi Kreis
Madina Lake
Dexter
No1
Somatic
Arabesque Music Ensemble
Terri Carroll
Robert Irving III
Shooting Blanks
Street Brats
The Euphoric
Soulio
Las Guitarras de Espana
Gayle Ritt
Caviar
Ivory Wire
Peter Lerner
Dead Space Age
Scott Ferguson Producer
Scott Ferguson Producer
Background
Picture this… It’s 1968 in a remote fishing village in eastern Canada. A six year old boy comes home from an afternoon jigging tommy cods on the wharf. He carefully drops the needle on “Rubber Soul”, his parents only Beatles album, adjusts his headphones and starts jamming to Ringo on his toy tin drum. These are the humble beginnings of what has become a great musical adventure. After a string of school concert bands, a Diploma in Jazz Studies and a Bachelor of Music from St. Francis Xavier University, Scott Ferguson has gone on to live his musical dreams. In the early 80′s Scott focused on his jazz passion studying with renowned drum teacher Jim Blackley in Toronto and performing with such greats as Oliver Jones, Peter Appleyard and Dave Young. Settling in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Scott broadened his stylistic scope and in 1992 embarked on a seven year tenure touring and recording with “The Rankin Family”. After hundreds of concerts in Canada, The United States, The U.K. and Australia Scott started pursuing his interest in studio production. Fueled by his work with legendary Nashville producers George Massenberg and John Jennings on the Rankin CDs “Uprooted” and “Endless Seasons”, Scott started “Ferguson Music Productions Inc. Request an InvitationDevon Kirkpatrick Engineer
Devon Kirkpatrick Engineer
Background
Devon has worked as an engineer or Pro Tools engineer on numerous grammy winning albums. Most notable was his Pro Tools Engineering work for Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill which won four GRAMMYs (including album of the year) in 1999.Articles
Request an InvitationArtists
Kane & Abel
The Williams Brothers
Thomas Jackson
C-Murder
Da Bricklayaz
Clyde Cotton Band
Aaliyah
Soulscript
Lil' Boosie
Mystikal
Backstreet Boys
Lauryn Hill
Timbaland
Chris Potter
Joe Pesci
Marilyn Manson
Janice Marshall Coates
Tony Ricci Producer
Tony Ricci Producer
Background
Tony Ricci is a veteran music producer with over 20 years experience and 6 Grammy Considerations since 2005. Tony is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Tony was the staff Sound Designer at the TONY Award winning Trinity Repertory Company in Providence RI for two years, dealing with all aspects of Theatre production sound and also composing original music for the world premier of the play Reckless. He has worked with all styles of music including rock, metal, pop, country, jazz, world, urban, classical and folk. In addition to his studio work, Tony is an audio instructor at New England Institute Of Technology. Tony’s production style is based on capturing what makes each artist unique and recognizable, and creating showpiece mixes. He is currently looking for artists who have strong songs, true passion for their music and a desire to take their career to the next level. Request an InvitationArtists
Kari Tieger
Godless Rising
Necrosis
Godspeed
Shryne
Sharrief Thomas Songwriter / Producer
Sharrief Thomas Songwriter / Producer
Background
Most of the time, building a career requires moving, evolving, and learning over time. One’s “career” is the byproduct of work that’s done in the present, the things you do while you’re in the pocket, perfecting your craft. Sharrief Thomas knows about this intimately. This writer/producer/engineer and artist in his own right was exposed to the Recording Connection program when he was recording at Quad Studios in New York City. Seeing our program at work led Sharrief to become a mentor himself. Today he helps our students hone their chops, gain skills, and plan for their futures while gleaning a first-hand understanding of how the music industry works from a creative and business perspective at Water Music Publishing, an independent music publishing and media company run by Sharrief and business partner Big Bug, whose known for his work with Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Sean Combs, and as one of the original members of the 90s R&B group, Today. While recording at Quad, Sharrief and another Recording Connection mentor, Sax DMA, decided to give a number of RC apprentices the opportunity to earn engineering credits on his forthcoming album. “We had to turn down kids that wanted to join,” Sharrief says. And a number of notable artists came in to help on vocals including Sky Heavens, backup singer for Eminem, and Big Bub himself. “It was just the students getting to be in a live situation with real, live artists.” Today, as a Recording Connection mentor himself, Sharrief apprentices students at Water Music Publishing in Bloomfield, NJ, just outside of New York City.Articles
RC mentor Sharrief Thomas Talks Truth on Having the Winning Mindset
Artists
Snoop Dogg
AMG/Universal
Water Music Publishing
FAQs
Why should my family and I choose your program over the others that are out there?
- We help keep you out of debt. If you take on too much debt trying to afford school, it can have serious repercussions for years to come. Our low rate helps you graduate with little or no debt.
- We connect you to the real music business. Seriously. We train you in an actual recording studio, not in a classroom.
- Sit in on real recording, mixing or mastering sessions in a REAL RECORDING STUDIO. You're literally learning on-the-job where the action happens.
- Learn from our structured program curriculum. While all audio schools use a curriculum, we combine our curriculum with one-on-one training with world renowned music producers in their studios.
- Learn Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton, Reason, etc. with hands-on, one on one training. To learn audio effectively, you need to learn it from a music producer who does it for a living.
- Hands-on learning in digital and analog recording. You can't learn this in books alone; we give you access to real gear.
- Log hours as a hands-on trainee. Our program gives you on-the-job training inside a real recording studio, providing you with actual work experience you can use to promote yourself for future work.
- Meet and make connections with music industry professionals. Our method trains you in real studios where you meet industry pros while you train.
- Learn hands-on how to operate a small- to medium-sized business. When you learn with us, you “learn by doing” as an audio apprentice (extern), and you get to see how a real business operates.
EVERY ONE OF OUR STUDENT APPRENTICES (EXTERNS) LEARNS IN A REAL RECORDING STUDIO NEAR WHERE THEY LIVE OR WHERE THEY ARE MOVING. Additionally, we also offer unlimited tutoring with our staff engineers. This means that when you become a Recording Connection student apprentice (extern), not only will you learn in the recording studio, but you will also have private tutoring available to augment your education. Here are some of the things our tutoring staff can help with:
- Beat Making
- DJ Techniques
- Music Theory
- Ableton Live
- Reason, Fruity Loops, CuBase, Native Instruments
- Microphone Design, Uses, and Placement
- Patch Bay and Signal Flow
- Amplifiers and Consoles
- Audio Processing
- Pro Tools File Management and Templates
- Signal Processing
- Compressors, Gates, Limiters, and Clippers
- Reverb, Delay, Chorus, and Flange
- Studio Design, Monitoring, and Speakers
- MIDI Electronic Music
- Sequencing, Sampling, and Editing
- Sync and Automation Post-Production Instruction
- Private instruction in Guitar and Drum Micing
- One-on-one instruction in Surround Mixing and Output Media
- Mix Downs
- Plugins and other software, like Reason, Logic, and Ableton
- For the complete Recording Connection Program Curriculum in Pro Tools, click here
Wait, why would I want to learn from a professional in his/her studio? I was told that I needed a degree from a college to get work in the music business.
You do NOT need a music degree to work in the music business. This is a myth. You really only need two things: connections and skills.
A music degree will never get you work. We’ll say it once more: a music degree will never help you to get work. That is not how the industry works. If a music degree is important to you, that’s great; we strongly recommend that you get one for your own personal reasons, but please know that it holds absolutely no advantage to you when it comes to employment in the music industry. If your goal is to have a career as an audio engineer, producer, DJ, beat maker, live sound engineer or composer, then you need connections and talent and skills.
Grammy Award Winner Dave Pensado, Herb Trawick and Tim Palmer discuss our method of teaching
Pensado's Place
Call us at 800-755-7597. We’re here to answer all your questions.
Don’t get us wrong: a college degree is a wonderful thing, but it won't necessarily get you work in our industry. But you don’t have to take our word for it: you can verify this by asking the renowned music producer or audio engineer when we send you for your free pre-enrollment interview in his/her studio.
How long is my apprenticeship (externship)? How often will I go into the recording studio to learn as an apprentice?
All of our students start off going twice per week, just like regular school. Then, after four weeks, if you work hard, study hard, and show up on time, you will be allowed into the recording studio more often. Some of our students go as often as seven to 11 times a week. It is really up to you and how badly you want it. Most apprenticeships (externships) last 6 months at this frequency.
What’s the schedule like?
We’re flexible. You and your mentor plan your schedule. Students are expected to put in 10-40 hours per week.
This sounds too good to be true. Come on, be honest: is it?
It is all real. For 30 years we have been the school that places apprentices inside working recording studios. We have the track record, the experience, and the endorsements that let you know you can depend on us. And remember, we are not asking you for any fees up front. We’ll even send you for free to visit a recording studio in your city so you can take a look at just how real this is. When you’re done reading, fill out the Apply Form above or below, and see for yourself.
You say you are industry sponsored, who in the business endorses you then??
Here are just a few of the industry professionals who endorse us:
- Tim Palmer – producer, mixer for U2, The Cure, Pearl Jam, Ozzy, Blue October
- Dave Pensado – Grammy Award winning mixer for Beyoncé, Pink
- TV’s Dr. Drew – CNN, The WB, LoveLine
- TV’s Judge Mathis
- Devon Kirkpatrick – engineer, producer for Jay Z, Mystikal, Lindsay Lohan, Wu-Tang Clan, Timbaland
- Mike Smith – producer for Drake, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Mos Def, Ludacris, Alice Cooper, Ghostface Killah
- Sax DMA – mixer for Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, G Unit, Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys
- Jesse O’Brien – engineer for Eminem, Kanye West, N*Sync, Steve Miller
- Steve Wright – producer for Mos Def, Slipknot, Jay Z, Dru Hill, Avril Lavigne
- Tom Whiting – live sound engineer for Alicia Keys, DMX, Machine Gun Kelly, Dionne Warwick
- Josquin des Pres - music producer for Jack Johnson, Gypsy Kings, MTV, Universal, EMI, Sony, CNN, CBS, Warner Brothers
- Joseph "Dante" Delfino - Wu-Tang Clan, Twista, Ben One, Ace Hood, Decipha
- Stephen Mullin - Ubisoft, Cirque du Soleil, The Discovery Channel, Just for Laughs, National Film Board of Canada
- David Gicking – mixer for John Mayer, Three Doors Down, P Diddy
- Jay Dudt – audio professional for Dave Matthews Band, LL Cool J, Blake Lewis
- Yudu Gray – engineer for Lady Gaga, The Roots, Lil John, Dru Hill
- Christian Cummings – U2, P.O.D., As I Lay Dying, Florence + the Machine
- Dave Mikeal - NBC Sports, Don Henley, Stanley Lynch, Jesse Cutler, Lazaro Arbos, Bryan Wilson, Abby Brice, Kosmo
But don’t take our word for it. CLICK HERE to read what famous music producers say about us.
In other words, when you attend the Recording Connection, you will be going to the school recommended by the people who record for U2, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Offspring, Eminem, Ludacis, Beyoncé, Guns N’ Roses, Jane’s Addiction, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Tupac, Pink, Outkast, Method Man, Wyclef Jean, Stevie Wonder, Timbaland, Black Eyed Peas, Norah Jones, Motley Crue, P Diddy, Santana, Lil Wayne, Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snoop Dogg, Robert Plant, Travis Tritt, B.B. King, Led Zeppelin, Lenny Kravitz, Paul McCartney, etc?
Remember, with The Recording Connection Audio Institute, you will be going to go to the audio engineering and music production school recommended by the professionals who make the music you listen to. There is a reason they recommend us: because we check off all the boxes that can get you going in your audio career.
- We get you in the door of a real recording studio
- You learn as an apprentice (extern) inside that studio, study and learn hands-on
- You make connections while you’re learning
- You make your music as you record others
- You learn multiple skills in professional audio
What is the difference between your in-studio apprenticeship (externship) and the internships offered in traditional schools? Is there a difference between internship and apprenticeship (externship)?
Some schools may offer to place you in a recording studio as part of their curriculum, or after graduation, but this is usually an internship, not an apprenticeship.
At the Recording Connection Audio Institute, we place you in a real recording studio, from day one, as an apprentice, which is a notch above an intern. Apprentices are learning a structured curriculum, privately, under the direct supervision of a professional. This allows you to learn the trade while you make connections. You’ve heard the old saying, “It’s all about connections,” right? Well, ask yourself: isn’t forming a relationship as an apprentice (extern) with a music producer or audio engineer the best way to get connected?
Audio Program
Curriculum
In this lesson, we will take a look at the physics of sound. We will understand how sound travels through air, how our ears receive sound, and how our brains interpret the sounds we are receiving. Understanding this will help us build a foundation for how we can manipulate audio and create an experience, balance, and blend with the instruments that we are mixing. The most important thing to remember is not to feel overwhelmed. It is not necessary to understand these concepts on a scientific or mathematical level your first time going through them. Allow yourself to evolve with…
Learn more about Lesson 1Did you ever stop to think about what is happening when you flip on a light switch? We take for granted that it will turn on every time. We don’t stop to think about the evolution that went into making that light switch possible! But what does this have to do with audio? The answer is, a lot! The ability to record anything has been largely dependent on electricity for a very long time. In this chapter, we will take a very basic look at some of the fundamentals of electricity and how these concepts apply to the audio world.…
Learn more about Lesson 2Even before the introduction of the Compact Disc, digital audio started to shape the sound of popular music, as digital effects processors, samplers/sequencers, and digital synthesizers started to appear on commercial records as early as the mid 1970s. The evolution of computer-based technology was gaining tremendous momentum, and digital processing began to creep into every aspect of music production. By the 1980s, the digital revolution was taking the music industry by storm. Digital instruments, digital recorders and digital consumer audio formats were taking over the audio world. Over the course of roughly the next two decades, digital audio began replacing…
Learn more about Lesson 3Let’s think for a moment about the long journey that a single sound recorded in a studio must take in order to travel from the musician’s instrument to the control room monitors. Picture yourself in the studio tracking electric guitar overdubs with your favorite guitar player—Slash, or Jimi, or whoever, is in your live room are you’re sitting at the console running the session. Now, let’s follow the path of the electric guitar signal from beginning to end. In this chapter, we will take a look at not only the path, or signal flow, that your audio signal take, but…
Learn more about Lesson 4A microphone is a device that changes acoustic energy into an electric current that can be altered and manipulated. Any device that converts one form of energy into another form of energy is called a transducer. Microphones are used in many different applications and are typically the first stop in the signal flow of your recording path. In this chapter, we will look at various types of microphones, explain briefly how they work, and help familiarize you with popular mics you will see in the studio. Objectives History of Microphones Microphone Specifications Microphone Circuit Types Chapter Quiz Blog Entry …
Learn more about Lesson 5Microphone choice and placement plays a huge result in the final recording product. Everything we have discussed up to this point plays a role in how our signal is captured. Hopefully, by now you have started to think of the recording process as a lot more then just pointing a microphone at a sound source and pressing play. The many factors that come into play can affect your final product. In this chapter, we will look at the common practices of the recording process with regard to mic choice and set up. Getting to know your microphones, and the microphones…
Learn more about Lesson 6Tracking is the term that audio engineers use for recording multiple tracks of audio information at the same time. There are many different strategies used for many different situations. No one understands this process better than your mentor! In this chapter, we will take a look at some hypothetical situations and try to give you a general understanding of how to approach these situations. Objectives: Planning Mic Selection Setting Up Getting Tones Professional Behavior Troubleshooting Chapter Quiz Blog Entry « Previous Choose a Lesson...Lesson One - Sound and HearingLesson Two - Basic ElectronicsLesson Three - Digital AudioLesson Four -…
Learn more about Lesson 7Pro Tools™ is an extremely advanced digital audio workstation (DAW). Pro Tools has remained an industry standard for engineers and producers in the professional studio environment, as well as for novice music enthusiasts, for more than 20 years. In this chapter, we will begin to scratch the surface of this very dense DAW and prepare you for the task of installing and using this amazing tool. This chapter will help educate you about Pro Tools and help you troubleshoot potential problems in the future. Objectives History of Pro Tools Pro Tools System Requirements Optimizing your System Pro Tools File Structure…
Learn more about Lesson 8It's time to start making some music! In this chapter, we will walk you through the installation and the basic functionality of the Pro Tools user interface. Don’t hate on Avid too much for the complexity of the installation. Be forewarned that this is a 48-hour process! Yes…48 hours! We have included step-by-step directions and a tutorial to help. After you get Pro Tools installed, we will look at some of the basic functionality of the user interface and give you your first Pro Tools assignment! Objectives Pro Tools Installation Welcome to Pro Tools Pro Tools Edit Window Pro Tools…
Learn more about Lesson 9The web defines a software plugin as, “a set of software components that adds specific capabilities to a larger software application.” In the case of digital audio, plugins add functionality to your DAW. From analog compressor emulators to bass wobble synths, plugins can enhance your sound and the way you work. In this chapter, we will look at some of the more popular plugin bundles you will see in the audio world and give you a basic understanding of how plugin formats work. We will also show you the difference between using plugins in real time and rendering audio using…
Learn more about Lesson 10You’re halfway there! This chapter is dedicated to preparing you for your midterm. We have put a lot information in your hands, and we want to make sure you are retaining it. Testing can send some people into panic attacks! We get it, and we want to make this as low stress as possible. For this section, we have included a ton of review material right at your fingertips, to make your test as painless as possible! Just remember that we use tests to gauge your progress in the program to identify areas where we can help. Objectives Section Reviews…
Learn more about Lesson 11Mixing is the process by which we audio engineers combine an entire multi-track session into a stereo track. Mixing is the place where technical skill and creativity come together, resulting in the creation of a song. Here we take all the live instrumentation, sequenced MIDI and effects, and seek to create a balance between the elements of the song. There is no one correct way to approach a mix, just as there is no one correct way to finish a mix. This chapter is about educating you on common aspects of mixing process, not about showing you how to mix.…
Learn more about Lesson 12Equalization is the process that engineers use to alter the frequency response of an audio signal. Frequencies become more pronounced (if boosting) or less pronounced (if cutting), depending on what the engineer is trying to accomplish. Equalization (or EQ) is a crucial tool used in all phases of music production. Whether to enhance or minimize some aspect of the frequency spectrum, EQ is an important part of the workflow for the recording professional. In this chapter, we will take a look at the beginnings of equalization and take a detailed look at the practical applications of EQ in your workflow.…
Learn more about Lesson 13Dynamic range is the ratio between the largest and smallest possible values of a changeable quantity. In audio engineering, dynamic range generally refers to the distance between the loudest possible sound and the quietest possible sound in an audio recording. In a multi-track recording, each constituent track has a unique dynamic range; there is also a “master” or overall dynamic range, which is the total dynamic range of the tracks mixed together into the master bus. Consequently, dynamic range processing is often applied to tracks at an individual basis as well as on the master channel (the over-all mix). Fundamentally,…
Learn more about Lesson 14Time-based effects, along with many other tools found in the modern studio, are catalysts for creativity, and they have a wide range of uses in the studio and onstage. When applied to the audio signal, tools such as delay or reverb will alter the space and time of a given sound in the stereo field, depending on certain variables of the device you’re using. The desired effect can take you somewhere far beyond the original sound source, and when used to taste, a subtle shift in the listener’s subconscious occurs, altering the perception of the sound by just the right…
Learn more about Lesson 15Musical Instrument Digital Interface, or MIDI, is the standard way in which we interact with music in the digital world. Think if it as the DNA of your musical performance. Without it, our ability to compose, produce and perform music in modern times would be remarkably different. In this chapter, we will have a look at what types of messages MIDI contains, that is, how it allows humans to communicate with computers and digital instruments in a universal binary language. Using what we know about MIDI, we will then apply this concept to the Pro Tools environment, and most importantly,…
Learn more about Lesson 16Automation in Pro Tools is the ability to control a specific parameter automatically by telling Pro Tools what to do, and when to do it in real-time. For example, you might need to adjust the volume of your vocal track at 1 minute and 32 seconds by increasing the volume precisely by 4 decibels. At the same point in time, you might need to shift the pan on your guitar track from the left side to the right. With automation, you can do both of these moves simultaneously, and more importantly…automatically. It’s an incredibly helpful and useful tool! In this…
Learn more about Lesson 17Acoustics is the study of how sound waves behave in an environment. Since you are nearing the end of this course you should be more than ready to handle some more difficult concepts. The science of acoustics could fill several volumes, so we have included those things which are important to your development as a music industry professional. Understanding these concepts and implementing them into your workflow will help you set yourself apart as a music industry professional. In this chapter, we will take a look at acoustics, and more importantly, how the environment in which you are listening affects…
Learn more about Lesson 18Mastering is the art of sweetening the mix and preparing the mixdown for duplication. The goal of this chapter is to familiarize you with some of the very basics about the mastering process. Mastering is a very technical process that often involves specific gear that is calibrated to subtly alter a mix in ways that improve the sonic qualities of a specific song, and to alter multiple songs to work together as an album. Mastering often requires ears that possess the sonic precision that takes years to develop. A good mastering engineer is both a good ally to have and…
Learn more about Lesson 19You’re finally there!!! This chapter is about preparing you for your final. Now is the time to find out how much you’ve learned, and what you want to keep working on as you move forward to your career. To make your final as low-stress as possible, we’ve included plenty of review material here, and your mentor will go over any questions you may have. Objectives: Section Reviews Final Exam Practical Exam
Learn more about Lesson 20
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Four Ways to Take the Next Step
We get it. This isn’t your normal four-year college or trade school program. We’re different, even innovative and you need to understand more before you apply. Here’s how you can get more info:
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