Ultimate Production Masterclass

Master the art of EDM Production

We’ve all been there. You’ve made the decision that you want to change your career to something that you’ve always wanted to do, and that can also pay the bills. But where and how do you start?

Everyone has advice on what you should (and shouldn’t) be doing and unfortunately most of this advice is from those who are still stuck in their bedrooms, charging you for advice on how to wind up stuck exactly where they are, or they’re using websites featuring stock photos of someone else’s studio (sometimes ours).

To quote the old adage

“Take at close look at your instructor, because they can only teach you to be where they are now”

We run the worlds leading Apple certified EDM focused studio (Altar Studios), we’ve produced records for artists that accrued millions of views on YouTube, we wrote the world leading textbook on EDM production, we’ve mixed and mastered for many professional labels and we’ve held talks on EDM across the world.

Our course offers you over 50 hours of personal one to one online tuition with Rick, hours of guided homework, a copy of his award winning textbook on music production, access to over 300 hours of videos and a dedicated ear training platform to hone your skills.

All of the core elements within this EDM Masterclass are adjusted to your ability to ensure you learn fast and proficiently, giving you the opportunity to focus on a particular genre or technique, while boosting your confidence to write and produce great radio ready music fast.

At the end of the course, your track will be mixed and mastered here at Altar Studios by an Apple certified mastering engineer so its ready to send to a label.

EDM Masterclass

What to expect

Join Rick and his 30+ years experience for over 50 hours of personal 1 on 1 sessions, covering topics that are relevant to you.

Over the period of the course you will be build a track that will be analysed weekly, with professional feedback to speed up your knowledge, skills and production progress.

Have your track mixed and mastered in our professional studio. Your track will mixed through iconic analogue hardware and mastered by an Apple approved mastering engineer so its ready to send to labels.

Over 100 additional hours of personal training reviewed with your mentor following a structured learning plan that will give you fast results.

Access to a dedicated learning to listen platform for 12 months to develop your listening skills. And the opportunity to interact with your peers on a community group.

Access to 300+ hours of how to video tutorials to watch at your pace over 12 months. Covering different genres and techniques and abilities.

Apply Here

How the course works

1

Core Modules

The course consists of seven core modules, with each core focusing directly on your needs so you can produce your best electronic music.

2

The Reference Text

Before the course starts, you’ll receive a free paperback copy of our award winning 4th edition Dance Music Manual textbook through the post.

3

The Work Schedule

All of your sessions are booked in advance and you will receive the complete schedule before the course starts so you can confirm or change any conflicts.

4

Meet every week

Every module has a weekly one to one 90 minute meeting with your instructor where you’ll discuss the core concepts to speed up your learning process.

5

Self-Study

At the end of each weekly one to one session you will be handed some self-study which will then be reviewed at the following sessions with your instructor.

6

Mix and Master

At the end of the course, you’ll have a completed track that will be mixed and mastered at our studios (Altar) ready for submissions to labels.

Course Requirements

You will require a computer (PC or Mac), a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), an audio interface, headphones and monitor speakers. You can use the processors and effects that come free with your DAW, but depending on the DAW, you may need to invest in some software synthesisers and further plug-ins. If you need further advice on this, use the contact page to talk to us before applying.

You will require a subscription to audiomovers. This is a software plugin that works with DAWs permitting you to transmit high quality audio via the internet. We require this to hear your work and progress.

NOTE: This course is not designed for complete beginners, it is recommended that you have a working knowledge of your DAW and a basic understanding of music production. If you are completely new to production, you should attend our Bootcamp first.

You will require a webcam, microphone and zoom installed on the computer for the group and one-to-one sessions.

The Modules

The Foundations (5 weeks)

We start on the foundational skills you require to build a professional track. The focus here is on developing your listening skills, understanding acoustics, music theory, building the foundations of a track and processing/effects.

By the end of this module you’ll know how to listen, what to listen for, how to create the beginnings of a track and how to make informed decisions between processing options (tube, tape, vactrol, VCA etc.)

Drums & Groove (5 Weeks)

This module focuses on drums and groove. We’ll look at the importance of kick design, claps, snares, hats, how to process them and how to build professional drum loops.

By the end of this module you’ll know how to build or select kicks, claps, snares and hats, how process them and how to create the cornerstone of EDM – great sounding (pounding) dance music drums.

Bass & Groove (5 weeks)

The focus here is creating groove that makes us want to dance. We’ll go through the theory of groove before putting it into practice by creating a solid foundation for your track followed by sound design requirements to make great bass sounds.

By the end of this module you’ll have created a groove to your track, you’ll know how to create bass sounds and how to process them for maximum impact on the dance floor.

Leads (5 weeks)

This module pays attention to the leads. Throughout this core you’ll learn the theory behind how to create lead melodies and more importantly for dance music, the sound design, processing and layering techniques behind great leads.

By the end of this module you’ll understand how to compose lead melodies, sound design techniques, how to layer sounds together to produce huge sounding leads, and how to apply processing and effects.

Arranging & FX (5 weeks)

By the time you reach this core, you’ll have the basics of an electronic dance music track so we’re going to work on arranging it to produce the completed track. You’ll learn how make a track that maintains a listeners interest and how to build and release tension alongside how to create your own effects.

By the end of this module you’ll not only have a completed track, but will know all the tips and tricks behind successful arranging and how to maintain a listeners interest in your music.

Mixing (5 weeks)

Your completed track is now ready for its final mix. Over this module you’ll learn how to mix your music to add clarity, definition and a great sound. We’ll discuss EQ and how to (and not to) employ compression, limiting, reverb and delays. At the same time we will professionally mix the track at our studios using our hardware. Then we will analyse the results of both mixes and teach you how to address any issues.

By the end of this module you’ll know how to mix your music, how to avoid the most common mistakes and you’ll also have a copy of your track that has been mixed at our studios.

Mastering & Promotion (5 weeks)

A bad master can make the difference between a label signing you and not. As an Apple approved Mastering house we will discuss the theory and practice behind mastering your music to a professional level. You’ll learn how to master your music and then you will have the opportunity to master your track at home. At the same time we will master the track here, and we will compare the results before discussing how to get your track signed.

By the end of the course, you will know how to write a complete EDM track, and have a completed track that has been mixed and mastered at a professional studio, and walk away with the knowledge of how to get it signed.

What are you waiting for?

We don’t believe in peer groups, relying solely on pre-recorded videos or group meetings.

Courses that are based around a series of pre-recorded videos are not helpful in speeding up your development. Online groups where you are reviewed by your “peers” leave you with misguided dogmas because, after all, they’re in the same position as you, and meeting with an instructor in groups limits your time to ask questions or prevent you from asking what you think may be an embarrassing question.

These all reduce your natural development to a grind or halt.

All of our courses are personalised, with direct one to one mentoring between you and your instructor. Sitting with and learning with a true qualified and experienced professional will expedite your learning process, helping you specialise in your genre and bring you closer to your releases much faster.

Note: Due to the nature of these courses and personalised one to one time, places are extremely limited.