Trying to level up your music production skills in Los Angeles? Want to make some friends in the local music community who can come out to your gigs, make tracks, and support each others’ projects?
Joining a music school or certificate program in LA is a great way to expand your musical skills and network.
Learn how to produce, record, mix, master, and DJ with these amazing music programs around Los Angeles.
Whether you're interested in electronic music production, songwriting, audio engineering, or music business, there's a program in Los Angeles that can cater to your specific needs.
Discover events, studios, and advice from local artists. Join 2,000 monthly readers.
💽 IO Music Academy
IO Music offers certificate programs for music production covering topics such as Ableton Live, DJing, sound design, mixing, mastering, vocal engineering, and live performance.
Certificate programs last between 6 and 12 months and range in price from $3,000 to $10,000.
They feature small class sizes, monthly private lessons, unlimited studio time, free workshops and bonus classes, and Q&A sessions with industry veterans.
Individual courses on mixing and mastering, making better beats, and finding your sound are just 3 months long. They’re available for about $1,600.
IO Music's courses are comprehensive and affordable, catering to both beginners and experienced producers.
Students dive deep into the technical side of music production while also learning a creative workflow to help them produce music they love.
Join a real community in LA and meet friends and future collaborators during your time as a student. IO Music takes pride in providing a safe and supportive environment for all students to learn.
🏆 ICON Collective College of Music
ICON Collective College of Music is a renowned music production school in Los Angeles, offering comprehensive programs designed by artists for artists.
They offer programs on music business, artist development, and music production.
With a proven track record since 2005, ICON Collective prepares students for success across the music industry. Notably, ICON Collective is an official partner of Ableton Live to get hands-on training of the software.
Whether your goal is to be a main-stage touring artist, an electronic music producer, or a mastering engineer, ICON has a program to help you get there.
Their programs last approximately 18 to 24 months and include dozens of hours of face-to-face time with A-list producers and music business professionals.
Programs
ICON Collective offers music production programs in-person and online for students worldwide. The programs cover a wide range of topics, including audio production, sound design, music theory, songwriting, mixing and mastering, and music business.
Students can choose a program tailored for specific DAW like Logic or Ableton or opt for a comprehensive program covering multiple aspects of music production.
- Los Angeles Flagship Music Production Program: 12-month program with 20 hours/week. By the end of this program, you'll be able to produce professionally mixed music, protect your intellectual property, overcome writer's block, build your brand, develop your trademark sound, and master the keyboard.
- Los Angeles Advanced Music Production Program: 18-month program with 20 hours/week. By the end of this program, you'll be able to enjoy all the guidance and benefits provided by the 12-month Music Production Program and more. Go deeper into defining your sound, create an album, and get lifetime access to the cutting-edge mixing and mastering facilities at ICON Collective's campus for future projects.
- Online Music Production Program: 18-month program with 12 hours/week. By the end of this program, you'll be able to produce professionally mixed music, protect your intellectual property, overcome writer's block, build your brand, develop your trademark sound, and master the keyboard.
- Online Music Production Intro Course: 3-month program with 12 hours/week. By the end of this program, you'll be able to produce in Ableton Live, finish songs, and create a trademark sound.
- Music Business Program: 12-month program with 20 hours/week. By the end of this program, you'll be able to build a business plan, define your future, get industry experience, learn the basics, and meet tomorrow's talent today.
- Vocal Artist Program: 12-month program with 20 hours/week. By completing this program, you'll be able to develop as an artist, build songwriting skill, gain confidence in performing, learn the basics, and collaborate.
Admission Requirements
Admission to ICON Collective is competitive. To be considered, applicants must provide a personal statement and a portfolio of their songs.
While the quality of your music is important, basic knowledge of music production is essential. The classes assume some familiarity with how DAWs work, industry structure, and music production basics.
Pricing
ICON Collective’s in-person LA programs range in price from about $25,000 to $40,000 per program.
Their online intro courses are cheaper though. Their introductory music production courses is about $3,000 for a 3 month program or $15,000 for an 18 month program, both online.
Outcomes
Graduates of ICON Collective's music production programs leave with the knowledge, skills, and connections necessary to thrive in the music and entertainment industries.
They gain a profound understanding of their artistic path, develop a professional network, and create a catalog of professional-sounding music ready for release on major labels.
ICON's alumni include successful artists such as JAUZ, NGHTMRE, SLANDER, and more.
⭐ Los Angeles Academy for Artists and Music Production (LAAMP)
The Los Angeles Academy for Artists and Music Production (LAAMP) is a one-year music program focused on recording contemporary pop music.
LAAMP brings together talented music producers, artists, and songwriters in a dynamic creative environment. With a campus located in Santa Monica, LAAMP provides state-of-the-art recording studios and mentorship opportunities with industry-active instructors.
Programs
LAAMP offers a unique program that sets it apart from other music schools. Students collaborate with music producers, artists, and songwriters to produce high-quality, original music each week.
The program covers various aspects of music production, including songwriting, music production techniques, marketing, and music business essentials.
To help you understand what a typical week at LAAMP is like, let's break it down day by day.
- Monday-Tuesday (Mentorship + Studio): Start your week with inspiration and mentorship. You'll participate in sessions and workshops with mentors in small groups to learn specific skills for your area of expertise. You'll also learn about the history of contemporary music. You'll get projects to work on and get feedback from your mentors. On Monday evenings, mentors will provide individual feedback to each student group.
- Wednesday-Friday (Workshops + Studio): From Wednesday to Friday, you'll focus on taking action. You'll work on your projects, attend lectures, and gather with others to fuel your creativity. This is your time to practice what you've learned, try different techniques, and work with others to make great music.
Studio Sessions: Be Creative
At LAAMP, you'll have modern recording equipment in the studio. You can use the Apollo Twin X interface from Universal Audio for real-time processing with gear from famous brands like Manley, Neve, API, and Pultec. To improve your recordings' quality, you can use the Warm Audio WA76 Discrete Compressor and Warm Audio WA73-EQ Microphone Preamp & EQ. You'll also have a Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2 MIDI controller from Native Instruments at each station.
Pricing
Tuition for LAAMP is about $40,000 per year.
Outcomes
Graduates of LAAMP's music production program leave with the knowledge, experience, and skills to thrive in the music and entertainment industries. They develop a profound understanding of their artistic path and the music business, build a professional network, and create a catalog of professional-sounding music ready for release. LAAMP's alumni have gone on to achieve success in various areas of the industry.
Garnish Music Production School
Garnish Music Production School is a boutique music production school that offers comprehensive progragms for aspiring music producers.
Programs
With a focus on teaching students to produce the quality music they love, Garnish Music Production School provides small classes and hands-on training supported by industry-leading software companies like Ableton, Native Instruments, and Apple.
Garnish Music Production School offers a variety of programs designed to cater to different skill levels and interests. They have programs specifically tailored for Ableton Live and Logic Pro users, allowing students to dive deep into their preferred software. The programs cover everything from the basics of music production to advanced techniques like vocal production, mixing, and mastering.
Admission Requirements
Garnish Music Production School welcomes students of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced musicians. There are no specific admission requirements, but prospective students are encouraged to have a passion for music and a desire to learn and grow in the field of music production.
Outcomes
Graduates of Garnish Music Production School's programs leave with the knowledge and skills to produce high-quality music from scratch.
They gain a deep understanding of their preferred music production software and develop the ability to create professional-grade music. The school's focus on hands-on learning and practical mentoring ensures that students achieve real results by the end of the program.
Conclusion
Attending a music production school in Los Angeles can be a transformative experience for aspiring musicians and producers. The city's vibrant music scene, coupled with the expertise and guidance offered by these schools, provides students with the tools they need to succeed in the industry.
Whether you choose to enroll in ICON Collective College of Music, LAAMP, or Garnish Music Production School, you can expect to receive a comprehensive education that covers all aspects of music production. From technical skills to music business knowledge, these schools equip students with the necessary tools to turn their passion for music into a successful career.
Take the time to research each school, consider your goals and interests, and reach out to their admissions departments for more information. With dedication, hard work, and the right education, you can make your mark in the music industry and create the music you love.