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Blackbird Academy To Offer Alternative, Hands-On Audio Education In Nashville

Audio recording and live sound school gives students access to world-class gear and facilities plus instruction by the industry's top teachers and guest lecturers —

The new Blackbird Academy for the Arts is taking registration for classes starting in September. The school is housed in Nashville’s famed Blackbird Studio, which was launched by John and Martina McBride in 2002 and has recorded Taylor Swift, Jack White, Kid Rock, Ke$ha, and Tim McGraw, among many others.

The Blackbird Academy’s Studio Engineering Program trains students using microphones, consoles, outboard gear and recording spaces that are the best in the industry. Students will be taught on the same equipment used by top professional producers, musicians and recording artists who have created Grammy, CMA and countless other award-winning records at Blackbird Studio.

On January 6, 2014 the school will launch an intensive Live Sound Engineering Program based on the same model. The 24 week, 720 hour program will focus on all aspects of live engineering and sound reinforcement for touring, medium and small venues and houses of worship.

Staff instructors and Directors of Education include audio educator, musician and recording engineer Mark Rubel and Kevin Becka who is a longtime audio educator, recording engineer and technical editor of Mix Magazine.

Kevin Becka states, “I’ve been teaching audio recording for over 15 years and this is a real chance for us to hit the reset button on education. Students will have the unique opportunity of learning their craft on the best gear, in the best facilities available, and will be taught by true working professional instructors and top guest lecturers from Nashville’s music production community.

“Even our purpose-built classroom is a working studio, so in reality, you never leave the production environment the whole time you’re here.”

The Blackbird Academy founder, live sound and recording engineer John McBride adds, “This has been a dream of mine for a long time. Mentoring is a responsibility I don’t take lightly and judging from interviews with Blackbird Studio interns over the years, a better education should be available for people who want to make a career of audio recording and live sound engineering.

“We can offer an alternative to schools that ask you to make a sizable investment in time and money, then leave you with below average skills, not enough hands-on experience, and an incomplete education.”

The Blackbird Academy: Programs and Opportunities Include:

Studio Engineering Program – The Blackbird Academy offers a 24-week, 700-hour intensive program with classes meeting five days a week, Monday through Friday, with possible weekend workshops.The facilities consist of three recording studios and a large main laboratory/studio dedicated full time to education. The Learning Laboratory seats 30 students and is an audio production space in its own right.

Live Sound Engineering Program – The Blackbird Academy offers a 24-week, 720-hour intensive program with classes meeting five days a week, Monday through Friday, with possible weekend workshops. The facilities consist of a purpose built classroom and students are trained on the latest consoles, PAs and other gear used for touring, medium and small venues and houses of worship.

Summer High School Recording Camp – This three day summer camp features Blackbird Academy instructors, as well as special guest musicians, engineers, producers, singers and songwriters. Participants will be taken through the music production process from beginning to end, starting with introduction to the Academy facilities and gear, then through tracking, overdubs and mixing. Students will leave The Blackbird Academy camp with a jump drive loaded with the songs recorded during the camp, and a download link for sharing. Class size is limited to 12 participants so please register early.

Fantasy Recording Workshop – This three day workshop aimed at adults with intermediate skills features Blackbird Academy instructors, as well as special guest musicians, engineers, producers, singers and songwriters. Participants will be taken through the tracking, overdub and mixing of a live band and will learn advanced Pro Tools techniques, workflow tips to increase speed and audio quality, and advanced mixing techniques using gear from the incredible Blackbird collection of gear. Attendees will leave the workshop with a jump drive loaded with a final mix of the songs recorded, and the full Pro Tools session files for personal use.

To get more information and reserve a seat for either Program, Camp or Workshop, send an email with your name, age and phone number to [email protected].

The Blackbird Academy

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dBTechnologies is an Italian-based speaker manufacturer, leading in the Touring & Live sound market by providing innovative audio solutions. Their flagship ViO series is made up of an entirely active/self-powered series of loudspeakers. The dBT lineup also includes passive loudspeakers, software, and amplifiers, all delivering uncompromising performance. dBTechnologies speakers headline some of the largest festivals and concerts worldwide, setting standards in both Live and Installation markets.