Sound Academy

Skyler, originally from Southern California, currently lives in New York City. His journey in music began with creating tracks on his boombox before he immersed himself in radio at Cal Poly. It was there that he realized his passion for the music industry. Driven by the desire to be part of the vibrant music scene, he moved to New York and initially took a job at a startup. However, it was his passion for melodic techno and DJing in local venues that fueled his dream of transitioning to a full-time music career.

While Skyler was excited about producing music, he knew he needed to hone his skills to make the leap. That's when he came across Sound Academy through an Instagram ad. Although initially skeptical, the program's detailed curriculum convinced him to give it a try. His love for music and the studio environment made it an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

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Challenges before joining Sound Academy

Before joining Sound Academy, Skyler had already spent countless hours teaching himself music production using Logic and Ableton. He watched YouTube tutorials on repeat, trying to understand how to mix and master tracks, but something was missing. Without professional guidance, he found it difficult to streamline his workflow and struggled with technical aspects like tracking vocals under pressure. “I was trying to learn on my own, but when you’re just watching videos, you don’t get the real-time feedback that helps you grow,” Skyler recalls.

He felt stuck and knew that if he wanted to turn his passion into a sustainable career, he needed hands-on experience and structured learning.

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Results and Success

Skyler's time at Sound Academy gave him a deeper understanding of music production, particularly when it came to recording and mixing. "The most valuable part of the course was being in a room with professional equipment so you could really hear the differences in your music," he shares.

He realized how much room there was for improvement in his mixes. Working in a professional studio environment allowed him to hear nuances he had previously missed and learn how to fine-tune his tracks for a cleaner, more professional sound.

"Now I can walk into a studio, turn on the speakers and consoles, and I don't need to hire an engineer. That kind of autonomy is invaluable." This newfound confidence has allowed Skyler to take on projects he would have previously hesitated to pursue. He is currently mixing and mastering tracks for his friends and plans to eventually open his own recording studio.

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Reflections and recommendations

Skyler's advice to anyone considering joining Sound Academy? "Ask questions and go in with the mindset of getting value from your knowledge. The more you engage, the more you'll learn." For Skyler, the program wasn't just about acquiring technical skills, but also about building a network and creating a community. "I couldn't have asked for better people to be with," he says.

"After class one day, we all hung out at my apartment and made beats together. It was amazing to get feedback from others, especially since I usually work alone." The camaraderie among the students added another layer to his learning experience, helping him grow both personally and professionally.

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What's next for Skyler?

Skyler is now focused on improving his production skills. He works on personal projects while also mixing and mastering for others. His ultimate goal is to open a recording studio, and thanks to the skills he acquired at Sound Academy, he is closer than ever to making that dream a reality. Reflecting on his journey, Skyler emphasizes how the program has changed his approach to music production. “I used to overload my processing chains with plugins, thinking that was what made a track sound good. But I learned that simplicity, proper use of hardware, and good sample selection are far more effective.”