The Blackbird Academy Launches – Recording & Live Sound School at Elite Nashville Studio

There’s an ambitious new option in the audio education sector: The Blackbird Academy is officially open for business, launching their new landing page in preparation for their first class starting September 30, 2013.

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 A features a meticulously restored Neve 8078 console.

The Blackbird Academy’s Studio Engineering Program trains students using microphones, consoles, outboard gear and recording spaces that are the renowned throughout the industry. Throughout the 24-week, 720-hour program, students will be taught on the same equipment used by top professional producers, musicians and recording artists who have created GRAMMY, CMA and other award-winning records at Blackbird Studio. World-class guest instructors will be a constant presence on campus.

Live sound will get its due as well at the new institution: On January 6, 2014 Blackbird Academy will launch an intensive 24-week, 720-hour Live Sound Engineering Program focusing on all aspects of live engineering and sound reinforcement for touring, medium and small venues and houses of worship.

The program has been shaped by Mark Rubel and Kevin Becka, who are Instructors and Co-Directors of Education for The Blackbird Academy. “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,” says Becka, who is also well-known in the pro audio community for his long-standing position as Technical Editor for Mix Magazine. “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 essence, you never leave the production environment the whole time you’re here.”

Here are more details, direct from The Blackbird Academy:

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 The 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.

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