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Production Masterclass

The Masterclass is our 1:1 programme, aimed at more experienced producers who are looking for individual mentorship. The programme entails a mixture of curriculum-based learning alongside more bespoke tuition based around your needs as an artist.
Do you want a career in music?
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This online, 1-1 programme wastes no time – the learning experience is built entirely around your needs as a new artist.

We start with a true diagnosis of your current production levels; your intended positioning in the market; your social media profile and general knowledge about the industry. From this, we build out a personalised programme.

Each week you’ll benefit from individual production lessons alongside weekly, detailed professional A&R feedback and an intensive mentoring programme. The intention is for you to learn how to create professional tracks- that are ready to get signed.

  • Learn in Logic or Ableton
  • Enjoy 1-1 production sessions
  • Study with production legend D.Ramirez or Ben Keen (Tuff London)
  • Complete challenging weekly assignments
  • Work on your own music
  • Get intensive, individual A&R feedback
  • Approved by the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM)
  • Enjoy membership of Toolroom Academy Alumni Group after graduating
Register Interest

Modules

A brand new curriculum combining structured and bespoke learning, weekly assignments and tailored feedback.
  • Lesson 1
    Creativity, Artistic Identity & The Importance of Sound Choice
    During this first session students formally meet Tutors D.Ramirez and Pete Griffiths to discuss their intended direction as an artist. Here we will analyse your current sound & style against your intended musical direction, and look at how this fits the current market, whilst focusing on the importance of sound choice and artistic identity.
  • Lesson 2
    Studio Session: Advanced Drum Programming
    During this session students will learn how to build their drums from scratch whilst further developing their own sound and Artistic Identity. Focus will be on Sound Choice, the correct processing for Tech House, layering sounds and the relationship between all the parts in your groove.
  • Lesson 3
    Assignment and A&R Session
    Students will create five different drum grooves using the various methods taught during their studio session whilst considering style, sound choice and artistic identity. During this A&R session students will spend time with Tutor Pete Griffiths to assess and analyse the recently produced drum grooves, giving feedback from an A&R standpoint and advice on which drums to move forward with for the students course track.
  • Lesson 4
    Studio Session: Creating the Perfect Bassline
    Here we look deeper into the art of writing the perfect bassline – and how choosing the right sound and style can influence the success of the groove, showcasing how to write different basslines using varied techniques whilst understanding how variance in melody can determine style.
  • Lesson 5
    Assignment and A&R Session
    Students will create five different basslines over their chosen drum groov,e using the various methods taught during their studio session. During this A&R session students will spend time with tutor Pete Griffiths to assess and analyse the recently produced basslines, giving feedback from an A&R standpoint.
  • Lesson 6
    Studio Session: Hooks Part1: Working with Vocals
    During this session we look at adding vocal samples to our tracks and creating an original hook to suit our style. We delve into the do’s and don’ts of sampling. We will be working with spoken word acapellas from various sources (YouTube, Films, Sample Packs etc) and will demonstrate techniques on how best to process these – whilst finding something unique to create a new hook, making these fit into the groove through processing techniques in Ableton.
Key Features
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    1-1 Teaching
    Rather than being part of a group – and learning at the pace of other people – you get totally focused, 1-1 teaching throughout the entire programme.
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    Focused Curriculum
    Our Masterclass curriculum is designed specifically around the music we love. We teach House, Tech House and Techno – and nothing else.
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    Continuous Feedback
    Every week you’ll get detailed, granular feedback on your music from an industry A&R. This keeps you on track and speeds up your learning.
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    Career Development
    You leave the programme with a personalised marketing plan and a clear action plan for the next steps in your music career.
Course Tutors
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D. Ramirez
For his entire career, D.Ramirez is a name that has been synonymous with cutting edge and beautifully produced House music. A true genre pioneer within Tech House, he has written underground anthems and crossover tracks, including the legendary tracks ‘Downpipe’ with Mark Knight, ‘Yeah Yeah’ with Bodyrox and more recently ‘Retreat’ on Crosstown Rebels. As a producer and studio engineer, his knowledge and reputation is unparalleled.
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Pete Griffiths
With over ten years service at Toolroom and 20 years’ music industry experience, Pete has played an instrumental role in making Toolroom what is today. Having scouted numerous Beatport top tens and discovered many acclaimed artists, he has an expert voice in identifying hooks, improving arrangement and ensuring tracks are 100% ready for commercial release. Some of the artists Pete A&Rs for include Mark Knight, Weiss, Prok & Fitch and Adrian Hour.
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Ben Keen
Producer Ben Keen has had an impressive career that’s spanned several decades. With a wealth of musical knowledge and experience, he is an ideal tutor and production mentor. His latest project, in the form of Tuff London (alongside Sam Townend), has seen him explode onto the House and Techno scene with a string of chart-topping releases supported by the likes of Carl Cox, Danny Howard and Mark Knight. Finding a home on Toolroom, Ben has played for the label across the world and continues to be a key member of the artist roster. Previously, Ben has written music for film and television, and been a pioneer of the original Hard House scene, widely recognised as the most prolific and influential artists of all time in that genre.
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Siege
It was Defected who passed his breakthrough track 'Crunk' to Azuli, vocalist Eeva re-singing the hook to Mary J Blige's classic 'Family Affair', beginning an ascent that has made his releases a standard for DJs from Claptone, Mark Knight and Camelphat to the BBC Radio One family of Pete Tong, Danny Howard, Annie Mac and Monki. Ever evolving his sound Siege’s latest productions are a bit darker resulting in Adam Beyer, Yousef, Alan Fitzpatrick, Nic Fanciulli and Hot Since 82 all championing his work.
Is This Course For Me
  • I can finish tracks myself, but they aren’t ‘label-ready’
    This course isn’t aimed at beginners, but those who have been producing for some time, and want to get to professional standard.
  • I prefer to learn on a 1-1 basis
    The Masterclass is entirely delivered 1-1. There is no group work at any point. We tailor the learning and feedback to you.
  • I’m looking for advanced production knowledge
    The most advanced programme in the Toolroom Academy, the Masterclass will give you production techniques you simply don’t find elsewhere.
  • I really need professional feedback on my tracks
    This course has the most individual, 1-1 A&R feedback time. By the end of the programme, you’ll learn to think like an A&R!

Student
Success

My production and creative skills were taken to a whole new level.
-Anna Unusyan
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I wrote three records with the Academy. All were signed by my target record labels.
-Tenova
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The best experience I had in the program was getting my track signed by Toolroom.
-Salvione
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I couldn’t believe it when I got a BBC Radio 1 play from Pete Tong on my track.
-Sarah Miller
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Getting feedback from Pete and learning all his knowledge about the industry was gold.
-Jimmi Harvey
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My production and creative skills were taken to a whole new level.
-Anna Unusyan
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I wrote three records with the Academy. All were signed by my target record labels.
-Tenova
Read more
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Take the next step
Please send us a message using the form below, and someone from the Toolroom Academy will get back to you within 48 hours to discuss the syllabus and your production ambitions, plus info on start dates & pricing.
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