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Production Certificate

Our flagship programme. Embark on an intensive 12 week journey, that takes you step-by-step through the essentials of building a credible and relevant track to a professional standard. Enjoy continuous A&R feedback and mentorship throughout the course.
Do you want a career in music?
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This 3-month online programme takes you step-by-step through the essentials of building a credible and relevant Tech House track to a professional standard.

Log-in weekly for live and interactive online lessons – then complete a set of intensive and challenging projects in between sessions. Your work will be given feedback on a weekly basis from the Toolroom A&R team, leading you towards finishing your track.

The bespoke curriculum is solely focused around you learning to make the sound that Toolroom represents. Additionally, you’ll get the chance to take modules on marketing and social media, business and financials, and also complete an optional remix project using parts from the Toolroom back catalogue.

You have the choice of taking the course in Ableton or Logic. In each case, the course is taught ‘native’ to that DAW – meaning you’ll only need a copy of Ableton or Logic, a computer and some headphones to participate.

Student success on this programme has been overwhelming. Our alumni have achieved signings to the likes of El Row, Nervous, Spinnin, Dim Mak, Glasgow Underground, Simma Black, CR2 and of course Toolroom.

Additionally, the Production Certificate is the first educational programme in the world to be approved by the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM).

  • Unrivalled student success rate
  • Learn in Ableton or Logic
  • Learn via live, interactive online production lessons
  • Over 80 hours of learning over 3 months
  • Taught by Toolroom artists Ben Remember (Ableton) or Ben Keen (Tuff London) (Logic)
  • Approved by the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM)
  • Enjoy membership of Toolroom Academy Alumni Group after graduating
Register Interest

Modules

A unique curriculum taking you through the essentials of modern House & Tech House production.
  • Lesson 1
    Artistic Identity & Sound Choice
    During the first week we cover some topics that are often overlooked in many production schools and discuss key issues that producers should be thinking about before they even get started; Thinking about your artistic identity, exploring your creativity, understanding sound choice and hooks are all crucial areas for artists to understand in able to move forward with their careers. • Developing individual artistic style and sound • Identifying & understanding hooks • Harnessing your tastes and creativity • Understanding the importance of sound choice
  • Lesson 2
    The Groove Part 1; Building Your Drums
    Here we will demonstrate building your drum loop using various methods, looking at using out the box samples alongside creating your own through midi programming and using audio, whilst demonstrating the importance of sound choice and placements to create your groove. • Identifying the various drum & percussive elements in a groove • Understanding the correct syncopation of drums for Tech House • Techniques on combining both Audio samples & midi drums utilising Drum Rack & Simpler
  • Lesson 3
    The Groove Part 2; Introduction to Basslines
    The Bassline is one of the most important key parts to your track, here we cover some theory on understanding the job of the bassline and the variance in style within Tech House – from rolling, simple note patterns, low-end subs, or more melodic, synth led basslines. We explore using out-the-box sample loops and how they can be manipulated and also demonstrate how to create your own unique bassline through both sampling and using one of Ableton’s VST’s. • Understanding different forms of bass lines and how they work • How to manipulate sampled bass lines • Creating your own bass line using Ableton’s built in synths alongside Audio effects • Making the bass line work with your drums
  • Lesson 4
    Identifying & Creating your Hooks: Vocals
    Now the backbone to your track has been created with the drums and bassline we look to take things further by adding new hook elements in various forms. In this session we demonstrate how to create vocal hooks and the variance within this, we will show what to look for when sampling vocals and the techniques used for this and how to get creative when manipulating vocals into a new and unique hook to suit your track. •Techniques on manipulating vocal samples and what to look for •Cutting vocal samples within Ableton to create unique hooks •Understanding the different types of vocals that will work in your track
  • Lesson 5
    Identifying & Creating Your Hooks: Musical Hooks
    In this session we demonstrate how to create new musical hooks using both audio samples and building something original through VST’s and Midi, focusing on how to build melodies & stabs into your track to create unique musical hooks to fit your style and work with your vocals. • Manipulating Melody audio samples to create something new • Creating original hooks & melodies using Ableton’s built in synths • Understanding the different types of musical hooks that will work in your tracks
  • Lesson 6
    Introduction to Automation & Developing Your Idea
    At this stage we take your loop so far and teach simple techniques to develop it further into a simple intro, breakdown and drop in order to evaluate how your track will work. Here we will be able to identify what other elements are needed to support your key parts so far. An introduction to Automation will show how this affects key moments in your track, things like adding energy to build ups and drops. • Master preliminary arrangement techniques to test and develop your ideas further • Introducing Ableton’s Audio FX and using Automation to control them focusing on creating energy for breakdowns & drops • Identifying space within your groove to add extra elements
Key Features
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    Interactive online learning
    Interact with your expert tutors and fellow students through weekly ‘live’ online classes. Can’t make the time? Log-in after the lesson and watch it back. Enjoy over 80 hours of practical learning.
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    Hands on projects
    Each week you’ll be set an assignment, based on the topics covered in the live class. Alongside this, you’ll be occasionally paired with another student to collaborate creatively. The course leads up to you submitting your final track.
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    Continous Assessement
    This programme has weekly graded assignments that need to be completed in order to finish the course. You’ll receive weekly A&R feedback via email, plus the opportunity to book 1-1 Skype sessions at points throughout the course.
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    Renowned Artists
    Enjoy a curriculum devised and delivered by international DJ/Producer Ben Remember, alongside senior Toolroom A&R and artist manager Pete Griffiths. Make new connections with the best in the industry.
Course Tutors
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Ben Remember
Ben Remember is a key part of the Toolroom artist roster. Known as one of the most creative and technically accomplished producers in the scene, his tracks are instantly recognisable, and he’s been continually championed by Annie Mac on Radio 1 alongside receiving regular DJ support from the likes of Andrea Olivia, Eats Everything and Nick Curly. But Ben is no overnight success story. Having spent 10 years perfecting his craft before getting his big break, he is well aware of the work new producers must put in before they get recognition – and as such, he is the perfect person to teach the next generation of upcoming artists.
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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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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.
Is This Course For Me
  • I’ve reached a plateau in learning by myself
    Whether at the beginning of your production journey, or someone more advanced, learning by yourself can get lonely! There’s only so much you can learn from Youtube videos on your own. Join us for an inspirational 3 month programme.
  • I can start tracks, but not quite finish them
    Getting over the finish line can be a tough hurdle to overcome. The Certificate will take you step-by-step through to a finished track.
  • I am looking for a truly comprehensive production course
    This course covers every aspect of producing a track from start to finish. We take you back to scratch and build you back up again, using the unique curriculum we’ve built.
  • I really need professional feedback on my tracks
    The Certificate will stretch and challenge you through assignment work and weekly feedback – both from a production and A&R standpoint.

Student
Success

It’s not just another online class. It’s personal and intimate.
-Zhenya
It’s helped to elevate me in the industry and get on stronger line ups too.
-Carly Wilford
I learned tips and tricks I never knew existed.
-Juany Bravo
I'm over the moon that Toolroom signed my track after the course!
-Fibi
I felt connected with people overseas, and that’s exactly the beauty of this program
-Steven Han
And for the first time, I felt I could express myself through music.
-Camille
I was never aware of how certain sound choices could make or break a track.
-Voost
It’s truly a lifelong community you’ve created here.
-aboywithabag
They are incredibly honest, encouraging and provide technically sound advice.
-Mai Mai
This was my first time consistently having ears on my music from a top-tier label.
-Pastel Blue
I’ve gone from only ever making an 8-16 bar loop to producing a full track.
-Shayne Fontaine
In one word Fantastic!
-Tom Junior
It's a place to learn, grow, and discover your inner artist and sound.
-Clavette
It’s not just another online class. It’s personal and intimate.
-Zhenya
It’s helped to elevate me in the industry and get on stronger line ups too.
-Carly Wilford
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Take the next step
We’ll be in contact to discuss the syllabus and your production ambitions, plus info on start dates & pricing.