Tell us about your production journey so far – how long have you been producing? What drew you to it in the first place?

I have been producing for 4 years now but was something I have always wanted to get into, but was put off by the amount of time that was required to learn it and also, I was a bit of a technophobe and thought it would be too complicated. One day I was at my good friends house and he showed me some tracks he had been making and I really wanted to give it a go for myself and just thought now is the time to do it!

Week 1 of the course focuses on artist identity and positioning. Did this make you analyse your sound in any way?

Yes, this was such a valuable part of the course for me. I still make a variety of house and tech however this really part of the course really got me to think about what artist I would like to be and the sound that I would be associated with. It really got me to think of me as a brand, not just someone making beats.

What other modules really stood out to you throughout the 12 weeks?

One of the most valuable lessons from the course, you could say a bit of a light bulb moment for me, was how important it is to select the correct samples in the production phase, rather than trying to shape the sounds after in the post mixing process. Simply choosing the right kick for instance, can make the difference of you releasing on one label or another. Knowing this, analysing each sound and making sure it fits the overall vibe of the track you are aiming for is essential.

How important was the A&R feedback throughout your journey?

I would say this is main reason to do this course. Both Ben Remember and Pete Griffiths would give detailed and specific feedback on each stage of the process. They were very constructive but also very direct. If they thought a particular snare drum was not up to scratch then you would know about it haha. There honestly was what I needed though, I felt I could go back and get it right. Now I feel confident in the process and can make these decisions for myself.

How happy were you with the track you made over the course of the 3 months?

I was very happy with the result of the track; it was my best work to date at the time and I felt it sounded very credible. I didn’t release it, but it went down well in my sets which is what matters.

What do you think was unique or different about the Production Certificate compared to other programmes/schools out there?

For me the standout factor is the feedback and support. I really felt getting individual recorded feedback gave me a lot of insight to what was working and what I needed to improve. This accelerated my learning tenfold!

How would you compare your production ability/knowledge now, compared to when you started the course?

For me the difference is night and day. Prior to the course I was making tracks with some good ideas, however they were a little bit all over the place with no real identity. Now I’m making professional sounding, genre specific tracks, which has my own unique sound. I feel this is showing as I haven’t yet released any tracks, but they are grabbing the interest of some well-known DJs and producers. One of my best achievements so far is Diplo playing one of my tracks on his radio show.

Has your ability on Logic/ableton improved since you’ve taken the course?

The course did give me a better understanding of the tools that you can use within the DAW, however I am a self-confessed plug-in whore!

Did you manage to connect and built relationships with other students on the course?

We sent up group chats on Facebook and Instagram and I often keep up with other artists via these channels. It’s a great place to meet link minded people.

How would you rate your tutors?

Ben and Pete were absolute legends. Very knowledgeable and also a great laugh!

What was the single best experience you had on the programme?

I would say getting the reaction from the final A&R session was a great experience. As it was live, I could really tell that they genuinely liked the track I had made. I remember Pete almost falling off his chair as he was going for it so much! This for me was a huge confidence booster though, that such a major label was enjoying the music I had produced.

Would you recommend the Production Certificate to other producers?

Absolutely, beginner or intermediate it is very valuable. You wont regret it and you will come out a better producer.

As a graduate, what are your thoughts on the Toolroom Academy overall?

I feel overall Toolroom Academy is a great network of people that genuinely want to see you succeed. They focus the course on the most important aspects of being a DJ / Producer and they also make you feel part of their community. They also provide good content post course with specific workshops and A&R sessions for all previous academy members. In short, well worth investing in!