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

It all started at the age of 12, when I approached the world of Djing thanks to Avicii, he was my first and biggest inspiration. At that time, I listened to Avicii’s music and also Deep House and House Music. When I was 15 I realized that if I wanted to become a DJ I had to produce my own music so I started to use FL Studio self-taught without any kind of knowledge; I didn’t know what is an Eq or a Compressor.  During High School I had my first release ever called “Life Is So Amazing” on a label called Foxed Recordings; now I don’t even know if it exists anymore ahah.  After High School I went to a private music academy where I learnt everything: Logic Pro, Eqs, Compression, Arrangement, Mix, Mastering and other important stuffs. During this time I’ve always produced House Music and I’ve never met a person that wanted to do the same, so I felt alone sometimes but I never give up.  After watching tons of tutorials to improve my skills and learn new stuffs I came to you. I chose you because I love your concept of family and also because I want to learn everything about making House Music records. Watching Maxinne’s path gave me the energy to choose you and work with you.

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

For sure. Since I started I’ve always filtered the music that I want to listen, that is the same that I want to play in my sets. During this time I built a taste that give me the possibility to be very selective and now, after the course, I started to do the same with my own productions. Pete and Ben’s lessons and feedbacks were fantastic, they opened my mind giving me the knowledge to be more creative and at the same time building my own sound

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

The arrangement one where Ben showed us different ways and techniques to be more creative, and the mix and master modules. Before the course I was always looking for new plugins that could help me to improve my mixes; watching tutorials on YouTube and playing with my plugins library. nowadays I still don’t know all the plugins that I have. The course showed me a simple way to reach the mix goal, without tons of plugins, and this forced me to use my hears even more.

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

It was fundamental. This is the part that I love the most about the course. Pete and Ben gave me specific feedbacks on my track helping me to reach that 10% more every week. In my case the feedback really built the track because my vocal didn’t work well. Having the arrangement done at week 7, I had more time to focus on my vocals, Pete and Ben pushed me to keep searching and, after 3 weeks I came up with a vocal that I like. On the feedback session, Pete and Ben really liked it.

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

I’m super happy. Sometimes when I listen to it, I think I didn’t produce it because of the quality level but, the course helped me to reach that level so it’s real, I made the track.

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

The weekly feedback for sure because having a feedback on every step you make on building your track is very helpful and stimulating. The second thing, the most important for me, is understanding the sound of every student. Other schools teach how to make a track in a specific genre, and the result is 10 people, 20 people that make the same track, in the same genre.

Toolroom Academy is fantastic because tutors understand the influences and inclinations of every student for a specific genre and help every student to reach that sound, teaching new way of making, improving and elevating their skills.

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

Before the course I’ve always been guided by emotions, that’s why I love making music. Now I always let myself be guided by emotions but with more awareness, more skills, more attention on what I’m doing, focusing on what my track need. I used to think music production as an idea with tons of plugins to reach the sound, now I think music production is focusing on the idea and use simple but important techniques to reach the sound.

Thanks to the course I learnt these techniques that will help me to improve my productions even more.

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

Definitely yes, there are few things that I didn’t know I could use. Now they are part of my workflow and they help me during the process.

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

Of course. We keep in chat on socials, and with some of them, we met at 338 last July. They are awesome, everyone with the same passion for House Music. In the future a collaboration can be born for sure, I’m super open on that. I hope to see them ASAP.

How would you rate your tutors?

In few words, 10/10. Both were so helpful and fantastic with the approach on every student.

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

The final A&R feedback session. I didn’t know how it would go, I didn’t know if my track would have been up to my classmates and to the A&R but, fortunately the track was appreciated by everyone. In all my journey I’ve always been insecure about my production so having awesome feedback from people that you don’t know and from the A&R was incredible.

Would you recommend the Production Certificate to other producers?

If you are a House, Tech House or Techno producer, you definitely have to attend this course. it changes your way of making music, so YES, I definitely recommend this.

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

It’s a wonderful family and I’m glad to be part of it. Its work is fantastic, helping every producer reaching his goals, his dreams is something that is not easily found nowadays. One of my goal is to grow in this family and have the possibility to know as many people as possible. I want to say a massive thank you, but hey… it’s just the beginning for me, I’m not done with you yet.