Music production can become such an overwhelming subject with the myriad of software, plug-ins and hardware now available on the market. When it comes to electronic music production, the technical approach many music production schools have been employing thus far, and especially the jargon being used throughout their teachings, do not help at all but in fact over-complicated the learning process.
Music producer, educator, and member of Edmonton-based Night Vision collective, Adam Johan believes that learning music production should be approachable to everyone, even those who have little-to-no experience in music production. It is with this philosophy in mind that he has partnered with Grammy-nominated DJ and producer Andy Caldwell to open an innovative music production school in the Los Angeles area: the IO Music Academy.
Johan explained the idea behind IO Music Academy, “I always felt there was a lot of context lacking from my previous education (I went to Point Blank in London and Icon Collective in LA) It was often focused on whatever plugins were hot, and turning yourself into a banger machine. This is alright, but I try to give people a solid framework (this includes understanding where the music/machines came from) for what they’re doing and expose them to the many different ways they can make music in 2017.”
As an educator, Johan took time to design the courses and the kind of teaching students can expect in the school. “It was important we break the mould of stock photos, bad design, and general complication,” he said. “We have so many great tools and methods of breaking down the barriers to getting ideas out of our heads that it shouldn’t be this big crazy secret only a select few know.”
Johan also made it a point to ensure that students get to express themselves continuously throughout lessons in as less time as possible: “Most people I know are busy trying to make ends meet or are in school studying, and so on. I want to give anyone and everyone the option to explore their creative side,” Johan explained.
At the same time, he wants to make students comfortable as they foster their skills in the school. “Most people don’t know if that’s something they want to pursue when they’re just starting out. It’s important people feel there is value in creating for the sake of it, as it is an essential part of the human experience,” he added.
