Ableton Forum

Hello everybody,

I would like to know if some of you have already studied at Point Blank Music School or have a very pointy opinion about it because I'm french and i'm thinking of going there next year so I would like advices or anything else to be sure about this real choice

I also would like to know if their diplomas are authentic and if they really allow you to work in the music industry ?

Thanks for your answers!

I think with any music school it can help speed up the learning process, get new ideas, and make contacts. But also, they are rather expensive and there is so much wealth of information online as it is. Not to mention some of the monthly membership tutorial sites like ADSR, Lynda, and MacProVideo, are a fraction of the cost of such schools. And for the price of these schools, it may be more worthwhile to invest that money into a recording setup. I went to recording engineering school years ago. I don't regret it, but I thought it was overpriced, and it was long before the days of YouTube.

These schools are expensive, since a degree isn't required to work in music it's in absolute terms not a good investment.

I would personally seek alternatives before comiting, like private lessons with an engineer in his studio, and expending in building your own set up.

If it was cheap or "free" in a public school I would take it.

Hi ANGSTICK,

I'm currently studying online at Point Blank - I'm doing the Ableton Diploma.

I absolutely love it. The tutors are top notch and they really know their stuff. The one on one time with the tutors is gold - they will go over your tracks, tweak them, suggest changes - it's really good.

No matter your level, you'll learn new things and you'll be pushed to up your game and get better.

I'm not sure about the diplomas allowing you to work in the industry. The music industry is an odd duck - it's driven by contacts and who you know. Point Blanks's Music Business module speaks a lot about the nature of the business and certainly gives you a lot of advice about how to stand out and what you need to do to get ahead.... But having a diploma will not get it you better access to the industry. It's how you use what you've learned, and not the diploma itself.

The diploma is certainly on the pricey side - but they have a load of free content on YouTube too. However, you do get what you pay for!

I'm a little sceptical of these places.

Maybe if you want to be an engineer but I'm not aware of any big name DJs that went to such a school - everyone is self-taught and youtube is your friend.

Look at IMW in the Barbican - government funded so a lot cheaper. You have to drive what you get out of the course more but everything is there to get a lot out of it and a Diploma if you want it. Unsure what the teachers are like now but you have access to some great gear and an SSL desk.

BTW - I forgot to mention I've been producing as a hobby for over 25 years...so I'm somewhat experienced in composition/production and I'm learning some awesome stuff every single time.

I think formal training in music is only going to pay off in what you apply from what you learned. Nobody is going to care where you trained or what piece of paper you have. It’s going to be all about the finished result you show off that you possibly couldn’t have achieved if you didn’t get that training.

But one direct positive side is you will be around likeminded people and that’s always a good inspiration and motivator because music production is mostly a lonely endeavor, at least in the beginning. Take any opportunity you can to be around others with the same interest. Actually, that applies to life in general.

Music education is differen to learning production/engineering.

For making music I see more value in the first, learnning to play an instrument and composing.

For production/engineering you can go to books, videos and then take private lessons in some studio. I overall think many of these audio production schools are overpriced, specially from an investment/return perspective.

login wrote:Music education is differen to learning production/engineering.

For making music I see more value in the first, learnning to play an instrument and composing.

For production/engineering you can go to books, videos and then take private lessons in some studio. I overall think many of these audio production schools are overpriced, specially from an investment/return perspective.

I agree with you, mate.

I guess it's like anything, really. Regardless of the medium, paid or unpaid, you get what you put in. If you're willing to stick with it, learn learn learn, listen to folks who know more than you, take constructive criticism and push yourself then you're going to be a better musician/producer for it.

I can say If you're not willing to do the above, then Point Blank or any paid learning ain't gonna work for you. All I can say is I really ummed and ahhed about PB for a while and I did take a risk. I'm glad I did.

Man, I can learn all day but when it comes to pushing myself I get lazy and sidetracked, so for me PB is perfect because they crack they whip. But for others PB will be a complete waste of money.