A Brief Guide To Music Production Courses In India

A Brief Guide To Music Production Courses In India

17 May 2019

While India developed a taste for electronic music decades ago, the infrastructures for training the next generation of producers remained underdeveloped until only recently. With the establishment of dedicated contemporary music institutes in India like Global Music Institute, Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music and The True School of Music, India has seen a rise in opportunities for formal education in electronic music over the past decade or so.

To help aspiring producers navigate their learning, we have compiled a list (in alphabetical order) of some of the more prominent Indian education centres offering courses in music production.

Beatworx Studio

Bangalore’s Beatworx Studio was founded as a creative space for the brother duo of Ashrith and Ashwin Baburo aka Audio Units. After including the likes of Leon Mylan and Achal Khanolkar aka Twokid Wickid in their team, Beatworx Studio evolved into a hands-on training space, with alumni including the likes of Sandeep Pai and Tasnneem.

Beatworx Studio offers foundational and comprehensive courses in DJ-ing, production, sound design, performance with Ableton Live, mixing and mastering, and a crash course in FL Studio. Head to Beatworx Studio’s website for more information.

DJP Media

Based in Bangalore, DJP Media is one of the country’s few Ableton Education Partners. Headed by certified trainer Dawn John Philip, the organisation also doubles as Philip’s production house, through which he has contributed sound design for films, jingles for radio/television ads and creative consultation to advertising agencies.

After years of organising workshops and seminars in electronic music production and sound engineering, DJP Media now offers a dedicated 3-month course on producing and performing with Ableton Live, as well as individually tailored 1-on-1 classes. DJP Media also shares tips and guidance through online videos, which can be found alongside further information about the institute on their website here.

Global Music Institute (GMI)

Global Music Institute, situated (now) in Greater Noida, is arguably one of the leading music schools in India, founded in 2011 by brothers Aditya and Tarun Balani – both Berklee College of Music graduates and creative forces behind acts such as Incognito, Advaita, Seasonal Affected Beats and their own solo projects. Through its regularly updating international faculty and extensive facilities, the institute has produced several notable alumni, including members of acts like Komorebi, Big Bang Blues and Okedo.

Overseen by Ableton-certified trainer Aditya Balani and New Delhi DJ/producer Jay Pei, GMI offers 10-week courses in Ableton Live and Logic Pro X, as well as lessons in music technology as part of their longer certificate and diploma courses. Head to their website to find out more.

I Love Music Academy (ILM)

Advertised as “India’s Premier Electronic music school”, ILM Academy boasts a faculty consisting the likes of Arjun Vagale, Jalebee Cartel co-founder Arjun Gopal, The Midival Punditz’s Gaurav Raina, and Paraphoniks co-founder Sushant Joshi. The Gurgaon-based institute offers an extensive choice of certificate and diploma courses – from audio engineering, DJ-ing, electronic music production, in-the-box mixing and mastering, to basics of Logic Pro X, Ableton Live and Pro Tools. Naturally, the institute has produced notable alumni active in the local scene, namely the likes of Secular Chai, Jay Pei and the whole crew of Sub-Z. For further information, head to their website.

K M College of Music and Technology

Previously known as K M Music Conservatory (KMMC), this Chennai-based institution was founded by renowned composer A. R. Rahman, who also serves as the college’s principal. KMMC ran part-time courses and full-time courses in conjunction with Middlesex University, before it became a full-fledged college and changed its name to K M College of Music and Technology.

Its roots as a conservatory are still in effect in the college’s curriculum which is based around western and Hindustani classical music, but supplements it with lessons in music technology. The college offers courses in basics of electronic music production, as well as, 6 and 12 months courses in audio engineering, headed by professionals in India’s film industry. Head to the institute’s website, to find out more.

Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism

Founded in 2008, Pune-based Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism is a full-fledged media school with branches in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chandigarh. The institute offers degree courses in Sound Engineering at its Pune, Bangalore and Chandigarh campus, and a diploma course in Pune and Mumbai.

Seamedu became India’s first Ableton Certified Training Centre last year when its faculty member Hozaifa Sayed became an Ableton Certified Trainer. Alongside its sound engineering degrees, the institute offers certificate courses in Logic Pro X and Ableton at its Pune campus. For more information, head to their website.

Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication (SACAC)

With a faculty of Advaita members Chayan Adhikari, Abhishek Mathur and Gaurav Chintamani among others, New Delhi’s multi-disciplinary mass communication and media arts institute Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication offers a full-time audio engineering and music production diploma course, alongside a short-term course in music production. With courses on filmmaking, photography and even a new music business management program, SACAC’s advantage is the opportunities it offers for interdisciplinary collaborations. Head to the institute’s website to find out more.

Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (SAM)

Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music is easily one of the most credible music institutes in India, with regularly updating international faculty and jazz-focused studies. Situated 80-kms away from Chennai, SAM offers intensive training aided by on-campus accommodation. The institute offers a technical diploma course in audio engineering and music technology, and a 3-trimester-long ‘Combined Emphasis Program’ which allows students to mix and match modules from the music performance, and audio engineering and music technology course. For more information, head to Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music’s website.

The Live Room Music School

The Live Room Music School is a boutique institute in New Delhi’s South Extension run by two certified Ableton Trainers: Aryaman Agarwal and one half of else if, Puneesh Suri. The production school offers a comprehensive 30 session course on production with Ableton Live and a 12 session course on performing with Ableton Push 2. Head to Live Room Music School’s website to find out more.

The True School of Music (TSM)

TSM is recognised as Mumbai’s premier music school, having hosted notable visiting lecturers like Matteo (Chinese Man), Ranjit Barot, Shubha Mudgal, Salim Merchant and Sandunes. The institute offers a foundation course in DJ-ing and professional courses in music production and sound engineering, under the guidance of active professionals from Mumbai’s film industry. TSM also has a partnership with world-renowned music school Point Blank, and runs a collaborative professional course in DJ-ing with the same. You can find more information on True School of Music at their website.

Themusic’scool

With a faculty consisting the likes of Tuhin Mehta, Vachan Chinnappa, Clement D’Souza and Abhijit Hegde aka Weird Sounding Dude, Themusic’scool is one of Bangalore’s most in-demand DJ-ing schools. The institute offers its students 24/7 access to its facilities and courses in DJ-ing and electronic music production. Graduates from Themusic’scool also get the option of continuing their education by progressing straight to advanced programmes at London’s Point Blank Music School. For more information, head to Themusic’scool’s website.

Words: Amaan Khan

Image: Global Music Institute

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