At the core of Slam Academy’s mission is a commitment to take each student - be they a brand new artist or an advanced learner - to the next level.

Founded in 2012 by a group of producers and DJs that wanted to share their craft with their community, Slam Academy provides fast-paced, high-quality, and affordable educational experiences in electronic music production, recording, and more. 

Our core educators are experts in the field of music, with credentials including extensive Ableton Certification, advanced degrees in music composition and theory, and countless hours of professional industry experience. They are creative professionals and seasoned educators with years of experience in the studio, the club, and the classroom.

As a midwest hub for creative education in varied forms of digital media, Slam Academy also brings frequent guest presentations to the roster, including Richie Hawtin, Kevin Saunderson, Mr. Bill, Ean Golden, Dustin Zahn, John Keston, Beatrix JAR, and many more. Our goal is to connect experts from all corners of the digital art world to the next generation of creative minds. These include artists working in live video processing, interactive digital art and photography, as well as renowned DJs and recording artists.

No grades, No tests, No student loans, and No degrees – just instructors and students with a passion for the digital arts.

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Current Ableton Course offerings: Minneapolis Campus

Ableton Program: Our Ableton Live Program is a six-month plan designed to give students a comprehensive undressing of this powerful and versatile tool. Every student leaves with the ability to produce music in any genre, under any circumstance.

Hip Hop Producer Program: If you are already a producer, but looking for that edge that will make your beats pro, this is it. This course is designed for MCs & producers looking to dig in and excel in their craft. If you want to sell your beats, collaborate, and dominate the field - you need to be working alongside someone already doing it. Join our seasoned professional producers and MCs for this one-of-a-kind program.

DJ Program: Today’s DJs are experts on the power of music to move people, and with the right knowledge that power can be yours. Learn to rock a set on any format of professional DJ tools. This class covers everything you’ll need to create an effective and powerful set, from beat and key matching, using the DJ mixer and effects, reading the crowd, and more!

Recording Arts Program: Slam Academy’s Recording Arts Program is unlike any other recording program. We don’t focus on the Hollywood studio, the million-dollar consoles, or the “industry standard” version of Pro Tools. Instead, we focus on capturing great recordings and getting the best results in our home studios, laptops, affordable equipment, and Ableton Live.

Sound Design Program: In this program, you will be guided through everything you need to know to create incredible sounds from scratch. The course begins at the heart of sound creation with an in-depth study of the nature of both acoustic and electronic sound through analog and modular subtractive synthesis, and continues all the way through designing incredible drums, synths, basses, and more for your own tracks.

Music Industry Program: We live in an attention economy. What will differentiate your sound from other releases? This course focuses on myriad of aspects related to marketing and promotion in the modern music industry while also covering critical topics like copyright, sample clearance, business registration, taxes, and emerging revenue sources.

Mixing and Mastering Program: In today’s competitive music industry, poorly mixed or mastered music gets lost in the fray. To stand out from the crowd, tracks need to have the sonic clarity, punch, and polish that is achieved through the process of mixing and mastering. Join our mixing and mastering professional engineers for this exciting and dynamic class.

Producer Program: At Slam Academy, this is where it all comes together. Think of the Producer Program like a capstone class. Turn your sketches into records in the studio with veteran producers and musicians. This program has no handouts, no outline, and no homework. There are no levels for this program. Just you, your classmates, in the studio with super producers, engineers, and musicians: making and releasing hits.
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Online Campus: (Interactive Programs)
Music Theory Online Program: In this online-only class, we will focus on learning how to organize pitches and rhythms to make dynamic and interesting melodies and harmonies. No experience with music theory, playing an instrument, or reading music is necessary. We will be focusing on how to use the MIDI grid in Ableton Live as your instrument to understand and work with music theory.

Ableton Program: Our Ableton Live Program is a six-month plan designed to give students a comprehensive undressing of this powerful and versatile tool. Every student leaves with the ability to produce music in any genre, under any circumstance.

Sound Design Program: In this program, you will be guided through everything you need to know to create incredible sounds from scratch. The course begins at the heart of sound creation with an in-depth study of the nature of both acoustic and electronic sound through analog and modular subtractive synthesis, and continues all the way through designing incredible drums, synths, basses, and more for your own tracks.

Most Slam Academy classes are offered in full 3 or 6 month programs, with one three-hour class per week. Additionally, Slam Academy offers private lessons from many of our instructors.

Contact
(612) 293-SLAM
info@slamacademy.com

Slam Academy
1121 Jackson Street Northeast
Suite 142
Minneapolis MN 55413