IADT audio production students learn trade

Hundreds of valley residents will spend their summer days mixing, mastering and recording music with nearly two dozen industry experts at the International Academy of Design & Technology - Las Vegas. The audio production Bachelor of Science program at IADT Las Vegas made its debut in November 2009. Within a year, the college became one of the largest audio production colleges in Nevada - a title the school maintains nearly three years later - employing more than a dozen professionals whose resumes read like a who's who celebrity list.

Instructors include award-winning film industry sound designers, film composers, studio managers, live concert mixers, recording engineers and professional musicians. The school's staff even includes the former musical director for the Golden Globes and Academy of Country Music Awards; two classically trained, world-touring professional pianists; and an attorney who instructs students on the legalities of the audio industry.

IADT audio staff and instructors have worked for A-list celebrities, including Beyoncé, Dr. Dre, Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, Incubus, Chevelle, Hoobastank, Limp Biscuit, Snoop Dogg, The Notorious B.I.G. and Ludicrous. Studio designers have worked with and consulted brand powerhouses HBO, NBC, 20th Century Fox Film, Universal Studios, Disney, MTV, Fox and Sony. And TLC, HBO and National Geographic programs have been edited by IADT instructors.

"IADT Las Vegas boasts an audio instructor dream team," said Jason Smith, president of IADT Las Vegas. "There isn't another audio production college in Nevada that touts the professional, personal and academic accomplishments of our instructors - and that's something to brag about."

According to Ron Herbes, audio production program chair for IADT Las Vegas, the college invested significant time and resources to attract some of the industry's best talent.

"Most of our instructors are seasoned professionals, so they offer students access to an unprecedented wealth of personal experience," he said. "This is a top priority for us given the hands-on nature of the audio production industry."

To help students gain this instrumental hands-on experience, IADT Las Vegas has partnered with the $9 million local recording studio, Odds On Recording. Audio production students attend classes at the studio to learn recording, mixing and mastering techniques in a professional studio.

In 2012, the college will complete construction on its 2,500-square-foot industry standard recording studio with an adjacent control room, making hands-on learning opportunities more readily available for students. IADT's curriculum includes advanced techniques in recording, mixing and mastering using Pro Tools software, the preferred software of the music and audio recording industries. Principles of MIDI, synthesis and sound design for CD production, film and video production also are covered in the curriculum.

The program introduces current trends in analog and digital audio production as they apply to studio recording, sound reinforcement and electronic music. Opportunities to compose, perform and record music are integrated into the program.

Students enrolled in the program receive a $1,000-plus equipment package to assist them in their educational pursuits.

Graduates of the audio production program are prepared for employment in positions such as recording studio technician, recording engineer, production recorder, game audio engineer, music editor, sound designer and music producer.

IADT Las Vegas, which opened in 2003, is one of 10 campuses in the United States. In addition to audio production, the college offers associate and bachelor's degrees in cinema production, game production, graphic design, fashion design and information technology.

Visit www.iadtvegas.com or call 990-0150 for more information.