Dubspot DJ School: Is it worth it?

[Kepik]

I am seriously considering the 'Essential Music Foundation' online course.

I've been trying to tackle music production since 2010. Initially bought all the necessary gear: JBL LSR4328P monitors, Akai MPK61, Apogee Duet, Logic Pro 9. Bought the official guide to Logic Pro. Read through some chapters, but was already lost with terminologies. I thought MIDI was just the cheap sounding music file as compared to a WAV/MP3 file. The DAW manual doesn't teach you the different instruments used to create music. I only knew of a kick and hi-hat, but never heard of snares, claps, tom-toms, percussions etc. I had no idea what a synthesizer was for (I only finally understood what it does a few months ago). A few months later, I wanted try out Ableton Live, but was even more confused with their Instruments Rack. I had no idea what the use of Drum Racks, Sampler, Simpler, etc. were for. Because of my frustration the MPK61 eventually ended up collecting dust only until recently. I even later upgraded Live to Suite when they had the offer earlier this year around January. I thought perhaps I could make use these instruments, but still I was lost with what instruments to use. Even the Ableton Live Power Book didn't help me understand it much.

Over the last few months, I finally understood synthesizers and the concept of oscillation and also found out really what VSTs were about. I decided to shell out money for Nexus 2 and some packs to get that sound (despite the mixed reviews).

I've watched youtube vids of how to tweak things and create beats, but they don't explain in detail WHY you do it. They just tell you to set to this much, twist a knob here, or add a snare and clap here.

I've been constantly going through motivational spurts, but end up killing it due to my frustrated learning ability.

Going to school for DJing, I think you can easily teach yourself and watch youtube vids. In fact, reading the DJing for Dummies book really taught me a lot prior to actually touching a mixer and decks. Been DJing for over 3 years. Now music production on the other hand, IMO has a higher learning curve, given my many attempts at trying to grasp it. I think its time to shell out the cash for class. I've already spent enough on the equipment.

[Kepik]

I just plunked over a grand for their Essential Music Foundations course!

I shall report back how the classes go!

[benjackal]

Minor bump, how is the MF course going?

The videos suggest the course is actually decent.

Most of the tutors for Music theory or even the information online aren't really adapted for EDM musicians.

[Xonetacular]

dubspot is a great place to go to when you have lots of money to spend and do it in person in nyc, I wouldn't pay to do an online course and most of it can be learned online just as well for under $100 or free.

before dropping that much money check out sonic academy and tom cosm http://www.cosm.co.nz/

Much better value...

[benjackal]

dubspot is a great place to go to when you have lots of money to spend and do it in person in nyc, I wouldn't pay to do an online course and most of it can be learned online just as well for under $100 or free.

before dropping that much money check out sonic academy and tom cosm http://www.cosm.co.nz/

Much better value...

Thanks for the blanket response that is usally posted on these types of threads.

Ive been doing this for around 5 years now, and ill admit Im at the point where i need to step up my music theory to break the plateau. I have been on sonic academy for over a year and its a great site, but focuses on engineering/production, not music theory. Theyre music theory vids are great, just not enough of them.

Tom is also great, ive had the opportunity to see him live and attend one of his live sessions. There wasnt many people there so we got to hammer him with questions. Tom is good if you want to play live, or get right into making glitchy sounds. But again, his music theory is spread accross all his videos.

The plan is either a local tutor or dubspot, for music theory only. With dubspot you get six months or 3 hours a week skype chat with a instructor who is very well imformed (EDM wise) and will be able to translate how to EDM. I might check out the local tutors first actually, just to see how they are (as its the cheaper option)

[mostapha]

Local Tutor. I still haven't seen anything from dubspot's blog (linked here or when I actually look at it) that leads me to believe any of their instructors have a clue what they're doing.

[Maxted]

Thats not a ridiculous price at all.

I study in london, and while my course isn't music production (it's bsc audio systems, so a lot of dsp, max, audio electronics etc.) we do have a lot of production work (and media courses etc.) but nowhere near the facilities of dubspot, and they have us doing things like using DAT tapes, im waiting for them to pull out the reel to reel.

Only costing me £10,000, but future students (doing the pure production version of the course) will be paying £21000.

Edit: But for an online course that is a joke, i don't think online is the way to go if you want to pay a lot.

I saw a local tutor for some Max stuff, was immensely helpful (more so than my lecturers).

[benjackal]

Local Tutor. I still haven't seen anything from dubspot's blog (linked here or when I actually look at it) that leads me to believe any of their instructors have a clue what they're doing.

This is the video that got me interested in the online course, if i had 30-40 hours of this and 3 hours a week Skype with a tutor i would pay the money.

But yea I'm going to try find someone local first.

[mostapha]

So, I skipped through the video and might have been missing stuff. Congrats, this is one that doesn't seem to have anything wrong or specifically harmful, but it's also things I learned in my first guitar lesson.

Yes, first.

Seriously…take piano lessons. In person. I don't think anything else will make as big of a difference, and this video has not swayed me.

[C.Lukas1]

I took the "extensive DJ" course last year. Although the first half of the class was more of a refresher because I knew how to do the basics, it was WELL worth it. Amazing experience. They have their shit together there....I miss it.

That being said, I would not do the online course. I need to be interacting and able to ask questions in person.