Students who successfully complete all courses in the program are eligible to receive a Digital Badge from CSULB’s College of Professional and Continuing Education. Each Digital Badge is embedded with a link to secure and specific information confirming that the participant has obtained the necessary skills and competencies as described in the program. The badge also includes the participant’s name, the course title, and date of completion. Badges are shareable and can be uploaded to CVs, resumes, social media profiles, or other digital platforms. Click here to learn more about Digital Badges.
Founded by Grammy Award winners James Fauntleroy and Larrance Dopson in Los Angeles, 1500 Sound Academy is a music school that takes a unique approach to world-class music education. Music and Industry Fundamentals, offered in partnership with California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and 1500 Sound Academy, is a comprehensive program that includes music production and everything else you need to know to thrive in the music business. From production and engineering techniques to branding and marketing, students graduate from this innovative program with the in-depth skills required to go from zero to a career.
The program is offered in three different formats: on-campus, live online, and in-demand online.
Choose one of the 3 programs below to get started:
The On-Campus program is held at the 1500 Sound Academy Studio in Los Angeles, where students enjoy six months of courses focusing on music production, songwriting and other essential skills in the music business. Application Required.
This program is presented in partnership with a third-party provider and is not taught by California State University, Long Beach faculty. The course is not offered for academic credit and is not degree-eligible.
Instructors
Jamie Blake is a producer, songwriter, performer, and music educator. As a musician, he specializes in playing drums and using the Ableton Push as a chromatic instrument. He has shared the stage as a DJ and live performer with artists such as JMSN, Smino, Joe Kay, ESTA, Sango, Snoh Aalegra, Dave B, Flamingosis, and more. Jamie is an Ableton Certified Trainer, has a BA in Audio Engineering from The Evergreen State College, and earned a Masters in Music from Berklee College of Music.
Jamie Blake,
Instructor
Doug Fenske has a Grammy-nominated, six-time platinum, 16-year career in music engineering and production. He has worked on successful albums including Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange, Chris Brown’s Exclusive: The Forever Edition, Jamie Foxx’s Intuition, and Jordin Sparks’ self-titled album. Doug has also spent time in the studio with Bruno Mars, Andre 3000, Ne-Yo, Ryan Tedder and LL Cool J. He earned his BA in Speech Communication from Eastern Illinois University, then graduated from The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences. His areas of expertise include Pro Tools, vocal production, Melodyne, microphones, mixing, and large-format analog consoles. Doug has held various roles in music production education since 2012, and currently serves as the Director of Education at 1500 Sound Academy.
Doug Fenske,
Director of Education
Raymond Medina is a music producer, songwriter, tracking engineer, and mixing engineer from Orange County, CA. He is a graduate of the Los Angeles Recording School and is an alumnus of the 1500 Sound Academy. He is proficient with both Ableton and Pro Tools, and has worked in multiple studios in the Los Angeles area. He is currently working and behind the scenes with top-charting songwriters and music producers in the industry.
Ray Medina,
Teaching Assistant
Based in Los Angeles, Malachi is dedicated to creating artistic masterpieces as well as helping others do the same--empowering artists to create art the world deserves. With more than 10 years as a professional musician, he continues to produce many styles of music at high levels. Upon graduating from Berklee College of Music, Malachi honed his skills in the studios at Interscope Records for six years. Currently, he coaches music producers while remixing and producing via SoundBetter.com.
Malachi Mott,
Instructor
Yilun (Jason) Zhang, born and raised in Beijing, China, came to the United States to pursue his dream in music. After his journey to Berklee College of Music, he moved to Los Angeles where he became involved with songwriting/production team 1500 or Nothin’. He is now a Gold-selling producer, recording and mix engineer, and guitarist. He has worked with artists including Chris Brown, Ant Clemons, Jack Harlow, Jesse Reyez, and Jay Chou.
Jason Zhang,
Teaching Assistant
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What days and times are classes scheduled?
Lectures are from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Pacific) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Students must attend a minimum of 75% of the lectures to remain in good academic standing.
Q. How do I access the school content?
The 1500 Academy uses an online learning management system (LMS) that is accessible from a computer or mobile device at any time.
Q. Are there any academic requirements to enroll?
A high school diploma or GED, an application, and an interview are required to enroll in this program.
Q. Are the online classes self-paced (asynchronous) or scheduled for specific days and times?
Lectures are scheduled for specific times: from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Pacific) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Students must attend a minimum of 75% of the lectures to remain in good academic standing. If you cannot attend, communicate with your instructor and arrange to watch the archived recordings.
Q. How do I access the school content?
The 1500 Academy uses an online learning management system (LMS) that is accessible from a computer or mobile device at any time.
Q. Are there any academic requirements to enroll?
A high school diploma or GED, an application, and an interview are required to enroll in this program.
Information Sessions
The Grammy-winning musical duo behind 1500 Sound Academy--James Fauntleroy (left) and Larrance Dopson (right) arrived on campus in November for an exclusive Q&A session to discuss the Music and Industry Fundamentals program in partnership with CSULB. Click here to read about the inside tips they shared that have helped them stay successful in the highly competitive music business.
Admission Requirements
All Students:
- A high school diploma or GED will be required for admission to 1500 Sound Academy. 1500 Sound Academy will NOT admit students on the basis of any Ability to Benefit test result.
- 1500 Sound Academy will not provide any English language services or ESL instruction. All instruction and documents will be in English only.
- In addition, students seeking admission will be required to submit a portfolio of current student work.
Admission Requirements for Distance Education (Real-Time) Students:
- Prior to admission, those students who wish to enroll in the programs delivered online will be required to complete a Distance Education Student Assessment.
Students will need an estimated $3,000 of equipment, whether taking programs in-residence or via distance learning, as follows:
- Computer - Students must have an up-to-date laptop computer that is no older than 3-4 years. The computer must be able to record audio and video and be able to handle video conferencing. The computer must have at least three USB ports. If it does not have USB ports, students must purchase an adapter. It is not required but highly recommended to use an Apple computer and not a PC. We recommend this with the understanding that the majority of the industry is working professionally on Apple computers.
- iLok - Students must purchase an iLok anti-piracy USB key.
- Software - Ableton Live is the music production software used at the academy. Ableton Live Standard and Ableton Live Suite are the only versions that are acceptable. An educational discount is available on Ableton products. Pro Tools is the software used for mixing and recording. Students have access to an educational discount for a one-year subscription license.
- External Hard Drive - It is recommended that students purchase an external hard drive. The drive should be at least 1TB (2TB recommended) for sound library and project storage as well as backup.
- Audio Interface - Students must have a recording interface, via USB or other connection, that is capable of recording at least one audio input source, including an XLR and Hi-Z connection with at least one headphone output.
- Microphone - Students must have one microphone with an XLR connector (not ¼ inch TRS). A condenser microphone in the $100-200+ range is recommended. It is important to make sure that the microphone has XLR input on it and is not only a USB microphone.
- MIDI Controller - Students will need a keyboard MIDI controller of at least 2 octaves (25 keys). It is recommended that students purchase a full-size controller (not a mini-keyboard). The keyboard does not need to be weighted. Typically, a 49-key MIDI controller works great for home studios, and can cover a good portion of the piano notes (4 octaves).
- Headphones - Students will need studio-quality headphones. It is suggested that students purchase headphones in the $150-200 range such as Audio -Technica M50x or any V-Moda models. Headphones are essential, as you will be using them in class daily.
- Studio Monitors - It is suggested that students purchase studio monitors for their home, although this is not completely necessary. Headphones are more important, as those will be brought each day for class.
| Equipment | Cost (approximately) | Recommendation | Link |
| MacBook Pro | $1,500-2,000 | MacBook Pro | 13-inch MacBook Pro - Space Gray |
| PACE iLok3 - USB | $40 | PACE iLok3 USB Key | |
| Ableton Live software | $270 | Ableton Live Suite | Ableton Live |
| Pro Tools software | $100 | Pro Tools Educational Discount | Avid Pro Tools |
| External Hard Drive | $50 | WD Passport Portable USB 3.0 | WD 1TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive |
| Audio Interface | $200 | Scarlett 2i2 | Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 |
| Microphone | $200 | Blue Spark | Spark SL Condenser Microphone |
| MIDI Controller | $100 | M-Audio Keystation | M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 |
| Headphones | $150 | V-Moda Over Ear | Crossfade LP2 Headphones |
| Studio Monitor Speakers | $150 | JBL 305 | JBL 305P MkII 5" Powered Studio |
Students enrolled in distance education will need the following equipment:
- A laptop computer with webcam and microphone
- A strong Internet connection
- A mobile device capable of recording video
- The Zoom mobile and desktop application
- A free or paid Zoom account
1500 Sound Academy has a state-of-the-art facility with equipment available for student use. There are four private training rooms and two large, 30-person instruction rooms. Parking is also provided for students at the school facility.
Each of the 4 private training rooms are equipped with the following:
- Apple iMac 21.5"
- Universal Audio Apollo 8 - Duo
- Adam A7X Active Studio Monitors
- Adam Sub 12
- Furman Merit M8L-X Power Conditioner with Lights
- Aphex 124B
- Ableton Push 2
- Avid Pro Tools
Each of the two 30-person classrooms are equipped with the following:
- Apple iMac 21.5"
- Grace M905-BK Analog Stereo Monitor Controller - Black
- Universal Audio Apollo 8 Interface w/ QUAD Processing (Mac) (APL8Q)
- Universal Audio 4-710d 4 channel microphone preamp & compressor
- Adam Audio S5V Studio Midfield Monitors
- Adam Audio Sub 15
- Furman PL8-C Power Conditioner
- Native Instruments Komplete 11 Ultimate Bundle
- Roland System 8
- Ableton Push 2
- Avid Pro Tools
The school is equipped with the following streaming set-up for distance education:
- Sony A7 - main lecture camera
- Marshall CV565 - picture in picture camera
- Roland VR1-HD - Screen capture and camera switching
All instruction will be given in English. Students whose first language is not English will be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum acceptable equivalent test score suitable for admission will be 550 on TOEFL Paper or 79 on the TOEFL iBT.
1500 Sound Academy programs require a high school level of proficiency with English language. Students whose native language is not English will be required to submit a high school diploma or high school transcript as documentation of their English language proficiency.
About
1500 Sound Academy is a trailblazing music education institution that strives to produce passionate sound creators through mentorship, positive mindset, and professional development.
1500 Sound Academy’s founders consist of the legendary musical ensemble, 1500 or Nothin’ -- James Fauntleroy and Larrance “Rance” Dopson. Both are Grammy Award-winning industry leaders who have worked with many high-profile artists including Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Nipsey Hussle, and Justin Timberlake. Twila True is a renowned entrepreneur, executive, and philanthropist.
James Fauntleroy II is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer from Inglewood, California. He is best known for featuring on tracks by high-profile artists such as Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, J. Cole, Vince Staples and Big Sean as well as writing songs for artists including Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, Rihanna and Justin Timberlake. In 2014 and 2018, Fauntleroy won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.
Larrance Dopson is a Grammy Award-winning producer/instrumentalist known for singer Ella Mai’s song “Boo’d Up” that charted at #1 and won "Best R&B" song. Dopson also won Grammys for “These Walls” and “To Pimp A Butterfly” by Kendrick Lamar. He was nominated for Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton’s “Say Something” and Nipsey Hussle’s “Victory Lap.” He’s been the musical director for Usher, Khalid, Jay-Z, Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Migos, Rick Ross, and others. He has written and composed on several records including Mi Declaración, which resulted in Maluma’s first Latin Grammy for "Best Pop Contemporary Pop Vocal Album."
Twila True is an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. Twila has become a business powerhouse--owning, operating, investing, and incubating multi-million dollar companies in beauty, entertainment, fashion, fine jewelry, and real estate. She is currently the co-founder and CEO of True Family Enterprises, a privately-owned family office she began with her husband, Alan True, to manage their portfolio of companies as well as invest and incubate new ventures. In addition to her businesses and investments, Twila’s charitable ventures include the creation of an orphanage assistance foundation in China, and a Native American personal development foundation in the U.S.
Music Production
Music production is the art and science of creating a track from concept to reality. The music producer’s toolbox is a sophisticated combination of hardware, software and musicianship that is synthesized together with inspiration to create magic! This course provides today’s music creators with a foundation on the necessary concepts, terminology, and techniques of modern studio track composition and music theory.
In This Program You’ll Learn
- Compose and maintain an account with a performing rights organization
- Create a business entity for managing music commercial transactions
- Strategically create copyrights and register them for effective legal protection
- Negotiate and record collaborative songwriting split agreements
- Prepare song deliverables for streaming services and distribute them to a digital service provider
Engineering
The digital audio workstation (DAW) is the centerpiece of the recording studio. This course breaks down the fundamentals of getting sound into the DAW the right way and shaping your sound on the way-out using EQ and compression, among other techniques. Special attention is given to recording a vocalist for the best sound quality possible, Pro Tools recording and editing techniques and signal flow.
In This Program You’ll Learn
- Demonstrate recording instruments and vocals in Pro Tools
- Apply a template to record vocals in Pro Tools
- Process vocals with compression and EQ
- Trim, move and split audio regions in Pro Tools
- Automate volume faders to level a vocal in Pro Tools
Songwriting
Songwriters create timeless emotions from nothing but melody and lyrics. This course demystifies the songwriting process and arms the modern songwriter with melodic and lyrical concepts to deepen their craft along with literary tools, song structure concepts, and harmonic rhythm techniques. Social aspects of songwriting such as studio etiquette and co-writing are also covered.
In This Program You’ll Learn
- Write songs with strong melodies
- Compose songs with well-defined imagery using figurative language
- Apply inversions to create new melodic ideas
- Create topline melodies that are harmonically appropriate for popular chord progressions
- Articulate and practice proper songwriter studio etiquette in a professional setting
Mixing
The mix can make or break a song, and when it is done right, no one even notices. This course is about listening and knowing what you want your art to sound like. It is also about knowing how to listen and what to listen for. Within the construct of learning how to listen, many of the production and recording tools are reimagined for the role of the mixer. Advanced vocal processing tools are also introduced.
In This Program You’ll Learn
- Demonstrate the use of digital audio mixing techniques
- Mix and master music to professional standards
- Apply technical preparation techniques for the mixing process
- Construct a mixing template
- Recognize audio elements in a modern mix
Music Business
Music creators are copyright owners, brand owners and publishing companies, whether they know it or not. This course outlines the pillars of a music creator’s corporate structure. Of course, once the structure is established, there will be transactions in the forms of contracts, publishing, streaming, and synchronization licenses. Students also learn how to take their music to the marketplace for the world to hear.
In This Program You’ll Learn
- Compose and maintain an account with a performing rights organization
- Create a business entity for managing music commercial transactions
- Strategically create copyrights and register them for effective legal protection
- Negotiate and record collaborative songwriting split agreements
- Prepare song deliverables for streaming services and distribute them to a digital service provider
Artist Branding
The artist is the personality behind musical movements and cultural shifts. It may seem like an effortless materialization, but many of the most successful artists are laser-focused on their brand and image. The artist must also foster their network of fans and supporters. This course digs deep into the psyche of the artist as well as the practical side of being an artist, as well as setting up an authentic brand and performance style.
In This Program You’ll Learn
- Identify personal artist brand and image
- Generalize format and procedures for a music release package
- Develop appropriate practices for distributing onto music streaming platforms
- Establish various social media options for marketing
- Summarize techniques for professional interactions
