Replacing EQ with Distortion & Saturation: Unlocking your creativity. Distortion and saturation are highly effective tools in the producers’ arsenal, going beyond the limits of EQ by imparting your music with character and authenticity. In this article, we’ll be building on the ideas brought up in part 1, focussing on the practical side to provide a clear understanding of when and how to use distortion and saturation to bring life to your music. If you haven’t already read part 1, now is the time to check it out, as it’s important to understand the context before covering the practical. Cl ..read more

Replacing EQ with Distortion & Saturation: Character is key Author: Alex Sajjadi Within the realm of music production, there are a number of stereo mixing techniques and practices which are key to mastering your craft and sculpting your signature sound. Among the arsenal of tools available to you, distortion and saturation emerge as effective and versatile allies, capable of transforming thin and lifeless sounds into vibrant and immersive texture-rich tones. While this may be nothing new to you, what is often overlooked is the additional value these tools provide with respect to equalisati ..read more

By Julio Reyes Copello, our Campus Director: I have witnessed the transformative and positive effect that music and art have on society. Art broadens the emotional repertoire of human beings, expands the limits of their cognitive universe, and acts as a highly effective catalyst for the most complex emotions. It helps to understand life episodes that do not have a satisfactory rational explanation, it’s a natural drug that lightens the weight of reality, and the best part, it has no side effects. I’ve had teachers who inspired me with their sensitivity, knowledge, and discipline; they awakene ..read more

Whether you’re new to producing music or have some years of experience under your belt, the world of audio engineering continues to reveal fascinating techniques and concepts that can help you craft music that not only sounds great but also connects with your audience on a deeper level. One concept worth exploring is psychoacoustics – the science of how our brains perceive sound. In this article, we’ll delve into four essential psychoacoustic techniques – Sound Localisation, Equal Loudness, the Missing Fundamental, and the Shepherd Tone- and how you can integrate them into your own projects. B ..read more

As a graduate of the class of 2022, Kevin Aguirre is one of eight students to have completed their studies at the Abbey Road Institute in Miami. He is a multifaceted artist who excels in production, mixing, and sound engineering. Kevin’s success in the field began when he won the Pensado’s Place Scholarship, which allowed him to study at the Abbey Road Institute. Since then, his career has been on the rise, including the opportunity to work with the renowned mixing engineer and Grammy award winner Dave Pensado. We had a chat with Kevin about his career, and this is the edited interview: Where ..read more

We are incredibly grateful for the news that our Campus Director, Julio Reyes Copello, won this year’s Latin Grammy for Producer of the Year. Producer of the Year Julio Reyes Copello is a well-respected producer in the Latin music industry, known for his ability to create hit songs that resonate with audiences worldwide. At the recent Latin Grammys, he was awarded the Producer of the Year award, recognizing his outstanding skill and creativity in producing albums and songs that significantly impacted the Latin music scene. This award is a prestigious honour and highlights his achievements in t ..read more

Today, we’re excited to share a captivating experience we had recently at Digital Domain. Our group of enthusiastic students embarked on an incredible journey to Orlando to meet mastering engineer Bob Katz. What’s interesting about the trip is that Bob was the mentor of Robin Reumers, our Director of Education, so it was a full circle moment for them. Join us as we recount our educational adventure and the valuable insights we gained during our visit. Discovering Digital Domain Our students were welcomed with open arms, and the journey began with a warm introduction to the world of digital sou ..read more

Author: Robin Reumers & Yoma Schertz | Editor: Dennis Beentjes. Header/ cover image: Studio 1, Abbey Road Institute Amsterdam Just like many of us, I’m sure you have experienced the following: you finish your mix in the studio, and then, later on, you listen to it in your car or on your iPhone, and you’re surprised to hear things that appear missing or over-exaggerated. Then, you might have seen professional mixing engineers use 2 or 3 different sets of speakers or speaker systems and regularly switch between them while listening. However, did it ever occur to you that mastering engineers ..read more

 Abbey Road Institute Global Graduation Video 2023 If reminiscing about graduation through pictures wasn’t enough, our 2023 Graduation Video is now LIVE! Check out the highlight video from our Abbey Road Institute Global Graduation Ceremony and Party 2023. Capturing special memories like these and witnessing our students’ hard work, progress and determination paying off, we are reminded why Abbey Road Institute was created in the first place, to enable our graduates to become and shape the future of the music and recording industry. Watching it back, we get first-hand insights from recent ..read more

In the realm of music, talent often goes hand in hand with dedication and opportunity. Meet Joaquina, one of our remarkable graduates, who recently took the music world by storm with her captivating song, “Los Mejores Años”. Under the expert guidance of Julio Reyes Copello, our esteemed Campus Director and a distinguished 14-time Grammy & Latin Grammy-winning producer, Joaquina’s musical masterpiece has not only gained immense popularity but also ignited a viral sensation on TikTok. Join us as we delve into the captivating journey of Joaquina and the creation process of her chart-topping h ..read more