Overview
Singer Producer is a comprehensive program designed for vocalists who want to take full control of their music production and music makers who want to learn how to produce original tracks and record professional vocals. Through three courses—Building Blocks, Making Waves, and Vocal Chops—you’ll develop a deep understanding of Ableton Live, learn to produce original tracks from scratch, sample and remix existing material, and gain hands-on experience in a professional studio environment.
From writing and recording demos at home, to running studio sessions using a vocal booth and outboard gear, you'll build the skills needed to bring your musical ideas to life. By the end of the program, you’ll have a portfolio of original music, a strong grasp of production techniques, and the ability to record and produce your vocals professionally.
Included Courses
The Singer Producer program is a 9-month journey designed specifically for singers, songwriters, and vocalists who want more control over their music-making process. From the basics of music production and producing your first song to learning how to record vocals like a pro, this program will help you get your ideas out of your head and find your voice in the world of music production.
Building Blocks (3 Months)
Building Blocks is the foundational course for music production, perfect for beginners and self-taught producers looking for structure. Over three months, you’ll learn the essentials of creating music with Ableton Live, focusing on musicianship, creativity, and self-expression. By the end of the course, you’ll have produced your first original track from start to finish.
What You’ll Learn:
• Beatmaking & Drum Programming
• Essential Music Theory
• Song Structure & Arrangement
• Session View vs. Arrangement View in Ableton Live
Learn more about Building Blocks
Making Waves (3 Months)
Making Waves is an intermediate-level course focused on sampling, remixing, and warping audio in Ableton Live. Whether you’re flipping a classic track or creating an original composition, this course will teach you how to manipulate audio creatively and produce remixes and original music using found sounds and acapellas.
What You’ll Learn:
• Sampling & Sourcing Sounds
• Audio Warping & Manipulation
• Remixing Techniques with Stems & Acapellas
• Music Theory for Remixing & Harmonizing
Vocal Chops (3 Months)
Vocal Chops dives deep into the world of vocal production, focusing on everything from microphone selection to vocal tuning and processing. Whether you’re a vocalist or a producer incorporating unique vocals into your tracks, this course will guide you through capturing, comping, tuning, and creatively processing vocals to make them stand out in any mix.
What You’ll Learn:
• Microphone Selection & Vocal Recording Techniques
• Vocal Processing: EQ, Compression & Creative Effects
• Auto-Tune & Tuning Techniques for Harmonies
• Layering & Comping Multiple Vocal Takes
What We Provide
In class, we provide students with workstations featuring gear from industry partners such as the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4, Novation Launchkey, Ableton Push 2, Behringer Crave, and Native Instruments Komplete Audio 1. This gives students hands-on experience with professional tools and allows them to participate in interactive exercises.
Thanks to our partners WARM Audio and Shure, students can also check out our extension microphone collection.
Outside of class, students enjoy unlimited access to our recording studios and DJ booths, fully equipped for songwriting sessions, recording vocals, mixing, mastering, production, or practicing for your next gig.
What You Need
To get the most out of your time at IO Music Academy, you’ll need:
A Laptop Ready for Music Production (MacBook Pro 2019 or newer recommended)
Wired Studio-Quality Headphones (Wireless headphones have latency and are not well-suited to music production)
MIDI Keyboard (for practicing and producing at home, we recommended 49 keys)
Ableton Live 12 (available at a 50% discount)
If you don’t have everything yet, no worries, our team is here to help with recommendations and access to educational discounts.
Student Perks
Unlimited Studio Time
IO Music Academy students get unlimited time in our production and DJ studios for the duration of their course or program.
Private Lessons
Courses include monthly private lessons with your choice of instructor.
Circle Community
The IO Music Academy Circle gives you access to an exclusive online hub where you can collaborate, share feedback, and get support from fellow students and alumni.
Course Materials
Students enjoy lifetime access to all course materials, including videos, dynamic notes, and recordings, so you can revisit the content any time.
Educational Pricing
Get up to 50% off partner brands such as Ableton, Arturia, AIAIAI, Auto-Tune, Pioneer DJ, and more.
Join a Creative Community
When you enroll at IO Music Academy, you're not just taking a class—you’re joining a thriving network of producers, vocalists, and artists led by Grammy-nominated, industry-recognized mentors who are deeply embedded in their respective scenes.
As a student, you’ll get lifetime access to:
Exclusive Online Community – Connect with other students, access resources, and get feedback on tracks.
Course Notes and Videos – Rewatch class recordings, review notes, and revisit workshop videos anytime.
Free Events and Workshops – Keep growing with guest lectures, live feedback sessions, and collaboration opportunities.
Alumni Network—Stay engaged after your program and get help taking the next steps in your career. We’ve helped countless students launch their artist projects, find the right label for their music, and make industry connections that move their careers forward.
Get Unlimited Studio Time
As a student at IO Music Academy, you’ll receive a complimentary Studio Membership for the duration of your course or program, giving you unlimited access to our state-of-the-art studios in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Booking Studio Time
You can book as many sessions as you like during your time at IO. The only rule is that you must finish one session before booking another. This ensures studio availability for all of our students.
Pricing & Payment Plans
Ready to start recording?
Click the button below to enroll in the Singer Producer program at IO Music Academy.
Still have questions? Click here to schedule a tour with one of our team members to learn more about our music production programs and find out if IO Music Academy is right for you.