In the heart of Hollywood, steps away from Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles Recording School prepares aspiring audio engineers and music producers for the demands of the professional music industry. With its 14 recording studios, the school offers courses in Audio Production and Music Production that provide hands-on experience with some of the most widely used equipment in major recording studios worldwide.
A division of the Los Angeles Film School, the school’s curriculum is supported by partnerships with leading technology brands, including Focusrite and Novation, whose products are central to students’ daily work. Each student receives a comprehensive tech kit, which includes the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for on-campus students and the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 for online learners, equipping them to set up professional-grade home studios.
‘One of the challenges we faced was launching an entirely remote online programme for students who do not have access to a recording studio,’ says Robert Delgadillo, Program Director for Audio and Music Production, who has been with the school for the past 18 years. ‘One key solution was the technology kit, specifically the Scarlett 18i20, which provides students with eight-to-ten analogue inputs and outputs, along with additional connectivity including Adat. This allows them to create a home studio environment with their other gear. The affordability and professional quality of the 18i20 were essential in making this possible.’
The introduction of the Focusrite 18i20 in particular has made the online Audio Production programme accessible, allowing remote students to experience high-quality recording and mixing capabilities from their own homes.
To further enhance real-world experience, the school has integrated top-of-the-line gear into its facilities, including two SSL Duality consoles, a Neve Genesys Black console, an API console and two Avid S6 48-channel control surfaces, all paired with Pro Tools Ultimate Systems. A recent addition to this lineup is the Focusrite RedNet A16R MkII, using Dante infrastructure to streamline digital audio networking across multiple studios. This supports integration with the parent Los Angeles Film School’s celebrated RCA Echo Chambers (located down the block), allowing students to send and receive audio from this historic, revered space.
‘Our choice of equipment, from Focusrite interfaces to SSL and API consoles, is deliberate,’ says Delgadillo. ‘We prioritise real-world gear so our students are fully prepared to navigate and excel in professional environments. From Midi controllers to RedNet interfaces, these are tools they’ll find in top studios, which is invaluable to their education and future careers.
‘We recently collaborated with audio engineer/producer Bob Clearmountain to capture impulse responses from the original RCA echo chambers,’ he continues. ‘Our plan is to integrate RedNet Dante interfaces into our network, allowing us to use RedNet to connect remotely with these chambers. This means you’ll be able to run a session in the LA Rstudios, send vocals or other tracks to the echo chamber, and bring them back via RedNet.’
For students in the Music Production programme, tools like the Novation Launchkey Midi controllers play a central role in teaching music theory, composition,and sequencing. Meanwhile, down the block at the Ivar Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, owned and operated by the school, this has recently been upgraded to Torus Constant Curvature Array Series sound system from Martin Audio (part of the Focusrite Group), providing an industry-standard venue where students gain experience with live sound production.
Through these resources and opportunities, students have gone on to work with top record labels, earning accolades and placements across the industry. With a commitment to education that mirrors the fast-evolving audio landscape, the Los Angeles Recording School continues to be a pioneer, bridging the gap between traditional learning and cutting-edge, hands-on experience in audio and music production.
More: https://focusrite.com
