Nestled in the heart of Hollywood, steps away from the iconic Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles Recording School, a division of the Los Angeles Film School, prepares aspiring audio engineers and music producers for the demands of the professional music industry. Featuring 14 state-of-the-art recording studios, the school offers programs in Audio Production and Music Production that provide students hands-on experience with some of the most widely used equipment in major recording studios worldwide. This practical approach ensures that graduates step into the industry familiar with the tools and standards of modern audio and music production.
The 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 program for students who do not have access to a recording studio,” stated Robert Delgadillo, Program Director for Audio and Music Production, who has been with the school for the past eighteen years. “One key solution was the technology kit, specifically the Scarlett 18i20, which provided students with up to 8 / 10 analog ins and outs along with additional connectivity including ADAT. This allowed 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 program 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 outfitted with Pro Tools Ultimate Systems. A recent addition to this lineup is the Focusrite RedNet A16R MkII, utilizing Dante® infrastructure to streamline digital audio networking across multiple studios. This enables seamless 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 prioritize 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.”
Delgadillo comments further on their use of RedNet for remote access to the legendary RCA Echo Chambers: “We recently collaborated with award-winning audio engineer/producer Bob Clearmountain to capture impulse responses from the original RCA echo chambers. Our plan is to integrate RedNet Dante interfaces into our network, allowing us to use RedNet to connect remotely with the chambers. This setup means you’ll be able to run a session in The LA Recording School studios, send vocals or other tracks to the echo chamber, and bring them back via RedNet.”
For students in the Music Production program, tools like the Novation Launchkey MIDI controllers play a central role, used to teach music theory, composition, and sequencing. Meanwhile, down the block at the Ivar Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, owned and operated by the school, they have recently 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.
