FROM PASSION TO PRODUCTION
Already know your way around a DAW? The Full Course Advanced program is built for aspiring producers who want to sharpen their skills and take their music to the next level. Whether you’ve made a few tracks or played around with software, this course will help you develop a more professional sound, explore creative techniques and build a consistent workflow. You’ll work on original projects, receive detailed feedback, and take part in studio sessions that challenge and inspire. Join a small, focused group of producers and get the tools and support to grow your unique sound. Ready to turn your skills into serious progress?
MONDAYS
19:00 – 22:00
STARTING SEPTEMBER
TUESDAYS
15:00 – 18:00
STARTING SEPTEMBER
THURSDAYS
19:00 – 22:00
STARTING SEPTEMBER
THE NEXT STEP TO PRO.
38 advanced lessons focused on your music, growth, and personal goals
Bi-weekly feedback sessions to help you finish and improve your own tracks
Up to 6 private lessons tailored to your genre, DAW and artistic direction
Your personal artist plan, with coaching on short- and long-term goals
Production deep dives in composing, sound design, mixing and mastering
Masterclasses from top producers to level up your skillset
Business sessions on release plans, contracts, label deals & social strategy
Professional press shoot and portfolio building for artists ready to go public
Your favorite MPA mentors – and guest teachers from the industry
COURSE STAGES
STAGE 1: CREATIVE FOUNDATIONS
GROUP LESSONS
PRIVATE LESSONS
EVENTS
SKILLSET
PORTFOLIO
OVERVIEW
In the first ten classical lessons, you will be focusing on the following topics:
- Studio setup and workflow
- External plugins
- How does sound work?
- Songwriting, composition & harmonies
Establish the perfect environment to create in. Refocus on your personal artistic goals and set short-term objectives with your mentor. Explore the theory behind sound, learn to analyze music through critical listening and increase your awareness on which plugins suit your workflow and music genre best. Strengthen your songwriting and composition skills, with special attention to harmonic structures and how they support your style.
STUDIO SETUP AND WORKFLOW
Learn how to organize your home studio for maximum creativity and productivity. We’ll cover signal routing, gear setup, session templates, and essential workflow tips that help you stay in flow and avoid distractions.
ABLETON AND PLUGINS
Dive into Ableton Live 12 and explore the full potential of your DAW. You’ll get hands-on with session and arrangement views, signal flow, and plugin management — including both stock and third-party tools for shaping your sound.
HOW DOES SOUND WORK?
Build on your foundational understanding of how audio behaves. You’ll explore the science of sound, waveforms, frequencies, and digital audio to better grasp what you’re hearing — and how to control it creatively.
SONGWRITING, COMPOSITION AND HARMONIES
Strengthen your ability to turn ideas into music. Learn further how melodies, chord progressions, harmonic layering, and lyrics work together to express your message. You'll gain tools to write more impactful songs that match your style.
Even before the start of the classical lessons, you can start with your one-on-one lessons evolving around:
- Your DAW
- Genre-specific workflow
- Compression & EQ
The topics above are often picked by new Full Course advanced students. These lessons are however highly customizable and are designed to help you with short term challenges such as basic knowledge of EQ’ing and compression and other mixing techniques. As you are expected to fully know your DAW starting Full Course advanced, it is often also recommended in the first teacher appointment to choose that as one of the topics. Also popular among starting Full Course advanced students: taking the Full Course Beginners deal with a free Ableton license and using the two (instead of four) private lessons to make the transition to Ableton with help of our Ableton Certified Trainer.
OVERVIEW
Start strong with masterclasses that go beyond the basics. Learn directly from top-tier artists and professionals on topics like:
· Ableton Live 12 workflow
· Songwriting and collaborations
· How to get DJ gigs
Work hands-on with your DAW, explore songwriting and AI tools with an international top producer, and join DJ-focused panels in collaboration with Pioneer DJ. After each session, share your work in track feedback circles.
COMMUNITY: MPA CONNECTS
At the beginning of Stage 1, you’ll take part in your first edition of MPA Connects, our biggest in-house community event. Meet fellow students, teachers and industry professionals during workshops and network sessions. Gain valuable insights from real-world experiences on songwriting, gigs and collaboration. This first edition kicks off your journey by showing you what it means to be part of a music community.
COMMUNITY: FULL COURSE 2025 KICK-OFF
Starting the Full Course this year? Come meet your classmates, connect with the MPA crew and kick things off with a night of music, drinks and a jam session. This is your first step toward turning your passion into a profession.
MASTERCLASS: SONGWRITING BY ALBERT HARVEY
Want to write stronger, catchier songs? Join Albert Harvey for a masterclass packed with creative tricks, workflow tips and writing exercises that will help you bring your musical ideas to life. All levels welcome, just bring your passion.
MASTERCLASS: ABLETON QUICKSTART FOR BEGINNERS
Want to make music faster and easier with Ableton Live? This workshop is perfect for beginners and anyone who wants to improve their workflow. No experience needed, just bring your creativity and get ready to start producing.
YOUR DEVELOPMENT IN SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE AFTER STAGE 1
- Confident understanding of how sound works and how to translate creative ideas into audio
- Solid workflow within your DAW and technical knowledge tailored to your personal goals
- Theoretical foundation in music harmony, structure, and genre characteristics
- Hands-on experience with vocal recording, gain staging and studio setup
- Clear insight into musical goals and strengths, shaped by short-term coaching focus
- Understanding of effective collaboration between producers, vocalists, and musicians
- Practical knowledge of AI tools used in modern songwriting and production
YOU’VE MASTERED THE BASICS OF SOUND, STRUCTURE AND YOUR DAW. NOW IT’S TIME TO SHAPE YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE.
THE PROGRESS OF YOUR PORTFOLIO AND EXPANSION OF YOUR NETWORK AFTER STAGE 1
- Completed multiple private sessions focused on urgent creative or technical challenges
- Participated in your first beat battle under time pressure and creative limitations
- Expanded DAW knowledge and optimized your personal production workflow
- Received expert feedback from your mentor in multiple one-on-one sessions
- Joined a jam session and created your first collaborative track
- Took part in MPA Connects workshops with assets (photos, quotes, video) for your press kit
- Connected with guest speakers, artists and future collaborators
- Reflected on your identity as an artist and the next steps in your creative development
YOU’VE BUILT YOUR FIRST BEATS, GOT HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE AND CONNECTED WITH FELLOW CREATORS. READY TO EVOLVE YOUR SOUND AND DIRECTION?
STAGE 2: CREATIVE WORKFLOW AND PRODUCTION POWER
GROUP LESSONS
PRIVATE LESSONS
EVENTS
SKILLSET
PORTFOLIO
OVERVIEW
In the second ten lessons, you’ll expand your knowledge and skills by diving deeper in:
- Effect chains & audio processing
- Drum programming & groove building
- Workflow & Advanced production tools
Turn your ideas into fully developed tracks. In this stage, we explore how to structure your workflow using effect chains, advanced audio processing and modern production tools.
You'll develop groove through drum programming and discover how to make your sessions more fluid, focused and effective.
EFFECT CHAINS AND AUDIO PROCESSING
Discover how audio flows through your DAW and how you can shape your sound using insert effects, buses, and processing chains. You’ll perfect your skills on when and how to apply tools like EQ, compression, reverb, and delay to sculpt your sonic identity with intention and clarity.
DRUM PROGRAMMING AND GROOVE BUILDING
Explore the foundations of rhythm by deepening your knowledge on how to program realistic and creative drum patterns. This module focuses on groove, swing, layering, and genre-specific drum design, enabling you to make your beats punch, bounce, or hypnotize — depending on your style.
WORKFLOW AND ADVANCED PRODUCTION TOOLS
Master the tools that help you finish music faster and with more precision. Learn advanced features like automation, signal routing, grouping, and creative use of production devices such as samplers, audio FX racks, and MIDI tools to level up your creative flow.
To get ready to hand in your first big assignment, you’ll spend one on one time with your teacher to focus on:
- Your remix assignment
- Expanding your own sound
- Attention points & troubleshooting
Here you will get all the personal guidance on further shaping your signature sound, tackling your first remix and resolving any creative or technical challenges. All while further connecting with your mentor for the year and paving the way to handing in your first big assignment that will set a foundation for your future productions.
OVERVIEW
Build on your foundation with a focus on creative output and collaboration. This stage features masterclasses like:
· Music marketing
· Ableton Advanced
· Make and mix in two hours
Learn how to promote your music through branding and release strategy, discover advanced Ableton techniques and produce a full track within a single masterclass. Sessions include team-based beat battles, collaborative studio sessions and a film shoot where you’ll create portfolio-worthy content while learning to co-produce under pressure.
We close the stage with a creative event focused on speeding up your workflow and growing your brand, featuring workshops on AI mixing tools, social media strategy and track finishing techniques.
MASTERCLASS: MIXING BY MARIJN NIKERK
Want to make your tracks sound more polished and professional? Join Marijn Nikerk for a hands-on session where you’ll learn essential mixing techniques you can use right away. Perfect for producers who want their music to stand out.
MASTERCLASS: MUSIC MARKETING BY AXEL LINGER
Want to get your music heard by the right audience? Learn how to promote your tracks and grow your brand with smart marketing strategies. Axel Linger will guide you through real-world tools and campaigns that actually work. Perfect for artists ready to level up.
COMPETITION: BATTLE OF THE BEATS
Battle of the Beats is MPA's iconic competition that calls for producers to craft their most electrifying tracks in a limited time. We give you a sample pack, and you get two hours to create a winner track. Following a listening session and jury voting, winners receive various prizes!
COMMUNITY: MPA CONNECTS
At the beginning of Stage 1, you’ll take part in your first edition of MPA Connects, our biggest in-house community event. Meet fellow students, teachers and industry professionals during workshops and network sessions. Gain valuable insights from real-world experiences on songwriting, gigs and collaboration. This first edition kicks off your journey by showing you what it means to be part of a music community.
YOUR DEVELOPMENT IN SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE AFTER STAGE 2
- In-depth understanding of how sound behaves across frequencies and the spectrum
- Fluent workflow with essential plugins (EQ, filters, automation, audio routing)
- Confident with sampling, chopping and drum programming
- Developed your own drum kits and layering techniques
- Clear insight in panning, volume balance and early mixing
- Better creative focus through personalized sound design & feedback
- Able to troubleshoot technical issues and shape your own workflow
YOU’VE DEEPENED YOUR GENRE SKILLS, VOCAL PRODUCTION AND SESSION WORKFLOW. NEXT UP: PUSHING YOUR CREATIVE BOUNDARIES WITH EXPERT INPUT.
THE PROGRESS OF YOUR PORTFOLIO AND EXPANSION OF YOUR NETWORK AFTER STAGE 2
- Demo tracks from before the course upgraded in mix and arrangement
- Professional remix assignment completed and added to portfolio
- Studio session footage with you working alongside peers
- Battle of the Beats result as a collaborative project
- Collaborations and feedback moments with other students
- Session video content for socials or EPK
- Boosted your socials with provided content and strategies.
YOU’VE DEVELOPED COLLABORATION SKILLS, BUILT YOUR PROJECT LIBRARY AND FOUND YOUR ARTISTIC LANE. TIME TO GROW AND REFINE YOUR ARTISTRY.
STAGE 3: DEPTH & DETAIL
GROUP LESSONS
PRIVATE LESSONS
EVENTS
SKILLSET
PORTFOLIO
OVERVIEW
In the third stage, you’ll expand your knowledge and skills by diving deeper in:
- Sound design & synthesis
- Mixing dynamics & automation
- Recording & vocal chains
Your mixes are becoming clearer. Now it’s time to push into sound design, synthesis and vocal production.
You'll learn how to create custom sounds from scratch, structure vocal chains, and use mixing dynamics and automation to add movement, clarity and emotion to your productions.
SOUND DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS
Deepen the ability to shape your own sounds from scratch. Learn how different synthesis types — subtractive, wavetable and FM — can be used to create instruments, pads, basses and effects that reflect your unique sonic identity. You’ll gain full control over oscillators, filters, envelopes and LFOs in your synths.
MIXING DYNAMICS AND AUTOMATION
Explore how movement and balance elevate your mix. In this module, you’ll exercise with dynamic mixing tools like compression and gating, while also learning how to automate parameters in creative ways. Build mixes that evolve, breathe, and deliver impact at every moment.
RECORDING AND VOCAL CHAINS
Perfect your vocal production. You’ll record vocals in class and build a complete vocal chain from gain staging to pitch correction, EQ, compression and reverb. Learn how to polish vocal takes and create presence, space and energy with professional FX processing.
You’ll be connected with a top-tier producer for an Artist Deep Dive: your career coaching session. Designed to:
- Sharpen your unique sound
- Further define your artistic identity
- Expand your understanding of the scene you are part of
Get personal career advice from a top producer in your field: someone who knows the scene, understands your challenges and can offer new perspective on your artistic goals.
It’s a chance to ask the right questions, get brutally honest answers, and shape your next steps as an upcoming professional.
OVERVIEW
Refine your artist identity and boost your professional presence. In this final round, you’ll join advanced masterclasses covering:
· Artist development
· Vocal chains
· Synths and sound design
Get coached on your brand and mindset, elevate your vocal sound with pro setups and design synth patches from scratch. Sessions include creative beat battles using your own samples, professional photoshoots and detailed feedback sessions to strengthen your music and image.
Stage 3 kicks off with an immersive event on signature sound, AI tools for promotion and releasing your music with confidence. You’ll leave with new techniques, expert insights and content for your press kit, ready to move forward as a complete artist.
MASTERCLASS: ARTIST DEVELOPMENT BY BOSS PRIESTER
Uncover the secrets behind a hit track, immerse in an exclusive Ableton Live track breakdown, and later, submit your track to Boss for personal feedback in our track feedback session. Elevate your skills, gain insights, and join the community of music enthusiasts at MPA.
MASTERCLASS: INSANE VOCAL CHAIN BY DUTCH FLOWER
Learn the ins and outs of creating incredible vocal chains with Dutch Flower! Dutch Flower has collaborated with artists such as Lionel Richie, Total Touch (known for hits like ‘Touch Me There,’ ‘Somebody Else’s Lover,’ & ‘Total Touch’), Ten Sharp, Postmen, and is currently highly engaged in the hip-hop/urban scene. He also worked on tracks for the Voice of Holland.
MASTERCLASS: SERUM SPEEDRUN BY VYPES
Guided by one of our expert Full Course teachers Neil aka Vypes, this event is perfect for producers who want to dig into sound synthesis using Serum. Whether you’re interested in creating custom presets, perfecting sound layering, or tweaking effects to build your own signature sound, this session will give you everything you need to elevate your productions.
COMMUNITY: MPA CONNECTS
At the beginning of Stage 1, you’ll take part in your first edition of MPA Connects, our biggest in-house community event. Meet fellow students, teachers and industry professionals during workshops and network sessions. Gain valuable insights from real-world experiences on songwriting, gigs and collaboration. This first edition kicks off your journey by showing you what it means to be part of a music community.
YOUR DEVELOPMENT IN SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE AFTER STAGE 3
- Deep understanding of reverb, delay, distortion, saturation and harmonics
- Able to create custom sounds using synthesis, shaping tones from scratch
- Advanced control of dynamics and automation for movement and clarity
- Structured vocal chains and vocal recording techniques
- Developed vision on personal challenges and artistic growth
- Improved ability to translate emotion and intention into production choices
YOU’VE SHARPENED YOUR TECHNICAL CONTROL AND SHAPED A CLEAR ARTIST VISION. NOW GET READY TO FINALIZE YOUR MUSIC WITH PRECISION.
THE PROGRESS OF YOUR PORTFOLIO AND EXPANSION OF YOUR NETWORK AFTER STAGE 3
- Full artist deep-dive and coaching session with top-tier producer
- Custom synth patches and vocal chains in your own sound library
- Photoshoot assets for press kit and professional presence
- Session content showing your collaboration and communication
- Participation in MPA Connects sessions focused on creative identity
- Professional feedback on your latest work to define release goals
YOU’VE WRITTEN, PERFORMED, AND SHOWCASED YOUR SOUND. NOW IT’S TIME TO PREPARE FOR RELEASE AND BUILD YOUR ARTIST BRAND.
STAGE 4: POLISHING AND POSITIONING
GROUP LESSONS
PRIVATE LESSONS
EVENTS
SKILLSET
PORTFOLIO
OVERVIEW
The last ten lessons evolve around all the tools and knowledge needed to finish your final project and get ready for your release.
- Advanced mixing & mastering
- A&R coaching & artist positioning
- Final assignment: your release plan
Get ready to share your music with the world. This final phase prepares you to mix and master like a pro. You’ll also work closely with A&R coaches on your artist positioning and long-term growth. The course wraps up with your final assignment: a fully developed release plan that reflects who you are and where you're going.
ADVANCED MIXING AND MASTERING
Take your mix to a professional level. In this module, you’ll learn the complete mastering workflow — from gain staging and EQ to stereo imaging, compression, and final limiting. You’ll develop both the technical precision and creative polish to make your tracks sound competitive across streaming platforms.
A&R COACHING AND ARTIST POSITIONING
Shape your artistic identity and market presence. With guidance from A&R coaches, you’ll define your visual language, tone of voice, and unique artist story. Learn how to position yourself in today’s music industry, build audience connection, and pitch your work with purpose and authenticity.
FINAL ASSIGNMENT: YOUR RELEASE PLAN
Turn your vision into action. In this final lesson series, you’ll craft a personal release roadmap, covering timelines, platforms, artwork, and promotional strategy. The result: a detailed, realistic plan to launch your music — aligned with your creative goals and long-term trajectory.
To get ready to hand in your final assignment, you’ll once again spend one on one time with your teacher to focus on:
- Your final track, ready for release.
- Fine tuning your own sound.
- Attention points & troubleshooting
Here you’ll receive tailored feedback on your final project, refine the sound that defines you, and resolve the last creative or technical roadblocks. This final deep-dive session helps ensure your mix is ready for release and marks the conclusion of your mentorship journey this year.
OVERVIEW
In the final stage, you’ll focus on turning your artistic growth into a sustainable, professional future. These masterclasses are designed to help you step into the industry with confidence and direction.
· Advanced mixing
· Ableton and live sets
· Music business and law
Work closely with experts in live performance, artist branding and music rights. Learn to prepare and perform live sets in Ableton, sharpen your sound with advanced mixing techniques, and gain valuable knowledge on contracts, royalties and the music industry’s inner workings.
Creative sessions will help you build your final portfolio. Join a professional writing session to shape your artist bio and brand story, work in the studio to finalize your project, and receive in-depth feedback to polish your sound for release.
Stage 4 closes with the final MPA Connects event of the year. Get hands-on with AI tools for mastering, learn how to grow on streaming platforms like Spotify, and explore the many revenue streams available to artists today. This is where everything comes together—your skills, your sound and your next steps into the music industry.
MASTERCLASS: ADVANCED MIXING BY MARIJN NIKERK
Ready to elevate your skills and take on the most challenging concepts from Full Course Year 1? This advanced masterclass will dive deep into complex mixing topics you’ve encountered, setting you up with refined techniques to bring your sound to the next level. Plus, you’ll get an exclusive preview of Full Course Year 2’s advanced mixing lessons, equipping you with fresh insights and approaches.
MASTERCLASS: ABLETON AND GETTING LIVE SETS
Want to land more gigs and grow your artist brand? Learn how to network, get booked and promote yourself effectively in this masterclass with Susan Right. Perfect for artists who want to take their career seriously.
MASTERCLASS: MUSIC BUSINESS AND LAW
Gain essential knowledge on how to protect your music and navigate the industry with confidence. In this masterclass, you'll learn the basics of music rights, contracts, royalties and the legal side of releasing, performing and collaborating as an artist. Perfect for producers ready to take the next step professionally.
COMMUNITY: MPA CONNECTS
At the beginning of Stage 1, you’ll take part in your first edition of MPA Connects, our biggest in-house community event. Meet fellow students, teachers and industry professionals during workshops and network sessions. Gain valuable insights from real-world experiences on songwriting, gigs and collaboration. This first edition kicks off your journey by showing you what it means to be part of a music community.
YOUR DEVELOPMENT IN SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE AFTER STAGE 4
- Advanced mixing and mastering techniques
- A&R insight: brand positioning and long-term vision
- Strong control over dynamics, automation and vocal production
- Understanding of music business structures and revenue streams
- Knowledge of how to turn your studio project into a live set.
- Refined personal vision and release strategy
- Mastery of translating emotional intent into technical decisions
YOU’VE ELEVATED YOUR MIX, SOUND, AND STRATEGY. NOW YOU’RE READY TO STEP INTO THE WORLD WITH A PROFESSIONAL RELEASE.
THE PROGRESS OF YOUR PORTFOLIO AND EXPANSION OF YOUR NETWORK AFTER STAGE 4
- Final deep-dive coaching session with your mentor.
- Fully mixed and mastered final project
- Custom performance and release plan
- Press-ready content: studio photos, bios and final project assets
- Experience from professional MPA Connects workshops
- Masterclass insights from industry leaders in mixing, performance & law
- Tangible feedback and assets to launch your artist journey
YOU’VE CREATED YOUR FINAL PRODUCT, FINE-TUNED YOUR IDENTITY, AND CONNECTED WITH THE INDUSTRY — READY TO LAUNCH YOUR CAREER WITH IMPACT.
TESTIMONIALS
MPA has made a change in my musical career.
“I have better self-esteem now because I kind of know what I am doing with music, which is not something I had before starting my course here.”
Luc Poppink, Full Course graduate
Jelle van Snek
FULL COURSE GRADUATE
“Absolutely, it kick-started my career. Before MPA I was not very productive. During MPA, I only worked on a handful of songs, but it laid the foundation for me”
Jeroen de Jaegher
FULL COURSE GRADUATE AND TEACHER
“So you don’t only get to know music production to do it yourself, but you actually meet people who think the same way and who want the same thing.”
David Kravak
FULL COURSE GRADUATE
“MPA has been immensely beneficial to me, especially considering I started from scratch. It’s a unique experience compared to other universities or schools.”
COURSE TEACHERS
RICHARD
MARIJN
CHÉ
ADDITIONAL STUDENT INFORMATION
STUDENT EXTRA’S
FULL COURSE PRIVATE OR ONLINE
Besides the 40 classes, you will receive several extra’s as a Full Course student. Including free studio time throughout the school year, free access to all of our events including guest workshops & masterclasses as well as discounts on software and hardware.
It is also possible to follow the Full Course through private lessons. You can use the same student extras as regular students of the Full Course. Furthermore, you can also do the music production course online. Whether it is the distance or the pandemic, we will still offer high-quality lessons. You may contact us for further information regarding the online lessons and more, via contact form below.
DAYS AND TIMES OF CLASSES
The classes are most often in the evening from 19:00 – 22:00, so that those of you attending school and those who are occupied with work responsibilities during the day could join this course. However, we also have other time-slots. This course is also available during weekday mornings or afternoons or even during the weekend; please inform us with the day and time that best fits your schedule and we will do our best to adjust accordingly.
STUDY LOAD
Before the start of each Full Course, we offer everyone the opportunity to visit MPA and meet the teachers during our Open House in Rotterdam. Also, a personal and non-binding intake with the teacher of your choice is possible throughout the year. Finally, there is the option of registering for a free trial lesson. Feel free to contact us and make an appointment.
FORMAL INFORMATION
As an official Ableton certified and Steinberg certified training institute, we not only meet specific requirements but also strive to disseminate them as well as possible on a daily basis. The general terms and conditions that apply when registering for a course can be found at the bottom of this page. You can find here how we handle complaints.
OPEN HOUSE, INTAKES & TRIAL LESSONS
Before the start of each Full Course, we offer everyone the opportunity to visit MPA and meet the teacher team during our Open House. Also, a personal and non-binding intake with your teacher of your choice is possible throughout the year. Finally, there is the option of doing a trial lesson with a discount. Please contact us to make an appointment here.
STARTING SEPTEMBER 2025
VISIT US
You can visit MPA six days a week during opening hours and of course during our events. Our studios can also be booked in the evenings. To start your educational journey at MPA, we recommend to schedule an appointment with a teacher or visit one of our events. Contact us and we will make it happen.