This is MPA
Music Production Academy is an Ableton and Steinberg Certified academy, established in 2014. MPA provides students with different levels of music production education on a variety of different genres. The academy itself (located at Hoogstraat 38A, 3011 PR Rotterdam) is well equipped with contemporary hardware and certified software to provide hands-on education to music production, across different Digital Audio Workstations. The courses available can be taken as singular classes; as well as 20-class (Hardstyle & Hip-Hop Course) or 40-class (Full Course, Full Course Advanced & Full Course Pro) long curricula for determined students. The establishment has three unique studios, which can be rented for private use.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHERE IS MPA?
MPA is located in Hoogstraat 38A Rotterdam, in between Oostplein and Blaak. You can find us on the map here.
I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MUSIC PRODUCTION, CAN I TAKE COURSES?
Of course! We offer beginners alongside the advanced versions for most of our courses. Check out our course catalogue for more information.
HOW MUCH DO COURSES COST?
All courses vary when it comes to costs. The one-time and private courses start at 60€/class, and long-term courses start at 300€/month. For more price information, check out the course catalogue.
DOES THE EDUCATION AT MPA FIT WITH MY GENRE OF PREFERENCE?
MPA offers music production education over a range of genres; though mostly electronically, done through a digital audio workstation. We offer genre-specific courses as well (e.g. Hip-Hop Course, Hardstyle Course etc.), but if you feel like you need specific guidance in this manner, you can always contact us for personal advice and feedback!
DOES MPA OFFER GUITAR OR PIANO LESSONS?
We offer guitar lessons. Contact us. for more info. In terms of piano lessons; we do not offer lessons especially catered to the piano. However, we do offer the theory and practical part of music theory, chords and the usage of midi keyboards in or curriculums. Contact us for more infor and whether you have any questions.
ARE THERE ANY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
No, but if you already have experience, we will try and accomodate you in a class with producers that have similar skills and challenges. If you want to join the Full Course Pro, then there are some entry requirements (if you did not complete Full Course).
WHAT PRIVILEGES DO I GET AFTER BECOMING AN MPA STUDENT?
A LOT! Students who are taking courses at MPA are free to use all three studios in the establishment, including the hardware and software. Students of MPA also get discounts for the DAWs we offer, and plugins/hardware they’d like to purchase themselves. Also, you will make lots of new connections with other producers, singers and music businesses. You will make friends, start collaborations and join events like the Battle of the Beats and Writing Sessions.
I WANT TO JOIN MPA, BUT I’M NOT SURE WHICH COURSE TO CHOOSE YET
Please don’t hesitate to contact us so we can schedule a meeting, show you around MPA and talk you through the different options.
Also, you can visit us at our Open House Days and workshop events! We hold introductory events for our courses every year, and most students choose their course after attending these events. For more information, visit our events page.
If you want to have a more in-person glimpse to what a long-term course will be like, you can also book a private lesson (starting at 60€/hour) for whicever course you want to get to know more! For more information and booking, see our personal guidance page.
HOW LONG ARE THE LESSONS/PROGRAMS?
The long-term courses are usually either 12 months (40 lessons) or 6 months (20 lessons). These courses are given 3 hours per week on a fixed day and time. Shorter courses such as the Urban Music Production Course, are 15 weeks, 15 lessons where each lesson is 1,5 hours long. For specific lesson/program length information, visit our course catalogue.
DO YOU OFFER ONLINE COURSES?
As of now, our Hip-Hop Course, Hardstyle Course and Private Lessons are offered also online. The online offerings of the rest of the courses are dependent on the demand for the online format. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for specific information about this!
ARE THE COURSES IN DUTCH?
Though most courses are offered in English upon demand, some short courses and workshops may be held in Dutch (e.g. the Urban Music Production Course). Please check out the course catalogue for detailed information.
WHAT DO I GET AFTER FINISHING A COURSE AT MPA?
Once you finish a course at MPA, you leave with the knowledge to produce your own tracks, your first track fully produced by yourself, and a certificate! Moreover, you will network with lots of people from in and around the Rotterdam music community, and possibly spark future collaborations within your network.
I noticed you start courses in March and September, what if I want to start earlier?
We also start courses in other months when classes are full. Don’t hesitate to ask us if we are starting classes anytime sooner because that happens more often that not. Also, you can start with private lessons before the course starts. If you register early, you can already profit from free masterclasses, free studio time and our exclusive newsletters with upcoming events and course/gear deals.
Is this an official, recognized and/or certified educational institute?
Yes, more than recognized indeed! We are an Ableton and Steinberg Certified Training Center, which means the curriculum involving Ableton and Steinberg has been certified by these companies themselves! Also, MPA is CRKBO certified, meaning we comply with their quality standards for education.
Do you accept international students?
Of course, anybody is welcome at MPA! As long as you are able to follow our courses either in English or Dutch, we guarantee you’ll get the most out from here as you’re exploring music production. Unfortunately MPA cannot take care of visa’s. However, you can do courses in less time, meaning you can do even the Full Course on a tourist Visa.