Remember me? I've been a little busy lately but I built an online music school with some friends!

Hopefully I've still got enough street cred around these parts for this to not seem spammish, but I wanted to share a project I've been working on for quite some time now:

Warp Academy has officially gone gold! We are a collective of Ableton Live trainers/youtubers that have joined forces to offer up what we hope will be the most comprehensive Ableton Live educational resource out there. Whether you are new to it, or a seasoned pro, there's something in there for everyone.

We are currently in what we are calling "Phase One" which is sort of a video version of the reference manual. Every single feature of the software has been/will be covered in immense detail from a technical standpoint with a little bit of creative seasoning sprinkled on top. We also offer some more focused courses you can hop on board with to get weekly sessions with our trainers. "Phase Two" will delve into more genre specific tips and tricks, artist interviews, hardware/software product reviews, etc. (and how it all relates to Ableton Live). From there the sky's the limit. I won't say too much about it because hopefully the link provided above speaks for itself. Check it out and let me know what you think, I'd love the feedback!

what are some existing tutorial websites? I'd like to check out some of them. What makes Warp Academy different from other tutorial sites?

Holy shit! You have to pay $300 for an Ableton jumpstart course. Fuck you guys. Long live Coursera!!!

inb4 cease and desist

yeah, this website is fucked. You won't get any paying members unless they are seriously fucking retarded. Coursera already offer so much music education for free. Are you trying to be a online degree college like devry university? Those shitty content scam online 'schools' charge people so much for a pretty much useless certification. Trying to charge people, not to mention $300 for a fucking jump start piece of shit, these days is called wishful thinking.

Good luck with your website.

  On 2/7/2014 at 5:49 AM, pafr said:

Holy shit! You have to pay $300 for an Ableton jumpstart course. Fuck you guys. Long live Coursera!!!

The tutorials are $19. And you'd be surprised how comparable $300 is for these kind of extensive lessons, this place has been successful in my town. They don't do free levels of membership either like this site.

This is not an endorsement, it's not my cup of tea (and I'm broke), just making a point that there is a niche. Ryan's tutorials were pretty cool imo, so I can see this site being viable. To each their own.

Hmm u guys r mean. I doubt coursera goes in to as much depth as this site..

I dunno interactive u plan to make this site, but i think a forum and/or chatroom for registered users would be essential

  On 2/7/2014 at 5:49 AM, pafr said:

what are some existing tutorial websites? I'd like to check out some of them. What makes Warp Academy different from other tutorial sites?

Couple big names that spring to mind are Dubspot, Point Blank Online, Sonic Academy, etc. While we definitely are newer players to the game we are trying to hit a niche that hasn't really been done before. All these schools offer courses that utilize Ableton Live (among other DAWs) to teach music production and/or DJ. What we aim to do is provide a modular library of videos for each and every feature of Live exclusively that will eventually be built into either pre-made playlists and/or playlists you design to learn exactly what you want when you want it. For example we have videos explaining higher level topics like "recording audio" or "the EQ8 Effect", but we also include specific videos that may only be a minute or two long explaining low level stuff like "Follow Actions" or "Automating Global Tempo". These are all delivered in short 2-5 minute bite sized videos that get straight to the point rather than sitting through an hour long lecture format like most sites offer (although we do some of that too if that's your thing).

  On 2/7/2014 at 5:57 AM, pafr said:

Are you trying to be a online degree college like devry university? Those shitty content scam online 'schools' charge people so much for a pretty much useless certification. Trying to charge people, not to mention $300 for a fucking jump start piece of shit, these days is called wishful thinking.

Just to clarify, the $300 is for a year's worth of access to those courses which run multiple times a year. One run through the Live 9 Jump Start course is $99 for 5 weeks. And nah, we offer zero certification whatsoever. If a piece of paper is what you are looking for then this may not be for you, I guess the biggest takeaway is the knowledge and inspiration itself. Whether or not spending the time and money on your art is worth it is different for everyone.

  On 2/7/2014 at 6:07 AM, joshuatx said:

 

  On 2/7/2014 at 5:49 AM, pafr said:

Holy shit! You have to pay $300 for an Ableton jumpstart course. Fuck you guys. Long live Coursera!!!

 

this place has been successful in my town. They don't do free levels of membership either like this site.

 

We actually had Tom Carlile (one of the trainers at Dub) on board for a while but he had to leave for other commitments.

  On 2/7/2014 at 6:11 AM, Chris Toffer said:

I dunno interactive u plan to make this site, but i think a forum and/or chatroom for registered users would be essential

Chris I agree 100% on the forum idea, for some reason it was a tough sell to the powers that be though (trust me I really fought for it, a lot due to my positive experiences around these parts on WATMM). Nothing is set in stone though so we'll see where our web development takes us in the coming months. Thanks for the +1, nice to re-affirm there's a demand for something like that.

The question is can someone get the same knowledge/education free, like those free tutorial sites. Of course, if there are compelling reasons for customers to spend up to a certain amount, then they might think it's worth it to try. For music production, I feel most of the learning for most artists come from playing around and reading free online tutorials. I don't think many people actually have tried to take courses on it.

Now if the course offer something that's worth $100 for 5 weeks, like much better quality content compared to free tutorials, better organization of the learning process (I assume that's one of the biggest things), pros giving real time tutoring sessions. Now, if it was a physical classroom, then people might see a good reason to spend more. The reason why I don't think there will be many customers is because I don't see how much better quality content the courses can provide compared to all the free materials. Also, there is a difference in knowing what the things in Ableton do and music composition, which includes a lot of music theory and not so much depended on the software.

Also, I didn't see the Warp label logo anywhere, so they might complain in the future, not sure.

how are these courses delivered? real time webinars?

I do remember you ! Since you last were here I've now bought Ableton9 and tutorialing all around the place.

Good luck with the online course man - your existing Youtube vids have certainly taught me a thing or two !

Yeah I liked your tutorials, they taught me a few things, I wish you the best of luck with this.

Cheers guys for the positive wishes.

  On 2/7/2014 at 10:54 AM, pafr said:

Now if the course offer something that's worth $100 for 5 weeks, like much better quality content compared to free tutorials, better organization of the learning process (I assume that's one of the biggest things), pros giving real time tutoring sessions.

All things we are going for mate. Scripted videos that say nothing more than what is needed and say it in the most concise way possible (no umms or ahhs). Video editing that highlights the concepts currently being discussed (little things like zooming on sections of the interface and annotations that direct the eyes to exactly where you are looking). Decent audio examples that actually get you stoked for the concept at hand. On screen text offering up keyboard shortcuts any time they're relevant. These are all things I try to put into my videos that hopefully make the experience more engaging that other options offered for free. For example check out this free video I did on something as mundane as the Midi Editing Improvements in Live 9. I challenge you to find anything else out there as well polished as this for free on youtube. Are there more interesting topics? Yes, but the point I'm trying to drive home is the build quality that you get for your money.

  On 2/7/2014 at 11:32 AM, 2WV said:

how are these courses delivered? real time webinars?

We offer two formats:
1. A subscription based access to our huge ever-growing library of 2-5 minute modular videos covering every single high and low level detail of Ableton Live. Include Live sets, presets, audio examples, etc. Everything. The subscription model will ensure you continue to get top notch content into the future, or you can just absorb as much as you can in 1 to 2 months and be done with it.

2. A course format served up through a weekly dose of videos, often longer in length. More of a classroom style lecture. Includes all of the above additional content plus a live weekly Q and A webinar with the trainer and enrolled students to further discuss concepts learned that week.

  On 2/7/2014 at 2:26 PM, ryanmcallister said:

For example check out this free video I did on something as mundane as the Midi Editing Improvements in Live 9. I challenge you to find anything else out there as well polished as this for free on youtube. Are there more interesting topics? Yes, but the point I'm trying to drive home is the build quality that you get for your money.

Cool video. There are a lot of ableton features I haven't learned yet. On youtube, I've found a few ableton intro tutorials, but finding a good organized set of videos is difficult, plus the coverage of features probably won't be complete and also redundant in different vids. Sorry, I won't be paying for the course since I'm sure I can learn the same skills without those skills (playing around on ableton, its help menu, free tutorials, etc.) I feel those are more than enough for me to learn Ableton, but others may want to pay for the course. To each his own.

A great idea for sure, but why call it it Warp Academy? At best, you're confusing consumers thinking this is endorsed or run by WARP Records in some way - I realize they don't own the word "warp", but considering this will appeal mostly to people interested in learning electronic music, the connection cannot be ignored.

Let me know if there is anything WATMM can do to cross-promote or be involved - I am sure a lot of people here would be interested (or could benefit from) what Warp Academy offers.

I'm wondering if it's to do with the whole warp-markers/track-warping that separates Ableton from other DAWs

kewl. though I already know live :d

  On 2/7/2014 at 2:26 PM, ryanmcallister said:

 

  On 2/7/2014 at 11:32 AM, 2WV said:

how are these courses delivered? real time webinars?

live weekly Q and A webinar with the trainer and enrolled students to further discuss concepts learned that week.

cool, i happen to work for a company that provides webcasting and webinar solutions. if you wanna chat, drop me a PM.

Sure, 300 bucks is one heck of a price tag, but I just checked out the free vid you posted and I'm impressed. This is one of the best quality Ableton tutorial vids I've seen. The music in the tutorial is really cool, certainly a change from all those tutorials with downright horrible and cheesy music. This makes me think: "These guys know their stuff, and I would like to learn from them".

Your site is clearly very professional, easy on the eye and loaded with practical knowledge. Plus, there seems to be a ton of free tutorials and even webinars that seem very interesting to me personally, so I guess I'll definitely sign up for a free membership and give it a more thorough look...

Really, there's lots of interesting stuff there. But I can definitely say I won't pay 300+ bucks for a course or webinar any time soon.

The price is super reasonable. You guys would be smart to learn somethings about course delivery from Skillshare and their format + techniques for course delivery. They own this market. :) Good luck man! Online education is blowing up right now, and there is definitely a market waiting.

  On 2/9/2014 at 10:38 PM, slightlydrybeans said:

The price is super reasonable. You guys would be smart to learn somethings about course delivery from Skillshare and their format + techniques for course delivery. They own this market. :) Good luck man! Online education is blowing up right now, and there is definitely a market waiting.

reasonability is only relative to your income. Most artists in this world are starving, but not as bad as kids in Africa.

I'm guessing it's aimed at people who want to get better fast, and those people tend to be more serious than weekenders. Thus the price is a serious price.