--- title: Music Production Program in Nashville | Dark Horse Institute description: Learn to record, mix, master and produce artists in a 20-week, hands-on music production certificate program in working studios near Nashville. Now enrolling for the next session. image: https://learn.darkhorseinstitute.com/hubfs/3.png --- [![DHI\_logo\_stacked-black-800](https://learn.darkhorseinstitute.com/hubfs/DHI_logo_stacked-black-800.png)](https://darkhorseinstitute.com/) # Music Production Program **Learn to record, mix, master and produce artists in 20 weeks, in a working Nashville studio. Now enrolling for the next session.** - Four professional recording studios, with classes never larger than 13 students - Two real recording projects: record, mix and master 6-song EPs with working bands - Instructors with Gold, Platinum and Grammy-nominated albums, and a curriculum written by Grammy-winning producer Dave Hagen ![A Dark Horse Institute student at the console with an instructor](https://learn.darkhorseinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LP%20Images/ae-mentorship-4x3.jpg?width=1200&height=900&name=ae-mentorship-4x3.jpg "A Dark Horse Institute student at the console with an instructor") ## Get Program Details Program details and start dates, and an admissions advisor will follow up. ## Music Production Program A 20-week, 500-hour program in music and sound production, divided into eight courses. You learn the whole chain of a record, from mic placement, recording and editing to mixing, mastering and producing artists, on the professional gear used to make chart-topping records. ### What You Learn Signal flow on Trident and SSL consoles, microphones and placement, tracking drums, guitars, bass, keys and vocals, editing and comping in Pro Tools, mixing and mastering, analog tape, and live sound. ### Real-World Projects Two full-band recording weeks, one at mid-term and one at the end. You record, mix and master 6-song EPs with professional working bands in Dark Horse Institute's own studios. ### How Classes Work Hands-on from the first day. You are in one of our four professional recording studios in your first class, not weeks later. Classes are never larger than 13 students, so you learn by doing, with instructors who have recorded artists across every genre. ### At a Glance Length 20 weeks, 500 hours, eight courses Format Full-time, Monday through Friday, on campus. Morning or evening sessions Where Franklin, TN, just outside Nashville Credential Certificate program Class size Never more than 13 students Visiting 230 Franklin Road, Bldg. 14A, Franklin, TN. Campus and virtual tours available Enrollment Now enrolling for the next session [![Students at the console in a Dark Horse Institute studio](https://learn.darkhorseinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LP%20Images/ae-students-console-16x9.jpg?width=1280&height=720&name=ae-students-console-16x9.jpg)](https://youtu.be/ij4BAe3Ij8I) Watch: inside the Music Production Program at Dark Horse Institute ### The Eight Courses - Introduction to Recording - Analog Recording Techniques - Live Sound - Intro to Digital Audio - Mid-Term Band Recording Week - Advanced Pro Tools - Group Career Training - Final Full Band Recording Week Around 80% of Dark Horse students go on to take all three programs: Audio Engineering, Music Business and Commercial Songwriting. The collaboration between them, and our location in Music City, gives you a network from day one. “Taking the Audio Engineering course has provided me with real life experience and hands on learning that has made me confident as an engineer. Staff and instructors are extremely well-versed in the music industry and are unbelievably kind and helpful.” ![Anthony Maisano](https://learn.darkhorseinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LP%20Images/grad-anthony-maisano.jpg?width=160&height=160&name=grad-anthony-maisano.jpg) Anthony Maisano Board Operator, Beasley Media, Augusta, GA “After taking all three programs I truly appreciate my experience at Dark Horse Institute. The Music Business, Audio Engineering and Songwriting classes gave me the confidence to pursue my artistry. They taught me how music industry really works. My teachers were amazing.” ![Emma Greene](https://learn.darkhorseinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LP%20Images/grad-emma-greene.jpg?width=160&height=160&name=grad-emma-greene.jpg) Emma Greene Rehearsal Tech, Clair Global, Nashville, TN “I've gone through all three programs at Dark Horse and made some great connections along the way! The atmosphere is inspiring, and they allow you to come in and use their studios at the school for free. It's incredible!” ![Ryan Alexander](https://learn.darkhorseinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LP%20Images/grad-ryan-alexander.jpg?width=160&height=160&name=grad-ryan-alexander.jpg) Ryan Alexander Board Operator, WKQR Radio, Portland, TN ## Who Teaches the Program All of our instructors are working professionals. The Audio Engineering Program is taught by: **Sam Falle** Producer and engineer with 20+ years of U.K. and U.S. studio experience. He has worked with Ed Sheeran, The Struts, Clean Bandit and Sony BMG. **Dennis Ritchie** Grammy-nominated producer with charting hits in pop, rock, country, gospel, blues and bluegrass, plus commercial music for radio, network television and film. **Rob Tate** Started as front-of-house engineer for Grammy winners Audio Adrenaline and co-founded a studio with Jay DeMarcus in the mid-1990s. **Elliot Sabbagh** DJ, producer and engineer who has toured with A$AP Rocky and J. Cole, with production credits spanning ESPN, HBO, RCA and Sony. The curriculum was written by **Dave Hagen**, Director of Education, a Grammy-winning producer and engineer whose credits include Carrie Underwood, OneRepublic and Reba McEntire. ## What You Leave With - Completion of a 20-week, 500-hour certificate program - Two EPs you recorded, mixed and mastered with working bands - Hours on SSL and Trident consoles and in Pro Tools, on the gear used for chart-topping records - Career training built into the program - A network of working engineers and producers, and of Music Business and Songwriting students, in Music City Classes are kept small, and sessions fill in advance. [Request Information](https://learn.darkhorseinstitute.com/music-production-program#form) ### You'll find our GRADUATES working with some of the most celebrated artists in the world. ![artist-word-collage-dark-2-1](https://learn.darkhorseinstitute.com/hubfs/artist-word-collage-dark-2-1.png "artist-word-collage-dark-2-1") Dark Horse Institute is authorized for operation as a postsecondary education institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. In order to view detailed job placement and graduation information on the programs offered by Dark Horse Institute, please visit http://tn.gov/thec/topic/authorized-institutions-data and click on the Authorized Institutions Data. ![DHI web](https://learn.darkhorseinstitute.com/hubfs/Dark_Horse_Institute_February2019%20Theme/Images/DHIweb.png) 230 Franklin Road, Bldg. 14A Franklin, TN 37064 Phone: 615.791.7020 © 2026 Dark Horse Institute. DarkHorseInstitute.com [Privacy Policy](https://darkhorseinstitute.com/privacy-policy/)