Sound Academy

Alumni Spotlight: Anthony Tolud – Elevating His Sound with Sound Academy

From Aspiring Producer to Skilled Audio Engineer

‍Anthony Tolud, a passionate music producer from the Bronx, New York, was on a mission to refine his sound and take his skills to the next level. Searching for an accelerated audio engineering course, he came across Sound Academy. “I found Sound Academy by Googling audio engineering courses. I saw a few that were too expensive, then I found Sound Academy. Not gonna lie, it felt sketchy at first because of the lack of presence in the US. But when I saw it was established in France, I decided to give it a try.” Taking that leap proved to be a transformative experience, introducing Anthony to an artist community that would help him grow professionally and creatively.

Mastering Audio Engineering Techniques

‍Anthony describes the profound difference in his music before and after Sound Academy. “There is an astronomical difference in my music. Before, I had no conception of analog gear at all. Attack, Release, Ratio, Threshold—I had no idea about any of it. Just going through the program, everything started to connect. I learned the why and the how, not just the what.” Sound Academy’s audio production training provided him with an in-depth understanding of mixing, mastering, and sound engineering—key components that allowed him to enhance his craft.

Building a Network of Like-Minded Creators

‍Beyond technical skills, Anthony values the relationships he built during the course. “One of my favorite things about Sound Academy was the networking—being around people with the same goals and mindset in music. If I couldn’t do something for a project, I could pass it to someone from my class who could help.” These connections continue to support him in his journey toward larger and more complex projects in music production.

Hands-On Experience in a Professional Studio

‍Sound Academy provides students with real-world experience in top-tier studios. “Me, Tyree, David, and Matthew collaborated on projects together, which was my favorite part. I sent David a beat, and we played it in class. Then we recorded during our lunch break. We did this for weeks, collaborated, and learned together. We finished the song and released it—‘Sound Academy Session 2.’” The opportunity to work in a professional studio environment helped Anthony gain practical experience that traditional schools often lack.

Learning from Industry Experts

‍Anthony highlights the engaging and effective teaching methods at Sound Academy. “Led by Lucho and Phil at Quad Studios, it felt more like learning from a peer than a teacher. Once we understood the concepts, we just had fun with it. Learning in this kind of environment made all the difference.” The ability to make mistakes, experiment, and receive real-time feedback fostered an environment of growth and creativity.

Advice to Future Students:

‍“If you have experience, this is worth the investment. If you’re serious, you’ll see results. But if you’re not serious, don’t take this course. This program is a game-changer for aspiring audio engineers. I didn’t need four years of school to learn this—it’s worth way more than the price.”

What’s Next for Anthony?

‍Anthony’s ultimate goal is to own his own recording studio, but for now, he’s focused on networking, attending showcases, and working with artists. He’s currently mixing his girlfriend’s project in preparation for her release. His journey with Sound Academy gave him the foundation he needed to advance his career in audio engineering and music production.

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