Based Out of the Legendary Studio 4 Recording in Conshohocken and Licensed to High Schools, Music Schools, and Vocational Centers Across the Country, the Courses Offer Hands-On Recording Experience
RDS Music and Media is unveiling a suite of educational courses tailored to artists and aspiring music industry professionals that is designed as an alternative to the higher cost schools that offer limited hands-on experience, career direction, or job placement after graduation. The RDS Recording Arts Program is also created for musicians and hobbyists looking to expand their abilities to record on their own.
Based out of the legendary Studio 4 Recording in Conshohocken, PA and licensed nationwide to high schools, music schools, and vocational centers, the RDS Recording Arts Program was developed by Award-Winning, Billboard-Charting Producer and Engineer Ron DiSilvestro (The Dead Milkmen, PHISH’s Jon Fishman, The Roots’ Leonard “Hub” Hubbard, the “Godfather of Jazz Fusion” Larry Coryell, Parliament Funkadelic’s Bernie Worrell, Jon McLaughlin, Universal Music’s Jack Gray, Atlantic’s Zero 936, The Smithereens featuring Marshall Crenshaw, Manhattan Transfer’s Janis Seigel, and more).
At the Studio 4 Recording location, the students, whose ages range from 15 to adult, have the unique opportunity to work with music sessions occurring at the studio, which is home to countless hit records, formed by Phil and Joe Nicolo (The Butcher Brothers), and is currently co-owned and operated by one of the most in-demand Indy Producers William Yip. The former location of Ruffhouse Records, the studio has been credited with artists such as Billy Joel, Anthrax, Bob Dylan, Lauren Hill, Dishwalla, The Police, and many more.
The RDS Recording Arts Program includes:
- Introduction to Recording and Production (Six Weeks) – A preparatory course for the RDS Recording Arts Program, this class teaches Pro Tools functionality, recording and editing in Pro Tools, studio layout and procedures, in-depth gear demonstrations, recording techniques, and an introduction to editing and mixing in Pro Tools. Lessons are two times a week, two hours per lesson.
- Music and Media Recording Arts Academy (12 Weeks) – This course is designed to instruct and empower moderately experienced, digital audio enthusiasts in production, recording, mixing, mastering and business practices. In addition to improving technical skills, the course puts a focus on creating an efficient workflow in the studio, designing business plans, building clientele, and learning how to survive as an independent engineer in a highly-competitive field. Lessons are one time a week, one and half to two hours per week.
- Career Development (12 Weeks) – This course is for recent graduates in the Audio Recording Industry who are looking to establish a business, grow their clientele, and start actively working in their field. Each student, upon completing the course will gain immediate employment opportunities with RDS Music and Media and all of its studios and possess the skill set and business plan to work as a freelance professional in any studio. These lessons are taught on a one-on-one basis, with the exception of doing live sessions. Throughout the 12-weeks, students will receive instruction and on the following:
- Consultation and business model planning / structuring based on each individual
- Forming of business / creating an LLC
- Web domain name, hosting and website creation
- Social Media page creation
- Creating a professional EPK / Bio / resume
- Personalized business cards
- Creating a business plan for your new company
- Hands-on training in three different studios, including the renowned Studio 4 Recording
- Working actual sessions in multiple genres of music and clientele in three different studios
- Access to three studios to build content for a reel/EPK
- Marketing /business development lectures to grow clientele
Sessions are held two times a week, two hours per private lesson; four hours per live session with a client.
“These courses teach everything that the schools that cost $80k teach, and most importantly, what those schools DON’T teach, which is how to develop your business – and be sustainable in the industry,” said DiSilvestro. “They are also designed for musicians who must learn the basics of recording to be competitive in the industry and cast a wider net for their income potential for session work, writing sessions and publishing opportunities.”
Ron DiSilvestro
To kick off the New Year and the RDS Recording Arts Program, DiSilvestro is hosting a Recording and Production Workshop on February 8 from 11 AM to 6 PM at Retro City Studios (6120 Greene Street, Philadelphia PA 19144). The registration fee is $200.00 and all reservations must be sent to DiSilvestro via email prior to the class at rdsmusicandmedia@gmail.com.
About RDS Music and Media
RDS Music and Media was formed in 2018 by DiSilvestro and has grown from a single room offering one-on-one lessons, to providing collegiate level programs in multiple locations. The RDS Recording Arts Program course materials, curriculum, and business model have also been licensed by high schools and music schools and are now being offered as a turnkey package for educational organizations. Each package includes studio and equipment design and installation, course materials, syllabus licensing, and staffing for any music school or business looking to incorporate a Music Production and Industry Program.
In addition to the RDS Recording Arts Program, DiSilvestro produces, records and mixes national, regional, and label artists within Studio 4 Recording’s Studio B, the mix room where countless chart-topping hits were mixed. His most recent work features two Billboard placements with a #2 album on the Bluegrass Charts and a #15 single on the Hot Singles Charts. He has also mixed, mastered and session drummed on multiple projects for Multi-Platinum Grammy-Winning Producers Carvin Haggins and Ivan Barius. Additionally, DiSilvestro currently serves as an adjunct professor for the SRT program at Montgomery County Community College and is the program director for the Digital Audio Class at Cab Calloway School of The Arts.
Studio 4 Recording is located at 129 Fayette St, Conshohocken, PA 19428.
For more information about the RDS Recording Arts Program, email Ron DiSilvestro at rdsmusicandmedia@gmail.com.
