The Blackbird Academy is a new model in audio education that gives students access to true working professionals and hands-on experience using a world-class collection of gear in facilities designed for one purpose – making excellent music. The Blackbird Academy offers programs in audio engineering and live sound engineering. The Blackbird Academy was born from Blackbird Studio (owned by John & Martina McBride), one of the most outstanding recording destinations in the world. The rooms, consoles, microphones, outboard gear and lounges were chosen around a central concept: to provide the best audio production facilities for top musicians, producers and engineers. This passion for great audio quickly made Blackbird the studio of choice for artists ranging from Beck to Kenny Chesney, Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Kings of Leon, Kid Rock, The White Stripes, Taylor Swift, and many others, The Blackbird Academy carries on this tradition by renovating two of the eight studios solely for education. In addition, a purpose-built Recording Laboratory adds the perfect space for critical listening and teaching of key concepts, skills and techniques. The Recording Laboratory is a studio in itself, with an API 1608 console, Pro Tools HD, outboard gear, and live video and audio from the other studios. Students will have lab time access to all of the Academy’s facilities in addition to their regular classes.