FAQ
What kind of equipment do students learn with?
ASL classrooms ARE the famous Quad Recording Studios located in the heart of New York City's Times Square. Students will learn on all the standard recording equipment used in modern recording and mixing sessions. The studios are equipped with an extended array of analogue gear (Preamps, EQ, Compressors, summing mixers), the latest world class digital converters, control surfaces, top quality audio monitors, and all the most common audio plugins software. For a detailed list of equipment and software please visit www.quadnyc.com
What are some examples of projects that students may work on?
Your teachers are active Grammy nominated or Grammy winning engineers. They may bring projects that range from the latest pop, hip hop, or EDM hit to the “Game of Thrones” soundtrack. Be ready for it!
Are books integrated into the program? If so, which ones?
ASL is proud to offer students our own lecture material. A custom written book that covers in detail the wide world of recording and mixing arts together with the real world experience coming from 40 years at Quad Studios!
Are students required to purchase supplies - a laptop, software, books, etc.?
It is recommended but not required. As a future audio engineer the earlier you become familiar with the industry tools the better! The concept of the ASL program is to offer students a lot of hands on experience on computers, softwares and recording equipment. This will be done in classes and with numerous lab hours.
The ASL book is mandatory and has to be purchased separately.
What percentage of students gain employment at Quad or other top professional studios, what other studios have hired students that completed the ASL program, and what are some of the career paths taken?
ASL is based on the Quad Recording Studios mentorship program. Many successful engineers actively working today with the biggest artists in the industry are the result. Stuart White (Beyonce, Jay Z, Nas, Nicky Minaj etc…), Andros Rodriguez (Shakira, Madonna, Christina Aguileira etc…), Robert "LB" Dorsey (The Roots, Beyonce, Kelly Rowland etc…), Pat Viala (Busta Rhymes, Jay Z etc…) and many, many more. They are mostly freelance audio engineers and work in the biggest studios all over the world. Oh… and by the way, some of them will be your teachers!
How does the ASL program differ from those of SAE, IAR, and Dubspot?
ASL is completely different! It's a new way of teaching recording arts. You will learn from day one in a real world class recording studio, NOT a classroom. This will give you a perspective on your career as an audio engineer you could not achieve in any other way. The studio is busy. You may do lab hours in one room and have a session going on with your favorite artist in the next. Your teachers are active and successful audio engineers utilizing the latest technology and recording techniques, not someone that used to be an engineer many years ago (like many audio engineering schools employ now). Usually students who come from schools such as those referred to in the above question have to spend 6-9 months, even a year, AFTER graduation to be comfortable enough in the studio to be able to assist sessions. ASL offers the real experience from day 1.
Can ASL credits be transferred to other colleges?
Since advanced studio learning is an apprenticeship-based, non-accredited institution, it does not make any representation or guarantee that classes or workshops completed will transfer to another institution. Advanced studio learning performs due diligence to determine the ability of all attendees to achieve appropriate placement into an appropriate learning environment that is best for the attendee. Advanced studio learning does not accept credits transferred from other institutions.
How are late fees handled?
Payment is due on the first day of each period based on the payment plan. We have a grace period from the first to the fifth day beyond which a late fee of $50 is charged. Attendees will be suspended from workshops and terminated if payment is not made by the 9th day after the due date is reached.
Is there a refund policy?
Since this is a private program with limited availability, Students must be committed at the time of signing. ADVANCED STUDIO LEARNING gives students 14 days to withdraw from the program with full refund. Please see refund policy for more details.
Is the application fee and other fees refundable?
The $50 application fee is non-refundable. Banking fees are added to attendee’s liability charges along with returned check fees and wire transfer fees in every case. Refund on textbooks and materials books, e-books, software, and other supplies are not refundable and may not be returned in any case.
How do i receive my refund?
After receipt of written notice of cancellation or withdrawal, refunds are made within 45 days. the determined date of cancellation or withdrawal is the date of receipt of the written notice by certified mail and when properly addressed with appropriate postage secured.If a third party paid any portion of the tuition, the refund is sent to the third party using the same method of payment. (credit card, check, etc.). Balances owed following cancellation, withdrawal, or dismissal must be paid in a timely manner or be subject to collection. additional fees may be charges on arrangements made to pay such balances.
How do i monitor my progress?
Meeting progress course objectives is the basis for evaluation of attendee’s achievement level. The instructor will provide attendees with a syllabus explaining the objectives and grade determination points. One can always access the syllabi from the advanced studio learning online platform.
A “d” or higher is considered a passing grade, however in order for attendees to qualify to be entered into any of advanced studio learning’s apprenticeship programs whether internal or external, the grade must be a “c” or higher. Attendees who fail a course or workshop standard evaluation must retake the course or workshop and earn a passing score. The retake cost is equal to 25% of the academic portion of the class. All supplies and equipment are not included in this calculation as the student has already acquired those items unless previously enrolled only in a “no equipment” version of the program. If so, then that attendee may have the opportunity to upgrade the course or workshop level to include equipment at the regular price. For non-a la carte programs, if an attendee fails three or more courses or workshops within a single quarter, then the entire quarter must be repeated.
What is academic progress satisfaction?
ASL is an apprenticeship-based educational organization structured like a school in order to deliver both quality education to attendees and quality performance for apprenticeship host providers. The academic progress satisfaction (aps) measures the attendee’s academic performance within the education goals. ASL requires that all attendees demonstrate performance of those goals in a positive direction and timely manner toward completion of the program. Attendees interested in apprenticeship opportunities must remain enrolled at ASL.
The (aps) is determined by measuring requirements for completion against a standard grade point average (gpa). Evaluations are done for academic progress at the end of each quarter.
What is successful course completion?
Successful completion is defined as when an attendee earns a grade of “d” or higher. “f” grades must be repeated and only “c” grades or higher are considered for apprenticeship work.
Cumulative grade point average (cgpa)the average of all grades based on 4.0 grading system is called the cumulative grade point average.
How is academic probation handled?
A 2.0 cgpa must be maintained in order to qualify for apprenticeship. Those who don’t maintain this will be placed on academic probation. Attendees on academic probation must remain in contact with a fast forward educational advisor on a weekly basis to monitor and work toward a developed improvement plan. Once the attendee reaches a 2.0 or higher cpga, probation will cease.
Academic probation is not a punishment or disciplinary process, but a way to help attendees identify weak areas of performance and to assist them in reaching their established goals that were articulated at the beginning of their journey. It is also a way to assist attendees in avoiding termination, suspension, or dismissal.
What is the maximum time for course completion allowed?
Attendees who enroll for the full education program whether online or hands-on will not be allowed to exceed 130% or the normal completion time at any time. Each full education program is approximately 384 hours or 32 weeks. If an attendee exceeds 433 hours or 36 weeks on a 384 hour program, the attendee will be dismissed.
What is the grading system
GRADING Attendees grades in each course or workshop is based on achievements in several categories based on the nature of the course. The weighting of each category is articulated in each individual syllabi. Assessment categories include:
Quizzes
Projects, Assignments, and Homework
Mid-Term Test
Final Test
Participation
Apprenticeship (Where applicable)
If i miss a class or miss doing work, can i make it up?
Attendees are responsible for all material and assignments missed due to absences. Up to one week is allowed to submit makeup work after the due date with a 20% penalty. It is the attendee’s responsibility to get the missed work turned in within one week. Final exams cannot be rescheduled or made up.
What is an incomplete status?
If illness or other severe circumstances prevent a student from completing required coursework within the quarter, the attendee may request an “i” grade. The “i” incomplete grade is temporary and provides an additional week to coordinate makeup assignments. The earned grade is reported and converts the incomplete grade within a week after the end of the quarter. Documentation must accompany a request for an “i” grade. The “i” grade is calculated as a 0 into the cgpa.
Can i enroll again?
Attendees who have been dismissed from advanced studio learning full education programs for academic reasons may apply for re-enrollment. Conditions that caused the dismissal must be rectified before an education advisor can consider it.
Can i test out of the beginning classes and just take the master classes with apprenticeship?
There are opportunities to test out and acquire credit if attendees have advanced knowledge proven by passing a course gauntlet exam. This can accelerate an attendee’s rate at achieving apprenticeship status and moving into the advanced master classes if they qualify. The gauntlet exam must be passed for every level of every application.