Introducing DUBSPOT: NYC's first DJ, VJ and Electronic Music Production School

DUBSPOT -- located in NYC’s Meatpacking District -- offers a wide range of courses in a brand new facility, outfitted with cutting-edge equipment and software.  DubSpot is the future of music education. 

With weekly courses ranging from mixing, scratching, and electronic music production, to even video and visual training, DubSpot is the creative hub for the new or experienced music enthusiast.  Hailing from a diverse set of musical backgrounds, DubSpot’s experienced instructors provide a unique cross-genre approach to creative education.

Sessions are limited to a maximum of six students. Each student’s workstation is outfitted with the latest technological gear and software including: Serato Scratch Live, a 17-inch Intel iMac, two Technics 1210 turntables, a Digidesign Mbox audio interface, Logic Pro, Reason, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, and more.  All course fees include supervised lab time, where students can come in to practice production techniques or hone their DJing skills.

The students at DubSpot range from a 10 year-old budding music prodigy to Lisa – the 30-something office professional seeking to fulfill a lifelong desire. In addition, the school has enrolled Sebastian, a bedroom DJ who wants to take the next step into music production, Nick - the NJ high school student looking for an after-school activity with friends, and Aranka, a professional artist looking to make VJ'ing her next medium.  Then, there’s Mea, who commutes from Philadelphia each week. So as you can see from this diverse mix of students, DubSpot’s engaging, fun environment is open to everybody.

The inspiration for DubSpot came to Founder Dan Giove after attending a music production seminar taught by Thievery Corporation at the Remix Hotel during Winter Music Conference in Miami. Back in New York at DJ Francois K’s Deep Space dub night at Cielo, he and long-time friend and Co-founder, JP Solis talked about learning to produce their own music.  After a fruitless search where they encountered only “scratch”-oriented or stuffy outdated programs, they realized New York City needed a school that offered the latest technology for DJ, VJ and music production training programs in an open and engaging learning environment.  

Giove decided to open a place that encompassed all genres of electronic music to help revitalize NYC nightlife and DJ culture. Together with a team of music industry professionals, they launched DubSpot in December 2006 and subsequently the DS14 collective.  DS14 is an ever-expanding group of like-minded  instructors, DJ’s, producers, musicians, promoters, nightclubs owners, record label professionals, equipment manufacturers, and music enthusiasts, who collaborated to build this centrally located facility (DubSpot) for everything music related. 

DJ Courses & Workshops – Students are taught DJ fundamentals in a fun, easy to understand, step-by-step approach, using CDJs, turntables and Serato Scratch Live.  This vinyl emulation software enables the DJ to use two vinyl records to mix and scratch digital files from his or her iTunes library.  Advanced students will perform live at a New York nightclub for their final exam.

Electronic Music Production (EMP) – Whether you’re looking to learn a specific program like Logic or Ableton, seeking a weekend workshop in remixing a track, or want a six-month comprehensive production program in which you create your own music, DubSpot’s EMP director will customize a curriculum to fit your needs. 

Visual & Video Production – For new and/or experienced VJs, as well as DJ’s seeking to incorporate visual elements into their sets. Classes are also offered on video mixers, VJ software, DVD authoring, and video post-production.

Current instructors include Dustin Cook (SAE Institute of Technology, System Recordings), JP Solis (Crobar, Satellite Records), Neil Armstrong (5th Platoon), DJ Daddy Dog (5th Platoon), and Chris Biggins (Crobar).

DubSpot also offers unique team-building events for businesses where employees can come in and collaborate to produce a song or learn to DJ.  Additionally, their full-fledged recording studio is available for rental use.

For available courses & weekly schedules, instructor bios and more, please visit www.dubspot.com. Registration is now open for DJ, VJ and EMP courses starting February 1st, 2007.