LOS ANGELES
FALL 2026 / STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRE

BEFORE WE HIT RECORD

YOUR
STARTING POINT.

Every music maker starts somewhere.

Tell us where you are, what moves you, and where you want to go. Your answers help our teaching team understand your experience and support your learning.

This is not a test. For audio knowledge questions, “I am not sure yet” is a useful answer.

01 / 06

About you

Let’s put a name to your sound.

First, the essentials.

Firstly, a little bit about your music background. Do you...?

Play any instrument? Required
Perform live? Required
Play in a band? Required
Compose your own music? Required
Programme your own music (beat-maker)? Required
Produce music? (i.e. are you in charge of the ultimate decisions concerning the production?) Required

Are you a: Producer / Engineer / Mixer?

Select all that apply, or choose None yet on its own.

Your production roles Required

Are you an: Artist / Songwriter / Singer / Musician?

Select all that apply, or choose None yet on its own.

Your creative roles Required

If a musician, what instrument(s)?

Only answer if “Musician” is selected above.

02 / 06

Your music

The tools, influences and experience you bring.

Have you regularly used any audio equipment for the past 2 years or longer (e.g. mixing consoles, microphones, processors)?

Have you regularly used audio equipment for 2 years or longer? Required

Only answer if “Yes” is selected above.

Do you currently use any multi-track sequencing software?

Do you currently use multi-track sequencing software? Required

Do you regularly use streaming services to listen to and find new music?

Do you regularly use streaming services? Required

Only answer if “Yes” is selected above.

Do you use any music service to distribute/stream your music/productions?

Do you use a service to distribute or stream your music? Required

Only answer if “Yes” is selected above.

Do you regularly read any audio/music magazines or visit any audio/music websites?

Do you regularly read audio/music magazines or websites? Required

Only answer if “Yes” is selected above.

Looking back to before you started studying with us, did you attend another music/music technology course at a university, private or public school?

Did you attend another music or music technology course? Required

Only answer if “Yes” is selected above.

What is your preferred DAW?

If you do not use a DAW yet, say so.

What are your favorite genres of music?

Give 3 songs that inspired you to make music and be here at ARI.

Include the song title and artist in each answer.

What are the biggest challenges that you encounter when making music?

What are your strengths in making music?

03 / 06

Your direction

What would you like to make possible?

What are your goals for this course?

What are your goals after this course?

Looking to the future, what career ambitions do you have for after you have completed your studies at Abbey Road Institute? (you can select multiple answers)

Career ambitions — select all that apply Optional

The job market and ways of working are constantly evolving. How do you see yourself managing your career after you graduate?

How do you see yourself managing your career? Optional

Only answer if “Other (please specify)” is selected above.

04 / 06

Audio foundations

Your current understanding, in your own words.

Buffer Size and Latency: What is buffer size in a DAW, and how does changing it affect latency and CPU performance? Would you use a smaller or larger buffer size when recording versus mixing, and why?

Answer in your own words. It is fine to write 'I am not sure yet'. This helps us understand your starting point.

Sample Rate and Bit Depth: What is the difference between sample rate and bit depth in digital audio? How does each affect audio quality, recording, and file size?

Answer in your own words. It is fine to write 'I am not sure yet'. This helps us understand your starting point.

Audio Tracks vs. Instrument Tracks: What is the difference between an audio track and a MIDI/instrument track? Explain how to create each one in a DAW, what type of information each contains, and how you can manipulate them.

Answer in your own words. It is fine to write 'I am not sure yet'. This helps us understand your starting point.

MIDI Quantization: What is quantization in MIDI production, and how does it affect the timing of musical notes? What are the advantages and disadvantages of quantizing a performance, and how can you maintain a natural musical feel?

Answer in your own words. It is fine to write 'I am not sure yet'. This helps us understand your starting point.

Drum Machines and MIDI Programming: How does a drum machine or drum sequencer work? Explain how to create a basic drum pattern using MIDI and how velocity, quantization, and rhythmic subdivisions can affect the groove.

Answer in your own words. It is fine to write 'I am not sure yet'. This helps us understand your starting point.

Clipping and Signal Levels: What is audio clipping, how does it happen, and what problems can it cause during recording or mixing? How can you identify and prevent clipping, and what is the relationship between gain staging and signal quality?

Answer in your own words. It is fine to write 'I am not sure yet'. This helps us understand your starting point.

Connecting Digital Audio Concepts: Imagine you are recording a MIDI keyboard performance while monitoring a virtual instrument, but you experience noticeable latency, audio glitches, and occasional clipping. What could be causing these problems, and how would you troubleshoot them using your knowledge of buffer size, sample rate, CPU performance, and signal levels?

Answer in your own words. It is fine to write 'I am not sure yet'. This helps us understand your starting point.

05 / 06

Your experience

Help us improve. All questions in this section are optional.

What is your age group?

Optional. You can choose not to share this.

How did you first hear about Abbey Road Institute?

Did you research similar schools or courses before applying to study with us?

Did you research similar schools or courses? Optional

Only answer if “Yes” is selected above.

On a scale from 1 (not at all relevant) to 7 (extremely relevant), please rate how relevant you found the information about studying with us available in the following places:

Optional. Choose Not applicable if you did not use a source. Comments are welcome.

How did you first get in touch and enquire with us?

Only answer if “Other (please specify)” is selected above.

As an enquirer...

Optional feedback on the information you received before applying.

I was given the information I needed about the course curriculum Optional
I was given the information I needed about the course timetable and how much time I need to commit Optional
I was given the information I needed about the entry requirements and the application process Optional
I was given the information I needed about the course fees Optional

Before starting the application process...

I was able to attend an Open Day or a similar event Optional
I was invited to visit the Institute Optional
I was able to visit the Institute Optional
I was invited to attend an Open Day or a similar event Optional

As an applicant...

Optional feedback on your application experience.

It was easy to understand the application process and its different stages Optional
It was easy to navigate through the application portal and upload the required documentation Optional
I have found the application and interview process challenging and aligned with my expectations Optional
I have found the application and interview process useful and constructive Optional

Have we missed anything? Do you have any comments on your experience with Abbey Road Institute so far? We're always aiming to improve and your feedback will help us do this. Thank You!

06 / 06

Review & send

Take a moment to check your answers.

You can go back to change any answer before sending. Once sent, your answers will be shared with the ARI LA team.

Your answers are sent only when you choose Send questionnaire.