Community Guidelines

Why we're here

Engineers and producers used to learn on the job, behind closed doors, where secrets were traded between takes. Then the budgets shrank, the big rooms closed, and a whole generation taught themselves in bedrooms and project studios, fumbling through for years. This community exists to close that gap: a place where the people who've done it hand it down to the people doing it next.

Anyone can learn from anyone

If you've done it, hand it down. If you're starting out, learn from people who are actually making records. If you're in the middle, find the person who spent ten years figuring out what you're stuck on. Save yourself nine.

Share what you know. Ask what you don't.

How we treat each other

One rule. Don't be a d**k.

Assume everyone's genuine, and be genuine back. Get curious before you get critical. Hold your opinions loosely. You might feel differently in ten years. Most of us do.

If you want to troll, go somewhere else. This is a place to be real.

Real names, real faces

This isn't social media. It's a community of peers in a real industry, and using your real name and a real photo is a requirement of membership. Your name goes on your advice, and the person you help today might recommend you next year.

Do

• Stay on topic: audio production, the craft, the business, the gear, the work.
• Give feedback that's useful and specific. Critique the work, not the person.
• Search before you post, and keep threads tidy so others can find the good stuff.
• Respect people's work, time, and privacy.
• If something breaks these rules, report it. Don't retaliate.

Don't

These get removed, and can get you sanctioned:

• Harassment, bullying, hate or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
• Threats or incitement to violence toward anyone.
• Illegal content or activity, including cracked or pirated software and plugins, stolen samples, and anything that breaches copyright.
• Doxxing: posting someone's private or identifying information without consent.
• Spam, scams, or covert self-promotion. (Sharing your own work is welcome in the right places.)
• Impersonation of other members, mentors, or the Academy.
• Sharing paid course material outside the Academy, or other people's private posts.

Anything that's illegal under Australian law, including the Online Safety Act 2021, is removed and reported to the relevant authorities. No warning.

How moderation works

Depending on severity and history, we may warn you, mute you (read-only, you keep your courses and tools), remove your forum access (you keep your courses and tools), or close your account for serious breaches. Serious breaches, including threats and illegal content, can skip straight to removal without prior warning.

Reporting and appeals

Use the Report button on any post, or our contact page. If you're sanctioned and think it's wrong, you can appeal, and a different person will review it where possible. You can also report content to the eSafety Commissioner at esafety.gov.au.

You must be at least 18 to use the Academy.

Welcome in.