MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University students pursuing a degree in recording industry can earn professional audio certifications from L-Acoustics, a global leader in premium professional audio technology, through an education partnership that brings industry training and technology directly into the curriculum.

Through the L-Acoustics Education Partner Program, MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry is integrating professional training and certification into coursework, giving students the opportunity to develop skills with the same technologies and workflows used in professional live sound production. The certifications are included in the regular curriculum, with no additional certification fee for students.

L-Acoustics launched its Education Partner Program in February 2026 to connect academic audio education with professional practice. The program provides participating institutions with access to professional training materials, educational resources and loudspeaker systems, preparing students for careers in live sound, concert production and other professional audio fields.

For Recording Industry faculty member Frank Baird, the partnership offers students more than familiarity with professional equipment. It provides access to the knowledge, training and industry connections associated with a global audio technology company.

“It’s also a resume builder,” Baird said. “To be able to put a real L-Acoustics cert on a resume is a big deal.”

The program is beginning with the L-Acoustics System and Workflow certification in MTSU’s RIM 4335 Advanced Sound Reinforcement course.

Students will have access to L-Acoustics training materials, its education platform and software as they work toward certification. The partnership also provides discounted equipment, allowing the department to enhance its existing L-Acoustics resources.

Baird said students benefit from learning with the company’s technology because of the engineering and science behind its systems, including how line-array loudspeakers behave and how professionals configure them for live events.

“It’s access to equipment and ideas of current state-of-the-art concert speaker systems,” Baird said.

Recording Industry Chair Michelle Conceison said the partnership reflects the department’s commitment to preparing students for an evolving music and entertainment industry.

“The Department of Recording Industry is lucky to have faculty like Frank Baird and Mauricio Gargel who continuously seek opportunities to innovate in curriculum and instructional approach,” Conceison said.

She continued, “Our team’s ability to partner with top music industry companies like L-Acoustics provides advanced learning opportunities to students while also modeling for students the ways organizations partner to innovate together.”

MTSU faculty and students have already visited L-Acoustics’ Nashville office for training, creating additional opportunities to connect classroom instruction with industry professionals and practices.

The company opened the Nashville office in spring 2026, expanding its presence in a city central to the music and live entertainment industries. The department plans to explore ways to expand access to L-Acoustics training and equipment across additional courses, building on the certification now offered through Advanced Sound Reinforcement.

For more information on MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry, visit https://recording-industry.mtsu.edu/.

— Stacey Tadlock ([email protected])