Sound Design Vol. 1Sound Design Vol. 1
A deeper look at the creative decisions behind sound design.
$119
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Explore toolsSound Design Vol. 1
Inside the 3+ hour class.
Twelve chapters of examples, decisions, and practical techniques.
- 00:00
Introduction
Rethinking where sound design belongs in the creative process.
- ~15:00
Building a Sonic Identity
What makes a production feel like one complete world.
- ~40:00
Real-World Case Studies
Inside finished projects and the decisions behind them.
- ~1:10:00
Making Better Decisions
A practical framework for knowing what a moment actually needs.
- ~1:35:00
Something From Nothing
Turning simple source material into something uniquely useful.
- ~2:00:00
Movement, Energy & Transitions
Creating momentum without relying on the obvious tricks.
- ~2:25:00
Creating Space & Depth
Building depth and perspective across a complete production.
- ~2:50:00
Ear Over Gear
Developing taste, instincts, and a vocabulary that actually belongs to you.
- ~3:10:00
Q&A + Final Thoughts
Practical questions, bigger-picture takeaways, and where to go next.
Included with the class
Watch it.
Hear it.
Read it.
Guided masterclass · VIDEO
3 hours, 13 minutes
A start-to-finish lesson built around real production decisions and musical context.
Guided listening · MP3
3 audio examples
Hear the finished work while Ian directs attention to the choices that shaped it.
Study materials · PDF
2 score excerpts
Follow the written material alongside the audio, plus captions and a searchable transcript.
Composer · Educator · Arranger · Designer
The work behind the lesson.
Ian Grom is a full time composer and educator based out of Southern California. He received his Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from California State University, Long Beach, where he specialized in drum set, marimba and composition. He has an unprecedented 40 WGI medals since 2005.
Some of his past performance highlights include numerous prime-time live appearances on the hit CBS show Survivor, opening for Aerosmith with Canadian artist Christa Borden, and playing on the soundtrack to the box office smash The Grudge.
First starting as a consultant in 2008, Ian became the full time front ensemble arranger and instructor for Chino Hills High School in the fall of 2009. Chino Hills is currently a 15 time medalist and won the championship in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2024. Ian taught at Pacifica HS from 2005-2011 starting their seven consecutive PSO WGI medals. In the fall of 2005 he started building the Los Alamitos percussion program becoming the 2007 WGI PSA Bronze medalist, 2009 WGI PSA Gold medalist and 2010/2011 World class finalist. He worked at Fountain Valley HS from the fall of 2006 until the winter of 2009, winning multiple percussion titles in the indoor and outdoor programs, including a two time WGI finalist in the Open class and an Open class medal in 2008.
He started with the Pulse Percussion independent world ensemble behind the scenes in the winter of 2008 as an arranger, and within 3 short years helped take the ensemble to it's first PIW Gold Medal in 2010 as the front ensemble composer/arranger and instructor. Ian was a part of the Design team as a percussion arranger for the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps from 2013-2016. Ian was brought on as the electronic consultant/arranger with the world famous Cadets Drum and Bugle corps from 2009-2012 winning the DCI World Class title in 2011.
Ian started writing for winds in 2006 and composes the fall productions for multiple high schools all around the nation. Ian's use of original music, cutting edge technology, and innovative show concepts have made him one of the most sought-after composers on the national marching scene.
Along with fellow designer and instructor John Mapes, he co-founded Box-Six.com in August of 2008, which is the exclusive seller of their original indoor percussion and marching band shows.
Ian is an official Yamaha artist, a Vic Firth signature artist, a Remo artist, a Zildjian artist and a WGI Percussion Advisory Board member from 2007-2019.
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