It Starts With “Maybe I Can.”
We exist to help turn that into “I Will.”
“Providing real-world music production mentorship and creative development opportunities for the next generation of creators.”
“Touch a Knob Make a Sound Academy is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Mentorship That Doesn’t Exist Anywhere Else
"Touch a Knob Make a Sound Academy ( a 501c3 non - profit) was born from something rare. Robert 'Bobby' Brooks was shaped inside sacred rooms where excellence was expected and mentorship was a way of life."
Bruce Swedien shaped his ear.
Quincy Jones shaped his standards.
Stevie Wonder shaped his integrity.
Michael Jackson shaped his excellence.
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Student Opportunities
“Students participating in academy programs may gain access to mentorship, workshops, collaborative learning experiences, creative development opportunities, and real-world guidance designed to support both personal and professional growth.”
• Music Production & Recording
• Creative Collaboration
• Critical Listening Development
• Leadership & Communication Skills
• Mentorship Opportunities
• AI Educational Workshops
• Community-Based Learning
• Life Skills & Career & Personal Development
Mission
“Touch a Knob Make a Sound Academy is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing real-world music production education, mentorship, creative development, and personal growth opportunities for emerging creators and underserved communities.
Founded by veteran recording engineer, producer, and educator Robert “Bobby” Brooks, the academy was created to help preserve professional recording knowledge, critical listening skills, discipline, teamwork, communication, patience, leadership, problem-solving, and mentorship traditions that are becoming increasingly difficult to access through traditional educational pathways alone.
“More than simply teaching music production, the academy uses creative education as a foundation for developing life skills that can benefit students in any future endeavor or career path. Through mentorship, collaboration, and hands-on learning, students are encouraged to develop discipline, communication skills, critical thinking, emotional control, teamwork, leadership, adaptability, personal accountability, and the confidence to navigate real-world challenges both inside and outside of creative environments.
The goal is not only to help students grow artistically, but to help prepare them to become stronger individuals capable of applying these skills throughout their lives — whether in music, business, education, technology, entrepreneurship, or everyday personal growth.”
Half the time i couldn't get him to work because he was always showing his assistants something
Rick James
I learned so much about the recording studio from this man
Teena Marie
Along with Ed Cherney Bobby is one of the most naturally gifted Protege's of Mine !
Bruce Swedien
I met Bobby while we were in New York working on The Wiz, one day i saw him looking at some sheet music i had written and asked him,"do you read ? he said no i then asked him "So what do you see" and he replied "There's a whole lot more white on this page than black "and i said" So your the One".
Quincy Jones
Stevie introduced me to Bobby when doing Bg Vocals one night at Wonderland we asked him to work with me on what became "Thriller", he politly refused, and told me he couldn't do it because Bruce Swedien was like his second father and walked out the door, integrity is a rare word in the music industry i'v never forgot that about him and was so happy when Bruce Brought him in to work with me on the "History album "Forever Family" he is a very special person
Michael Jackson
It's Pretty Simple… Who you Gonna Call!
Ray Parker Jr
Vocal's are so easy with this Man.
Whitney Houston
Frankly, Bobby Brooks is one of the best Recording, Mixing and Live Sound Engineers I have ever worked with. I truly believe he is the last of the great Mega Hit, MOTOWN Engineers. He is always, always always, my first choice, whether it be in the analog or digital environment! The boy is bad !!!!.
Kerry Gordy
Bobby is part of a very small and Special Wonderland Family.
Stevie Wonder
Bobby is one of the best engineers I ever met in this business. I proud to know he’s my friend.
Nathan Watts
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Support Mentorship
Bringing decades of professional studio experience directly to students through hands-on instruction, critical listening training, and career guidance rooted in real-world practice.
Sponsor a School
Sponsor a speaking engagement or masterclass at the college, university, or community program of your choice — including your alma mater. Your support helps bring professional music and audio industry insight directly to students who may not otherwise have access.
Open Access
Ensuring talented students and underfunded programs can participate regardless of financial limitations, helping remove barriers to professional music and audio education.
Our Donors Around The World
Expanding Access To Professional Creative Education
Your support helps expand access to professional music education, mentorship, scholarships, and creative development opportunities for emerging artists and underserved communities.
When it comes to isolating and focusing on how to get things done in an efficient and creative way there are few people I have worked with more effective than Bobby Brooks.
Andre Cymone Artist / Producer / Activist