Pinnacle College, formerly known as the Sound Master recording engineer school, was established in 1972 as a the first school of its kind in the United States or abroad. The founder, the late Brian Ingoldsby, a respected leader in the music recording field, founded the college in Los Angeles, CA in order to train talented individuals capable of meeting the demands of the rapidly growing audio engineer industry. As a studio executive, he invented and patented many audio units including “phasing” and “doubling” devices.

Some of the artists that Mr. Brian Ingoldsby worked with include Mick Jagger, Elton John, Cher, Neil Diamond, Olivia Newton-John, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Jimmy Buffett, Steely Dan, Al Cooper, Frank Zappa, and Joe Cocker. And some of the albums he engineered became gold records!

Over the years, our audio production school continued to refine its curriculum and update its equipment to stay current with demands of the employers and the industry. It has retained faculty members who have graduated from its program and returned to share their love of music engineering with a younger generation.

At Pinnacle College, you will find that our faculty have an enthusiasm for music and the technical know-how and the expertise that they love to share our students.

The recording engineer program has proven itself with industry acceptance, reflected in our placement record, and our excellent reputation for the highest academic and ethical standards. In the past 30 years, the audio recording industry has rapidly progressed from 8 and 16-track consoles to new 24/48-track automated, computerized consoles, which are much more sophisticated than the music recording equipment of the past. These advances in technology have resulted in more job opportunities in the exciting world of audio engineering.

Pinnacle College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET), a nationally recognized accrediting agency, and approved by the United States Department of Education to participate in government student loan and grant programs.

Eligible students may also qualify for Sallie Mae's "Career Training Loan." Sallie May's pricing is structured so you get the best possible terms, based on your credit history. You can borrow from a minimum of $1,000 up to the total cost of your education, less other aid received. This includes tuition and expenses such as books, fees, a computer and living expenses. Up to 60% of the tuition amount is allowable for expenses, not to exceed $6,000. Click here (272KB PDF) to learn more about the Career Training Loan.

In October 2005, Pinnacle College moved its campus to its design-built studios in Alhambra, CA. The university-style campus is gated with ample and well-lit parking for students and visitors arriving at the college.