Alumni Spotlight: Brayden Snyder aka Nomadic Transformed His Music Career with Sound Academy

Brayden Snyder, known artistically as Nomadic, is a multi-instrumentalist and independent producer whose journey has taken him from Texas and Maryland to Philadelphia, where he’s fully embraced his identity as an artist. With a musical background that started on the drums and extended to marching bands, concert bands, and nearly every instrument in between, Brayden has always lived and breathed music.

From Self-Taught Producer to Studio-Ready Artist

Though music has always been a constant in Brayden’s life, it wasn’t until recently that he decided to turn his passion into a professional path. After years of making beats and experimenting with production, he realized he needed more than just drive—he needed structured learning, professional insight, and a creative community.

“I started teaching myself Ableton a year ago, but I knew I was missing something,” Brayden said. “I even tried private lessons, but I wanted something deeper—a space to learn, collaborate, and grow.”

That search led him to Sound Academy. After comparing traditional audio engineering programs—including Full Sail University, which cost upwards of $21,000—Brayden saw that Sound Academy offered the practical, focused training he was truly looking for.

“Sound Academy got right down to the nitty-gritty. It wasn’t fluff, it was exactly what I needed.”

A Real-World Learning Environment for Real Artists

Brayden emphasizes that one of the most valuable parts of the Sound Academy experience was the non-traditional structure of the course.

“I’m 30 years old. I don’t need a school environment—I needed a space where knowledge was shared, not forced. This was a room full of experts who let us take the lead on our own learning.”

The flexibility of the course allowed Brayden to shape his experience based on his actual goals. Whether it was one-on-one feedback, collaborative studio sessions, or tailored lessons, the program provided a learning environment that prioritized creative growth.

“It wasn’t just for beginners. There were students more experienced than me, and we all learned from each other. There was no ego—just community.”

Instructor Mentorship That Made the Difference

Brayden credits much of his growth to the mentorship he received from instructors Andrew, Chris, and Matt.

• Andrew brought professional industry experience and served as a key mentor for Brayden throughout the program.
  
  
• Chris provided a constant source of creative inspiration and helped maintain a collaborative, focused classroom culture. “He was the glue,” Brayden noted.
  
  
• Matt, Sound Academy’s studio manager, balanced professionalism with warmth, helping students stay engaged and at ease during sessions.
  
  

“All three were incredibly knowledgeable, honest, and supportive. They created an environment where we could truly thrive.”

Breakthrough Moments and Production Skills That Stick

Brayden’s biggest breakthrough came during the mixing sessions. Previously self-taught, he was eager to improve his technical understanding of sound design and dynamics.

“I always struggled with mixing. Learning things like applying reverb to send tracks instead of the original, or how to handle stereo recordings with panning techniques—those were lightbulb moments for me.”

He was also impressed by the program’s openness to note-taking and individual learning styles, which helped him retain key production strategies and techniques.

Releasing His First Single and Looking Ahead

By the time Brayden finished the course, he had not only leveled up his production skills—he had released his first single.

“This program gave me the tools to actually distribute my music. That alone made it worth it.”

Looking forward, Brayden plans to stay independent, continue producing, and release work that reflects who he is as a person and artist.

“For me, it’s not about money. I just want to create something honest and meaningful—something that shares my perspective with the world.”

Advice for Future Students Considering Sound Academy

When asked if he would recommend Sound Academy to others pursuing music production and audio engineering, Brayden’s answer was clear:

"Hell Yeah, that's it."

Interested in taking your music to the next level? Sound Academy offers hands-on training in a professional studio environment, taught by industry veterans who care about your growth. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, this program is built for serious artists ready to put in the work.

Ready to start your journey like Brayden? Apply to Sound Academy today.

‍