About Pinnacle College

In 1972, a master recording engineer named Brian Ingoldsby founded a school in North Hollywood, the first of its kind in the nation: a school with a single focus of training the art and science of recording engineering. Then known as Sound Master Recording Engineer School, the institution trained hundreds of audio engineers, many of whom went on to distinguished careers.

Sound Master was acquired by Pinnacle College in 2005. Pinnacle College also acquired Precision Technical Institute of Sacramento in 2007, where it has been teaching the recording engineer program since December 2008.

With locations in Alhambra and Rancho Cordova, CA, Pinnacle College remains committed to the founding mission of Sound Master, preparing students for entry level positions in the art and science of audio (engineering and video games), as well as multi-media and technology.

Pinnacle College is accredited by Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) and is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Its Recording Engineer program is approved for the training of veterans and eligible persons under the provisions of Title 38, United States Code.

The Alhambra campus is also approved by the Department of Homeland Security’s Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) to provide I-20 for M-1 visas to eligible candidates.

Now in our 38th year of operation, we remain committed to delivering training the “Sound Master way”: emphasis on practical, hands-on training anchored on comprehensive theory of sound and music. We also remain committed to our tradition of being the first of our kind: in 2009, Pinnacle College became the first school in the nation to offer Video Game Sound Design in certificate and degree programs.