(DURATION – 6 MONTHS)


Introduction to basics of Sound & Music

  • Basis of sound

(Physics of sound and its terminology, Audible freq      response of human ear, Units of sound, dynamic range etc.)

  • Difference between sound and music

(Tones, timbres and texture)

  • Acoustic sound and synthetic sounds

(Concept of synthesizers, Oscillators, filters etc.)

  • Analog and digital theory

(Basic discussion, pros and cons of each)

  • Audio formats and conversion tools

(Mono & stereo, Diff between channels & tracks, Wav, mp3, AIFF file types)

  • Inputs, outputs, sends and returns
  • Connections: types and leads

DAW Console Set up

  • Multi track Mixing and recording levels
  • Analogue and digital headroom
  • The tracking process
  • Setting up monitor and headphones mixes

Monitoring

  • Choosing and installing monitors
  • Monitors: active and passive, ported, un-ported
  • Room shape and monitor placement
  • Acoustic treatments and how they work

The Engineers Guide to Microphones

  • Microphones and their uses: dynamic, ribbon etc
  • Mic positioning and recording techniques
  • Microphones and compression
  • EQ: fixed, sweepable, parametric and graphic

Complete Guide to Compression

  • Compression theory. Why use compression?
  • Attack, Release, Threshold and Ratio explained
  • Compressor types and their sound
  • Guide to quality compression plug-ins

Noise Gates & Reverbs

  • Why use noise gates? Pro “tricks” revealed
  • Types of reverb: spring, plate, digital, convolution
  • Reverb parameters and how to use them
  • Damping, density, pre-delay; gated reverb

Echo and delay

  • Delay parameters: time, feedback, hi-cut
  • Multi-tap, ping pong, common delay types

Chorus; pitch shifting, phasing and flanging

Recording Bass and Guitar

  • Recording guitar in Guitar Rig
  • Emulate cabinets, mic placement and effects
  • Using DI boxes to record straight into the desk
  • How to mike up a bass cabinet
  • Recording techniques with a guitar amp

Recording acoustic guitar: stereo miking

Recording with Software

  • Use BFD to mimic “real” playing styles
  • Mixing in BFD and assigning to MIDI controllers

Recording Vocals

  • Microphone selection and placement for vocals
  • Tips and tricks for recording a good vocal
  • Creative use pitch correction software
  • How to EQ lead vocals. How to use de-essers
  • Vocals: reverb, delay, auto double tracking
  • Backing vox: sub mixes, EQ, compression

Preparing for Mix down

  • Referencing and A>B comparison
  • Sub-grouping tracks
  • Panning: when and how to use panning controls
  • EQ types: boosting, cutting and notching
  • Fixing mistakes: correcting tuning with Melodyne
  • Correcting timing
  • Editing: compiling audio for the best take
  • Crossfades and bouncing audio files


Music to Picture: Creating Soundtracks

  • Working to a deadline. Working to a creative brief
  • Importing video into Cubase and Logic
  • Working with timecode; tempo changes
  • Matching a musical score to video


Music to Picture 2: Creating Sound Effects

  • Foley and the ‘Art of Sound Effects’
  • Motion picture FX: Sound design in Star Wars
  • Placing effects in the stereo field

Mastering

  • What is mastering?
  • How to optimize your master
  • Separation and home mastering techniques
  • Buss compression techniques Multi-band, equalizers and limiters, dithering
  • Supervised mix-down with your tutor
  • Expert help and advice
  • 1-2-1 session time with your tutor
  • Transform your Mix into a final mastered track ready for release mix

How to Promote Yourself in the Music Industry

  • Advertising, Promotion, Publicity and PR
  • Putting together your own promo kit
  • Myspace, Last FM, Podcasting and aggregators
  • Selling your music online