MONUMENTAL
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Learn the basics of working with audio! This class gives you the fundamentals to record vocals or guitar into software such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro and Ableton Live.

Audio Recording Techniques starts with an overview of the physics of sound and the various microphones and techniques used for recording vocals and guitar. Course participants learn the importance of gain structure and signal flow, along with an overview of the patch bay, speakers, pre-amps, and effects modules commonly found in studios. At the end of the course, students will apply the techniques learned in one of our studios, and record a guest artist under the guidance of the instructor.

In this beginner Pro Tools class, we’ll tour the software and point out features and functions you should know to comfortably run a basic session in your home studio. Includes creating and routing new tracks, using plug-ins, and simple mixing techniques. We’ll also look at how an audio interface is used to record microphones and instruments into your Pro Tools system, and how to connect speakers for monitoring your session.

We’ll dig into recording a drum kit, with a primary focus on fixing or adjusting (quantizing) the drum performance to the click track. We will show you how Elastic Audio, which is included in all Pro Tools software, can help you automatically tighten your drum, bass, and guitar tracks.

The mixing stage blends your recorded tracks together and is the point where your hard work starts taking shape. Mixing Music introduces the techniques to get music release-ready. You’ll learn how to sculpt your mix using mixing console terminology (as it relates to Pro Tools), explore and use processing effects such as EQ, reverb, and delay, and learn how to correctly prepare your session to be mastered.

This overview of music mastering shows why it’s such an important part of the music-making process. You’ll learn some of the tricks used to make a collection of songs seem as if they were recorded and mixed in one sitting.

Topics include arranging songs within an album, metering loudness, using limiters, and the differences in mastering for various streaming services.