Introducing Music Technology

Course details

Introducing Music Technology is a practical, hands-on course designed to taeach absolute beginners how a PC and inexpensive home studio technology can be used to record and produce virtually anything at home.

Working in Waltons New School of Music’s Music Technology Lab with PC workstations running Reason, Cubase, Sibelius and other music software, as well as range of outboard equipment and microphones, you will receive a comprehensive introduction to home recording and music production through a variety of hands-on projects. You will learn about:

• The Musical Spectrum. EQ bands and their musical relevance
• Microphones & Recording. Mic types, techniques and positioning for vocal, guitar and instrumental recording
• Effects. Compression, reverb, delay, chorus, flanging & pitch shifting
• Programming. Programming drum and synth phrases using a built-in drum machine and sequencer
• Synthesis. Envelopes, filters, oscillators and creating new sounds with a built-in synthesiser
• Sampling. Sampling and editing loops and creating new sounds
• Sequencing & Editing. Sequencing each of the above parts into an arrangement, effectively turning your PC into a multi-track recorder
• Mixing & Effects. Achieving the all-important final mix, using built-in mixers, effects units and dynamic processors
• Audio Mastering. The zero dB ideal and mastering techniques

At the end of the course you will take home your own studio mix of any material you have been working on (participants should bring along a USB memory stick for this). You will also take home a practical understanding of the range of possibilities modern home recording and software studio technology opens up to the professional and amateur alike.

Although participants are expected to have a basic knowledge of the PC and Windows operating system (previous experience with any Windows-based software is enough), no previous musical training, knowledge of music technology or ability to read music is necessary.

Introducing Music Technology is a group music technology / production course. Private and intensive music technology lessons are also available for students at all levels, from beginner to advanced.