Studio Mixing and Production Curriculum

Month 1: Foundations of Audio Production

Week 1

Introduction to Audio Production

Overview of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs)

Introduction to Pro Tools or Logic Pro X

Understanding the Interface

Week 2

Importing Audio Files

Cutting, Copying, and Pasting

Introduction to Keyboard Shortcuts

Week 3

Microphone Types and Placement

Basic Recording Setup

Recording Practice Session

Week 4

MIDI Introduction

Exploring Virtual Instruments

MIDI Recording and Editing

Production Goal #1: Achieve a foundational recording and editing project for your showreel.

Month 2: Mixing Fundamentals

Week 5

Understanding Signal Flow

Signal Flow in a DAW

Understanding Tracks and Busses

Week 6

Gain Staging and Fader Resolution

Balancing Levels

Panning vs. Mono Mixing

Week 7

Understanding EQ Parameters

Hearing Compression

Week 8

Depth in the Mix: Reverb and Delay

Modulation Effects (Chorus, Flanger, Phaser)

Using Effects Sends and Returns

Production Goal #2: Complete a balanced mix incorporating EQ, compression, and effects.

Month 3: Vocal Recording and Production

Week 9

Vocal Recording Setup

Microphone Choice and Placement for Vocals

Dealing with Room Acoustics

Week 10

Recording Lead and Backing Vocals

Vocal Editing

Week 11

Vocal Tuning with Melodyne and Auto-Tune

EQ, Compression, and Effects for Vocals

Week 12

De-essing and Vocal Tuning

Recording and Producing a Vocal Track

Production Goal #3: Produce a complete vocal track, showcasing lead and backing vocals.

Month 4: Production Styles and Techniques

Week 13

Understanding Arrangement

Building Beats and Drum Replacement

Week 14

Synthesis Introduction

Layering Instruments for Depth

Week 15

Finding and Manipulating Samples

Chopping and Arranging Samples

Week 16

Vocal, Guitar, and Synth Automation

Fixing Out-of-Time Drums

Production Goal #4: Create a polished beat or production loop.

Month 5: Advanced Mixing Techniques

Week 17

Surgical EQ

Multiband Compression

Week 18

Parallel Compression

Advanced Plug-In Practices

Week 19

Automation Modes (Real-Time and Offline)

Bus Processing

Week 20

Rock, Hip-Hop, Electronic, and Jazz Mixing Techniques

Production Goal #5: Deliver a genre-specific mix with advanced techniques

Month 6: Show Reel Creation and Marketing

Week 21

Assembling Projects (Mixing, Production, and Vocal)

Week 22

Monitoring and Signal Processing

Loudness Standards and Formats

Week 23

Building an Online Presence

Networking and Connections

Week 24

Search Engine Optimization for Audio Professionals

Finalizing the Showreel

Production Goal #6: Complete a professional showreel and implement marketing strategies.

Got a question?

After the course, can I get a job?

If you're a beginner, after a 6-week course, you'll unlikely find a job. However, our live sound engineer course has a 100% success rate in that all students who have taken it (written Dec 2024) are now audio practitioners, either full-time, busy freelance, or on long-term contracts.

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How much do sound engineers earn?

In the UAE and MENA, Freelance sound engineers can earn between AED500 and AED3500 per day; here's a guide for daily rates from 2024.

Audio Techs AED 1500 +
A2 Operators - AED 1800+
A1 Operators- AED 2250+
System Tech AED 3500+

Full-time sound engineers, depending on experience, can earn monthly
AED3000 for freshers up to 18,000 or more.

What's the difference between live sound, studio, and broadcast audio?

Live sound, studio, and broadcast audio engineering are distinct fields within the audio industry, each with unique focus and skill sets.

Live Sound Engineers plan, install, tune, and mix audio at live events, adjusting sound in real-time to deliver optimal audio quality.
Studio Engineers record, edit, and mix audio in studios, collaborating with artists or clients to produce high-quality sound.
Broadcast Engineers handle audio for radio and TV, or streaming to ensure quality sound for live and recorded broadcasts.

What Career Options are available?

Parents of students are often concerned about career options. Fear not because live sound engineers have a wide range of career paths such as: Junior sound engineer (A2) • Senior sound engineer (A1) • Front of house engineer • Monitor engineer • Translation booth (setup and operate) • Comms (communications) • Corporate/conference engineer • AV Technician (AV Tech) • Stage Tech • Backline engineer • Sound systems engineer • Systems Tuning • Fixed Installation • RF engineer • Streaming/Broadcast • Systems integration • Project management • Technical manager.

How much are your courses?

Our course prices range from AED 2000 to AED45,000 To see what the course fees are, please visit the relevant courses

How do I register for the courses?

Just fill in this inquiry form, and tell us which course you’re interested in. Students interested in work experience program must sign work experience agreement and all students sign health and safety disclaimers.

Can I have a discount?

Discounts are available at certain holidays and occasional promotions. Students enrolling 30 days before a start date can avail discounts, too. Follow socials to get updated.