PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Art of Sound Recording* Audio Engineer Course was designed for beginners or intermediate engineers to develop abilities as a competent and successful audio engineer. As a student of “The Art of Sound Recording”, you will learn the fundamental principles of audio engineering and the practical application of EQs, dynamics, signal routing, microphones, and much more. Not only will you be taught by industry experienced instructors, you’ll gain practical experience on professional-level consoles and recording equipment inside a bustling, world-class recording facility. By learning the tools and gaining the know-how and ability to successfully run a session from start to finish, you will be able to effectively function in all of today’s professional audio recording environments – from high tech home studios to professional recording facilities!

*This course is offered as a 1-on-1 and group instruction.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

  • Understand and utilize recording software and hardware as well as studio signal flow, recording techniques, and synchronization.

  • Explore techniques and strategies for capturing the best vocal and/or instrumental performance via microphone selection and placement.

  • Learn how to effectively conduct a full recording session: tracking an actual band (drums, bass, guitar, vocals) booked to record.

  • Gain hands-on experience with audio processors and mixers to shape mixes, building on the students’ gear knowledge and listening skills.

  • Discover how to create your own professional studio or how to enhance your own home studio.

 

HIGHLY EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTORS

With decades of experience and know-how behind numerous consoles in the world of Rock, Pop, Indie, Metal, Jazz, Acoustic, and much more, instructors, Mike Johnson & James Forbes, will teach you everything you need to know so that in 10-weeks you're an efficient engineer able to run any kind of session in a home or pro studio.

TRAINING IN OUR STUDIOS

Many courses are spent inside classrooms or pseudo studio mock-ups that students are allowed to practice on infrequently. In our program, students are immersed into a learning environment that is a busy, in-use recording facility with 4 different studios utilized by engineers and artists every day. 

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HANDS-ON EDUCATION

When it comes to working as an audio engineer, the most important aspect is one's ABILITY TO DO. And while both theory and a substantial curriculum are provided in this course, we find it absolutely necessary for anyone striving to be an audio engineer to learn by DOING! Through practical application, our students actively use the software, hardware, consoles, microphones, gear, and equipment - while teachers who know the ins and outs of all the gear are there to guide each student through it!

SMALL CLASS SIZE

Small class sizes benefit our students tremendously! In many universities, students are 1 of 30-40 people jammed into a studio classroom where they have to peek through many heads to even see the console. At Clear Track Studios, our ideal class has between 2-4 students at a time to allow for greater interaction between instructors and students, a development of critical thinking skills as a group and a sense of teamwork when running a recording session from start to finish!

REASONABLE TUITION

At the reasonable rate of $3000, our programs offer a modern, hands-on education in audio engineering for a fraction of the price that you'd find at most major colleges or universities. For example, collegiate students are required to pay $70,000+ in Tuition which includes Admission Fees, Registration Fees, Student Fees, Technology Fee, Books & Supplies, Housing, etc. We do not have any pre-requisite classes nor any additional fees so we can keep our tuition very low.

MANAGEABLE CLASS SCHEDULE

Outside of work, family, and social life, it can be daunting to think of adding an education in audio engineer to your already busy schedule! In our program, the curriculum works for anyone's active life where the time learning inside our studio is not only intensive but well spent only 1 day each week on Sunday's. The normal schedule is from 6pm-10pm each Sunday, and there are 2 Sunday's where students spend the entire day recording a band and then mixing what they just recorded!

10-WEEK COURSE SYLLABUS

WEEK 1: Introduction to the Studio• Learn about the basics of sound including the human ear and speakers• Understand the importance of acoustics• Discover how studios are designed

WEEK 1: Introduction to the Studio

• Learn about the basics of sound including the human ear and speakers

• Understand the importance of acoustics

• Discover how studios are designed

WEEK 2: Microphones• Learn the history industry standard microphones (Dynamics, Condensers, Tube Mics)• Understand polar patterns and mic placement• Experience a hands-on micing of a live drum kit

WEEK 2: Microphones

• Learn the history industry standard microphones (Dynamics, Condensers, Tube Mics)

• Understand polar patterns and mic placement

• Experience a hands-on micing of a live drum kit

WEEK 3: The Gear• Learn the in and outs of the SSL Console• Understand the mechanisms of Preamps, EQ’s, Compressors.• Get to know analog tape and signal flow

WEEK 3: The Gear

• Learn the in and outs of the SSL Console

• Understand the mechanisms of Preamps, EQ’s, Compressors.

• Get to know analog tape and signal flow

WEEK 4: ProTools - The Basics• Learn about Computer Hardware and its components• Become familiar with Pro Tools HD Hardware and Converters• Understand Pro Tools HD Software; I/O's, Peripherals and more.

WEEK 4: ProTools - The Basics

• Learn about Computer Hardware and its components

• Become familiar with Pro Tools HD Hardware and Converters

• Understand Pro Tools HD Software; I/O's, Peripherals and more.

WEEK 5: Pro Tools - In Use• Learn how to run a Pro Tools recording session• Understand the importance of file organization• Learn how to get signal into a session

WEEK 5: Pro Tools - In Use

• Learn how to run a Pro Tools recording session

• Understand the importance of file organization

• Learn how to get signal into a session

WEEK 6: Tracking Session - The Class• Begin to learn about pre-production and session prep• Understand how to set up for a live session• Run an actual a small session in Studio A

WEEK 6: Tracking Session - The Class

• Begin to learn about pre-production and session prep

• Understand how to set up for a live session

• Run an actual a small session in Studio A

WEEK 7: Tracking Session - Practical• Prepare for a band to arrive at 10:00am for their session• Setup drums, mics and amps for the live band• Record an entire fully tracked/produced song

WEEK 7: Tracking Session - Practical

• Prepare for a band to arrive at 10:00am for their session

• Setup drums, mics and amps for the live band

• Record an entire fully tracked/produced song

WEEK 8: Mixing Session - The Class• Learn how to edit a session• Understand hybrid workflow (analog/digital)• Become familiar with EQ, compression, and summing• Blend and complete a mix

WEEK 8: Mixing Session - The Class

• Learn how to edit a session

• Understand hybrid workflow (analog/digital)

• Become familiar with EQ, compression, and summing

• Blend and complete a mix

WEEK 9: Mixing Session - Practical• Prepare for the mixing session at 12noon• Apply the mixing techniques from Week 8• Do a mix of the Week 7's live tracking session.

WEEK 9: Mixing Session - Practical

• Prepare for the mixing session at 12noon

• Apply the mixing techniques from Week 8

• Do a mix of the Week 7's live tracking session.

WEEK 10: The Final• A final 4-hour session of the groups choice: Either a live tracking session where students are in charge of recording from start to finish OR a mixing session where each student can further mix a session in any of our studio room…

WEEK 10: The Final

• A final 4-hour session of the groups choice: Either a live tracking session where students are in charge of recording from start to finish OR a mixing session where each student can further mix a session in any of our studio rooms.

• A Q&A with both instructors to answer any questions and offer additional guidance for the set-up of home recording rigs or career goals in the recording industry!

COMPLETION OF COURSEAt the end of the 10-week course, we provide each student a certificate that indicates the successful completion of our course. However, the goal of our course is not just give out certificates. The TRUE goal of our course is to …

COMPLETION OF COURSE

At the end of the 10-week course, we provide each student a certificate that indicates the successful completion of our course. However, the goal of our course is not just give out certificates. The TRUE goal of our course is to provide each student with the data, tools and knowledge to competently start and operate their own home studio OR know how to come into an existing pro-studio and use it to record and create music. Many of our past students have gone on to build and run their own studio, work for professional recording facilities and even radio stations!

WATCH OUR VIDEO TO LEARN MORE

From theory to practical, our 10-week program provides essential and fundamental aspects of audio engineering. Watch our video to see a nice overview of each week!

MORE INFORMATION

LENGTH: 10 consecutive weeks: Eight 4-hour Sunday evening session once per week, PLUS two bonus Sundays as full-day sessions dedicated to recording and mixing a band!

PRICE: $3000 for the group class. $5000 for 1-on-1 instruction.  Ask about our payment plans!

TO REGISTER: We require a 50% deposit to reserve your seat.  The balance is required by the start date of the course. There are no additional costs. Ask us about payment plans.

Classes run four times per year. Scheduling is flexible for holidays.

 

COUNTDOWN TO OUR NEXT CLASS: MARCH 2024

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