COURSE OVERVIEW
Learn how to confidently run modern Hip Hop recording sessions in Hip Hop Sessions: Unlocked, a hands-on, one-on-one audio engineering course built around the fast-paced workflow of real studio sessions.
Led by professional audio engineer & instructor, Soda, you’ll learn how to record yourself and other artists, build and troubleshoot signal flow, move quickly through Pro Tools, and capture clean, professional vocals without slowing down the creative process. You’ll also develop skills in vocal editing, tuning, EQ, compression, effects, mixing, reference mastering, session organization, and professional file delivery.
By the end of the course, you’ll have the technical skills, speed, and confidence to operate independently in modern Hip Hop, Rap, Trap, R&B, Pop, and other vocal-driven recording sessions.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Hip Hop Recording Sessions – Confidently record yourself and run professional sessions for other artists.
Pro Tools Speed & Workflow – Work faster with shortcuts, templates, routing, and efficient session setup.
Studio Signal Flow & Troubleshooting – Build signal paths and quickly solve common technical problems.
Vocal Recording & Production – Capture clean vocals while learning editing, tuning, layering, and effects.
Artist Communication & Session Flow – Create a comfortable environment and keep sessions moving creatively.
Mixing & Reference Mastering – Use EQ, compression, effects, and mastering techniques to create polished results.
EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTOR
With extensive experience in Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, Trap, Reggaeton and more, popular engineer & instructor Soda takes a hands-on, personalized approach to teaching. Students learn by doing, operating the equipment and running real studio workflows with Soda coaching them in real time. His goal is to build not only technical skill, but the speed, confidence, and independence needed to run professional sessions.
1-ON-1 INSTRUCTION
This course is conducted exclusively in a 1-on-1 format, giving students the opportunity to learn hands-on within the fast pace and real workflow of a professional studio. With dedicated instruction and real-time coaching, students build speed, technical confidence, problem-solving skills, and the ability to keep a session moving. The skills learned can be applied anywhere, from smaller recording setups to major pro studios.
10 LESSON CURRICULUM
LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION
Establish individual student goals & experience
Assess current Pro Tools & recording knowledge
Understand the role of a professional audio engineer
Learn studio etiquette, artist communication & session leadership
Establish a personalized course direction & learning pace
LESSON 2: Pro SETUP & Mic Technique
Set up microphones, stands, pop filters & cables properly
Learn microphone positioning, distance & angles
Control performer movement, proximity & headphone bleed
Understand phantom power, microphone power requirements & safe setup
Identify room noise and prevent vocal recording problems at the source
LESSON 3: SIGNAL FLOW & TROUBLESHOOTING
Understand the complete vocal signal chain
Learn patch bays, preamps, compressors & converters
Route audio correctly from the booth into Pro Tools
Diagnose common power, patching & input problems
Troubleshoot signal issues quickly & confidently
LESSON 4: PRO TOOLS WORKFLOW & TEMPLATES
Navigate Pro Tools quickly with essential shortcuts
Organize tracks, routing & sessions for efficient workflow
Build a personalized recording template from scratch
Set up vocal tracks, buses, effects & plugin starting points
Prepare sessions to start recording quickly & keep artists moving
LESSON 5: ARTIST-FIRST RECORDING & SELF RECORDING
Build rapport and understand the artist’s goals & workflow
Run smooth, fast-paced vocal recording sessions
Anticipate artist needs & minimize technical interruptions
Organize takes, punch-ins, routing & monitoring efficiently
Record yourself independently with professional studio workflow
LESSON 6: VOCAL EDITING, COMPING, TUNING
Organize takes & comp the strongest vocal performance
Clean vocals with fades, breaths, clip gain & timing adjustments
Edit while preserving the artist’s natural performance & feel
Tune vocals using Auto-Tune & Melodyne based on genre
Prepare polished vocals for processing & mixing
LESSON 7: ADVANCED VOCAL RECORDING & PRODUCTION
Build complete leads, hooks, doubles, ad-libs & vocal layers
Maintain consistent tone, energy, timing & mic technique
Guide artist performances while preserving their creative direction
Use punch-ins, playlists & section-based recording efficiently
Build polished vocal arrangements while keeping sessions moving
LESSON 8: two-TRack & multi-Track mixing
Build effective vocal chains with EQ, compression & color
Mix vocals professionally over two-track instrumentals
Organize & balance stems in multitrack sessions
Use automation, saturation, parallel compression & stereo imaging
Create polished mixes using only the processing the record needs
LESSON 9: REFERENCE MASTERING & PROFESSIONAL DELIVERY
Understand loudness, headroom, limiting & clipping
Create clean, competitive reference masters
Compare against professional references & test mix translation
Prepare WAVs, MP3s, clean versions, instrumentals, acapellas & stems
Organize and deliver professional, release-ready files
LESSON 10: THE FULL SESSION: 10 hour practical
Prepare the studio, microphone & complete signal flow
Build and organize the full Pro Tools session
Welcome the artist & independently lead the recording session
Record, edit, tune, mix & reference master a complete song
Organize, export & professionally deliver the final files
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF COURse
After successfully completing the 10-lesson course, students will have the practical skills and confidence to independently run professional recording sessions from start to finish. Students will be able to prepare and troubleshoot the studio, operate Pro Tools efficiently, work directly with artists, record and produce professional vocals, edit and tune performances, mix and reference master complete songs, and deliver organized professional files.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Graduates who want to expand their experience beyond the home studio also have the opportunity to apply for an unpaid internship at Clear Track Studios. Interns gain exposure to a professional studio environment, with access to all five studios and opportunities to observe and assist engineers during recording, mixing, and mastering sessions. This optional next step allows students to build upon the skills learned in their own home setup while gaining valuable real-world studio experience.
MORE INFORMATION
ELIGIBILITY: Anyone (beginner or intermediate) interested in learning the fundamentals of audio engineering and how to record, edit, mix, and master modern Hip Hop, Rap, Trap, R&B music from their own setup or a pro studio is eligible for this course.
LENGTH: This is a 10-class (46 total hours) course that delivered as a group or 1-on-1 instruction. 10 consecutive weeks: Nine 4-hour lessons. The final class is a full day (10 hours) of practical.
PRICE: $5000 for 1-on-1 instruction. The 1-on-1 price reflects a highly specialized curriculum, dedicated studio time, flexible schedule and personalized attention to the individual student. Ask about our payment plans!
TO REGISTER: We require a 50% deposit to reserve your seat. The balance is due by the start date of the course OR you can participate in our payment plan. There are no additional costs.
NEXT COURSE COUNTDOWN: 1-on-1 courses have “ongoing admissions” and can begin whenever you are ready. Scheduling is flexible for holidays.