Mixing and music production techniques
Choose a start date
- Course Code: MK545
- Dates: 19/06/24 - 17/07/24
- Time: 18:15 - 21:15
- Taught: Wed, Evening
- Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Max La Villa
Course Code: MK545
Choose a start date
Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Develop your music production skills beyond simple program use. This advanced course will provide you with a deep understanding of mixing and mastering tools and techniques that you can apply to a wide variety of musical styles. Examples will be given in a variety of software on Mac computers, although the course is also suitable for users of other systems. You will be able to export your projects to interchange formats to run on other platforms.
What will we cover?
• compressors and limiters
• Mastering: finalising and enhancing your finished mix
• EQ
• techniques such as reverb to create depth of field
• panning to create vivid stereo field
• Listening techniques and monitors
• routing mixes through auxiliaries, group channels and sends
• what to check for before your music is released on CD and other formats
• Gain structure.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Set up and apply compressors and limiters to control volume and perceived loudness
• Master your finished mix for playback across all systems and media formats
• Apply EQ to make different musical parts fit together
• Use reverb and other techniques to create depth of field
• Use panning to create a vivid stereo field
• Use a range of listening techniques and monitoring systems
• Choose appropriate routing options for mixing your music
• Check that a track is ready for release on CD and other formats.
• Structure volume levels to improve the quality and dynamics of your mixes.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an intermediate course aimed at those who already use music editing software.
You will need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions in English, engage in class discussions and take notes in English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor demonstration and explanation. Class discussion followed by practical work.
You will work on an individual Mac workstation running Apple's Logic software to practise set themes, techniques and skills, applying these to your developing ideas and material. You will present your work in progress regularly to the group and receive feedback, support and encouragement from your tutor throughout the course.
It is useful to have access to a computer with music production software outside class to work on your project between sessions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Ideally, you will have access to a computer with music production software outside class to work on your project between sessions. For information and advice on hardware, software and peripherals, see our post on Music technology equipment advice.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Visit our Music production overview blog for a description of courses we offer during the year, and check our list of current courses. For further advice email the Music office .
Max’s musical training began in New York City where he was lucky enough to have major session musicians as neighbors in his building teaching him guitar as a child. By his early teens he was studying classical guitar, alongside theory and orchestration, at the High School of the Performing Arts. He relocated to Spain to further his classical guitar studies under the esteemed guitarist/ teacher Jose Tomas. While there Max ran a commercial recording studio, where he began immersing himself in the emerging digital technologies. After moving to London, he continued working as a session musician. He has recorded, toured and collaborated with artists including Kevin Ayers, Paul Weller, Perry Farrell (Jane’s Addiction), Jah Wobble, Carl Barat (Libertines) and Marc Almond. In 2011 he was commissioned to compose recitatives and an aria for a production of “The Coronation of Poppea” by the Théatre du Châtelet in Paris which centered around virtual instruments and sampling delivered by multiple computers live on stage with the players. Max continues working with artists of every genre in mixing, sound design, drum programming, bass and keyboards.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
