What is the course about?
Learn how to set yourself up at home, use a microphone and audio software to capture, edit and mix together good quality recordings of your voice, instruments, backing tracks or other sounds for a wide variety of creative purposes. Course is suitable for both amateur and professional musicians, voiceover artists, radio actors, or anyone else who needs to make good quality vocal recordings.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
• basic EQ, compression, delays and reverb
• essential techniques for doubling vocals, blending backing vocals
• technical aspects of vocal recording (mic selection/patterns/position), acoustic treatment
• techniques for controlling sibilance, room acoustics and other artefacts that can ruin vocal recordings
• file management.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• apply basic EQ, compression, delays and reverb to audio tracks
• use essential techniques for doubling vocals, blending backing vocals
• know how to make the most of mic selection/patterns/position and acoustic treatment in your home recording set-up
• how to control sibilance, room acoustics and other artefacts that affect home recording
• understand how audio files are organised and keep track of your recordings.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an intermediate course aimed at those with some existing skills in audio software.
You will need 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 explanation and demonstration
Discussion followed by practical work, applying the techniques to your own recordings.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Desktop / laptop / tablet computer and / or smartphone with built-in or attached microphone and speakers. You will need audio software such as Audacity, GarageBand or Logic. You may want to use other peripherals such as headphones and audio interface, depending on what you need to record.
Visit our Music technology: equipment advice page for more detailed information about hardware and software, so that you can ensure you have everything you need before you enrol. Even for courses that take place at City Lit, we recommend you have your own equipment at home so that you can continue to develop your music after your course has finished.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
GarageBand; Music production with Logic: level 1; Vocal recording
Singing courses, Voiceover and radio , Voice and speech classes
Visit our Music technology courses: overview blog to see the wide range of courses on offer, from music production and home recording to live electronics and sound art. If you already know what you are looking for, go straight to the listing of currently available course dates and times.
For further advice email the Music office .
Music also offers a wide range of instrumental, ensemble, music theory, musicianship, songwriting and composition courses.
