MANCHESTER MIDI SCHOOL MUSIC PRODUCTION AND AUDIO ENGINEERING DIPLOMA COURSE INFORMATION PACK 15 MONTHS MIDISCHOOL.COM

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1 DIPLOMA 15 MONTHS MIDISCHOOL.COM

2 INTRODUCTION Course Name: Duration: Incorporates: Music Production and Audio Engineering Diploma 15 Months 5 modules JUMP STRAIGHT TO: About the course tutor What you will learn on the course Our 15 month course is suited to those looking to become a music producer, artist or audio engineer. The modules included in this course will teach you how to create and produce music in a range of styles to a professional standard. You ll also learn how to work with and record a variety of instruments and musicians in a commercial environment. There ll be as much support and guidance as you feel you need from our support staff during your practical sessions to help you achieve the sound you re looking for. You will also have access to online resources to supplement your learning during your time with us. In short, the 15 month course will provide you with a full practical knowledge of the DAW-based recording studio. No prior experience of recording studios, music production generally, or even music theory knowledge is required to take our 15 month course. The next pages detail what you will learn on our 15 month diploma course. If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to get in touch on mail@midischool.com Our studio 1 teaching facilities 2

3 ABOUT THE TUTOR Christophe Bride is the head lecturer at Manchester MIDI School. He has worked on remixes for Skunk Anansie, Erasure, Placebo and Curve, as well as recording and engineering Mercury Music Prize winning band Hard Fi. His credits on the Manchester circuit are second to none. Kid British after signing to Universal enlisted Christophe to record, engineer and produce their debut album. Importantly for our students, he has worked on a broad spectrum of music styles, engineering indie bands Northern Uproar and Sonic Boom 6 s debut albums, producing hip-hop (Wycliffe Jean and Tommy Boy remixes) on DMC, and writing progressive / trance with Blue Amazon. A couple of tracks he did with Six 10 Repeater were licensed for the Pro Evo Soccer game. His current dance pseudonym, Forbidden Planet, are signed in the UK and US Aside from developing new artists, he records with 80s legends Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets), Kirk Brandon (Spear of Destiny) and New Model Army. Christophe Bride 3

4 Module 1 - Introduction to Music Production The introduction to music production module will give students a strong grounding in the practical use of software sequencers an essential element of the modern recording studio. You ll learn how to work with MIDI and audio, virtual instruments and effects: skills, which will be built on as your course progresses. Practical lessons take place in our MIDI lab, with as much support and advice as you need both from your tutor and technical support staff. This module is taken from a beginner level: no previous knowledge of MIDI or recording studios is required, however those who already have experience will also benefit from professional, structured training. Outside of lectures, there is unlimited personal practical time available in our imac-based MIDI lab. Computer for Music Computer Specifications Introduction to Mac OS X Mac configuration Management of files and folders MIDI What is MIDI? What is a MIDI controller? MIDI music creation Theory of Sound What is music theory? What is phase? What is timbre / harmonic analysis Envelopes - ADSR Introduction to Music Software Logic, Cubase, Reason & Ableton Live Create a song project Arranging music Song editing Audio Interfaces What is an audio interface? Audio connections Working inside the box Digital / Analogue Mixing Console Operation and signal flow Sound quality and versatility Balanced / Unbalanced cables What is ADAT? 4

5 Module 2 - Music Construction and Sound Design The focus of this module is the creation and production of your own material. You will master every element of the modern studio with oneon-one technical support and guidance available at all times to ensure you achieve the sound you are looking for. The teaching studios are designed as a stepping stone system, maintaining familiarity and transferability as the course progresses. The introduction of additional studio kit and music production techniques is carried out in a logical manner, gradually increasing in complexity as your knowledge and confidence grows. Everyone is encouraged to learn both the technical aspects and the creative side of the music production process, focusing on and developing their own choice of tracks and musical style. Your tutor will also hold regular how do they do that sessions where tracks of your choosing are picked apart and analysed. Synthesis AU / VST instruments / plugins The analogue synthesizer Sound design What is an LFO Automation to control synth parameters Sampling Audio Using the EXS24 Sampler Creating a drum kit from drum samples What is a preamp? Synthesis in EXS24 Microphones What is a condensor microphone? What is a dynamic microphone? Microphone placement Microphone placement Remixing Working with acapellas Musical collaborations Audio Recording Setup and routing in Logic Using a hardware mixing console Audio routing methods Sample rate selection Bit depth selection Time Stretching Using flex time in Logic Warping in Ableton Live What is a REX file? Propellerhead Recycle Critical Listening Using a classic song we will dissect, discuss and understand the processes involved into production, mixing and mastering a piece of music. 5

6 Module 3 - Mixdown and Mastering Mixdown and mastering are a key set of skills which enable you to turn your track from a collection of sounds into a finished piece of music. This module will introduce all the tools you have at your disposal to achieve this. In today s bedroom producer culture, a great mix has never been more important to achieve and will give you a vital edge in a saturated marketplace. You might have written an amazing track, but if the mix is undefined, muddy, and lacking in focus then it probably won t find it s way into the collection of your favourite DJ. If you re looking to get music signed, you will be ahead of the curve if you can mix and master your tracks to a professional standard: we will show you everything you need to know to achieve clear, defined, punchy mixes using a variety of hardware and software processors, mixing on a range of studio monitors, in a variety of acoustic environments. EQ Parameters on a parametric EQ? The graphic equaliser How to EQ correctively? Creative EQ Compression Compression parameters Where to apply compression Using sidechain compression Hardware and Software compressors Noise Gates What is a noise gate When to use a noise gate Cleaning up sounds Creative sidechain gated effects Audio Effects Insert effects Send and Return effects processing Buses in Logic Applying reverb and delay correctly Mixing Down What is mixdown and how to mix music? How to create a stereo mix The key elements of a mix Mixing in the box Mastering What is Mastering? Mastering processes DAW and hardware equipment Pro Mastering Studios 6

7 Module 4 - Advanced Production The advanced production module will teach you a comprehensive range of further techniques to turn you into the complete producer. Samples are used extensively in every genre of music today. Often producers will take these from pre-prepared, purchased sample packs, which of course anyone can use. This module will show you how to create, record, and prepare your own unique samples from scratch, making sure you sound like no other. We ll cover further mixing techniques, including how to accurately tidy up and edit recorded audio, and some creative advanced uses of the compressor. Students will also be trained on the MIDI School s Pro Tools rig: the high-end software and hardware based DAW used in many professional studios. Having a working knowledge of all the main players in the DAW market will benefit those looking for employment in a commercial studio. The Traditional Recording Studio Advanced mixing techniques and routing Advanced acoustics / acoustic treatment A study of classic hardware processors Sample Sound from Scratch Acoustic drum kit and percussion anatomy How to operate classic samplers e.g. Akai Field recording Being a foley artist Pro Tools What is Pro Tools? Pro Tools hardware / software setup Recording with Pro Tools Mixing Sound for Vision How to write music for video How to create sound effects Sound design for theatres Further Sound Design Advanced analogue synthesis Subtractive synthesis Frequency modulation synthesis Sound Installations 7

8 Module 5 - Audio Engineering and Live Sound This module is taught in maximum group sizes of just 8 students, ensuring maximum student to teacher ratio for this hands-on training. Training takes place in 4 studios using digital automated mixing desks and a wide range of both current and classic equipment. It concentrates on the skills required to record and produce a band as well as engineer live events. In summary, it is an audio engineering module designed for those seeking employment in a commercial recording environment or wishing to set up their own commercial recording studio. Initially, the range of microphones most commonly used in the industry are taught using the live room and the drum kit as a starting point. Here you will learn the importance of isolating and optimising each signal in the recording process. Next, a range of other instruments are recorded as you shadow the tutor while he works with you to record your first band. Unlike audio engineering courses elsewhere, plenty of individual studio recording time remains available throughout, so that everyone can master recording and mixdown skills. Each student will have the opportunity to complete an individual recording and production project with one of a number of bands from the Manchester gig circuit - a unique approach that sets us apart from other music production schools. Working this way ensures that the live room and the control room are entirely understood by you. Advanced Recording Techniques Live sound engineering and recording Bass and Guitar rigs Other Acoustic instruments Vocals Radio Broadcasting Creating advertisements Following a brief from a company Transmission suitable products Production Management Live recording session management Pre production Instrument preperation Tips and tricks Band Recording and Production Multi track recording Advanced audio editing How to mix and master for CD 8