Classes
Audio Engineering Classes in Detroit
Synopsis
- 36-week course / 2 days per week / over 128 hours of lecture time / Certificate of Completion
- 16 hours of studio time with hands on training (when you take the full program).
Students will have the option to purchase equipment & software package so they can put into practice the instruction they receive instantly.
- Learn the basics of how to start your own business.
- Coming Soon: Online Classes
- Financing available through Paramount Capital Group
- Classes can be taken as standalone
ENTRY LEVEL AUDIO & DIGITAL RECORDING CONCEPTS (MODULE 1 & 2)
Module 1 & 2 is a brief introduction to the elements of audio and digital audio recording. It is designed for those with minimum or no previous experience. This course is perfect for podcasters who wants to record and edit they’re on podcast. It is a 12-week course that covers basic audio engineering concepts designed to equip students for their first step toward a professional audio recording engineering career. All of the Module courses is hands-on and instructor-led training. Students will also have access to vintage microphones and top-notch audio processing equipment. It includes up to 4 hours of lecture per week and 4 hours of practice and lab work (in-studio).
MODULE 1
BASIC AUDIO ENGINEERING CONCEPTS (5 WEEKS)
INSTRUCTOR: MIKE CHAV CHAVARRIA
Week 1 – The Physics of Sound & The Human Ear
Students Learning Outcome:
- What sound is and the basics of how it behaves under different circumstances
- Characteristics of sound waves and instruments
- Basic recording studio and acoustical material construction
- How the Human ear perceives sound
- Hearing Safety
Week 2 – Recording Studio Monitoring & The Basics of Microphones
Students Learning Outcome:
- Different types of Monitors used in the recording studio
- Monitor setup and placement
- The different types of microphones and their use
Week 3 – Microphone Techniques & Audio Mixer Basics
Students Learning Outcome:
- Microphone selection and placement on different sound sources
- Signal Flow and the various sections of Analog Mixing Consoles
Week 4 – Audio Mixer Routing, Patch-bays
Students Learning Outcome:
- Routing through microphone preamps, dynamics processing, Equalizers, direct outputs, and buses
- Routing audio through the patch-bay
- Effect send and return setup and use
Week 5 – Analog vs Digital & Mock Recording Session
Students Learning Outcome:
- What analog recording equipment is and how it works
- What digital recording equipment is and how it works
- Similarities and differences between Analog and Digital
- Mock live band recording and setup
MODULE 2
PRO TOOLS 101 (7 WEEKS)
INSTRUCTOR: MIKE CHAV CHAVARRIA
Week 6 – Pro Tools Fundamentals Pt. 1&2
Students Learning Outcome:
- Creating and managing sessions,
- Playback engine settings
- Track Types
- File Types
- Routing
- Groups
- Effects Sends and returns
- Inserting plugins
- Using a Master Fader
- Navigating the Mix Window
- Using the Transport
Week 7 – Pro Tools Fundamentals Pt. 3
Students Learning Outcome:
- Navigating the Edit window
- Edit Modes
- The Ruler
- Preferences and Options
Week 8 – The Basics of MIDI and Using MIDI in Pro Tools
Students Learning Outcome:
- MIDI, history, features, and use
- MIDI Setup in Pro Tools
- Software instrument setup
- MIDI controller setup
- Recording and editing MIDI
Week 9 – Composing with Pro Tools
Students Learning Outcome:
- How to use software instruments and samplers to make a basic composition in Pro Tools
- How to choose, import and edit sounds in Structure and Xpand
- How to use software instruments and MIDI tracks as multitimbral instruments
Week 10 – Equalizers and Dynamics Processing
Students Learning Outcome:
- Functionality and uses for Equalizers in recording and mixing
- How to find and eliminate problem frequencies (subtractive EQ)
- How to use High & Low Pass Filters
- Frequency ranges of different sound sources
- Best and worst practices
- Functionality and use of dynamics processing
- Using compressors/limiters as level, tone, and “pocket” control
- Using gates/expanders as leakage, noise, and “pocket” control
Week 11 – Other Processors and Effects
Students Learning Outcome:
- Use of multiband compressors
- MS Processing
- Use of Harmonic effects
- Use of Modulation effects
- Use of time-based effect
- Use of image-based processors
- Utility plugins
Week 12 – Practical and Final Exam
Students Learning Outcome:
- Complete a mock session setup
- Complete a basic composition using MIDI and audio in Pro Tools
- Take a multiple-choice final exam
ADVANCED LEVEL AUDIO & MUSIC PRODUCTION CONCEPTS (MODULE 3 THRU 7)
Module 3 thru 7 is a 24-week advanced level series of courses that covers advanced level recording engineering and music production concepts. It provides an intensive, in-studio hands-on curriculum designed to prepare aspiring audio recording engineers and music producers. These classes also would be appropriate for graduates of the Module 1 & 2 courses as well as those who may already work in the audio engineering field but need further instruction and training for career advancement. Module 7 was created for future entrepreneurs looking to start a business in the music field or jump start your next big idea. It includes up to 4 hours of lecture per week and 12 hours of practice and lab work (in-studio).
MODULE 3
INTRO TO MUSIC THEORY & EAR TRAINING (4 WEEKS)
INSTRUCTOR: AMP FIDDLER
Week 13 – Music Staff & Notes / Intervals
Students Learning Outcome:
- Understanding the music staff and notes
- Building’s Chords from Intervals and the number system
Week 14 – Chords
Students Learning Outcome:
- Inversions and Major Minor Diminished Dominant Augmented and how they work in building songs
- Simple chord chart reading
Week 15 – Chord Progressions and Ways to Create Songs
Students Learning Outcome:
- Creating through selective choice game play with numbers to randomly write creatively.
- Students will throw numbers in a pot and write based on the choices
Week 16 – Training the Ear to Recognize Chords and Differences Between Major Minor Diminish etc.
Students Learning Outcome:
- Listening to music and finding the key signatures by relationship of the root notes for remixing and other music making application’s
MODULE 4
MUSIC PRODUCTION (HARDWARE & SOFTWARE) (5 WEEKS)
INSTRUCTOR: WALTER HAZMAT HOWARD
Week 17 – Hardware Inputs and Outputs / Sampling
Students Learning Outcome:
- This class will demonstrate the connectivity of hardware/ software and how to integrate
them into production
Week 18 – Introduction to Electronic Music Synthesizers & Drum Machines / Music Synthesizers Sounds and Modes
Students Learning Outcome:
- Students will dive deep into Drum programming production and how to create analog, digital and sample-based Hip-Hop, House & Techno
Week 19 – Akai MPC Drum Machine Programming / Introduction to Basic Sequencing & Combination Sequencing
Students Learning Outcome:
- Here we will jump into how to properly track out ideals and input the proper recording
and sequencing information to make things fun and easy
Week 20 – Intro to MIDI Sequencing: Patterns and Recording in Reason / Editing MIDI Sequences
Students Learning Outcome:
- Students will learn that Reason Studio will open up a completely different pallet of
sounds and sequencing capabilities to create music with. This class will show you how to get started on your musical journey
Week 21 – Create a Song Using Sequencing / Recording Songs Into DAW
Students Learning Outcome:
- Students will be demonstrated how to piece their programmed sequences together, add
those little extra bits that make it special and use pattern-based production to complete songs and finish them in your DAW.
MODULE 5
BASIC LIVE SOUND 101 (6 WEEKS)
INSTRUCTOR: ART MERRIWEATHER III
Week 22 – Intro to Live Sound & Basic PA Setup / Loudspeakers, Crossovers & Amplifiers
Students Learning Outcome: TBA
Week 23 – Audio Signal Processors / Cables and Connections & Snakes/Mic Splitters/DI’s Boxes
Students Learning Outcome: TBA
Week 24 – Digital Console Operation (Yamaha QL1, M7 and Avid Venue) & Front of House and Monitor Engineering Techniques / Miking Techniques/Mic Choice for Live Sound / Using Podium and Lavaliere Microphones & Microphone Feedback
Students Learning Outcome: TBA
Week 25 – Wireless Microphones Technology / Signal Flow Charts & Riders/Stage Plots/Input List/Backline
Students Learning Outcome: TBA
Week 26 – Sound System Design, Connections
Students Learning Outcome: TBA
Week 27 –Room Tuning and Mixing a Band
Students Learning Outcome: TBA
MODULE 6
MUSIC BUSINESS 101 (4 WEEKS)
INSTRUCTOR: BRIAN LUKASAVITZ, J.D.
Week 27 – Your Team of Advisors / Record Deals
Students Learning Outcome:
- Roles of Management, Booking Agents, Business Managers/Accountants, Producers, and Attorney.
- Basics of contracts and compensation for the different members of your team.
- Practical Advice on how to find, secure, and if necessary, replace members of your team.
- Overview of conflicts of interests.
- Benefits and disadvantages of record deals and what to consider before signing.
Week 28 – Group Issues / Songwriting & Music Publishing
Students Learning Outcome:
- Partnership Agreements with band-members, session musicians, and ownerships rights.
- Protecting your name and property interests in your creative works.
- Overview of publishing business, Self-publishing vs. external publishing companies, overview, and value of trademarks.
- Understanding the role of performance rights organizations (PRO)
Week 30 – Music Licensing / Internet Music Licensing
Students Learning Outcome:
- Overview of the different types of copyright protection, copyright infringement, and various types of music licenses.
- How to protect your creative works and when
- How to obtain permission to use other people’s music for remakes and sampling.
Week 31 – Licensing for Film/Television/Advertising/New media, Touring and Merchandising
Students Learning Outcome:
- How to license and earn revenue from licensing creative content for film, television, advertising, and new media forms (online video games, ringtones, etc…).
- How to secure live performance revenue, tips on merchandising and added-value revenue.
MODULE 7
CAREER DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101 (4 WEEKS)
INSTRUCTOR: DR. NICOLE FARMER
Week 32 – Independent Contractor / Mindset of Entrepreneurship vs. 9-to-5
Students Learning Outcome:
- A better understanding of what it takes to be a business owner
- Understand typical requirements and to become successful
- Understand how to leverage relationships with people bring your desires in your business into reality
- A better understanding of how to determine which product/service is most profitable or in demand.
Week 33 – Setting up LLC & EIN & Other Business Entity Forms, Credit / Loans & Grants (Reality vs Myths)
Students Learning Outcome:
- Assistance with completing all business entity forms (basic LLC & EIN, DUNS info and assistance given)
- Understanding of credit both personal and business
- Understand how to leverage both personal and business credit
- Understand what’s needed to meet typical lending requirements
Week 34 – Accounting & Tax Benefits / Business Banking
Students Learning Outcome:
- Understand basic accounting, tax considerations and how this can benefit your business
- Understand business banking and the importance of those relationships and how this can benefit your business (Several banks and funding options will be represented in a panel discussion)
Week 35 – Marketing & Branding
Students Learning Outcome:
- A better understanding of how to share information using Marketing & Branding, Advertising, PR, Sales
- Establish or bolster online presence (website), social media, etc.
- Understand the importance and the idea of what a pitch presentation is use for and how your business can benefit (Possible pitch presentation as part of final testing. Banks and funding organizations who were introduced in week 34 will be invited to listen.)
PROGRAM REVIEW & FINAL TESTING
Week 36 – Program Recap & Review / Final Testing
MODULE 8
*MIXING FOR ARTISTS, BEATMAKERS & PRODUCERS (6 WEEKS)
Take your mixing to the next level…. Inside your computer!
INSTRUCTOR: MIKE CHAV CHAVARRIA
Week 1 – Physics of Sound
Students Learning Outcome:
- How Sound Travels | Standing Waves | Monitor types, placement and uses | Monitors vs Headphones | Listening levels |
- How to make the most of a “guerilla” setup
Week 2 – Setup for Success
Students Learning Outcome:
- File types | Importing | Organizing | Groups | Routing | Aux inputs, returns and buses | Master Bus | Identifying what should be stereo and what should be Mono | Setting up your reference track or rough mix for accurate comparisons and decision making | Track names and saving
Week 3 – Broad Strokes
Students Learning Outcome:
- Optimizing gain for plug-ins | Eliminating Noise | Fades | Managing Sibilance, Pops & Plosives |Gain Staging for the Master Bus | Setting balances and pans | Choosing what to focus on first | Broad Strokes to dial in a sound
Week 4 – Bringing it all together
Students Learning Outcome:
- Initial Vocal Processing | Master Bus Compression |Doubles, Background Vocals, Doubles, Adlibs | Textures | Eq and compression techniques | NYC Compression
Week 5 – Effects and other Processing
Students Learning Outcome:
- Reverbs and Delays | pitch shifters | Modulation effects | Using Phase to create clarity and depth & separation | Distortion and Saturation FX | Resonant Filters |Autopanners| Wideners |Analog Summing & Hybrid setups
Week 6 – Final Touches
Students Learning Outcome:
- Master Bus EQ | Analog Tape Simulators | Mastering with BX Masterdesk | Ozone 9 | Maximizers | Making Stems | Preparing your files for outside Mastering | Mastering Services | Preparing files for release to streaming| Considerations for vinyl mastering
*A LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED FOR MODULE 8. YOU MUST SUBMIT MUSIC YOU HAVE WORKED ON AND COMPLETE A QUESTIONNAIRE OF YOUR SETUP AND WORK FLOW. THIS CLASS IS STANDALONE ONLY.
Registration (Non–Refundable) – $150.00
FULL PROGRAM ENTRY LEVEL & ADVANCED LEVEL: Module 1 thru 7 (36 Weeks) – Cost = $15,500.00
ENTRY LEVEL AUDIO & DIGITAL RECORDING CONCEPTS: Module 1 & 2 (12 Weeks) – Cost = $5,500.00
ADVANCED LEVEL AUDIO & MUSIC PRODUCTION CONCEPTS: Module 3 Thru 7 (24 Weeks) – Cost = $10,000.00
STUDENT OPTIONAL STUDIO EQUIPMENT: FULL PACKAGE – $4,500.00
*STUDENT OPTIONAL STUDIO EQUIPMENT: BEGINNER PACKAGE – $2,900.00
*Student Optional Studio Equipment Beginner Package includes 13’ MacBook Pro computer w/Apple care, Avid Pro Tools Student software, Universal Audio Interface, and Headphones only.
STANDALONE MODULE CLASSES PRICES:
Module 1
BASIC AUDIO ENGINEERING CONCEPTS (5 WEEKS) – $2400.00
Module 2
PRO TOOLS 101 (7 WEEKS) – $3500.00
Module 3
INTRO TO MUSIC THEORY & EAR TRAINING (4 WEEKS) – $1600.00
Module 4
MUSIC PRODUCTION (HARDWARE & SOFTWARE) (5 WEEKS) – $2500.00
Module 5
BASIC LIVE SOUND 101 (6 WEEKS) – $3000.00
Module 6
MUSIC BUSINESS 101 (4 WEEKS) – $2000.00
Module 7
CAREER DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101 (4 WEEKS) – $1600.00
**Module 8
MIXING FOR ARTISTS, BEATMAKERS & PRODUCERS (6 WEEKS) – $3200.00
**A LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED FOR MODULE 8. YOU MUST SUBMIT MUSIC YOU HAVE WORKED ON AND COMPLETE A QUESTIONNAIRE OF YOUR SETUP AND WORK FLOW. THIS CLASS IS STANDALONE ONLY.
Note: AED will provide Mac Computer Workstations for students training. Training books are sold separate for standalone module classes. Students will receive Certificate of Completion after completing each standalone class taken.
AED STUDENT FULL EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS PACKAGE
Students will have the option to purchase Apple MacBook Pro computers, Pro Tools software / hardware, microphones, and other miscellaneous software so they can put into practice the instruction they receive instantly.
– 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display, True Tone, Touch Bar and Touch ID (New)
– Applecare Warranty
– Universal Audio Apollo Solo TB3 Audio Interface (New)
– Avid Pro Tools Perpetual License Student/Teacher (Download)
– Waves CLA MixHub Plug-in Software (Download)
– Auralia & Musition Student Bundle*
– Reason Studios Reason 12 – Student or Teacher Version (Download)
– Akai Professional MPK225 25-key Keyboard Controller
– Sontronics STC-3X Pack Multipattern LDC, 3 Stage Filter and PAD, Includes Spider Shock Pop Shield, 5m cable and case (New)
– Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Closed-Back Studio Monitoring Headphones (New)
– LaCie 500GB Portable USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C External SSD (New)
– Modern Recording Techniques, 9th Edition by David Miles Huber
– Pro Tools 101: Pro Tools Fundamentals v12.8 eBook (PDF File)
– Donald Passman All You Need to Know About the Music Business 10th Edition
Note: Students Audio Production Tools & Books are subject to change.
Audio Engineers of Detroit now offers students 3rd party financing of up to $15,000.00
through Paramount Capital Group with reasonable interest rates (application fee applies)
