Audio Engineering Course Contents

Basic Recording Overview

In this lesson we record, mix and master a song and explain each step of the way, and all the gear. If you use Logic Pro X, you can download the session for mix practice.

What is Sound

Really understanding what sound is will help you understand everything else in audio engineering, from room treatment to microphone polar patterns. We all know that sound is a wave... but a wave of what?

How Sound Flows as Electricity

In this lesson we learn how a microphone converts vibrations in the air into electrical current, which can control the movements of a speaker to reproduce that same sound.

Sample Rate and Bit Depth, Digital Audio explained

48khz, 24 bit. What those numbers mean, and how digital audio works.

Describing Sound Quality

Explaining EQ response, Transient Response, Resolution, Noise, Distortion and Phase, and how the combination of these elements will effect the sound quality.

Distortion

Distortion is more than just that edgy sound you hear sometimes. There are many different types of distortion, each with unique properties.

Signal to Noise Ratio

Every piece of audio equipment has a noise floor, and therefore has a signal to noise ratio.

Phase, Comb Filtering, and How Sound Waves Interact.

One of the most important videos of this course. In this lesson we demonstrate when sound waves are blended together.

Sound Isolation

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Room Acoustics

One of the most influential aspects of your recordings is the room.

Analog Audio Cables

Understanding types of signals, and how the cables carry them is vital to hooking everything up correctly.

Digital Audio Formats

Adat, Spdif, Aes, Ebu.....

Microphone Types, Condenser, Dynamic and Ribbon

These 3 most common types of microphones each have their own unique sound.

Microphone Polar Patterns

Microphones can focus their sound pickup from certain directions, while rejecting sound that comes from other directions.

Understanding the Inputs and Outputs of an Audio Interface

Can you look at a picture of the front and back panels of an audio interface and tell how many inputs and outputs it has?

Signal Routing

Keyboard, microphones, midi, speakers, mixer... how does it all hook up?

Sends and Returns

Sends and Returns are common in audio interfaces and mixers

Interference and Hum

It's not voodoo, and it can be solved. Interference and hum can be caused by a wide variety of things.

The Recording Chain

From the instrument being recorded, to the final listener, we go over all the major steps that effect the sound

Source

Want awesome sounding recordings? It all starts with an awesome sounding source, which is something you need to learn to recognize if it is, or isn't, and if it isn't, then how do you make it better?

Outfitting Your Microphone Collection

What microphones do you really need for a home studio?

Recording Interface

Explaining the various features available in recording interfaces.

Preamps

What preamps are, how they work, various features and how to use them.

Convertors

The converters are where the sound is converted between analog to digital and back to analog.

Computer for Audio Recording

What kind of computer is needed for audio production?

The DAW

There are many different DAW's available at different price points.

Using Plugins in the DAW

Plugins are how we manipulate the sound for audio editing, mixing and mastering.

Using 3rd Party Software in the DAW

If you want more plugins, virtual instruments, and loops than what come with your DAW, there's a lot of options.

Summing Audio

Do you prefer in the box or out of the box?

Monitoring

You can't fix what you can't hear. Your monitors are one of the most important parts of your studio.

Headphones for Professional Audio

Can you use headphones for mixing?

Outboard Effects

Do you prefer the sound of analog hardware over digital emulations?

Recording Studio Accessories

Don't forget all the little things, they can add up.

Instruments for the Recording Studio

Do you need a variety of instruments in your studio?

An Overview of the Recording Process

Let's do a quick overview of the full process

Recording with Midi

Midi is used in almost every major production song created.

Recording with Line Inputs

Many electronic instruments have a line level output.

Stereo Miking Techniques

There are several stereo miking techniques, each with it's own unique characteristics of providing a fuller sound.

The Proper Order to Record All the Instruments

Can you record vocals first, and layer everything on top?

How to Record Vocals

Vocals are usually the single most important part of their song. Let's get it right.

How to record Rap Vocals

Here are some techniques that apply specifically to rap, to help you get beefier and more energetic vocals.

How to Record Acoustic Guitar

There are several great ways to record an acoustic guitar. Let's take a look at them.

How to Record Electric Guitar

How to mic the cab, or record DI.

Recording Drums

Drums are probably the most difficult instrument to record, and nobody can agree on what is the best method. In this lesson, we explain the common methods.

Recording Drums with Minimal Microphones

Sometimes you'll need to record drums with limited recording capabilities. In this lesson we go over various strategies to get great sound with fewer microphones.

Recording Unusual or Difficult Instruments

A guide for choosing the best microphone, polar pattern, and set up position to record any sound source.

Recording Acoustic Guitar With Vocals

Recording acoustic guitar with vocals can be challenging to get a nice tone. In this lesson we show you how to overcome these challenges and get great sound quality every time.

Recording a Full Rock Band

Live or overdub? click track or no click track? We explain several common strategies for recording a full band.

Recording an individual to produce a multitrack song

Build a song from scratch

Mixing and Mastering Overview

Probably the most mis-understood aspects of the music production process is the mixing and mastering.

E.Q. Basics

Learn the standard controls and functions of an equalizer.

Using EQ for Clarity in a Mix

An EQ is the most powerful tool in the world, and when used properly, can make a night and day difference in the clarity of a mix.

Compression Basics

Learn how to use a compressor.

Parallel Compression

Parallel compression is a strategy for applying heavy amounts of compression and still retaining a natural sound.

Multiband Compression and Dynamic EQ's

Learn how to use a multi-band compressor and a dynamic EQ.

Advanced De-Essing

Fix that lisp, get natural sounding S's even on the most stubborn recordings.

Mixing Bass Parts

Basically, you want loud and punchy bass. In this lesson, we will cover all the basses with some basic mixing strategies.

Stereo Spreading and Panning

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Reverb

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Using Aux Busses

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Mixing Drums

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Mixing Instrumentals

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Mixing Vocals, Making them Sparkle

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The blind spot in your ear

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Mixing Rap Vocals to a Backing Track

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My Mixing Workflow

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Mastering for the Home Studio

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