Creating Commercial Sounding Masters

About this course:

Just understanding how to operate a DAW (Protools or Logic) is not enough to help you to make your recordings competitive with commercial sounding masters. In this workshop-style class, independent artists learn how to create commercial-sounding recordings “in-the-style-of,” that is, re-producing a hit recording from the ground-up and emulating the work of the well-known producers and engineers. You learn what elements made those hits successful and how to re-create those winning production components: sound, feel, and emotional power. Classes are hands-on, real-world, intensive, and cover such concepts as choosing musicians and finessing the best performance out of artists. You produce, mix, and master one music project--either a live band or a solo artist. Your project must incorporate live instruments as well as programmed instruments. The course is personalized to help each student explore the full potential of creating and producing their music. Topics include pre-production, recording using Pro Tools or Logic, getting great vocal performances through microphone techniques, recording and mixing techniques, mastering, and budgeting. Near the end of the course, your projects are played and critiqued in class.