The Audio Masterclass Music Production and Sound Engineering Online Course. Volume 1 (Module 1-6) [Repost]

Module 1 of the Audio Masterclass Music Production and Sound Engineering Online Course is our 'back to basics' module where we cover the essentials of Analog and Digital Audio.
We also cover soundproofing and acoustic treatment. In the Practical Assignment Project we will ask you to send us a simple recording of speech. From this we will be able to tell what stage you are at in your journey to recording excellence.
Recording speech might sound simple, but in fact we rarely receive a recording that we can't suggest improvements to in some way. In some cases the improvement after just one Practical Assignment Project is huge.

In Module 2 we look at microphones and how to use them. Microphones come in a small number of basic types, and you have to know which type is best for the style of recording you are making.
Even more important is how to position the microphone. Pros call this Microphone Technique. Get this wrong and your recording is ruined - there's nothing you can do afterwards to put things right.
The Practical Assignment Project for this module will help you learn and understand how different microphones sound on a variety of sound sources.

The topic of Microphone Preamplifiers is pretty hot at the moment, so we cover it in intense detail in Module 3, with audio examples of many preamplifiers in common professional use.
Usually, the question you have to ask is do you want an accurate sound? Or do you want an improved and enhanced version of what the voice or instrument really sounds like?
The Practical Assignment Project here looks at stereo microphone techniques. It's quite tough and you will learn a lot from doing this one.

Sometimes, the instrument or voice you will be recording doesn't sound quite right for the song. It could be that the balance of frequencies isn't right - too much low, too little top, a problem in the midrange. Equalization can help. Module 4 will show you how to correct problems in frequency balance.
But equalization can also be used for creative purposes - to make sounds that are better than real life. We'll show you how to do this. We will also show you how equalization is used in the mix to give each instrument and voice its own 'frequency space' so your mix can be clear and powerful.

Compression is like 'magic fairy dust' that we can use to sprinkle on our recordings. The basic function of compression is to even out the louds and quiets in a recording.
But compression, when used properly as explained in Module 5, can add sparkle and texture to a track. You can use it on individual instruments or voices, or across the entire mix.
We'll show you how. In the Practical Assignment Project you will be asked to compress recordings ranging from solo vocal to full orchestra.

Recording Software is usually quite easy to start using. But it can also be incredibly complex with an enormous range of functions.
But there are certain techniques that pros use over and over again, as explained in Module 6. Once you have mastered these techniques - which are straightforward when you know how - you will be able to record good strong tracks, edit out any blemishes, improve the structure of your song, and bounce and mix with confidence.
You will find yourself flying around the most important commands and controls - whichever software you use. By the way, hardware recorders use many of the same principles, so you will be able to understand these too. The Audio Masterclass Music Production and Sound Engineering Online Course is compatible with all recording software and hardware.