1. History & Theory

The course begins with a history of recording, highlighting major innovations over the last 150 years. Students also receive an introduction to analog and digital recording theory. The class concludes with an exploration of the components of a recording studio.

2. Introduction to Reason

Reason is a powerful yet easy-to-use software studio. This lesson introduces students to the Reason interface and background settings. By the end of this class students will understand how Reason works and its role in the music production process.

3. Reason Instruments & Effects

In this class students explore the wide variety of instruments and effects in Reason. The first goal is to learn about each instrument and to navigate the vast sound palette of the Reason sound banks. The class concludes with an overview of Reason's many effects.

4. Reason Lab

It is vital that students have an opportunity to explore Reason's many possibilities on their own. This supervised lab gives students a chance to apply their new skills in class and have their questions answered as they encounter everyday music production issues.

5. Introduction to the Digital Audio Workstation

Reason is an excellent tool for MIDI recording and arrangement. However, producers also need a powerful Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) with the ability to record and arrange audio. This class familiarizes students with the setup and basic navigation within the leading DAW of their choice.

6. Audio Arrangement & MIDI Sequencing

Students discover how they can immediately use the DAW to manipulate audio in many powerful ways. Next, they learn to trigger virtual instruments via keyboard and sequencer. A thorough exploration of the arrange window unveils the endless compositional possibilities within the DAW.

7. Signal Path and Recording

This class starts with an explanation of analog signal path, i.e. how to use microphones and preamplifiers to capture high-resolution audio recordings. Students create example recordings in class and learn how they can be immediately edited and arranged in a project.

8. DAW Lab

This lab gives students the opportunity to explore the audio production software on their own. As always, help from one of Precursor's professional producers is only a question away. Students will leave this lab ready to set-up their studio and begin creating their own music.