1. History & Theory

The course begins with a history of audio engineering, highlighting major innovations over the last century. Students are also given detailed insight into analog and digital recording theory. The class concludes with an explanation of basic acoustics and psychoacoustics.

2. Advanced Production In Reason

This class introduces advanced Reason functions which allow students to take their music to the next creative level. This section begins with an exploration of automation and remote control. A detailed explanation of routing and Rewire follows.

3. Introduction to Mixing

This class begins with a exploration of mixing as a stage in the music production workflow. The lecture continues with a discussion of how pre-production impacts the mixing process. Students leave this section with an understanding of various elements of the mix.

4. Level Balancing and Stereo Imaging

The first step in the mixing process is level balancing and panning. Students apply these skills to their audio project in an accurate monitoring environment. Precursor instructors evaluate student settings and make suggestions to optimize their mixes.

5. Dynamics

Our second mixing class offers a detailed look at dynamics processing. Students learn the benefits of non-linear dynamics adjustments to audio and MIDI clips within the DAW. The class continues with a discussion of dynamics processors, with a special focus on compression and de-essing.

6. Equalization

Equalization is among the most important yet elusive skills in the mixing process. This section begins with a series of listening exercises to give students insight into frequency range. Participants then have the opportunity to equalize their mixes using Precursor's graduated method of parametric equalization.

7. Dimension

The final step is to add dimension to the mix via ambience effects. This class begins with an exploration of digital delay. The lecture continues with look at digital reverberation and its relationship to live ambience and vintage analog reverb.

8. Mixing Lab

This lab gives students the opportunity to complete their mixes and test them in Precursor's many monitoring environments. As always, help from one of Precursor's professional engineers is only a question away.