Sound Engineering Course

Lesson 1 • Room Acoustics and Sound Behaviour

Examines how sound interacts with enclosed spaces through reflection and absorption. Connects acoustic theory to real-world room treatment decisions.

Lesson 2 • Human Hearing and Psychoacoustics

Covers the anatomy of hearing and perceptual phenomena that influence mixing decisions. Grounds technical choices in listener experience.

Lesson 3 • Physics of Sound Waves

Covers frequency, amplitude, wavelength, and wave behaviour. Establishes the physical vocabulary used throughout all subsequent chapters.

Lesson 4 • The Decibel Scale and Loudness

Explains logarithmic measurement of sound intensity and perceived loudness. Provides the numerical framework for gain staging and level management.

Lesson 1 • Understanding Signal Flow Concepts

Defines signal flow and traces audio through a typical studio chain. Provides the mental model needed to troubleshoot routing problems efficiently.

Lesson 2 • Outboard Gear and Hardware Processors

Introduces compressors, equalisers, and effects units as standalone hardware. Prepares students to integrate outboard gear into both analog and hybrid workflows.

Lesson 3 • Mixing Consoles and Patch Bays

Covers analog console architecture, channel strip functions, and patch bay routing. Builds practical skills for navigating complex studio infrastructure.

Lesson 4 • Preamplifiers and Line-Level Devices

Explains how preamplifiers boost mic-level signals and how line-level devices interface. Connects gain staging theory to hands-on equipment operation.

Lesson 1 • Recording Drums and Percussion

Applies multi-microphone strategies to capture a full drum kit with clarity and punch. Addresses phase relationships between multiple mics on a single source.

Lesson 2 • Stereo Microphone Techniques

Covers XY, ORTF, mid-side, and spaced pair configurations for stereo recording. Connects stereo imaging theory to practical setup and monitoring.

Lesson 3 • Recording Vocals and Voice

Focuses on microphone selection, pop filtering, and room treatment for vocal recording. Produces clean, intimate vocal tracks ready for mixing.

Lesson 4 • Core Microphone Placement Principles

Establishes distance, angle, and axis as the primary variables in mic placement. Provides a systematic approach to evaluating and adjusting microphone position.

Lesson 1 • DAW Architecture and Session Setup

Explains DAW components including tracks, buses, and the timeline. Establishes session templates and file management habits that prevent costly errors.

Lesson 2 • Recording and Monitoring in the DAW

Covers input monitoring, record-enable workflows, and latency management. Ensures performers and engineers maintain accurate monitoring during tracking.

Lesson 3 • Organising and Archiving Projects

Covers file consolidation, backup strategies, and session interchange formats. Protects project integrity and enables collaboration across studios and platforms.

Lesson 4 • Audio Editing Fundamentals

Teaches clip-based editing, crossfades, and timing correction techniques. Produces polished, performance-ready tracks before the mixing stage.

Lesson 1 • Creative and Tonal EQ Techniques

Uses EQ to enhance character, presence, and air in individual tracks. Develops aesthetic judgment for shaping instruments within a mix context.

Lesson 2 • EQ Types and Filter Shapes

Surveys parametric, graphic, shelving, and high-pass filter designs. Connects filter mathematics to audible results students can identify by ear.

Lesson 3 • EQ in a Mix Context

Addresses frequency masking and carving space for each element in a full mix. Teaches EQ decisions that serve the mix rather than isolated tracks.

Lesson 1 • Gates, Expanders, and Transient Shapers

Covers noise gates, downward expanders, and transient designers as complementary tools. Expands the dynamics toolkit beyond compression for precise control.

Lesson 2 • Compression Fundamentals

Explains threshold, ratio, attack, release, and knee parameters in detail. Builds the conceptual foundation for all dynamics processing decisions.

Lesson 3 • Compression Applied to Instruments

Applies compression settings to drums, bass, guitars, and vocals with specific goals. Translates parameter knowledge into practical, source-specific workflows.

Lesson 4 • Limiting and Loudness Management

Explains brick-wall limiting and integrated loudness standards for delivery. Connects dynamics processing to mastering and platform loudness requirements.

Lesson 1 • Automation and Mix Dynamics

Applies volume, pan, and plugin parameter automation to create a living, dynamic mix. Elevates static mixes into performances that guide listener attention.

Lesson 2 • Reverb and Ambience Design

Covers room, hall, plate, and convolution reverb types and their mix applications. Creates cohesive spatial environments that place instruments in a shared acoustic space.

Lesson 3 • Delay and Time-Based Effects

Applies slapback, rhythmic, and ping-pong delays to add depth and movement. Teaches tempo-synced delay as a compositional and spatial tool.

Lesson 4 • Mix Review and Revision Workflow

Establishes critical listening habits, reference track use, and revision cycles. Produces mixes that hold up across multiple playback environments and listening sessions.

Lesson 5 • Building a Mix Foundation

Establishes level balance, panning, and gain staging as the starting point for every mix. Prevents common errors that undermine later processing decisions.

Lesson 1 • Mastering Philosophy and Signal Chain

Defines mastering goals and the typical mastering signal chain order. Establishes the mindset of serving the mix rather than reprocessing it.

Lesson 2 • Stereo Enhancement in Mastering

Applies mid-side processing and stereo widening at the mastering stage with precision. Ensures the stereo image is wide, stable, and mono-compatible.

Lesson 3 • EQ and Tonal Correction in Mastering

Applies broad, surgical EQ to correct tonal imbalances across the full mix. Teaches restraint and precision as the defining qualities of mastering EQ.

Lesson 4 • Sequencing, Metadata, and Delivery

Covers album sequencing, track spacing, and embedding metadata for distribution. Produces a complete, delivery-ready master package for any release format.