Program of Instruction
Almost 600 pages of easy-to-understand training
25 big lessons plus 30 Video and 60 Action- Audio lessons
These lessons are accompanied by Hands-On Video lessons
These lessons are accompanied by Action-Audio lessons
Lesson Contents - Part 1
Lesson 1 — THE ART OF ENGINEERING
This course is for home recording musicians and for professional careers. We begin by showing you the basic set-up of a recording studio, how it is laid out and how the pieces work together. Slowly you learn what it all does. The life-styles of a successful engineer and music producer are examined. The roles and duties for each participant at at a recording session are clearly defined.
Lesson 2 — WHAT IS SOUND?
To make great recordings, you must understand a little bit about the nature of sound itself. You will never be able to record sound successfully if you don't know exactly what it is. A simple appreciation of basic audio theory will enable you to understand such terms as frequency, soundwave, decibel, compressor, etc. We keep this lesson as simple as we possibly can - telling you only the essentials.
Lesson 3 — LET'S MAKE AN ALBUM TOGETHER
Your instructor guides you step by step through the recording of a complete album of songs. An actual project is thoroughly analyzed to give you an understanding of the entire process from start to finish. Each stage is explained in fine detail and a multitude of secret tricks are divulged. Your recordings will have that professional sound - just like those from a major recording studio. This lesson is so life-like, you'll really feel like you are actually recording and producing a live band.
Lesson 4 — THE RECORDING SESSION...PART 2
Continuing the analysis of a complete recording project, this is the stage where the vocals and instruments are added to previously recorded tracks. You'll learn how the producer gets the best out of the recording artist and how to correct any musical mistakes. The use of compressors and equalizers and microphones are introduced here.
Lesson 5 — THE RECORDING SESSION...PART 3 - THE FINAL MIX
This is the third stage of our album project and where most home recording producers come up short. The delicate art of mixing is explained and you'll master the skills of blending sound to create fabulous mixes. The correct procedures for recording masters is also discussed so that your mixes will be in the correct format for sending to CD duplication factories.
Lesson Contents - Part 2
Lesson 6 — DIGITAL HOME RECORDING
Find out exactly what you need to put together a complete home studio. This recently updated lesson covers digital programs such as Pro Tools, Cakewalk, Reason, Cubase, Performer and many others. You'll learn which plug-ins you'll need and how to work them - they add that professional sparkle to your tracks. There are thousands of programs out there - you'll find out exactly which ones are best for your particular type of music.
Lesson 7 — INDEPENDENT RECORD PRODUCTION.
For those of you who want to form your own record label and produce and distribute your own CD, mp3, or vinyl record, this lesson is an absolute must. At AIA we have had our own independent label since 1974. There are many frustrations and pitfalls in record making that can easily be avoided once you have digested this lesson. Promotion and distribution is discussed along with the inner structure of the music industry. And the mysterious mastering stage is explained.
Lesson 8 — THE MICROPHONE JUNGLE.
Now we begin to examine the various pieces of equipment that are found in the recording studio. There are hundreds of different types of microphone available. Which one is right for you? Each has a distinctive sound and is used for a particular purpose. You will learn how they work and the applications for which each microphone is best suited.
Lesson 9 — MICROPHONE TECHNIQUE.
It's not as simple as you think. Once you have learned which mic to use for a particular job, you must know how and where to place it in relation to the sound that is to be captured. This is very important information. You will be encouraged to experiment and discover ways with which to produce your own unique sounds. Success in this business means experimenting!
Lesson 10 — MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MIKING.
This lesson is filled with photographs and practical suggestions for miking vocals and dozens of different musical instruments. How to get killer vocal sounds and great guitar tracks along with dozens of tricks which have been used on countless hit records. You will learn how important it is to select and position the right mic for each particular job.
Lesson Contents - Part 3
Lesson 11 — HOW TO RECORD DRUMS
A complete lesson is devoted to the art of recording drums. Even if you use a drum machine, this lesson will teach you a lot about getting great drum sounds. They are possibly the most sensitive of all instruments to record due to the necessity of a multitude of mics and processors. All the tricks in the book are needed to harness their sound.
Lesson 12 — HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN STUDIO
Either in your own home or in a business environment, different styles and approaches for the layout of your studio are examined. Building sound absorption walls, vocal booths, choosing the right equipment, inter-connection, and soundproofing are all examined. Plus a ton of valuable information that most studio builders overlook when putting together their first room.
Lesson 13 — ECHO AND REVERBERATION
We now enter the magical kingdom of Signal Processing where sound is shaped through the use of software plug-ins such as reverberation units, digital delays and many other forms of echo production. You will learn that certain instruments and vocals are better suited to particular types of echo units, and also how to set the echo effectively for each instrument and voice.
Lesson 14 — COMPRESSORS AND LIMITERS
How they work and how to set them correctly. These devices make your recordings sound truly professional if you know how to use them. We live in the age of total signal processing. Some other special effects units and related devices such as noise gates, expanders, chorusing units, flangers and harmonizers are fully examined. You are able to listen and compare the sound of each effect with your Action-Audio CDs in this exciting stage of the recording process.
Lesson 15 — EQUALIZERS
The bass and treble controls on your home stereo are the simplest form of equalizer, but in the studio, there are many more variations. You will learn exactly which frequencies are important for every type of voice and musical instrument. They are probably the most important tool in the whole studio.You will get acquainted with the various types, learning what each can and cannot do to a sound. Your ears will receive a crash-course in critical listening.
Lesson Contents - Part 4
Lesson 16 — THE MIXER
The nucleus of your studio control room is the computer screen (or physical mixing desk). You will confidently control all the individual tracks on your multi-track recording. The mixing stage can make or break your recordings. . There are many parts and functions in the mix windows of any computer software program. We examine the layout and features of a typical mixing console and analyze each module, top to bottom, knob by knob. You'll follow along on your Mixing Poster.
Lesson 17 — ANALOG RECORDING
Believe it or not, all the top studios in the world still use tape-recorders. And many of our students also use one in their home studio to help them get that warm analog sound. Lots of our graduates have progressed to become chief engineers in world class studios. We hope you will too so we keep this lesson in your course.
Lesson 18 — CALIBRATION
This means how to keep the recording machines fine-tuned to ensure top flight performance every time. You become a little bit of a mechanic by learning how to make these adjustments in easy step-by-step instructions. It's a bit like learning how to drive a car!
Lesson 19 — DIGITAL RECORDING SOFTWARE
An in-depth look at the more popular computer software programs that are dedicated to music production. Also how external mixing boards and control surfaces make the operations more user-friendly. Digital Plug-ins are evaluated along with software libraries from where the producer can access every instrument and sound imaginable to include in their recordings.
Lesson 20 — LIVE SOUND ENGINEERING
No front-of-house engineer can successfully mix live sound unless he or she understands the principles of loudspeakers and monitoring. Here we investigate the acoustics of speaker enclosures, monitor amplifiers, cross-over systems and the analysis and correction of room sound. More often than not, live sound engineers also have to record the performances as they happen, and there's no chance for a re-take!
Lesson Contents - Part 5
Lesson 21 — EDITING
If you know how to successfully edit your music, you will end up with 100% perfect mixes every time. Nowadays, every single blemish can be removed. Even out-of -tune vocals can be brought in tune! Digital and analog editing techniques are fully explored in this lesson. You also learn how to re-arrange portions of a song into a different, more appealing, and more commercial sequence. You will become an ace editor and be able to make clever edits that nobody can detect.
Lesson 22 — DIGITAL RECORDING
The successful recording engineer has to stay abreast of the newest technological changes and understand the new terms that are being used. This special section deals with the very latest developments in digital audio. You learn about the basic principles of digital recording technology, and compare the advantages of digital over the traditional analog recording system.
Lesson 23 — MIDI
This exciting revolution changed the recording world, especially for movie soundtrack composers and keyboard players. The interconnection of musical instruments, drum machines, and samplers are thoroughly investigated. Students are exposed to the many facets of MIDI interface as it applies to modern recording.
Lesson 24 — MUSIC AND SONGWRITING AND PUBLISHING
Your AIA instructor is also an accomplished songwriter with a serious track record of commercial success. Every engineer should understand at least the basic concepts of musical composition. The fundamentals of music theory are illustrated in our unique system so that you can relate to the jargon and terminology used by the musicians and producers at a session. You'll even learn how to read music.
Lesson 25 — GETTING A JOB IN THE INDUSTRY.
Whether you plan to open your own studio or seek employment in an established facility, this valuable lesson will assist you in reaching your goal. It will prepare you for the real world of audio engineering and place you one step ahead of your competitors. You will learn of the dozens of audio-related jobs there are available and also the amount of money each can put in your pocket.
And when you reach this point you'll be awarded your Diploma!
This is the world's largest course - more pages - more training - - more practical information than any course, anywhere. At any price! You'll learn more from this course than you could possibly imagine - Guaranteed - or your money refunded.
ENROLL TODAY!
