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For information about our courses, or for immediate assistance, please contact us by:
Email: info@dubspot.com
Phone: 1.877.DUBSPOT (877-382-7768) or 212.242.2100
Music Production Workshops
Essential Music Foundations
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
Get a solid base to build upon by learning the essentials of rhythm, harmony, chords, and other concepts at the heart of all great productions and performances.
This weekend workshop is the perfect choice for anyone new to the world of music. Learn about the history of Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and the artists who have paved the way for today’s producers. Get hands-on experience with equipment and have a go at playing music. This workshop will reveal what’s happening behind the scenes of today’s music and help you create your own. Whether you’re just starting out, or you need a helpful refresher, this weekend workshop is for you.
Learn:
- History of electronic music
- Tempo and time signature
- MIDI notation
- Playing keys and pads
- Build basic chords
- Programming drum beats
- Fundamental music theory concepts
Intro to Electronic Music Production
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
While working at their own station, students will be lead by an instructor through the fascinating and fun world of music production. Over the course of two-days, you’ll gain a basic understanding of how to put a track together using Reason and Ableton Live.
Learn:
- Computer Overview – Learn the basic requirements for setting up your home studio.
- Drum Programming – Learn the art of drum machine programming
- Song Arrangement – Build a track with software synthesizers and music loops.
- Fundamentals of Mixing – Learn how to blend and polish your track with audio effects.
The only pre-requisite is a basic understanding of computers. Students will leave with a CD of their completed tracks.
Intro to Ableton Live
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
This intensive workshop teaches you Live’s interface, editing, and mixing, even if you’re new to this game.
This 6-hour Ableton Live weekend workshop is geared toward beginners who are interested in learning music creation using Live as the medium. Prior musical experience or knowledge of Live or is not required. Through hands-on exercises, students learn Live’s various panes, effects and mixing facilities. By the end of the workshop, students will be ready to showcase and perform their songs for their peers. During the workshop, each student will work at a station equipped with a full suite of software and hardware, enabling them to replicate what the teacher is doing. Because of the small class size and open learning environment, each student receives ample personal attention and comes away with a working knowledge of this ingenious program.
Intro to Logic Pro
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
Learn how to create an original song in Logic Pro by composing beats, melodies, sounds and more.
This intensive weekend introduces students to Logic Pro. Time is spent on basic MIDI and audio connections and terms, as well as how to properly set up a Logic session and configure it to work with their equipment. Attention is given to the various editing, mixing and composition options that Logic offers. All students will use their own workstation, allowing them to complete hands on exercises, practice what they are learning, and receive personalized attention for their questions and concerns. By the close of the two-day workshop students will have a solid understanding of the fundamental operations of Logic.
Intro to Reason & Record
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
Learn how to use Reason, what makes it unique, and create your own music.
This intensive weekend workshop is designed to introduce students to Reason. The goal is to teach students how to use Reason to compose beats, melodies and sounds in order to create original songs. Time is spent on basic MIDI and audio connections and terms, as well as how to set up a Reason session and configure it to work with their equipment. Attention is given to the various editing, mixing and composition options that Reason offers. All students will use their own workstation, allowing them to complete hands on exercises, practice what they are learning, and receive personalized attention for their questions and concerns. By the close of the two-day workshop, students will have a solid understanding of the fundamental operations of Reason.
Sound Design & Synthesis w/ Komplete 7 Pt. 1
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
This workshop series is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of synthesis and sample-based sound design using Native Instruments Komplete 7.
Whether it’s techno, house, electro, hip hop or dubstep, synthesizers are the main tool for most of today’s electronic music styles. We will look at the characteristics and building blocks of Native Instruments’ synthesizers and learn how to easily gain access to the sounds we need while composing. All synthesizers have common elements and controls and this workshop will open the doors to a deeper understanding of any instrument of this type.
Learn:
- Investigate the nature of sound and learn the common terminology for describing the different waveforms and timbres
- Learn the fundamental ideas and differences behind synthesis and sampling
- Get an overview of Massive, Absynth, FM8 and Reaktor Prism
- Learn how to navigate the huge factory libraries of NIs synths
- Quickly modify and adapt presets to better fit your own tracks
- Get to know the fundamental concepts behind Subtractive, FM, Granular and Physical Modeling Synthesis
- Learn to hear the sound characteristics and strong points of each method so you can decide what’s best to use for the task at hand
Sound Design & Synthesis w/ Komplete 7 Pt. 2
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
This workshop series is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of synthesis and sample-based sound design using Native Instruments Komplete 7.
This part of the series is all about how to work with samples in a creative way and using NI’s instruments as expressive tools. From reproductions of acoustic instruments to the creation of innovative or exotic soundscapes, sampling is a powerful tool both for MIDI composers and sound designers alike. Battery 3 and Kontakt 4 are the industry standards with their huge libraries and unprecedented control over sample playback. Learning how to find the right sound quickly is essential for an efficient workflow when making music. Don’t settle with weak sounds before you start programming your MIDI sequences!
Learn:
- Better drum programming with Battery 3 by finding the right sounds for various genres
- Create your own kits and process samples with built in midi and audio effects
- The concept of multisampling for accurate reproduction of acoustic instruments
- Using Kontakt4 for electronic and acoustic instrumentation
- Quick Load and organization of your favorite sounds to improve the workflow
- Creating an multi instrument rack for layering or sequencing on separate midi channels
- Configuring separate outputs to your host DAW for mixing and exporting of parts
- Working with the performance views to easy control articulation and timbre while playing
- How to create your own instruments and map your samples by range and velocity
- Kontakt’s different Sampling modes: Timemachine, Tonemachine and BeatSlicing
- Learn how to use ‘Groups’ in a creative way and explore the incredible built in effects
Native Instruments Maschine Pt. 1
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
Just when we thought that hardware was out and everything could be done on a laptop, Native Instruments brings us the best of both worlds with Maschine.
This production/performance tool allows us to bang out sound patterns on intelligent physical pads while far exceeding the display and processing limitations of conventional hardware. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts as Maschine gives us a truly symbiotic relationship between hardware and software.
This series of workshops will examine both halves and work out the strengths of each. Students will build kits using the library, explore optimal techniques for drum recording, sequence effects with hands-on automation, and edit and slice loops for instant playback on pads, all while streamlining your workflow.
Weekend 1:
- Overview and navigation: hardware and software
- Loading kits and playing patterns
- Loading samples and building kits
- Creating patterns in step mode
- Real time recording and editing
- Pattern variations and creating a track with scenes
- Note repeat, keyboard mode and velocity programming
- Shaping sounds with sampler controls
- Recording automation
Native Instruments Maschine Pt. 2
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
Just when we thought that hardware was out and everything could be done on a laptop, Native Instruments brings us the best of both worlds with Maschine.
This production/performance tool allows us to bang out sound patterns on intelligent physical pads while far exceeding the display and processing limitations of conventional hardware. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts as Maschine gives us a truly symbiotic relationship between hardware and software.
This series of workshops will examine both halves and work out the strengths of each. Students will build kits using the library, explore optimal techniques for drum recording, sequence effects with hands-on automation, and edit and slice loops for instant playback on pads, all while streamlining your workflow.
Weekend 2:
- Adding effects to groups and sound
- Assigning sounds to MIDI notes/channels and using macros
- Pattern drag mode with audio and MIDI
- MIDI output from sounds
- Performance shortcuts and triggering scenes from host
- Sampling and looping
- Slicing, mapping and audio editing
- Exporting and individual outs
- Adding your own samples to the library
- Controlling Ableton and other devices
Max for Live
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
Go way beyond the basics, and begin creating your own custom devices for use inside Live with this powerful development environment.
The world of Cycling ’74’s Max can be daunting for even the most accomplished producer. However its latest incarnation – Max For Live, a version that lives inside Ableton Live – has put customizable audio software in a familiar interface. This weekend workshop will start by examining the included devices that come with Max For Live and then give you the fundamentals to create your own devices inside Live. With a little bit of time and effort, custom production tools are close at hand.
Music for Picture
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
This course will discuss the ins and outs of composing music for picture, video, or any moving image.
We’re all used to making 3 to 4 minute songs for the dance floor. However, we’ll see and hear that 30 second car commercial or MTV Promo and think: “How can I get into that?” or “I can make that.” We will go over the day-to-day dialogue, work flow, and technical needs to compete in this world of writing music for picture.
Learn:
- Using Sound Effects
- Syncing audio with video
- Writing 15- 30 seconds of music with a beginning, middle, and end
- Using Reason and Logic to compose to picture
Intro to Pro Tools
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
This 6-hour weekend intensive workshop is designed to introduce students to the powerful world of Digidesign’s Pro Tools.
Learn how to create loops, arrange tracks, record and edit digital audio and MIDI, apply effects and more; all the while leading to the ultimate goal: a complete song. From an in-depth look at the main windows to exploring the ins and outs of a session, you will be walked through the most pertinent aspects of Pro Tools so you can get busy making music right after the first session. Students will be introduced to a host of related topics as well peripheral gear and basic digital audio and MIDI concepts. Each student will use their own workstation and receive personal attention for their questions and concerns. Taught by Chris Buono – former Berklee professor and industry recognized guru in many facets of music creation – this workshop not only introduces you to Pro Tools; it also provides a solid foundation in digital audio and MIDI making this event a must for digital audio newcomers.
DJ/Performance Workshops
DJ Weekend Intensive
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
Become comfortable with the equipment and basic technique of DJing, and create your first 2 song mix.
Learn:
- How a DJ setup works: basic overview of turntable/CDJ, mixer, and headphones.
- The proper technique to scratch and play a vinyl record
- An introduction to digital DJing (Serato & Traktor both taught)
- How to count beats
- “Dropping on the 1”
- Beatmatching with “pushing & pulling” and “the halfway method”
- How to perform a basic mix/blend of two songs
Final Assignment: Perform your first live 2 song mix for the class.
Note: This workshop is a condensed version of Dubspot’s DJ Level 1: Rookie Sessions | Essentials I.
DJ/Performing with Ableton Live & APC40
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
Discover the vast range of performance possibilities that Ableton Live offers and turn it into your own musical instrument with the Akai APC40, one of the most advanced control surfaces for the program.
Make your own killer set – and avoid killer train wrecks. Set up creative effects, process live acoustic instruments and performers, and apply advanced controller strategies to put everything beneath your fingertips.
Learn:
- A basic overview of Ableton Live’s interface, including its revolutionary “Session View”
- Techniques for triggering samples
- How to “warp” tracks and sync every clip
- Performance techniques, including the use of MIDI controllers
DJing w/ Native Instruments Traktor Scratch Pro
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
Engulf yourself in this extensive overview of the powerful digital DJing system Traktor Scratch Pro.
Learn:
- Setup of hardware and software, regardless of medium (timecode vinyl, timecode CD, internal)
- In-depth layout customization
- Basic playback and interface interaction
- “Beat-gridding” and “auto-syncing” (i.e. automatic beatmatching)
- “Cue-points” and looping
- How to incorporate effects, both individually and chained
- Specific powerful effects combinations
- Keyboard customization
- MIDI mapping
- How to use the Kontrol X1 MIDI controller
DJing with Video
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
Turn your DJ-set into a full AV-performance using the latest hardware and software.
As it becomes increasingly harder for DJ’s to stand out from the crowd with music alone, video has emerged as the next frontier.
Learn:
- Pioneer’s DVJ 1000 DVD-turntable and SVM AV DJ mixer
- Serato Video SL
- How to create AV-content by ripping and authoring DVD’s
- Editing in iMovie
- Techniques to remix a music video
Final Assignment: Record your own mixed DVD, which may be later used as a demo.
DJing with Musicians
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
Work with musicians and incorporate their live sounds into your DJ sets with Serato and Ableton Live.
Learn:
- How to perform simultaneously with Serato Scratch Live and Ableton Live
- Real-time sampling, looping, and arranging for performance
- MIDI mapping techniques
- Specific challenges of playing with live musicians and solutions
VJ Tools & Visual Performance
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
VJ’ing in nightclubs is a focus of this class, however our students have come form from all fields of visual art such as film, painting, photography, gallery installations and more.
With so many options in VJ software & hardware, each session is tailored to the students’ needs. Topics include VJ software like Modul8, Union and Resolume, and VJ hardware like the Edirol V-4, DVJ and MIDI controllers. Classes take place in a real superclub environment at Pacha New York. Mac and PC friendly. Flexible schedule.
DJ/Producer Workshop for Kids
6 hours of instruction (2 sessions in 2 days)
$195
A weekend intensive in both DJing and Production, expertly tailored to youth, from records in Serato Scratch Live to computer music making in Ableton Live.
Get a hands-on and interactive tour of DJ equipment while build confidence as you learn to handle, play, and mix records through Serato Scratch Live. Then learn basic production techniques like identifying song structure and working with the melody, beat, and other components of music. Get personal instruction using Ableton Live, at your own production stations, and craft original work in an exciting studio center that would make pro grown-ups jealous!
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