Introduction to Audio Engineering - (Boot Camp)
Learning the basics of audio engineering from the ground up. **(Very flexible scheduling! Shoot me a message to find the best time for your learner!)**
Drake Watkins
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(111)
What's included
12 live meetings
12 in-class hoursClass Experience
Have you ever wondered who is behind the big flashy console at a music venue or concert? Have you seen videos or movies about recording studios and wondered how you could be apart of that world? Have you been interested in the sounds of films and how they get those sounds? Maybe you like music and technology, but aren't interested in being a musician as a career? The people that make those things happen are called audio engineers. They are professionals who study the art/science of sound and modern technology and use it for incredible applications. The sounds of concerts, movies, great musical recordings, sports broadcasts, and more; all of these things are possible because of audio engineers. Audio engineering is a valuable trade skill that encompasses a wide range of disciplines in several industries. Places like music, film, broadcast, house of worship, corporate a/v, commercial installation, acoustic measurement and design, audiology. Audio engineering is a flexible, dynamic, and profitable career choice for those who love sound and technology. In this introductory class to the world of audio engineering, students will learn in a lecture-based system, similar to an online college course, about the fundamentals of the industry and basics of audio. The goal is to create a class that anyone can join, without any prior experience, and finish the course with a solid foundation about audio engineering that can be used to pursue other education/training opportunities. During the class period, I will have a prepared lecture for each session. However, since this is a smaller class format, I will also use the student's participation and questions to guide the class towards things that interest them, if they so choose. Students will interact with each other by sharing their own interests in this field. I may also assign some "homework" assignments to bring to the class and share with others, such as sharing their favorite music or film and why they enjoy it. Between two class periods, the class will learn about a new aspect of the basics of audio engineering. Overall topics include: - What is sound? - History of Audio - Microphones and technique - Job opportunities and potential career paths - Signal flow and signal processing - Digital Recording Software (DAWs) - Analog and Digital mixing consoles **(Very flexible scheduling! Available at all hours/all time zones! If you don’t see a time that works, send me a message and we’ll find the best time for your learner!)**
Learning Goals
Week by week breakdown of topics covered:
1: What is an audio engineer? / Career possibilities
2: What is sound? / History of audio
3: Signal flow / Analog vs digital audio
4: Microphones / Microphone technique
5: Signal processing / Effects
6: Digital Audio Workstations
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined September, 2019
4.8
111reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Behind every great musician, there is an invisible army of people there to help make them successful. From producers and managers, down to a basic stagehand, musicians need big teams of all kinds of people to bring their music to the world. As an audio engineer, it is my job to help bring their sound to the rest of the world. Sometimes that is in the studio making a new record, sometimes it's providing the sound for a live audience at a concert. These different skills and traits open up an exciting world of job opportunities for those who want to be in the music industry but maybe aren't interested in being in the spotlight.
This, dear reader, is why I am on Outschool!
My name is Drake Watkins, and for the past 5 years, I have been pursuing my career as a Professional Audio Engineer. I am here on Outschool to share my passion for audio and sound with middle and high school students who are curious about a career in the music industry, and to open their eyes to the exciting world of professional audio!
I will be teaching classes on many different topics related to professional audio and sound. My emphasis is in live sound and event productions, but I also teach classes on the basics of audio, working in a recording studio, the physics of sound, and sound for film.
My professional background includes:
- Bachelors Degree in Music with an emphasis in Recording Arts from the University of Colorado at Denver
- Certificate of Completion with full honors from the Warren Technology School for their rigorous course on Digital Audio Production.
- I also hold two professional certificates: Audinate (Dante Level 2) and DiGiCo (SD Series Masterclass).
- My emphasis in the pro audio world is in live sound and event productions.
- I have worked at almost every major theater and venue for live music in the Denver area, including the world-famous Red Rocks.
- I tour around the country for the Grammy-nominated New York hip-hop trio De La Soul as a monitor engineer.
- I have worked on several albums as a recording, mixing, and mastering engineer.
- I also have some experience working in post-production for films.
For me, the beauty of professional audio is the blend of science and art. On one hand, you have the science which dictates how things function and operate, and how you approach those rules. On the other, you have the art, which is bringing the subjective "special sauce" to the equation that creates huge opportunities for creativity. The blend between the two is an exciting creative outlet that also serves as a hard skill that can be used in the workforce. My teaching philosophy will emphasize these two aspects to make for an engaging and interesting learning experience.
Thank you for your interest in taking my classes, and I hope you enjoy learning about the world of professional audio!Reviews
Live Group Class
$250
for 12 classes6x per week, 2 weeks
60 min
Completed by 7 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
1-12 learners per class
