PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Essentials of Hip Hop: Audio Engineering Course* is a 10-week hands-on course designed to teach anyone (beginner or intermediate) how to effectively record, edit, tune, mix and master music within TODAY’S MODERN HIP HOP. As a student of “The Essentials of Hip Hop” you will learn the hardcore basics of engineering: acoustics, microphones, how to use EQs, dynamics, signal routing, etc in order to effectively run a 2-track and stem based session from start to finish. Under the guise of popular audio engineer, producer and instructor, MarLovace, students will gain practical experience in Pro Tools and on professional-level consoles inside a bustling, world-class recording facility utilized by professionals every single day. By learning the setup, tools and workflow, students will be able to successfully function in all of today’s audio recording environments – from home studios to professional recording facilities!

*This course is offered as a 1-on-1 and group instruction.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

  • Understand the importance of acoustics and learn the in’s & out’s of the EQs, Preamps, & Compressors that have transformed the music industry.

  • Explore techniques and strategies for capturing the best vocal performance via microphone selection and placement.

  • Understand shortcuts & software workflow inside a personalized template within Pro Tools

  • Conduct 3 full recording & mixing sessions from start to finish: 2-track recording & mixing, full stems recording & mixing.

  • Gain hands-on experience on our SSL consoles in order to shape mixes and build listening skills.

  • Discover ideal studio etiquette & ethics to provide the best vibe and final product for every artist.

WHAT MAKES THIS PROGRAM SUCCESSFUL

EXPERIENCED ENGINEER IN THE INDUSTRY

With decades of experience producing, tracking, editing, mixing and mastering for all artists of Hip Hop, R&B, Trap genres, our instructor, MarLovace, will teach you the essential engineering fundamentals so that in 10-weeks you will be able to run any and all hip hop sessions inside a home or pro studio.

LEARN INSIDE OUR WORLD-CLASS STUDIOS

Many courses are spent inside classrooms or pseudo studio mock-ups that students are allowed to practice on infrequently. In our program, students are immersed into a learning environment that is a busy, in-use recording facility with 4 different studios utilized by engineers and artists every day. 

HANDS-ON TRAINING

While theory and curriculum are provided in this course, we find it absolutely necessary for anyone striving to be an audio engineer to learn by DOING! After learning and observing very specific actions from the instructor, each student performs practical exercises in Pro Tools, on the gear and with the console while the instructor guides them every step of the way!

SMALL CLASS SIZE

Small class sizes benefit our students tremendously! In many universities, students are 1 of 30-40 people jammed into a studio classroom where use the equipment infrequently. Our ideal class is between 2-4 students to allow for greater interaction between instructors and a greater opportunity to utilize the software and hardware when running a recording session from start to finish!

AFFORDABLE TUITION

At the reasonable rate of $3000, The Essentials of Hip Hop offers a modern education in engineering for a fraction of the price that you'd find at most major colleges or universities. For example, collegiate students are required to pay $70,000+ in Tuition which includes Admission Fees, Registration Fees, Student Fees, Technology Fee, Books & Supplies, Housing, etc. We do not have any pre-requisite classes nor any additional fees so we can keep our tuition very low.

WORKABLE SCHEDULE FOR ANY STUDENT

Outside of work, family, and social life, it can be daunting to think of adding an education in audio engineer to your already busy schedule! In our program, the curriculum works for anyone's active life where the time learning inside our studio is not only intensive but well spent only 1 day each week on Sunday's: the first nine classes are 5 hours long and the final class is a full 10-hour day to track and mix a stem based session inside of our recording studio rooms.

10-WEEK COURSE SYLLABUS

WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION & ACOUSTICS

• Learn the roles of audio engineer & establish individual student goals

• Install necessary software & plugins

• Learn about the basics of sound including the human ear and speakers

• Understand the importance of acoustics (frequencies)

WEEK 2: THE GEAR

• Discover Dynamics, Condensers, Tube Mics

• Understand SSL console

• Experiment with Preamps, compressors, EQs

• Learn Signal Flow

WEEK 3: PRO TOOLS: OVERVIEW

• Learn the fundamentals of Pro Tools

• Discover the power of plugins

• Create File organization

WEEK 4: STUDIO ETIQUETTE

• Understand how to properly communicate with the artist

•Practice the fundamentals of orchestrating a great work environment

• Learn the common terminology

WEEK 5: PRO TOOLS: TRACKING

• Set up students own template (recording & mixing)

• Students learn how to track 2-track & stems (we bring in a hip hop artist)

• Teacher tracks first, student follows in the same steps and then tracks the hip hop artist

WEEK 6: PRO TOOLS: EDITING & TUNING

• Continuing on from last lesson

• Students learn how to edit & tune (from last lessons tracking session)

• Tuning in autotune and briefly in melodyne (we offer a separate workshop in melodyne)

WEEK 7: PRO TOOLS: MIXING 2-TRACK

• What is a 2 track?

• Students learn how to mix a 2 track (from last lessons tracking session)

• Teacher mixes first, student follows in the same steps mixing 2 track

WEEK 8: THE SESSION: 2 TRACK

• Practical: Student set ups of microphone & gear

• Practical: Student sets up of session in pro tools, gear, etc.

• Practical: Student runs a hip hop session start to finish (2 track: tracking, editing, tuning, mixing, mastering)

WEEK 9: PRO TOOLS: MIXING STEMS

• What are stems?

• Students learn how to mix each separate stem using Preamps, compressors, EQs

• Teacher mixes first, student follows in the same steps mixing stems

WEEK 10: THE SESSION: STEMS

•.Practical: Student set ups of microphone & gear

• Practical: Student sets up of session in pro tools, gear, etc.

• Practical: Student runs a hip hop session start to finish (stems: tracking, editing, tuning, mixing, mastering)

COMPLETION OF COURSE

At the end of the 10-week course, we provide each student a certificate that indicates the successful completion of our course. However, the goal of our course is not just give out certificates. The TRUE goal of our course is to provide each student with the data, tools and knowledge to competently start and operate their own home studio OR know how to come into an existing pro-studio and use it to record and create music. Many of our past students have gone on to build and run their own studio, work for professional recording facilities and even radio stations!

MORE INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY: Anyone (beginner or intermediate) interested in learning the fundamentals of audio engineering in the world of hip hop is eligible for this class.

LENGTH: 10-week Group Course: Nine 5-hour sessions once a week for 10 weeks. The last class is a full 10-hour day. 

PRICE: $3,000 for the group class. $5000 for 1-on-1 instruction.  Group courses are discounted. The 1-on-1course price reflects a highly specialized curriculum, dedicated studio time and personalized attention to the individual student. Ask about our payment plans!

TO REGISTER: We require a 50% deposit to reserve your seat. There are no additional costs. Classes run year round. Scheduling is flexible for holidays.

COUNTDOWN TO OUR NEXT CLASS: JANUARY 2025

FREE CONSULTATION & TOUR

Please fill out the form below if you have any questions OR you'd like a free consultation about "The Essentials of Hip Hop: Audio Engineering Course" and a tour of our beautiful recording facility!