SOUNDSCAPE SCHOOL FOR THE RECORDING ARTS

Royal Oak, MI

Learn to record, mix, and master like a pro

The Soundscape School for the Recording & Mixing Arts was founded by lead instructor and chief engineer Tim Smith in 2008 and has since then expanded to become one of the most highly respected institutions for audio education in the Midwest. With over thirty years of working professionally in the music industry, Tim laid out the foundation for each of our offered programs. His audio background knowledge spans from analogue to digital recording as well as live sound engineering.

Read more

WHY Study at Soundscape?

  • One On One State Licensed Training
  • Knowledgeable & Experienced Award-Winning Program Instructors
  • All Text Books & Learning Materials Included In The Tuition Cost
  • Hands-On Training In A State Of The Art Facility Where National & Local Clients Make Records Twelve Months Out Of The Year
  • A Guaranteed Post Grad Work Experience Opportunity Following The Successful Completion Of The Selected Enrolled Program
  • Flexible Course Scheduling
  • No Crowded Classrooms
  • A Comfortable, Creative & Professional Learning Environment
OUR COURSES
COMPLETE STUDIO ENGINEERING
16 Weeks / 144 Clock Hours – $7,500
(TEXT AND MATERiALS iNCLudeD)

This powerful package was designed for the serious aspiring sound engineer! With both “The Creative Studio Recording” and “The Advanced Master Mixing” classroom training combined, the student takes advantage of an additional “Intro To Music Mastering Study” as well as over $1,000.00 in savings versus taking the two classes separately!

IN THIS COURSE YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO:

  • Record and capture sound like a pro!
  • Create an exciting competitive mix!
  • Master your songs so they sound great on every system!
VIEW COURSE OUTLINE
  • DAW & Outboard Gear Routing
  • A Comprehensive Study Of Studio Lingo & Terminology
  • Anatomy Of Dynamic, Condenser & Ribbon Microphones
  • Microphone Choice & Placement Techniques
  • Understanding Frequency Response
  • Understanding Gain Structure & Signal Path
  • Using Direct Boxes In Conjunction With Microphone Recording
  • Recording The Drum Kit
  • Recording The Electric & Upright Bass
  • Recording The Electric & Acoustic Guitar
  • Vocal Recording Techniques
  • Piano Recording Techniques
  • Full Band Single Room Multi-Track Recording
  • Full Band Isolated Multi-Track Recording
  • Recording With Compressors, Limiters & EQ’s
  • General Navigation Of The Recording Studio
  • Fletcher Munsen Equal Loudness Contour Curves
  • Analyzing Commercial Mixes & Breaking Down Traditional Mixing Styles
  • Creating Your “Stereo Image” With Three Dimensional Mixing Strategies
  • Using Reference Mixes For Instrument Balance & Tone
  • Logical Mix Prep Steps
  • Understanding “Inserts, Sends & Returns”
  • Taking Advantage Of Good Gain Structure Throughout The Mixing Process
  • EQ (How To Use It & What Not To Do)
  • Effectively Creating Space With Reverbs, Delays & Gates
  • “Cracking The Compressor” (An In Depth Formula For Success)
  • Various Multing, Comping & Parallel Compression Techniques For Creating Fatter Mixes
  • Compressing Your Master Mix Bus
  • Preparing The Final Reference Mixes For Your Client
  • Preparing The Final High Resolution Mixes For The Mastering Engineer
  • Analyzing Your Mixes
  • Understanding RMS & Peak Values
  • Creating Loud Competitive Reference Mixes

*Please note there is a $250 processing fee included in your purchase when you checkout using the “Purchase Half Tuition” option.

ADVANCED MASTER MIXING
8 Weeks / 72 Clock Hours – $4,450
(TEXT AND MATERiALS iNCLudeD)

In the Advanced Master Mixing class, past and present-day audio mixing styles and traditions are thoroughly explored. Students are taught general navigation of dynamic as well as creative techniques for delivering competitive commercial branded mixes.

IN THIS COURSE YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO:

  • Build radio ready mixes!
  • Work with industry standard hardware, software and plugins!
  • Prep your final mix for professional mastering!
VIEW COURSE OUTLINE
  • Fletcher Munsen Equal Loudness Contour Curves
  • Analyzing Commercial Mixes & Breaking Down Traditional Mixing Styles
  • Creating Your “Stereo Image” With Three Dimensional Mixing Strategies
  • Using Reference Mixes For Instrument Balance & Tone
  • Logical Mix Prep Steps
  • Understanding “Inserts, Sends & Returns”
  • Taking Advantage Of Good Gain Structure Throughout The Mixing Process
  • EQ (How To Use It & What Not To Do)
  • Effectively Creating Space With Reverbs, Delays & Gates
  • “Cracking The Compressor” (An In Depth Formula For Success)
  • Various Multing, Comping & Parallel Compression Techniques For Creating Fatter Mixes
  • Compressing Your Master Mix Bus
  • Preparing The Final Reference Mixes For Your Client
  • Preparing The Final High Resolution Mixes For The Mastering Engineer

*Please note there is a $250 processing fee included in your purchase when you checkout using the “Purchase Half Tuition” option.

CREATIVE STUDIO RECORDING
8 Weeks / 72 Clock Hours – $4,450
(TEXT AND MATERiALS iNCLudeD)

In our first offered program, the Creative Studio Recording course, students work with multiple musicians in various exercises learning the fine art of microphone placement and professional recording techniques while gaining much needed experience for assistant entry level positions out in the field.

IN THIS COURSE YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO:

  • Understand your acoustical environment!
  • Choosing the right mic for the job!
  • Record and capture sound like a pro!
VIEW COURSE OUTLINE
  • DAW & Outboard Gear Routing
  • A Comprehensive Study Of Studio Lingo & Terminology
  • Anatomy Of Dynamic, Condenser & Ribbon Microphones
  • Microphone Choice & Placement Techniques
  • Understanding Frequency Response
  • Understanding Gain Structure & Signal Path
  • Using Direct Boxes In Conjunction With Microphone Recording
  • Recording The Drum Kit
  • Recording The Electric & Upright Bass
  • Recording The Electric & Acoustic Guitar
  • Vocal Recording Techniques
  • Piano Recording Techniques
  • Full Band Single Room Multi-Track Recording
  • Full Band Isolated Multi-Track Recording
  • Recording With Compressors, Limiters & EQ’s
  • General Navigation Of The Recording Studio

*Please note there is a $250 processing fee included in your purchase when you checkout using the “Purchase Half Tuition” option.

Class Start Dates Include: FEBRUARY, JUNE & OCTOber.

Registration for any of our three offered classes is recommended at least two to four months in advance. Registration begins with the “full or half” tuition purchase of a recording arts program. We offer two choices for getting started:

1. Online, which can be done quickly & easily from the comfort of your own home. Shortly after you have made your tuition purchase, A Soundscape Representative will contact you to create a starting date & course schedule.

2. On site, here at The Soundscape. We ask that you first make an appointment. To do so, you may either fill out the “Schedule A Classroom Tour” form located on this page or give us a call directly at: 248.439.0499

PAYMENTS
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express & Pay Pal. Please note a 4% processing fee will be added to your final purchase at checkout.

ABOUT OUR STATE LICENSE:
The Soundscape Recording Studio & School For The Recording Arts operates under license by The Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO). Each of our offered programs is state-approved.

STUDENT REVIEWS

…Overall I think the class was extremely packed with information (more than I expected to be covered in sixteen weeks). It was also fast paced. I definitely learned more than I expected to learn throughout the course. The class was very organized and well put together. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who might be interested in this part of the music industry.

Matt Mondon

…I had a great experience here at The Soundscape Recording Studio. The program was difficult at times but never did I feel as though I was falling behind or didn’t fully understand the material. I learned much more than I had expected and am happy with the knowledge I am taking away from my time here. I would recommend this course to any and all looking to start a career in this field.

Alex Hiner

…My experience with the class has been very positive. It was very helpful to learn about recording and mixing within a practical context of a real recording studio rather in theory. I was able to apply my knowledge as I learned it, with real musicians and real equipment. I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in the recording arts.

Aaron Hernandez

…I loved the one on one experience. It wasn’t terribly difficult, but it did challenge me to to my best. The length of the course allowed for a great amount of knowledge, however I would have loved the opportunity to dig in deeper. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a Complete Studio Engineering 2 course to take it to the next level. I would definitely recommend this program to someone else interested in learning recording, mixing and mastering.

Candace Sosa