Ableton Live 101

Instructor: Nate Blaz

$250 for four 2-hour sessions

Next session:

TBA

SESSION 1: Fundamentals of Live- Browser / Library
- Control Bar
- The Mixer
- Arranging vs Clip View
Back to arrangement button / indicator
- Clip view:
- Warping
Live 8 Warping vs. Live 7 and earlier
- Recording Audio
Clip view
Arrangement view
- Audio Effects
Beat Repeater
- Track Automation
- Transport
- Clip Transport
- Clip Envelopes

SESSION 2: MIDI, controllers, samplers, VSTs, automation- MIDI Editing
- MIDI Effects - example video
- Editing in Arranging View
- Remote MIDI/Keyboard
- Control Surfaces
- Rewire
- Cue Mon/Crossfader
- Launching Scenes
- Operator
- Impulse
- VST Instruments
- Freeze
- File Management
- Routing I/O

SESSION 3: Composing and performing with Live- Sync / playing with other people
- Live 8 Looper
- Developing a Groove:
Creating a Mega-Kit
Many-to-One Track Setup
Meta-Recording
Monitoring Modes
Follow Actions
- Designing sets for live performance

SESSION 4: Tips and tricksThis class will focus primarily on following up on any questions brought up in the other classes, and sharing less-known Ableton tricks such as:- Dummy clips
- Sidechaining
- BPMs and Time signatures in Scene
- Meta-Recording

call 415-554-1977 to enroll

Ableton Live 202 - Advanced Ableton

Next Session:

TBA

Two 2 hour classes $135

Advanced techniques using Ableton live including:- The power of Racks
- Designing Dummy clips
- Getting more out of built in Live Devices
- Advanced Looper technique and hacks
- Effective mapping strategies

Class size limited to 12 people

call 415-554-1977 to enroll

DJing with Ableton

With Andy Van Wart

$150

Next Session :

TBA

GETTING STARTED:
- Choosing the right tracks. How do I know what will mix?
- Accepted file formats
- Setting up the crossfader
- Configuring I/O setttings
- Latency overview
- Configuring Tracks
- Setting up effects
- Standardizing your configuration for any set
- Saving your DJ Set template
- Partnering iTunes with Live

WARPING:
- Choosing the right Warp Mode
- Beats vs Tones
- Complex vs. Complex Pro
- Repitching
- How to use Warp Markers
- Perfecting grooves
- Understanding Transients

LOOPS
- Why use loops?
- Beat Juggling with the Loop Brace
- Triggering loops with a Trigger Finger or MIDI controller
- Slicing tracks into sections
- Using the Sampler to DJ

CREATING A DJ SET IN TIMELINE MODE
- Automating Parameters
- Creative uses of crossfader automation
- Exporting your set
- VJing
- Live can do video?!!
- Using an external projector
- Syncing video to music

Two 2 hour classes will give you all the tips and tricks you need to understand the best and most efficient way to prepare your DJ set in Ableton. Bring in your lap top with the tune(s) of your choice and plug into our projector while you get instructions about how to prepare your songs for maximum usability in your DJ set. If you have ever wanted to try Djing or have wanted to maximize the potential of Live as a DJ tool this is the class for you.

call 415-554-1977 to enroll

Pro Tools 101

INSTRUCTOR CONNER LACY

$250 for 4 two hour classes

Next Session: TBA

Learn Protools and all the new features using the latest version of this powerful software. Finally a version that lets you use the audio interface of your choice without locking you into Digidesign's hardware This comprehensive course will put you on your way to change your understanding of Protools from novice or intermediate to power user

call 415-554-1977 to enroll

Logic 101

Instructor: Nate Blaz

$250 for four 2-hour sessions

Next session:
TBA

This course will give you a solid foundation in working with the various aspects of Logic Pro 9, and is suitable for beginner and intermediate users of the program. Nathan Blaz is a Certified Apple Logic Pro 9 Master Pro. Topics covered include:

Logic Workflow
- Learning Logic's many windows
- Working with the Arrange and Mixer views
- Screensets
- Using and customizing key commands
- Transport and Toolbox efficency
- Tips for editing and arranging
- Fades for audio region arranging, fixing and morphing sound with the Sample Editor

Recording and Editing Audio
- Multi track recording ins and outs; working with takes, recording, punching, comping,
- Varispeed
- Beatmapping with Flex Time

MIDI and Virtual Instruments
- Working with Logic's synths and emulators
- EXS24 sampler and Ultrabeat ins and outs
- Recording MIDI, cycle record, step input, quantization, Hyper Editor and Events List
- Building an arpeggiator in the Environment window
- Notating with the Score Editor

Scoring music to video

Mixing / Mastering / Bouncing
- Exploring Logic's tools for mixing
- Exploring EQ and Compression Inserts, panning
- Signal flow with aux and send tracks
- Automation
- Freeze tracks
- Channel strips
- Mastering and bouncing down your session

call 415-554-1977 to enroll

Logic 202 - Advanced Logic

TBA

Reason 101

TBA

Reason 202 - Advanced Reason

TBA

MAX FOR LIVE

Instructor Danny Piccione

Next Session:

TBA

$250 for Four 2 hour classes

This course will focus on various Max for Live uses such as customizing Ableton Live's features and functionality, building your own instruments and effects, and customizing performance of Ableton specific controllers such as the Akai APC40/20 and Novation Launchpad. This course is suitable for users that have little or no experience with Max for Live. The only course requirements are that you own Max for Live and of course Ableton.

Topics covered in this course include:
Introduction to Max/MSP programming with Max for Live
Overview of features and potential uses with Max for Live
Accessing and controlling the Live API
Changing functionality within Ableton Live
Max for Live performance and composition applications
Customizing Ableton specific controllers (APC40/20, Launchpad)

TO ENROLL: Email info@robotspeak.com or Call 415-554-1977. (if necessary, leave your name, email, phone number, and the name of the class you are interested in - we will contact you ASAP)

Fundamentals of Audio Recording

Instructor: Drew Webster

Next session: TBA

$150 for 2 two hour classes

This class is designed to give the home studio musician fundamental skills for making excellent audio recordings using minimal gear. This class will give students a firm grasp of concepts such as signal flow, mic selection and technique, file management, mixing basics and the ability to properly prepare a completed recording for mastering; all essential skills to making great sounding recordings at any budget level and under common recording conditions.

Session 1 - basics of signal flow.
- microphone into interface into DAW.
- basic routing within the daw.
- file management and organization.
- microphone basics (types, applications)
- microphone techniques.
- recording acoustic guitar
- recording vocals
- recording vocals and acoustic guitar

Session 2 - microphone technique continued
- recording drums.
- recording electric guitar & bass
- basics of mixing
- file output for mastering

call 415-554-1977 to enroll

Audio Mastering

Instructor Drew Webster
$160 for two 2 & 1/2 hour classes

Next Session:
TBA

day one:
finishing your mix -- mastering for yourself starts in your final mix:
compression (what to compress and how much)
bass issues (how to make a better master in your final mix)
output levels then, onto mastering basics:
setting up a basic red book cd
sample rate conversion
monitoring
critical listening
topping and tailing
types of fades
naming/organization
why not to normalize

day two:
metering
multiband compression
eq's
limiting
reverb
setting up and using an effects chain
final output

plus: questions questions questions
email or bring specific questions about your mastering setup and plugins.

TO ENROLL: Email info@robotspeak.com or Call 415-554-1977 and leave an email or message with your phone number and class you want to attend and we will get back to you ASAP

MODULAR ANALOG SYNTHESIS

Next Session:
TBA

$260 for three 3 hour classes

Explore the inner reaches and outer limits of modular analog synthesis with RobotSpeak's own Lx Rudis. This class will occur over the course of three Saturday afternoons. The first day will cover the basics of analogue audio synthesis. the second day is devoted to more complex uses of analog modular synthesizers. The third day will be devoted to hands-on workshops.

The class will use a combination of vintage analog modulars and contemporary Moog equipment to demonstrate analog synthesis technique

SESSION 1: BASICS OF ANALOG SYNTHESIS

1- a brief history of modular analogue synthesis.

2- subtractive analogue synthesis
a. typical modules [in a monophonic synth]
b. audio signal flow

3- basics of Voltage Control

4- realtime expression and control

5- typical voice applications
a. imitative synthesis
b. abstract synthesis
c. additional uses

SESSION 2: ADDITIONAL CONCEPTS, MODULAR SYNTHESIS

1- review of SESSION 1

2- review of imitative and abstract synthesis, voicing demonstrations

3- complex modules found in modular systems

4- digital/analog hybrids

5- control voltages in composition and improvisation

6- brief hands-on workshop

SESSION 3: HANDS ON WORKSHOPS

[Session 3 will be comprised of hands-on workshops using techniques learnt in the clinic.]

1- review of SESSION 1 and 2

2- LFO and ENV modulation
a. 30 minute workshop
b. 15 minute discussion

3- sequenced and patterned modulation
a. 30 minute workshop
b. 15 minute discussion

4- complex tambours, FM and AM, timbral modulation
a. 30 minute workshop
b. 15 minute discussion

5- Free Form workshop/improvisation

CIRCUIT BENDING

ROBOTSPEAK and Dmitri go forward with Dmitri's second round of Circuit Bending classes on 3 Saturdays

3 sessions (eleven hours total) includes DIY voice changer:

TIME: Feb 11th, 18th, 25th from 1:00 till 4PM

Cost: $285

Circuit Bending is the art of rewiring and short-circuiting a device to create entirely new sounds. Taking an obsolete piece of gear or toy and breathing new life into it turning it into a useable piece of Lo Fi kit for studio or stage.

Things that will be covered: how to house / place added controls / switches / knobs / how to circuit bendYou will leave with your piece of gear circuit bent / modified ready for the studio or the stage. You will also leave with an advanced understanding of circuit bending.

This class will teach the basic's of circuit bending and follows through by providing examples of how to integrate these new sounds into your studio. It's an inexpensive9 hour class that is spread over 3 Saturdays.

First class:Basics of circuit bending. How to do a Pitch mod, A Battery starve, and add Audio outs ( guitar jack ).

Second class:How to build an audio to 5+v trigger cable and how to use it to trigger toys/bent things from any DAW or drum machine.

Third class: Bring something in and Dmitri will help you bend it.

Requirements: A 30 watt (or more) soldering iron, your bendable unit of choice supplied by you (optional)

call 415-554-1977or email info@robotspeak.com to enroll

Traktor Pro

TBA