Audio Mixing for Aspiring Professionals
Method: Online + On-campus practical workshops + Virtual mentor sessions
Duration: 8 Weeks
Minimum entry requirement: Grade 10
Intakes: January & June
Accreditation: PAS Media Academy
R1,450.00 p/m for 3 months
Course Duration
8 weeks (2 months)
Course Format
Blended learning approach with online video lessons on the PASMA learning platform and contact workshops at the PASMA campus for each module.
Face-to-face Practicals:
Monthly practical contact workshops at PASMA’s flagship campus with experienced mentors.
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Online theory:
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Virtual mentor classes with experienced mentors
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5 hours of weekly video lessons
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Home activities/projects.
*All practical contact workshops are streamed from the PASMA studios for learners that cannot be on-campus.
Course Objectives
This 8-week course aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of audio mixing in music production, emphasizing the emotional impact of sound. Through online resources and hands-on sessions, learners will traverse the entire mixing process, from session setup to finalization. This course seeks to equip students with skills to balance different audio elements, utilize compression and EQ, apply effects, and avoid overcompression, ultimately producing a polished, professional mix.
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Curriculum Overview
Module 1: Setting the Stage for Mixing (Week 1)
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Understanding the emotional impact of sound on listeners
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The role of audio mixing in music production
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Identifying your approach and intent in audio mixing
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Improving your listening environment
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Module 2: Laying the Groundwork (Week 2)
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Creating drum patterns using the Step Sequencer
Building custom drum kits with the FPC and other virtual instruments
Using swing, groove, and quantization for rhythmic variation
Layering and processing drum sounds for professional results
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Module 3: The Building Blocks of Your Mix (Weeks 3-4)
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Assigning and mixing various components (drums, bass, vocals)
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Balancing rhythm section and other instruments
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Understanding and applying the principles of panning
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Exploring compression and its application in your mix
Contact Workshop 1: Setting Up and Building Your Mix (end of Week 4)
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Hands-on session on prepping and setting up your mix.
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Practical application of assigning and mixing various components, balancing rhythm section and other instruments, and applying panning and compression.
Module 4: Fine-tuning Your Mix (Weeks 5-6)
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Using noise gates and de-essers
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Deep dive into EQ: understanding parameters, frequency juggling, equalizing rhythm section and instruments
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Module 5: Enhancing Your Mix with Effects (Weeks 7-8)
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Understanding and applying reverb and delay
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Adding modulation effects to your mix
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Finalizing your mix: using mix bus compression and avoiding hypercompression
Contact Workshop 2: Fine-tuning and Finalizing Your Mix (end of Week 8)
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A practical session on applying EQ and compression to enhance your mix.
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Hands-on session on using effects and finalizing your mix.