Summer
Music Technology Essentials
An Online Group Course for Beginners
Ages 16 – Adult
‘Excellent online course, great teacher, highly recommended.’
– G. McCaffrey
‘I learned so much…. The teacher was excellent with a wide knowledge of the field.’
– P. Scully
Course Description
This summer version of Waltons New School of Music’s popular Introducing Music Technology course is inexpensive, practical, hands‐on and designed to teach absolute beginners how a computer/laptop and free music production software can be used to produce professional quality recordings at home.
Working at your PC or laptop, you will receive an essential online introduction to home recording and music production through a variety of exercises and tasks and will learn about:
- DAWs or Digital Audio Workstations, the core components of any home studio set-up, which allow users to record, edit and produce music. We will use Pro Tools Intro, the free version of the famous DAW used by recording artists, producers and sound engineers worldwide, for this. Pro Tools Intro is a great ‘starter’ DAW that has components very similar to other DAWs. We can also accommodate users of Ableton Live, Cubase LE and Reason Essentials – three inexpensive software packages – if participants have access to these.
- Audio Interfaces and correct recording levels.
- Microphones & Recording. Microphone types, techniques and positioning for vocal, guitar and instrumental recording. If you do not own microphones or an interface, audio tracks and samples will be provided for you to work with.
- Sequencing & Editing. Sequencing musical parts into an arrangement, effectively turning your PC/laptop into a multi-track recorder.
- The Musical Spectrum. EQ bands and their musical relevance.
- Sampling and editing loops to create new sounds.
- Mixing & Effects. Achieving the all-important final mix, using built-in mixers, inexpensive effects plug-ins and dynamic processors.
- Audio Mastering. Attenuating loudness levels to optimise a mix for digital streaming and reproduction.
- Undo. The all-important undo button!
At the end of the course you will have a professional-quality studio mix of the material you’ve been working on, and participants are free to produce their own songs and compositions throughout the course.
Although participants should have a working knowledge of Windows or macOS X operating systems, no previous musical training, knowledge of music technology or ability to read music is necessary.
Participants in this online course will need to have their own internet-connected computer or laptop, as well as free Pro Tools Intro and Zoom software. (See the Requirements tab for more information.)
This course covers Stage 1 of the New School’s ten-stage system of student progress and assessment, which culminates in a teaching or performing qualification (Stage 10) should the student progress that far. Participants who successfully complete the course can be issued with a certificate of completion of Stage 1. If you are taking the course, please let the school office know if you would like this certificate. See About Our Stage System for more information.
Summer Music Technology Essentials is one of the New School’s group courses. We also offer private lessons in a wide range of music technology subjects. See Music Technology Tuition for more information.
Colin Power
Colin has been an active professional musician, guitarist and audio engineer for the last fifteen years. His performance experience extends to theatrical productions, music festivals, radio performances and recording sessions. He has also produced audio and engineered recording sessions for a wide range of artists and projects. After receiving a Diploma in Multimedia Engineering from the Waterford College of Further Education and an Honours BA in Commercial Modern Music from the British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM Dublin), Colin further validated his range of skills and competencies by completing an MPhil in Music and Media Technologies at Trinity College, Dublin, as well as a postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Educational Practice in Teaching for Further Education, with distinction, with the National College of Ireland. He has taught guitar and music technology to a range of students privately, in music schools and for Music Generation. In addition to this course, he teaches our Introducing Music Technology, Ableton Live Basics, Introducing Guitar for Adults and Introducing Ukulele for Adults courses, our Leaving Cert. Music Technology and Music Technology for Teens workshops, and guitar lessons and courses for our Outreach Programme and Music at Work Programme.
‘My approach to teaching is based around the philosophy of making music as relatable as possible to students of all ages and backgrounds. I prefer to demonstrate to students how music plays an integral part of their everyday lives and to let their own experiences and interests dictate each individual’s learning process. I also try to integrate technology with instrumental lessons, as I believe that acquiring technological skills as a musician is extremely valuable in the current musical landscape.’
Course Requirements
Participants in this online course will need to have the following equipment and software:
- An internet-connected computer or laptop with either an integrated or separate webcam and microphone, as well as these minimum system requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 10 or above / macOS 10.14.6 or above
- RAM: 4GB (8GB recommended)
- Disk Space: 15GB
- Headphones or earbuds. (Over ear headphones are preferred for better sound quality.)
- Ideally, internet speed at least 1.5Mb per second. (You can test your speed using Measurement Lab’s Speed Test.)
- Free Pro Tools Intro software (see below).
- Free Zoom software.*
* If you haven’t learned music with Zoom before, please see our printable Zoom for Students information sheet for information on how to download and set up Zoom for music tuition.
Before the course begins, the teacher will email you a Zoom meeting invitation that includes a meeting ID and password to join the first class.
Pro Tools Intro Installation
- Go to the Pro Tools Intro web page.
- Click on Download Now.
- You will be guided on how to create a free account with Avid, the company that produces Pro Tools and Pro Tools Intro.
- Follow the instructions to create an account and download the software.
Reviews • Testimonials
‘Very enjoyable course, with all details well explained by a knowledgeable and friendly teacher.’
– B. Clancy
‘Very well explained by an interested and enthusiastic teacher.’
– J. Eaton
‘Essential for anyone interested in recording music at home.’
– D. Fox
‘Thank you Waltons New School of Music for providing a course I had been looking around for and for delivering on its promises. Superb tutor!’
– K. Hartnett
‘I have wanted to do a music technology course for years but the opportunity didn’t come up until I saw that Waltons were offering an online version of their Introducing Music Technology course. Signing up was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I thoroughly enjoyed the course. My zero experience in recording music was no problem because it is tailored for beginners, and looking back on how much I learned in such a short space of time is incredible! The teacher is very friendly, helpful, and explains things in a clear and concise way. I would highly recommend this course to anyone with an interest in the subject!’
– A. Hickey
‘Excellent online course, great teacher, highly recommended.’
– G. McCaffrey
‘A great course. Would definitely recommend it. I learned so much…’
– J. McDonald
‘Great course. Software well explained [and] no other school teaches music technology at this price.’
– J. O’Neill
‘I learned so much…. The teacher was excellent with a wide knowledge of the field.’
– P. Scully
Have you taken – or are you taking – this course? We would appreciate it if you could take a few moments to give us your feedback in a brief online questionnaire about it.
2024 Summer Term
Course Schedule & Fees
To be confirmed.
Please contact us (providing your name) if you would like to be notified when our 2024 Summer Term (July-August) course schedule and fees are confirmed and we start accepting enrolments.
Enrolment
Enrolment for this course requires a completed Enrolment Form and full payment of the course fee. Places are limited to eight and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. A number of our group courses fill in advance of their start dates, and early enrolment is recommended.
Purchasing this course as a gift?
Please complete a Gift Certificate Booking Form.
Questions about the course?
