Melodies Dj Academy are pleased to be launching exciting new courses for 2010!
Welcoming new tutor , head of Friends Electric Records James Alexander to the Academy!
James Alexander started his DJ career at the tender age of 14 as a stand in for his brother at the legendary UK club night "KAOS". Even then he was an accomplished classical guitarist, having traveled to Andalusia in the previous year to play and learn from some of the Flamenco guitar masters.
The mid 00’s saw the musical compass point directly to Berlin and James was soon to follow after being signed to Berlin DJ agency and events company - "FAMOS". After working his way up the overcrowded Berlin minimal scene, James set up his own musical imprint in 2006 named "Friends Electric Records". Friends Electric stands proud in 2010 with 12 artists including major international talents such as: Dirt Crew, Benno Blome, Ronald Christoph, Sweet N Candy and Steve Cole.
James, now under the production name of "J Alexander", continues to produce, remix and write his own blend of Techno and Tech-House. His productions can be heard across the globe, supported by the biggest names from across the electronic spectrum; Derrick May, Dave Seaman, Laurent Garnier, Nic Fanciulli and Timo Mass, are to name but a few DJs that have supported his work and that of his label.
J Alexander’s talents have taken him out of the European arena and placed him firmly onto the world stage, including a tour of China in the summer of 2009. As the decade came to a close, it rang to the sound of “Relentless” – his most recent single released in December (including a stunningly deep remix by Benno Blome) and achieved sales and airplay across the world.
With a degree in Music Production already under his belt, James is now completing a Masters Degree and is further developing his production portfolio by introducing “out of genre music” into his productions and infusing them with acoustic Jazz, Folk, Classical, and even spoken word. His next release will feature another Berlin artist; Rico Henschel AKA Sweet N Candy.
We are pleased to be able to offer the following courses:
Ableton Live (Production) | £500
Lesson 1: Introduction
1.1 Skills audit/student interview: Establish prior knowledge of Ableton and/or other music production programs
1.2 Introduction to Ableton
1.3 Setting up a template
1.4 Importing audio files
1.5 Simple audio editing and looping
1.6 Saving work and creating project folders
Lesson 2: Introduction to MIDI & Audio
2.1 Using Midi drums and instruments
2.2 Converting Midi to audio
2.3 Cutting and pasting audio
2.4 Using audio effects such as pitch-shift and reverse
Lesson 3: Using Effects & Automation
3.1 Using Midi effects within Ableton
3.2 Using audio effects within Ableton
3.3 Using and recording automation
3.4 Rendering audio to disk
Lesson 4: Using Ableton With Reason
4.1 Introduction to Reason
4.2 Recording Reason into Ableton
4.3 Music theory / EQ levels
4.4 Skills audit review/bringing skills together
Lesson 5: Recording Audio & External Devices
5.1 Setting up an external soundcard
5.2 Recording and editing vocals
5.3 Recording and editing a real instrument or synthesizer
5.4 Composing and arranging
Lesson 6: MIDI Controllers
6.1 Using external midi controllers
6.2 Editing and recording using midi controllers
6.3 Advancing the composition
Lesson 7: Introduction To Hardware & Software Synthesis
7.1 Using external devices with Midi
7.2 Introduction to Synthesis
7.2 Looking at hardware synthesizers
7.3 Using Plug-ins and VST synthesizers
Lesson 8: Arrangement, Mixing & Final Composition
8.1 Advanced arrangement
8.2 Mixing
8.3 Finishing an original arrangement/composition
The course will run over 8 weeks of 2hr sessions at a cost of £500
Full individual teaching plan complete with handouts and samples
Ending in producing your own arrangement
Ableton Live (For DJ/Live Sets) | £250
Lesson 1: Introduction
1.1 Skills audit/student interview: Establish prior knowledge of Ableton and/or other music programs and DJing
1.2 Introduction to Ableton
1.3 Setting up a template
1.4 Importing audio files
1.5 Simple audio editing and looping
1.6 Warping and using warp-markers
1.7 Saving work and creating project folders
Lesson 2: Samples & Effects
2.1 Using audio effects within Ableton
2.2 Music theory / EQ levels
2.3 Cutting and pasting audio to create samples
2.4 Triggering samples and loops
Lesson 3: MIDI Controllers & External Devices
3.1 Setting up and using external soundcards
3.2 DJing/playing live using Midi controllers
3.3 Triggering loops and samples using Midi
3.4 Automating effects via Midi
Lesson 4: Performing & Recording Live
4.1 Advanced DJ/Live skills
4.2 Performing and recording a live set.
Ableton Dj/live will run over 4 sessions at a cost of £250