Melodies Dj Academy are pleased to be launching exciting new courses for 2011!
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) | £400
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
Production Basics in Logic Pro
Course Description
The Production Basics in Logic Pro course is designed for beginners who are interested in learning the fundamental elements of music production using Apple’s Logic Pro 9. Unlike other Logic training courses, an emphasis will be put on the individual student’s focus as a producer and will include elements of basic music theory and keyboard techniques. Students will learn how to create their own song using a combination of Logic’s software instruments, Apple Loops and DSP effects. The lessons will be taught on a one-to-one basis by an experienced industry professional. Full individual teaching plans will be supplied, along with printed handout material and project file templates.
Lesson 1: Making Music in Logic Pro
The first lesson will begin with an informal skills assessment to determine your prior knowledge of Logic and other music production software. We will also discuss the area(s) you wish to explore as a producer in order to tailor the course to your preferred style(s) of music.
- Basic set up of equipment
- Exploring the interface
- Starting a project with Apple Loops
- Building an arrangement
Lesson 2: Recording and Editing MIDI
- Recording MIDI and using software instruments
- Quantizing MIDI recordings
- Recording additional takes
- Using punch recording
- Programming in the Piano Roll
- Editing a MIDI Recording
Lesson 3: Programming Drums
- Building a drum pattern
- Exploring Ultrabeat
- Manipulating the groove
- Using the Hyper Editor
- Converting MIDI drums into Apple Loops
Lesson 4: Using Logic with Reason, Third Party Plug-ins and Hardware Synthesizers
- Introduction to Reason and ReWire
- Creating a bassline with Reason
- Basic synthesis techniques
- Using MIDI to control hardware instruments
- Recording external instruments into Logic
- Audio Unit plug-ins
Lesson 5: Audio in-depth
- Recording using an audio interface
- Using Take Folders
- Changing Recording and Metronome Settings
- Editing Audio Regions
- Editing using the Sample Editor
Lesson 6: Manipulating Tempo and Time Stretching
- Matching the Project tempo to an Audio Region's tempo
- Inserting Tempo Changes and Curves
- Changing the Playback Pitch and Speed with Varispeed
- Using Flex Time and Time Stretching/Pitch Shift
- Creating a Turntable or Tape Slowdown Effect
Lesson 7: Using Keyboard Controllers and Automation
- Using control surfaces
- Basic keyboard skills
- Understanding chord patterns
- Creating and editing Offline Automation
- Recording Live Automation
Lesson 8: Arranging and Mixing
- Finishing an arrangement
- Adjusting fader levels and pan positions
- Using the Amp Designer
- EQ techniques
- Delay and Reverb
- Dynamic Processing
- Preparing a mix for mastering
Production Basics in Logic Pro will run over 8 sessions at a cost of £400