Our two private audio engineering courses have similar descriptions, though differ in length.

Instructor Ken Schubert working one-on-one with in Studio “A”.

Course description:

This 75 hour option is our most sought after avocational course where the  student works privately with the instructor and focuses on various areas of audio engineering and studio use.

During discussions and an interview with the student, we semi-custom tailor a course that addresses their individual desires, taking into account their current level of audio engineering skills, and provide to each student the David Miles Huber “Modern Recording Techniques” handbook and a Cue Studios Center for Audio Engineering workbook.

Program time allotment:

– (65) hours of “ONE ON ONE” instruction with the engineer/instructor in both Cue’s control rooms and studios.  The student will learn how to setup the studio, mic instruments and vocalists, work with musicians, use outboard processing gear (EQs, compressors, Effects, and plug-ins) get headphone mixes, and record and mix a REAL band or solo musician in the industry standard PRO TOOLS recording system.

– (5) hours of Studio C time where the student can practice their new audio engineering skills.

– (5) hours of unassisted “mixdown” time in Studio “A” or “B” at the instructor’s determination.

– Free use (5) hours after the completed course where the student can practice “solo” in Studio C (control room and studio) using Pro Tools HD, microphones, outboard gear, and instruments.

Topics covered include:

• Instrument setup and preparation
• Selecting the best microphone for your instrument or voice
• Microphone placement
• Audio signal processors (mic preamps, compressors, EQs, and effects)
• Analog and digital
• Recording, editing and mixing
• Mixing boards and audio recording software controllers
• Which speakers and why?
• Acoustics

Schedule a free interview

Call our studio manager at 703 532 9033 to schedule a meeting with an instructor.  You’ll meet in the studio/classroom and observe first-hand the environment and equipment used in your program.

Fee:  $5,950

If you would like to enroll in this avocational course, click here for our online shopping cart.

Course description:

This 45 hour avocational course offers the student private lessons with the instructor and focuses on various areas of audio engineering and studio use. During discussions and an interview with the student, we semi-custom tailor a course that addresses their individual desires, taking into account their current level of audio engineering skills, and provide to each student the David Miles Huber “Modern Recording Techniques” handbook, and a Cue Studios Center for Audio Engineering workbook.

Program time allotment:

– (35) hours of “ONE ON ONE” instruction with the engineer/instructor in both Cue’s control rooms and studios.  The student will learn how to setup the studio, mic instruments and vocalists, work with musicians, use outboard processing gear (EQs, compressors, Effects, and plug-ins) get headphone mixes, and record and mix a REAL band or solo musician in the industry standard PRO TOOLS recording system.

– (5) hours of Studio C time where the student can practice their new audio engineering skills.

– (5) hours of unassisted “mixdown” time in Studio “A” or “B” at the instructor’s determination.

– Free use (5) hours after the completed course where the student can practice “solo” in Studio C (control room and studio) using Pro Tools HD, microphones, outboard gear, and instruments.

Topics covered include:

• Instrument setup and preparation
• Selecting the best microphone for your instrument or voice
• Microphone placement
• Audio signal processors (mic preamps, compressors, EQs, and effects)
• Analog and digital
• Recording, editing and mixing
• Mixing boards and audio recording software controllers
• Which speakers and why?
• Acoustics

Schedule a free interview

Call our studio manager at 703 532 9033 to schedule a meeting with an instructor.  You’ll meet in the studio/classroom and observe first-hand the environment and equipment used in your course.

Fee:  $3,250

If you would like to enroll in this course, click here for our online shopping cart.

Both our 100 hour and 55 hour Audio Engineering Programs begin September 2020, Mondays and Wednesdays from from either 10:00am – 1:00pm, 2:00pm – 5:00pm, or 7:00pm – 10:00pm.  Call for current date. (100 hour programs include a Pro Tools HD license and audio hardware interface for each student – yours to keep.)

Outline:  Choose either our 55 hour program – “Introduction to Audio Engineering” or our 100 hour program “Advanced Audio Engineering”. These programs are comprehensive using state of the art equipment and studios.  Students attend lecture classes in the studio and then learn “hands on” in small groups with the instructor in the control room.  The programs focus on recording studio audio engineering and studio techniques.  Program enrollment includes a new hardware interface and Pro Tools recording software that easily installs on most computers; the 8th edition David Miles Huber “Recording Studio Handbook”; a question and answer workbook, and a “Pro Tools Official Courseware Manual”.

Program time allotment for “Introduction to Audio Engineering – Group Class” – 55 hours
(scroll down for 100 hour program):

– (48) hours of comprehensive lecture and instruction with the engineer/instructor in both Cue’s control rooms and studios.  Included in this time is the recording and mixing of a “real recording artist”, where the student participates in the sessions to both learn and implement these professional phases of audio recording and mixing.

– (7) hours of Studio Lab time where the student practices and hones his or her new audio engineering skills in a real recording studio.  Assignments are given along with general experimentation of various audio processing, recording and mixing software where the student commands the helm of the “recording engineer’s seat”.  The building of confidence and fluency of their new knowledge of engineering in the control room is achieved most effectively through repetitive implementation of these skills.

– NEW: (15) “solo” hours of free Studio C use (includes both the control room and the studio) along with Pro Tools HD, outboard processors, microphones and instruments!

Topics covered include:

• Studio setup application and theory
• Microphone selection and placement
• Audio signal processors :  Mic preamps, equalizers, compressors, limiters, and multi-effects generators – with an emphasis on both analog rack mount units and software “plug-ins”
• Analog and digital recording systems
• Recording, editing and mixing
• Pro Tools Software theory and application and general DAW logic
• Analog and digital mixing consoles
• Studio monitors and the critical listening environment
• Acoustics and waveforms

After the course the student is encouraged to schedule an internship at Cue where he or she will observe and render tasks, participate in real recording sessions, and gain first hand knowledge of the inner workings of a successful recording studio business.

Schedule a free interview

If you’re serious about your audio education, call our course administrator at 703 532 9033 to schedule a meeting with an instructor.  You’ll meet in the studio/classroom and observe first-hand the environment and equipment used in your program.

Fee:  $2,350

If you would like to enroll in this program, click here for our online shopping cart.

Program time allotment for “Advanced Audio Engineering – Group Class” – (100 hours):

– (75) hours of comprehensive lecture instruction with the engineer/instructor in both Cue’s control rooms and studios. Included in this time is the recording and mixing of a “real recording artist”, where the student participates in the sessions to both learn and implement these critical phases of audio production.

– (25) hours of Studio Lab time where the student practices and hones his or her new audio engineering skills in a real recording studio.  Assignments are given along with general experimentation of various audio processing, recording and mixing software use where the student commands the helm of the “recording engineer’s seat”.  The building of confidence and fluency of their new knowledge of engineering in the control room is achieved most effectively through repetitive implementation of these skills.

– NEW: (15) “solo” hours of free Studio C use (includes both the control room and the studio) along with Pro Tools HD, outboard processors, microphones and instruments!

– Included with the 100 hour program is an audio interface and Pro Tools recording software.  Both easily installed on most computers.

Topics covered include:

• Studio setup application and theory
• Microphone selection and placement
• Audio signal processors : Mic preamps, equalizers, compressors, limiters, and multi-effects generators – with an emphasis on both analog rack mount units and software “plug-ins”
• Analog and digital recording systems
• Recording, editing and mixing
• Pro Tools Software theory and application and general DAW logic
• Analog and digital mixing consoles
• Studio monitors and the critical listening environment
• Acoustics and waveforms

Schedule a free interview

If you’re serious about your audio education, call our course administrator at 703 532 9033 to schedule a meeting with an instructor. You’ll meet in the studio/classroom and observe first-hand the environment and equipment used in your program.

Fee: $3,750

If you would like to enroll in this program, click here for our online shopping cart.

One of Cue’s many teaching studios:

Taught by Gold & Platinum awarded producer Jim Ebert (clients include Butch Walker / Marvelous 3, SR-71, Toni Braxton, Honor By August, Madonna, HR of The Bad Brains, and hundreds of other national and local artists) in Cue’s legendary studios. Learn production skills and techniques from a real pro, record and produce a real band, and experience first hand how to “produce” great recordings during (65) hours in the studio and control room recording and then mixing the band you recorded. During and at the end of the program the student will use (15) hours of Lab Time practicing their Pro Tools and computer skills.

Cost is $7,750 for our “One on One” private course OR $3,750 for a Group Class course.  You’ll learn effectively with extensive “Hands-On” training using instruments, amps, recording software, and state-of-the-art recording gear while you produce the area’s finest studio musicians performing as a session band. Call Dusty at 703/532-9033 for more info.

View the Course Outline below.

Course options are days, nights and weekends.  Call for current group class dates, or to schedule convenient “one on one” dates.

From mastering world class audio gear to understanding “the song” and “the artist”, this program is essential for anyone interested in becoming a music producer.

Watch the below course video for a course demonstration.

Learn various types of production techniques used in alternative, rock, crossover country and many other musical styles.

Schedule a free interview

If you’re serious about your audio education, call our course administrator at 703 532 9033 to schedule a meeting with Jim. You’ll meet in the studio and observe first-hand the environment and equipment used in your program.

Click the below links to sign up for either course using our online Paypal or credit card payment option, or contact our business office at 703 532 9033 to pay in person or by telephone.

Fee:  $7,750 – Call to enroll, or click to sign up online (“One on One” – Private Instruction – Dates scheduled upon enrollment)
Fee:  $3,750 – Call to enroll or click to sign up online  (Group Class) Please call for current schedule

“Become a Music Producer” Course Outline:

Group Classes adhere primarily to the below syllabus, and “One on One” private classes can be tailored to specific needs in accordance with individual strengths and weaknesses of the student.

Getting to know your Artist

• Musical Genre
• Targeting Textures and Treatments for the Artists Sound
• Focusing Song and Artist Vision
• Understanding the Artist’s Audience
• Listening and Analyzing Comparable Artists

Song treatment

• Every Song is its Own Entity
• Explaining and developing Verse and chorus elements
• The beauty of repetitive themes
• The need for a Bridge if necessary
• Developing melody
• Setting up the Chorus
• Setting up the song to be a Journey
• The Breakdown
• The Climactic Ending

Instrumental Treatment

• Focusing Feel of the Song
• Percussion- Developing drum feel for the song
• Keeping it simple
• Leaving space for the song to develop-Everyone does not need to play All The Time
• Developing Hook lines Instrumentally
• Looking at your Artist ‘s peers Instrumentally

Vocal Performance

• Figuring out the best way to work with your Artist
• Choosing Microphones for your Artist.
• Setting up an Environment for your Artist Sonically and physically.
• Making sure you understand the Lyrics and meaning of the song and your input  into the performance.
• Vocal Production Techniques
doubling, layering, time based effects, compression, tuning

Technical Subjects:

Studio Microphones & Pre-Amps

• Microphones:  styles, types, sounds and applications
• Microphone pre-amps:  the hidden magic
• Microphone placement

Equalizers

• How not to overuse
• Frequencies and ear training
• Understanding frequency placement for song arrangement
• Compression:
• What it is and when to use it
• Using it as a weapon

Studio Software – Understanding Pro Tools, Logic, etc…

• Digital audio
• I/0 and d/a
• Plug ins and uses
• Timing correction
• Tuning possibilities
• Recording and mixing “in the box”

Mixing

• What is it?
• Instruments and frequency ranges
• Levels, panning and spacing
• Using EQ, compression and time based effects to create the atmosphere
for your song.
• Learning the rules then breaking them.

The art of Electronic Music Composing program includes modern music production techniques and instruction on today’s music making electronic instruments and drum machines.  Our staff engineer/producer/programmers have years of experience in our multi-platinum awarded recording facility.  They are highly skilled in the areas required to create well-constructed music tracks and “radio ready” finished songs. They’ll patiently work you through the below processes so you too can become comfortable at the helm while creating your own professional, electronic tracks and songs.

Topics covered include:

• Proper microphone selection and use for great sounding vocals
• Achieving well performed vocal recording sessions
• Assisting in guitar, bass and keyboard music producing techniques
• Drum machine programming (making beats and percussive rhythm tracks)
• Sequencing of various rhythm parts and melodic leads (bass lines, keyboard chords, horn sections, strings, etc.)
• Midi channels and their assignments
• Implementation of “multi-timbral” outputs
• Triggering sound modules and samplers
• Quantizing, looping, syncopation, BPM calculations, sequencing software and other programming phases
• Integration of the above with Pro Tools and other recording / mixing systems
• Laying down or “over-dubbing” real tracks on top of your electronically programmed tracks.
• Adding vocals to the project – mic selection and usage, mic preamps, compressors, and pitch correction.
• Putting it all together to make a great sounding song

The instructor will also touch on compositional aspects of electronic music including arrangements, music notation, composing, and key signatures.

Schedule a free interview

If you’re serious about your music, we encourage you to schedule a free appointment with our electronic programming instructor to discuss your personal goals and expectations for your education in this field.  Your meeting will take place in one of our studio/classrooms where you can observe first hand the learning environment that will be your private classroom. Email John Krauss at john@cuerecording.com, or call our course administrator, Dusty, at 703 532 9033. They’ll be glad to arrange a free meeting in the studio for you.

Fee:  $2,600

To enroll in this program, click here for our online shopping cart.