Home Recording for the Singer-Songwriter

Home Recording for the Singer-Songwriter returns to School of Song starting on February 25th!

Taught by renowned recording engineer and producer Philip Weinrobe, who has worked with many modern greats such as Adrianne Lenker, Theo Katzman, Florist, Hand Habits, Cass McCombs, and many more. 

In this class you will learn how to make quality recordings so that you feel empowered to share your music with friends, family and the whole wide world. We will cover the fundamental technical, creative and philosophical aspects of recording music, paying close attention to techniques and ways of working that are applicable to working alone and at home, outside of the traditional recording studio environment.

Whether you've only recorded songs as voice memos or are a seasoned recordist seeking fresh perspectives, this course offers valuable methods and processes for all skill levels, enabling you to achieve your goals as a recording musician while keeping your eyes (and ears) squarely on the important stuff.

Throughout the course, you will engage in practical recording exercises and challenges that cover an array of topics, such as:

1. Inventive recording strategies, workflows, and processes to help you navigate the intricate decision-making landscape of creating impactful recordings.
2. In-depth exploration of microphone techniques, placement, and selection to capture the best sound possible.
3. Introduction to digital signal processing and essential audio editing software.
4. Learning how to layer tracks and blend different sonic elements
5. Techniques for effective remote collaboration and recording in the digital age.

By the end of the class you will have learned to use effective techniques, processes, and tools to help you on your artistic journey. Recording and sharing music is a never-ending pursuit full of learning, growth and change. Our goal is for this class to serve as a foundational and inspirational step along that journey. 

Sign up with a friend and you’ll both receive a 20% discount! To get the discount, fill out this form.

Schedule

• Lectures with Philip are on the following Tuesdays (for 4 total classes): Feb 25th, March 4th, 11th, and 18th from 5pm-7pm PT.
• Live Q+A sessions will be held on Thursdays: Feb 27th, March 6th, and 13th from 5-6pm PT.
• Song-shares will be held on Mondays: March 3rd, 10th, and 17th from 11am-12pm PT and 6pm-7pm PT.
• Lectures and Q&A are recorded and sent out afterwards.

FAQ

Q: What gear do I need to take this class?

A: To get the most out of this class, you’ll need the following:

• a computer (or tablet) with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) such as Logic, Pro Tools, or Ableton. Garageband is not suffificent for this class.
• at least 1 microphone (plus cable and stand)
• an audio interface (to get sound from your microphone to your computer)
• headphones (and optionally studio monitors) to listen back to your recordings

Q: How much recording experience do I need to take this class?

A: You don’t need any recording experience to take this class. However, it will be helpful to know how to:

1. get sound from your microphones into your DAW
2. listen back to what you’ve recorded
3. export (or bounce) your DAW’s session into an audio file

There are numerous high quality resources available on the internet to assist with each of these steps (here is one). If you already have all the required gear listed above, it’s reasonable to learn these steps in an afternoon.

Q: I’m already comfortable recording myself at home. Should I take this class?

A: Though Philip will be spending time talking about the fundamentals of recording, he will also be spending a significant portion of the time discussing personal processes, methods, and opinions on the recording process that will be applicable and valuable to more advanced participants.

Q: Do I need to be a singer-songwriter to take this class?

A: If you don’t write songs, you are welcome to record covers for the assignments. If you don’t sing or play at all, it will be valuable to team up with a songwriter in order to complete the assignments.

Q: I can’t make the lecture time. Do I need to participate in this class live?

A: All classes are recorded and sent out after class. You do not need to be able to attend the live lectures in order to participate in the class.

Q: How many students are in the class?

A: There is no cap on enrollment. However, we will be scaling the teacher staff with the number of enrollees to ensure that everyone who needs help with technical troubleshooting has it.

Q: Is there a minimum age requirement?

A: You must be 18 to attend the class. We make exceptions on a case-by-case basis; email us at hi@schoolofsong.org.

Q: Will Philip give me feedback on my recordings?

A: Philip will not be giving individual feedback on recordings, but will be available to answer questions during the Wednesday Q+A.

Q: I'm in Europe and cannot make the live lecture or Q&A times.

A: We’re aware that the lecture and Q&A times are unrealistic for our European students for this offering. However, they are recorded and sent out afterwards. The portion of class that is not adequately replaced by a recording, the song-shares, happen at 11a PT (evening in Europe) and 6p PT. Whenever possible, we try to offer multiple sections of a class so that everyone can attend, but we are unable to in this case. 

If after the first class you feel the course is not a good fit for any reason, you are welcome to a refund on the rest of the course classes. We are unable to process refunds after the second class.

Questions? Email us at hi@schoolofsong.org.