Interactive Workshops

Modular Synthesis with a Computer

You might already have come across a synthesizer as something that looks like a keyboard, or perhaps even as a piece of software that makes certain types of sounds - modular synthesis is a bit different – you work with a set of ‘modules’ that you plug together in the way you wish in order to create sound. This session will introduce you to modular synthesis using the freely available VCV Rack software (https://vcvrack.com). You’ll learn some fundamentals of how synthesis works, the basics of how to combine modules to design sounds and explore the possibilities of working creatively with the software.

• Event Type: Interactive activity workshop
• Length: 1 hour
• Platform: Teams but can be flexible
• Booking numbers: Minimum no. 5, Maximum no. 100
• Requirements: 
• Date and time: Negotiable

To book and arrange your workshop or discuss other bespoke activities please contact opendays@hud.ac.uk.

 

Creating Sonic Impact: Clarity vs Cohesion

In this workshop we learn about a variety of processing options and techniques including gating and waveform edits, compression, EQ and effects. Given that drums are acoustic impulse-based signals, placed here within the context of highly dense/layered sustained, electric based signals, distinct challenges are encountered.

• Event Type: Interactive activity workshop

• Length: 1 hour

• Platform: Teams but can be flexible

• Booking numbers: Minimum no. 5, Maximum no. 100

• Requirements:
  Part1: Watch pre-recorded masterclass videos, use assets and resources to process drums to achieve maximum sonic impact. Students will submit work prior to Part 2 to gain live feedback.
  
  Part 2: Live, interactive workshop advancing students knowledge, gaining feedback on submitted work, followed by Q&A. 

• Software: Any free DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software.

• Date and time: Negotiable

To book or discuss the workshop further, contact opendays@hud.ac.uk 

 

Sound Design

This workshop focuses on the art of creating sound for things that don't exist in the world - time machines, fantasy worlds and dragons. We look at some examples of composite sound design, explore techniques and create sound for unreal things. This workshop will develop skills in listening, sonic imagining, sound recording/editing and audio manipulation.

• Event Type: Virtual or In Person

• Length: 1 hour

• Platform: Zoom

• Booking numbers: Minimum no. 5, Maximum no. 20

• Software: Any digital audio workstation, demonstration will happen in Logic Pro

• Requirements: basic knowledge of a Digital Audio Workstation for practical composition

• Date and time: Negotiable

To book and arrange your workshop or discuss other bespoke activities contact opendays@hud.ac.uk.

 

Dub Production Techniques

The first ‘dubplate’ was created by the legendary Jamaican producer King Tubby in the 1970s, repurposing a popular vocal recording to create an instrumental reworking of the original track that could be played live on a sound system and accompanied by vocal artist. Since this early conception a wide range of techniques have been developed using delay, reverb, and filters to produce exciting and varied sonic textures that are synonymous with the genre. Today, these same techniques are used in a wide range of genres such as EDM, drum and bass and hip hop as part of the production process. In this workshop, you will learn about the history of dub techniques, before exploring how to apply them to your own music productions.  

Requirements for the school:  

• Any DAW with stock plugins 
• Headphones 
• Speakers
• The means of presenting PowerPoint. 

Event Type: Interactive workshop – face to face 

Length: 1.5 hours 

Platform: At the school/college 

Booking numbers: Minimum no. 4 maximum 30 

Date and time: Negotiable. 

To book or discuss the workshop further, contact opendays@hud.ac.uk