AAR students brush up on drum micing techniques

Current AAR students learn how to mic a drum kit, and re-amp guitars -

with the help of some familiar faces

Jordan Dobbelsteyn, July graduate & accomplished drummer lent us his talents 

Jason Welwood setting up the session

Cayle Charlton, another familiar face in the calgary scene explaining the basics of
drum micing from a musicians point of view

Josh Carlson & Nathan Silva recording

On top of learning how to properly mic a drum kit to get those aggressive metal tones, the students
also learned how to properly re-amp guitar tracks - including signal flow, head settings & cab combo's and mic placement

Well done everyone! 

Adam Scotten records at AAR

Adam Scotten records track with current afternoon class 

Adam in booth recording some percussion

Jason Welwood Engineering

The guys - left to right - Pascal, Jason & Adam, James in front

Congratulations guys on an amazing track!
This is so well done its hard to believe they got the entire thing tracked, mixed & mastered in 8 hours
The track, Discovered, sounds fantastic - hard to believe this is a student project, you guys are pro's!!

Listen to Discovered

James Wise Instructs 2012 Mount Royal Drum Camp

Current student James Wise is instructing at the 2012  Mount Royal Drum Camp

James will be teaching the beginner drum class at the Mount Royal Drum Camp on November 5th, 2012. This will include him teaching basic drum patterns and drum kit co-ordination to students of all ages. 

Good luck tonight James! 

We know you will be amazing, and your students are lucky to have you as their teacher!

Smoke at AAR

Check out the latest student project from our afternoon class 

The guys worked with up and coming hip hop artist Smoke, recording, mixing & mastering 2 tracks during their session

James, Jason & Pascal tracking

Smoke in the booth

Listen to the 2 tracks here

AAR class works with local dub producer & former student Dobb

Both of our current classes have just finished their first studio project! 

They worked with Dobb - composing & arranging unique MIDI creations 

Great job on your first project!

Afternoon class referencing their mix
Left to Right - James, Pascal, Jason & Dobb

Shameless!
Left to Right - Pascal, Jason, James & Dobb

Check out the afternoon class composition entitled 'Nuke the Whales'

Evening class celebrating a job well done!
Left to Right - Nathan, Josh, Kathleen & Dobb

Listen to the evening class composition 'Goat Dope'

Music Business/Artist Management Seminar at The Alberta Academy of Recording

The Alberta Academy of Recording will be hosting a seminar on how to succeed in the new music economy, focusing on the business of music, artist management, and most 

importantly how to get ahead in today's music industry. This is a must for 

anyone interested in managing their own music careers, or anyone interested in 

the business of music. 

The seminar will be given by Devine Taylor, one of the most successful artist managers in 

North America.

                This seminar will be held on Saturday, October 13th from noon - 5pm

  Cost for seminar is $200 flat, and includes the day as well as 1 month of consultation with                                                     Devine and MBM (music biz mentor)

                              Check out the website here:  http://musicbizmentor.com/

                          You will receive a certificate of completion for this mini course
                     If you have any questions feel free to give us a call at (403) 457-0950

                                         or e-mail admin@albertarecording.com  anytime!

Happy Graduation!!

July 2012 Graduates

Congratulations to Ryan Murphy (left) and Jordan Dobbelsteyn (right) on their successful completion of The Alberta Academy of Recording's summer class! 

Both students did exceedingly well throughout the course and completed some amazing mixes. It was truly a pleasure to watch both of these young producer/engineers work their magic and grow their production experiences, techniques & styles. We expect big things from both of these guys!!

Ryan will be taking over live sound at the Blind Beggar on Thursday nights original music jam, and graduated with marks high enough to allow him to work as a freelance engineer out of Alchemy Studios Inc.

Jordan's passion for recording, and creating the ultimate drum sound will no doubt lead him to do great things and push the boundaries of metal recording. 

All the best to you both!!

Listen to their Demo Reels here

Train Bigger Monkeys at AAR

Train Bigger Monkeys record with current AAR class

As their last client session the July 2012 class engineered & produced local metal band 

Train Bigger Monkeys

         Jordan Dobbelsteyn sportin' the merch!

(thanks for the shirts guys!)

         

 Al aka Frost Giant layin some vocals

 Brian aka Yuri Nalarm taking care of the main vocals

Ryan Murphy contemplating the vocal content...

JC (left) &  Dr. Awesome (right) discussing the mix

What a great way to wrap up the class sessions - great job on everything!!

Listen to Tow The Line

Radio Add Creation at AAR

As part of the class, the students created an add for a product of their choice. This time it was Fantasy Island Zoo. This twisted zoo includes attractions such as a cerberus, kraken, and blob fish - fun for the whole family! 

The students composed this beat with help of past graduate little dub, they are also responsible for all of the sound effects, sound design, script & voicing of the add. 

Check out the 60s commercial here

AAR Students work with For One More Day

As one of their final projects our students worked with local rock band For One More Day

The guys worked hard micing the drum kit, amps, bass & vocals. Great job you two, another one to add the to demo reel!

Mixin' Mixin'!

Listen to Never Got Lucky

AAR Students Engineer Theme Music

Current students of the Alberta Academy of Recording have completed engineering the opening credit theme for an upcoming independent film series. This track is truly one of a kind, and was a great experience (and credit) for the students. Jordan & Ryan got experience working with Mandolin, bongos, and various percussion instruments while working on this track. They also gained very valuable sound design experience, and had to create multiple mixes to be used as incidentals, as well as for the end/closing credits. 

(Left to Right) Jordan,Vanessa & Ryan

Listen to the completed track here

July class records three part psychedelic saga - a must listen!

Our July class recently completed a session with local psychedelic artists Groon. For this session the students were challenged with a live off the floor session with the three members - they met the challenge head on and produced one of the most memorable sessions of their careers to date. This three part track was no small feat, and the students produced an extremely cohesive and clear mix - well done guys!

Here it is! The Rise & Fall of Toner Daniels

Part I

Part II

Part III

AAR students begin their client sessions

First up for the July AAR class was a hip hop collaboration with Ruzi Productions, Selective Group & Big Minded Music.

The guys did a fantastic job working with the various artists & the track turned out great! 

(Left to Right) Jordan, Sean, Connor, Sergio, Ryan & Yuri

Listen to Peace

Local Music Critic Talks with AAR Students

We have started a new class at The Alberta Academy of Recording!!

 Last week, local music critic Wilhelm Princeton, whose works are published regularly across North America, came in to speak with the students about mixing from a critics point of view. Discussion topics included the evolution of mixing, genre specific mixing, 

how a mix impacts a critique & audience, current and emerging industry trends, mastering, the business of mixing and so much more! Wilhelm gave the students an unbiased, and uncensored view into the world of critiquing, and mixing music, as well as some tips on how to get into the industry and what the next industry wave is going to be. 

Thank you Wilhelm for lending us your expertise!

Now Accepting Students for Fall Registration

Fall Audio Engineering and Music Production Course

Audio Engineering and Music Production Instruction Classes beginning in September 2012
200 Hour, 12 Week Course - www.AlbertaRecording.com

HANDS ON TRAINING WITH EXPERIENCED
INSTRUCTORS WHO WORK IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY!

The Alberta Academy of Recording (AAR) is Offering
HANDS ON Recording and Audio Engineering Courses.

LEARN IN A WORKING STUDIO "HANDS ON"
* Live and Studio recording
* Modern Music production
* Pro Mixing and Mastering
* Audio Engineering and Post Production
* Custom one-on-one classes available
* Demo Reel and Grad Placements

Students train in digital recording studio technologies. Curriculum includes topics such as professional session engineering, microphone techniques, outboard equipment, MIDI, signal flow, critical listening, and audio/acoustic principles. Instruction includes linear and non-linear digital audio theory, ProTools and Nuendo software, and advanced recording techniques. Practice and integration are emphasized along with technical expertise, production and project management, and problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
 Each student will graduate with a professionally mastered demo reel showcasing his or her achievements upon completion of the course.

We utilize a proven combination of half theory and technical instruction, and half 'hands-on' training. Our program focuses on developing the knowledge, skills, and technical expertise required to achieve successful employment.



WWW.ALBERTARECORDING.COM

Contact us at any time for more information

Alberta Academy of Recording's Jess Charlton in Beatroute

At the young age of 24, Charlton has already worked for Calgary studio The Beach Advanced Audio Recording and has now set up shop at Alchemy. She has recorded local bands We Found the Body, Whorehouse Massacre, Dead Salvation, Fetal Defilement and Train Bigger Monkeys. Her resume also boasts tracks from Nas, Queens of the Stone Age, the New Pornographers and IllScarlett.
“There is not an aspect of music that I won’t touch or that I won’t do,” she explains enthusiastically from one of the studios gorgeous mixing rooms. In the same studio she teaches courses – in a curriculum she designed – through the Alberta Academy of Recording (AAR).

Read more in Beatroute

April 2012 AAR class graduates!!

Our April 2012 class has officially wrapped up 

Check out our superstar graduates

Braeden Codd aka Dobb aka Little Dub

Braeden is producing and composing dubstep, as well as working as an Engineer for Kaotica Digital, which specializes in Hip Hop production, mixing and mastering. His unique perspectives truly make him one of a kind in this industry, and an absolute joy to have in the studio. 

Watch out for his upcoming debut release, Shameless, which I'm sure will blow us all away

Braeden has also graduated with an overall average high enough to be offered Freelancing rights out of Alchemy Studios!

Congratulations Braeden, we can't wait to see what the future holds for you!

Konrad Zukowski

Konrad is the proud owner of Kaotica Digital, a company that specializes in Hip Hop, Reggae, and Spoken word composition, mixing and mastering. Konrad's background in business, and new found knowledge of the audio industry will no doubt drive his new venture to success. 

Congratulations Konrad! 

P.S. Kaotica Digital is now offering free mixing & mastering for a limited time!

Clayton Crawford

Clayton is taking his talents mobile! He will be offering live, and on location recording services for all types of music. With an ear tuned for those rockin' tones, we have no doubt that this graduate will produce some wicked live recordings! 

Congratulations Clayton! 

David Jamieson

Graduating at the top of his class, Dave is a new talent to watch in the local industry. Dave's dedication and ambition is paralleled by few, and it shows!  He is currently working as a Post Production Engineer at Bluewater Studios, as well as engineering sessions at Alchemy Studios. Dave will also be taking on Live Sound at the Blind Beggar for the independent music jam on Thursday Nights. 

All the best to you Dave, no doubt you are at the start of a long and prosperous career within the audio industry,

Congratulations Dave!

AAR Instructor Featured in Beatroute

This months Calgary Metal Beatroute feature was on The Alberta Academy of Recording's Head Instructor Jessica Charlton. Jessica is a long time reader and fan of the Calgary Metal section of Beatroute, and is honoured to have been given the feature for this month. This personal article is definitely worth a read! 

Read the article here

The students at the Alberta Academy of Recording complete their last client recording session!

Here are the guys working with original metal act Archelaos

Micing the rectifier - the student chose a more complicated 3 mic placement set up for this session - epic!

Clayton & Konrad micing the drum kit

The every important pre production notes, notice the band requests in the top right corner, a blanket for the vocalist (because he scares people when he sings), an SM58 for the drummer's beer holder (obviously essential!)

Hilarious, thanks for the input guys! 

Clayton and Dave manning the controls

The guys with Archelaos

CJ, Clayton, Cayle, Darren, Konrad, Keith, Braeden & Dave

(left to right)

What an amazing way to wrap up the class

Great work everyone!!

Listen to Serenity  

AAR students record local act Stray Arc

Last week our students worked with local rock band Stray Arc

Konrad, Braeden and Dave tracking some wicked drums

Here are the guys recording the band live off the floor

We decided to try some dual cab micing on this project

Clayton, our producer on day one

Clayton, Dana, Jager, Konrad, Ryan, Scott, Darryl, Dave & Braeden

What a crew!

Great work everyone, can't wait to hear the final product!

Track is coming soon!