DJ MIXING
The Spun Academy DJ Mixing Program is designed to teach the student basic and advanced techniques used by nightclub and performance disc jockeys around the world. The art of mixing requires a different approach to music theory, as the dj thinks in a deconstructivist manner when creating a performance. The basics of turntable hookups, handling, and the use of a large public address sound system are all covered up front, but the main thrust of the series is to expose the students to a variety of musical styles as well as show them ways to make the music their own. The basics of 4/4 time, beats per minute, overlapping chords, EQing a track, and hands-on beat matching are all extensively touched upon. When leaving this series, the students will be able to confidently play a set at a nightclub, as well as approach promoters to get work. This program is designed to have students mixing records on stage at a festival, night club, or concert in less than six months.
DJ SCRATCHING
The Spun Academy Scratching Program is dedicated to the art of turntablism. Scratching is the jazz soloing of the virtuoso disc jockey, and, done correctly, can really become original music in its own right. These classes help the students find their voice. Similar to the Mixing Track, the students are exposed to the equipment right away, and are given simple rudiments to work through. As they progress through the series, they’re taught how to string these patterns together into cohesive groups, creating new sounds and, ultimately, music. The academic aspects of this instruction closely mirror percussion education, but with the added twist of using prerecorded sound rather than drum heads. Much like percussion, volume, emphasis, differing patterns, and white space all play a part in the creation of a successful scratch set. Like jazz instruction, showmanship and a fluency in the various techniques all lead to great solo performances, which are the hallmark of a great scratch DJ. When leaving this series, the student will be able to hold their own in a “scratch battle” (a contest between DJs which showcases creativity and skills), as well as be armed with the ability to transcribe their sets, create practice plans on their own, and become part of the scratch community.
MUSIC PRODUCTION
The Spun Academy Music Production Program is designed to teach the student essential skills required for the creation of electronic computer-based music. It establishes a solid foundation of knowledge and technique through which the aspiring producer, upon completion of the program, will be able to not only create music that sounds professional and polished, but design sounds from the ground up. Topics covered include composition, engineering, recording, synthesis, sound design, sampling, effects, and mastering. The classes are designed to expose beginning students to the hardware and software used by producers worldwide, but also has the flexibility to allow more advanced students to plot their own course. The 100 series course provides beginning instruction in loop-based music composition, essential engineering skills, MIDI and mixing using Ableton Live and Propellerhead Reason. The 200 series course delves deeper into synthesis and sound design, giving the students advanced techniques and knowledge by which they will learn to create truly unique and inspiring sounds using Native Instruments Reaktor. The 300 series course integrates the knowledge and techniques of the 100 and 200 series, incorporating dynamic sound design into musical compositions of different styles. Each two hour class generally consists of one hour of lecture time and one hour of lab time. In the lecture, the topic for the class is introduced and the terminology and techniques involved are explained. In the lab time, students apply their knowledge by practicing the techniques detailed in the lecture and gaining hands-on experience in our computer lab. The combination of lecture and lab allows the student to fully understand the topic at hand before delving into the software, yet also provides the experience necessary to make use of the techniques at home. Unlike music classes that concentrate on a single instrument (like our Keyboarding Program), music production focuses more on utilizing prerecorded snippets of music along with the creation of synthetic accompaniments via virtual synths. The focus is less on the ability to “play” than “create.” The successful producer can take either an existing track or something new and, like a DJ, tease out the best parts when creating the new composition. A basic understanding of music theory is certainly taught, but the student will leave this class with the ability to spend less time wrestling with tricky hardware and software and more time focusing on the art of music creation.
STUDIO SOUND
The Spun Academy Studio Sound Program is designed to teach students the essential skills of working in a recording studio. The program focuses on everything from Recording Audio, Mixing, and Editing (Pro Tools), EQ, Compression, Mastering, Acoustics, Microphone Techniques, Effects, Signal Flow, Building a Home Studio, Managing Large Session Data and more. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to record, mix and master an album, know how to trouble shoot digital audio workstations, understand how to use mixers and microphones and be proficient in Pro Tools software. Students attending the Studio Sound Program will get hands on experience working with the gear and software and will have a solid understanding of how any basic studio functions. Studio Sound will dive deep into a greater understanding of how each component in the studio functions and from there allowing the student the complete freedom of creative expression by having a solid understanding of how each element works.
LIVE SOUND
Live sound at Spun Academy brings students into contact with equipment and materials common to the professional working environment. our goal is professional development with a focus on live sound by providing comprehensive training that focuses on technical skills and customer service. Students are first introduced to the jargon of the trade by learning about the equipment that we are using and the terms common to the stage. The physics of sound waves, internal workings and equipment are lightly touched upon insomuch as they are introduced without being explored at this stage. Spun Academy allows students to have hands-on time with the gear, to make mistakes, and to learn from each other. Technical skills are developed over time. Live Sound is taught in much the same way as sciences are taught; a collection of knowledge blocks which lead to a stable foundation in the craft. Troubleshooting techniques are emphasized as they are often critical to the success of any given show.
KEYBOARDING
Improve your skills on the most crucial musical instrument for music-making: the keyboard. No matter what type of music you want to produce, keyboard ability is essential! No other instrument is simpler to learn, and with today’s revolution of MIDI controllers, no computer-based composer can do without basic keyboard skills. Nowadays, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) keyboards are required gear for any computer-based musician. Every facet of how to utilize controllers will be covered. From setting up the control of software at home…to performing live…to creating one’s own MIDI “templates,” this class will give the student all the tools necessary to take advantage of today’s great USB and MIDI keyboards. Synthesizer programming and sound creation are essential to make music with character and originality. Why use presets when you can “roll your own?” In simple and clear lessons, novice producers will learn the basics and advanced techniques for creating their own sounds using synthesizers in the hardware and software world. Hands-on programming will be taught, along with full exploration of exciting software synths like the Imposcar, the MiniMonsta, Synth 1, Subtractor, Maelstrom, and even Reaktor, a modular super-synth.
BUSINESS
The Business in the Music Industry Program is designed to launch your company or career. We do not teach the theory of business in a micro or macro economics fashion. From day one, we actually create the building blocks of your music career or business. Each course is designed entirely around the students. Many students come to Spun Academy interested in increasing the bookings, launching a promotions company, getting paid more per gig, starting night clubs, creating record labels, and most importantly networking. The music industry is believed to be 10% talent and 90% networking and connections. From day one, you will receive any and all business connections from our staff at Spun Academy. We will make phone calls, send emails, set up meetings… whatever it takes to ensure the success of your course project.
GRAFFITI ART
The Spun Academy Graffiti Program is designed to teach the student the fundamentals of street style graffiti painting. From simple to “wildstyle” lettering, murals, and the creation of a custom brand (a “tag”), this class will expose the student to the world of graffiti. At the end of the class, the students will create a mural as a group under the supervision of a professional graffiti artist. Graffiti as an art form makes up one of the four pillars of hip hop, but is easily one of the most misunderstood. As graffiti art is considered a nuisance when applied illegally, it’s both celebrated by modern advertising and popular culture while at the same time vilified by local government and parental groups. The goal of the program is to inform the student about the artistic side of graffiti while at the same time working towards creating legal artwork that will be welcome in the community. Graffiti has a certain insular vernacular that is explained throughout the lessons, but individuality is respected and encouraged.
INTELLIGENT LIGHTING
The Spun Academy Lighting Program is designed to teach the student essential skills required for the programming and creation of dynamic lighting for nightclubs and theatrical events. The student is exposed to a variety of lighting rigs as well as various theories of design. From initial wiring and hanging of lights to a survey of styles of programming (both analog and digital), the student will learn about the broad base of lighting options that they’ll run into in the professional space. Lighting design has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. From simple analog “on/off” boards to full computer and midi controlled “intelligent” interfaces, theatrical lighting is driven by advances in technology. The successful lighting designer is flexible in their understanding of the current trends in controllers which will allow them to easily integrate newer systems as they’re released. A keen knowledge of music theory and an eye for color and movement are a must, and are certainly covered in the program.
REACTIVISION/REACTABLE
ReacTIVision is a cross-platform computer vision framework for the fast and robust tracking of fiducial markers attached onto physical objects, as well as for multi-touch finger tracking. It was mainly designed as a toolkit for the rapid development of table-based tangible user interfaces (TUI) and multi-touch interactive surfaces. The Reactable is a multi-user electro-acoustic music instrument with a tabletop tangible user interface. Several simultaneous performers share complete control over the instrument by moving physical artifacts on the table surface and constructing different audio topologies in a kind of tangible modular synthesizer or graspable flow-controlled programming language. This program is designed to sonically challenge and stimulate our students. Students will be collaborating several performers locally or remotely, in a phenomenal visual and audio format.
