SD

SOUND DESIGN

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7-10pm CST w/ INSTRUCTOR - JAMES PATRICK

Spring Semester

Level 1 - Tuesdays (Minneapolis) 04/23/24 - 07/09/24
Level 1 - Wednesdays (Online) 04/24/24 - 07/17/24
Level 3 - Mondays (Online) 04/22/24 - 07/15/24

Open - Enrollment Closes week of 04/08/24

Summer Semester

Level 2 - Tuesdays (Minneapolis) 07/23/24 - 10/08/24
Level 2 - Wednesdays (Online) 07/24/24 - 10/09/24
Level 3 - Mondays (Minneapolis) 07/22/24 - 10/07/24

Enrollment opens 05/06/24

Fall Semester

Level 1 - Tuesdays (Minneapolis) 10/15/24 - 01/14/25
Level 1 - Wednesdays (Online) 10/16/24 - 01/15/25
Level 3 - Mondays (Online) 10/14/24 - 01/13/25

Enrollment opens 08/05/24

Spring Semester

Open - Closes week of 04/08/24

Level 1 - Tuesdays (Minneapolis) 04/23/24 - 07/09/24
Level 1 - Wednesdays (Online) 04/24/24 - 07/17/24
Level 3 - Mondays (Online) 04/22/24 - 07/15/24

Summer Semester

Enrollment opens 05/06/24

Level 2 - Tuesdays (Minneapolis) 07/23/24 - 10/08/24
Level 2 - Wednesdays (Online) 07/24/24 - 10/09/24
Level 3 - Mondays (Minneapolis) 07/22/24 - 10/07/24

Fall Semester

Enrollment opens 08/05/24

Level 1 - Tuesdays (Minneapolis) 10/15/24 - 01/14/25
Level 1 - Wednesdays (Online) 10/16/24 - 01/15/25
Level 3 - Mondays (Online) 10/14/24 - 01/13/25

Spring Semester - Open - Enroll. Closes week of 04/08/24

1 - Tuesdays (Minneapolis) 04/23/24 - 07/09/24
1 - Wednesdays (Online) 04/24/24 - 07/17/24
3 - Mondays (Online) 04/22/24 - 07/15/24

Summer Semester - Enrollment opens 05/06/24

2 - Tuesdays (Minneapolis) 07/23/24 - 10/08/24
2 - Wednesdays (Online) 07/24/24 - 10/09/24
3 - Mondays (Minneapolis) 07/22/24 - 10/07/24

Fall Semester - Enrollment opens 08/05/24

1 - Tuesdays (Minneapolis) 10/15/24 - 01/14/25
1 - Wednesdays (Online) 10/16/24 - 01/15/25
3 - Mondays (Online) 10/14/24 - 01/13/25

Members can login to add this class to their schedule. Join today. Learn more about Membership

Find your own sound with the best tools, techniques, and instructors in the world.

In this program, you will be guided through everything you need to know to create incredible sounds from scratch. From huge growly basses to laser-focused leads to punchy drums - Sound Design is the thing your tracks are missing to make them unique and memorable. After this class, you will have tracks that no one else can even dream of.

Students can take the full Sound Design Course over the course of three 12-week Levels:

  • Sound Design 1 - Analog and FM Synthesis:
    • Learn the fundamental concepts of analog, modular, and FM synthesis using technologies built in to the Ableton Suite, as well as hardware and software by 3rd party developers. Here we focus on learning the elements and workflows that all synthesis and sound design is built on, to help you create the sounds you have in your imagination. This course ends with an extended deep dive into the audio effects processing tools used by professional sound designers worldwide.
  • Sound Design 2 - Sampling and Effects Processing:
    • Jump into Level 2 with advanced sampling, multisampling, and granular synthesis techniques to help you warp and mangle your sample based content into something you’ve never imagined. Learn to create your own original sounds using advanced sound design techniques of wavetable and physical modeling synthesis found in Ableton Live, Serum, Vital, Max for Live, and other industry standard tools. Create sound libraries, custom effect and instrument racks, wavetables, and more using cutting edge sound creation techniques.
  • Sound Design 3 - Advanced Techniques:
    • Work alongside our expert sound designers on your own sound libraries, and learn how to use those sounds in your own original music, library creation, film scores, and sound design for moving pictures. Create custom collections of original sounds, presets, signal processing tools, and more to share with the world, or to enhance your own custom music creation tool kit. Apply your original sounds to visual media, and create custom bodies of work that stand alone and leave your hair standing on end.

What Our Students Have To Say

Joshua Tolund (Motiz)

Motiz was already an experienced producer but wanted to get deeper into effects and sound design.

Mike Rieckenberg (Specks)

After one year, Specks is putting out finished, professional albums. “Slam is like hanging out with your best friend.”

Julie Thoreen

Julie talks about her creative process that she found in the Sound Design Program, and learning to find her sound.

Ben Gardner (Bolo)

Listen to Bolo talk about the resources he had access to as a student at Slam. Ben got from the classroom to the stage in no time.

Maggie Schultesis (Magnetik)

Getting that immediate feedback from instructors and classmates was a highlight for Magnetik during her time in class!

Rex

Rex was looking for a way to build connections while he learned, and a place he could make his own.

Ali Coyle (DJ Ali D)

DJ Ali D had always wanted to learn to DJ, ever since she was a kid. She found Slam and was able to turn that into a reality.

Mike Johnson (Michaelton)

Michaelton came to us after completing a traditional college music education. Hear what he has to say about the differences.

Jacob Butler

Check out student Jacob Butler talking about his experience in the Ableton Program, and his “Break-through A-Ha” moment.

Patrick Caye (Verum)

Check out Verum talking about his musical journey, finding confidence in his skills and a home at Slam Academy.

Renne Knott (Xeela)

After taking our program and learning some workflows and filling in those gaps, Xeela is finishing tunes and growing at a quicker pace!

Jason Soderlund

Jason is a guitar player who came to Sound Design to explore ways to extend his guitar techniques.

Alex (Moonshine)

Moonshine found a sense of community waiting for him on campus when he stepped through the door.

Michael Evalds

Walking in, Michael couldn’t even find the kick and the downbeat. Now he is making amazing tracks in Ableton Live.

Katie (K80)

K80 talks about her experience not even knowing how to open the program all the way to making her first tracks.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

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JAMES PATRICK

James Patrick is a Minneapolis-based DJ and music producer, entrepreneur, and educator. James has over 20 years of professional experience performing at and directing electronic music events, including curation of the International Spark Festival. A pilot member of the Ableton Trainer Certification program, James participated in the first wave of trainer certifications and has been a critical force among the user base in the US.

PROGRAM INCLUDES:

  • Instant access to course materials online
  • Exclusive Ableton Certified Training
  • 3 hours weekly class time online or in-person
  • 3 x 12-week levels of in-depth curriculum
  • 1-on-1 help guidance from instructors
  • Extra lab time available online
  • Personalized feedback on your tracks
  • Invitation to our private online community
  • Check out all the additional member benefits!
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PRODUCE

Navigate modern music-making tools with confidence to create your own sound and express your musical ideas.

PERFORM

Share your music with the world. In stage or streaming online, our programs include techniques for live performance.

INDUSTRY

Learn music industry standards, get expert feedback on your tacks, and build connections.

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