any good online tutorial classes recomendations?

[unclenofun]

I'm in the learning mood and looking to possibly sign up for some online lessons on getting better at mixing

are there any out there that are recommended?

doesn't have to be Reason (Iam using Live atm anyway) but looking to learn more about mixing ambient music in particular. Theres a lot of stuff out there, and on youtube but I want something that focusses on ambient. I like a class/lesson type environment so I'm prepared to sign up for a course (price dependent) unless some good free vids can bee found on youtube

I've already found S1gns of Life videos which were very good but I need even more ambient....beatless & textures

what do you recommend?

[Benedict]

I have a lot of training material. What I strongly advise is starting at the basics and a genuine understanding of how audio works in the human brain/emotions. Most places talk technology as that seems easier but the students end up more mystified.

I boil this down to a 5-Step process. Not for the sake of blindly following processes as that's a break in the grand rule.

Background is covered in many other places but these are the main points in my approach incl links to the ideas covered.
Why if you are trying to Mix It Yourself, you are probably doing it wrong: https://benedictroffmarsh.com/2022/03/2 ... -it-wrong/
Are you Mixing or Brutalizing your Song?: https://benedictroffmarsh.com/2024/02/0 ... your-song/

[Jagwah]

^^^ I can't recommend that guy above enough, put in some work going through his videos and you will really learn something

[unclenofun]

Nice thanks, I'll check these out!

I'm assuming they aren't particularly aimed at beatless ambient music?

[unclenofun]

I've found a few courses on Udemy on ambient music making.....I just loking for a structured class type environment to keeep me focussed and more disciplined (I can get distracted easly)

is Udemy an alright place?

[Jagwah]

Nice thanks, I'll check these out!

I'm assuming they aren't particularly aimed at beatless ambient music?

With things like mixing videos it should cover all genres really, these videos are specifically Reason related too so they are very good for users here

[unclenofun]

Nice thanks, I'll check these out!

I'm assuming they aren't particularly aimed at beatless ambient music?

With things like mixing videos it should cover all genres really, these videos are specifically Reason related too so they are very good for users here

appreciate the help...not really the kind of thing I'm looking for though

churr

[selig]

I don’t know of any specific online resources, but I’ve been commercially releasing mostly beat-less ambient music since 1986 and would be happy to share everything I’ve learned as ambient musician/engineer over that time.

[unclenofun]

ah thanks for the offer but I wouldn't really know where to start

I was hoping to find some sort of lesson or class based structure to keep me focussed....rather than watching a 2 hour video and hoping all that info sinks in!

[Benedict]

Ummm mixing is mixing so the basics apply everywhere.

And if you listen to my work, a lot of it is far from beat-ful and deffo in the smoother end of the spectrum of Space Music which is Ambient in nature.

[unclenofun]

Ummm mixing is mixing so the basics apply everywhere.

And if you listen to my work, a lot of it is far from beat-ful and deffo in the smoother end of the spectrum of Space Music which is Ambient in nature.

fair enough

a lot of the videos I've watched spent a lot of time explaining how much reverb and where in the mix to place the drums/vocals or guitars....which are of no interest to me

was hoping for a course like structure rather than a 2 hour video....just for my learning benefit

[selig]

ah thanks for the offer but I wouldn't really know where to start

I was hoping to find some sort of lesson or class based structure to keep me focussed....rather than watching a 2 hour video and hoping all that info sinks in!

Well to be honest I didn’t suggest either one. Just offering to share what I’ve learned as both an ambient recording artist and recording/mixing engineer of 40+ years (AND someone who is VERY easily distracted).
Totally your call what you do with this offer.

[edit: I’ll also add that finding a way to impose your own structure on things will go a long way. Once any structured class would end, how do you intend on keeping your focus as you actually begin to do the thing you love? You are going to need self imposed structure at some point going forward as an artist, there is no on-going ‘class’ on being an ambient artist…I can help, I’ve been there and done what you say you’re wanting to do – and managed to do so despite my general lack of focus, but we’re all different so I can appreciate this path may not be for you. I can help, if you want it…]

[RobC]

ah thanks for the offer but I wouldn't really know where to start

I was hoping to find some sort of lesson or class based structure to keep me focussed....rather than watching a 2 hour video and hoping all that info sinks in!

You talk like that idiot who wanted to become a RE coder, but no matter what people recommended to that moron, he just had to keep on asking for some spoonie tutorial.
Yes, that idiot was me. : D (...and no, this isn't meant to pick on you, just self-irony).

On a serious note though, if people offer help, by all means, take it!
People won't get mad, nor is it necessarily rude, but it's a bit impolite to reject their help. You absolutely can learn a ton in just comments.

In fact, I used to make post after post regarding engineering, with the occasional science/research topic, and people on here were always helpful and inspiring.

You may wonder, why would it work for you, if I never started coding when I was in a similar situation to yours? Well, the answer is, that I found out that the Rack Extension business seems to REst in peace now. x D Shit happens. - Mixing on the other hand is always useful. You won't lose motivation like I did with (planned) coding.

[unclenofun]

oh please don't get me wrong, I'm not ungrateful for all the offered help, not by any means! I'm just coming from the headspace of needing a spoonie tutorial...an hour a day kinda thing....bit silly I know

I will ask questions...once I know what to ask first!

I've been making music a while now but transitioning into even more ambient and noticing my mixes now being too muddy. and a lot of resonant frequencies that I'm hiding with EQing and soothe2....being beatless is forcing me to work with the frequencies a lot more and providing me with a bit of a challenge

[unclenofun]

I’ll also add that finding a way to impose your own structure on things will go a long way. Once any structured class would end, how do you intend on keeping your focus as you actually begin to do the thing you love? You are going to need self imposed structure at some point going forward as an artist, there is no on-going ‘class’ on being an ambient artist…I can help, I’ve been there and done what you say you’re wanting to do – and managed to do so despite my general lack of focus, but we’re all different so I can appreciate this path may not be for you. I can help, if you want it…]

I think my own imposed structure will come naturally after I see results of what I've learnt! (hopefully!)

[Benedict]

RobC: You talk like that idiot who wanted to become a RE coder, but no matter what people recommended to that moron, he just had to keep on asking for some spoonie tutorial.
Yes, that idiot was me. : D (...and no, this isn't meant to pick on you, just self-irony).

Well played

unclynofun: I was hoping to find some sort of lesson or class based structure to keep me focussed....rather than watching a 2 hour video and hoping all that info sinks in!

My videos are different from the usual Ten Tipz 'n' Trix stuff which are mostly irrelevant and commonly dangerous as they feed fear and drag you into pointless technicalities. I break this into sections and cover the mindset required to achieve things of value that are just the same from Opera to Death Metal.

My advice:
- Stop letting your fear drag you around
- Put aside things like resonance suppressors as they are not really good things. Focus on our basics as they are always useful
- I second Selig saying to build your own structure/s. I too am on the Autism Spectrum and the more I choose to control what/how I do, the better my results.

[TritoneAddiction]

I say just pick something, be it the online course you mentioned or Benedicts and Seligs material/help. I've seen too many people wallow in indecisive territory way too long. The sooner you just "get to it" the faster the results will come.
If you already have some background with making music I'm sure you've already picked up quite a bit of advice and knowledge along the way. In the end what will matter most is to just do the actual music and the actual mixing. Get those reps in. Sure you might suck switching to another genre in the beginning. Who cares? It's part of the learning experience.

So of course only you can decide what's the right path for you.
But here's what I would do. I would take a look at Benedicts and Seligs material/advice. That's one day, perhaps two. Gather some things to keep in mind and write them down. Then I'd get to work. Make one or two ambient tracks. Try all kinds of shit while writing and mixing. Let go of any expectations of the results having to be good. If you're willing to suck, try new things and make mistakes it will free you up and you'll learn much faster.
And then I'd post the song(s) here at ReasonTalk and ask for feedback. If they suck, great, you'll learn even more from the feedback.

[Benedict]

I say just pick something, be it the online course you mentioned or Benedicts and Seligs material/help. I've seen too many people wallow in indecisive territory way too long. The sooner you just "get to it" the faster the results will come.
If you already have some background with making music I'm sure you've already picked up quite a bit of advice and knowledge along the way. In the end what will matter most is to just do the actual music and the actual mixing. Get those reps in. Sure you might suck switching to another genre in the beginning. Who cares? It's part of the learning experience.

So of course only you can decide what's the right path for you.
But here's what I would do. I would take a look at Benedicts and Seligs material/advice. That's one day, perhaps two. Gather some things to keep in mind and write them down. Then I'd get to work. Make one or two ambient tracks. Try all kinds of shit while writing and mixing. Let go of any expectations of the results having to be good. If you're willing to suck, try new things and make mistakes it will free you up and you'll learn much faster.
And then I'd post the song(s) here at ReasonTalk and ask for feedback. If they suck, great, you'll learn even more from the feedback.

Agreed fully.

The most important 'secret' in achieving is: Do-Publish-Do. This is also referred to as the 10,000-hour principle. The more you do things, esp separated from rigid expectations (ie fear-driven) the more the brain's 'spreadsheet' fills with results. Results that the Song Gods* catch onto and feed us as inspiration when we become ready to do the real work.

So yes, watch my video with an open mind, practice over and over. Publish those results and see what feedback is. Go do it again. Always working to be not technical but closer to the Source - what the Song Gods feed you. The results will surprise you.


*Muses - watch the movie Xanadu

[tomusurp]

I would go YouTube University + ChatGPT route in today's world. There's creators that group subjects into a playlist much like a "course syllabus". So it doesn't make sense to buy a masterclass really because most of that info and even the "secret sauce" can be found for free. You could of course pay for something and learn things, BUT you can also do that with my recommendation. If you go my route, you simply have to keep in mind the keywords you search on YT and the questions you ask on GPT. Your research skills will grow the more you do it. In your case you would start with something like "how to mix ambient music" or "film score mixing" as a related topic. Related topics are crucial btw

Lastly, when I first started learning mixing maybe 7+ years ago, I first started watching content creators who used Reason. So "LearnReason" channel on YT for example is where I learned most of my mixing fundamentals which I still apply and keep in mind to this day. They are methods and guidelines that can be used across any DAW because they are engineering tutorials, not DAW specific production stuff.

[RobC]

When it comes to ambient music, the mixing especially begins with sound design and arrangement.
If I remember correctly (also known as IIRC : D), you complained about resonances and mud becoming an issue.

The trick is to create unique sounds that differ from each other. Make sure to fill the frequency spectrum and avoid stacking things on each-other when layering.
Look at your melodies and think about whether you used every octave evenly, or are there multiple instruments playing in the same range?
Are there many instruments with long releases (envelope), long reverb tails, long echo feedbacks?
Are there bass frequencies used for the above (especially reverberated bass can be nasty, if used constantly, instead of just momentarily in the arrangement).

What I recommend is, to look at your melodies, by playing them with pure sine waves. It tells you a lot about your arrangement.
If you can, play your instruments with noise. For example load a noise sample, or oscillator. It shows you how unique (or not) your sounds are. If you can tell them apart, you did a good job. If it just sounds like noise, then it's nothing special. Changing filtering and amplitude make the most difference.
All in all, both melody and texture are super important.

It's the thing of, if you can't fix it in the master, fix it in the mix - if that doesn't work, fix your arrangement and sound design.

If somebody wants to become a full professional, all-in-one music producer, then he has to become a master at sound design, first. It's not difficult. The rest is just knowing what mixing is, and what mastering is.

Mixing is about making working drifferent sounds together as 1 master sound.

Mastering is about turd polishing. : D Well, adding that little sparkle (if needed). A perfect mix might need nothing.