Find Your Starting Point

Skill Levels

Every learner starts somewhere. Understanding where you are makes the path forward clearer.

The three pathways below describe different entry points into the curriculum. Read through each and consider which description most closely matches your current relationship with music production. There is no wrong answer.

01
Starting Fresh

Beginner

This pathway is for you if...

  • You play an instrument or write songs but have no production experience
  • You have opened a DAW but felt immediately overwhelmed
  • You know what a microphone is but not how to place one
  • The words EQ, compression, or reverb do not yet mean anything concrete to you

What you'll build toward

By the end of the beginner pathway, you will have a working understanding of how a home recording session is set up, how audio flows through a DAW, and how to capture a clean recording. You will have made your first complete recording and understand why each step mattered.

Gear you'll need

A computer, a DAW (free versions work fine at this stage), and ideally a basic USB audio interface. A single microphone is helpful but not required for the earliest lessons.

Beginner Pathway Includes

  • Introduction to digital audio
  • DAW navigation fundamentals
  • First recording session walkthrough
  • Basic microphone setup
  • Simple arrangement concepts
Start Beginner Path
02
Building Depth

Intermediate

This pathway is for you if...

  • You have recorded tracks before but are not happy with how they sound
  • You know what EQ and compression do in general terms but struggle to use them well
  • You finish some projects but abandon many because they stop sounding right
  • Your mixes sound good on your headphones but fall apart on other speakers

What you'll build toward

The intermediate pathway focuses on consistency. You will develop reliable techniques for recording clean audio, making intentional mix decisions, and completing tracks with a coherent sound. The goal is to move from occasional good results to repeatable ones.

Gear you'll need

A DAW you are comfortable navigating, an audio interface, at least one microphone, and studio monitors or quality headphones for mixing reference.

Intermediate Pathway Includes

  • Signal chain and gain staging
  • Advanced microphone techniques
  • EQ and compression in practice
  • Mix translation and reference
  • Arrangement and track completion
Start Intermediate Path
03
Refining Your Craft

Advanced

This pathway is for you if...

  • You finish tracks regularly and have a developing personal style
  • You understand the tools but want to use them with more intention and precision
  • You want to explore sound design, advanced effects processing, or complex arrangements
  • You are working toward tracks that hold up against professional releases in your genre

What you'll build toward

Advanced study focuses on refinement, decision-making, and creative control. You will explore sophisticated mixing techniques, sound design, advanced arrangement, and the critical listening skills that distinguish polished work from competent work.

Gear you'll need

A fully configured home studio setup with the ability to monitor accurately. Comfort with your DAW at an intermediate level is assumed throughout this pathway.

Advanced Pathway Includes

  • Advanced mixing and mastering concepts
  • Sound design principles
  • Complex arrangement techniques
  • Critical listening development
  • Finishing and release preparation
Start Advanced Path

Still not sure which level fits?

Get in touch and we'll help you identify the right starting point for your goals.