This introductory class will give you an outstanding overview of the fundamentals of DJing. If you can count to 16 you can take this class. No experience required. Everything you need to know about the equipment, counting and music format to get you started down the DJ path.
Bring a flash drive / memory stick (or equivalent) to take home your first DJ Mix.
6 Week / 12 Hour Course – $349
DJ 101 is your comprehensive introduction into the world of DJing. This course explores the history of DJ technology and provides you a solid foundation to build your DJ skills on. At the end of this course you will perform a set in front of your classmates at the academy. During the couse we will cover:
- DJ Music Theory
- Mixing
- Organizing your library and finding music
- DJ Workflow/Performance Design
- Using a variety of DJ performance tools:
(Turntables, CD Players, Mixers, Controllers, Software)
This is the first step of a four part complete DJ Curriculum 101, 201, 301 & 401. After completing the curriculum you will possess the skills necessary to start working as a professional DJ in your area.
4 Week / 8 Hour Course – $395
“Ableton 101″ gets the performer up and running with the software. We deliver the basic understanding required to work with key functions in Ableton. Warping, mapping, routing, and the session and arrangement view will be introduced to students as a foundation for the next level. This offering will provide the student with the basic skills and knowledge to make Ableton do the magic you need.
Crash Courses : Get Yourself To Point B Fast! Break-Down Courses : Deconstructing elements of electronic music into understandable elements! Build-Up Courses : Building on knowledge to enlighten students and enable outstanding results!
We offer many classes based on “Enrollment.” These classes only run if there are 3 or more students signed up for the class. To notify our staff that you are interested in taking an enrollment class, just fill out the form below. When the roster of interested students reaches three or more, we will notify you that the class is now active and you can officially enroll yourself in the curriculum.
DJ 201
DJ 201 is an expansion on the fundamental skills learned in DJ 101. This course is designed to prepare you to begin a career in DJing. Whether you are interested in performing at clubs and festivals, or you want to start a mobile DJ business the DJ201 course will provide you with the next level of knowledge on your journey. At the end of this course you will perform a set of music for all of the friends and family of you and your fellow students at a venue in Denver. Topics covered in this course:
- Advanced DJ and mashup music theory
- Advanced mixing with FX
- Designing transitions and mashups
- Advanced performance techniques (Juggling, Cutting, Scratching/Cue Scratching)
- Jamming/Mixing with others
- Advanced library management/preparing your portable drive
DJ 301
DJ 301 is the next step in getting your skills and industry knowledge to the point where you can step up to the decks at a nightclub and be prepared to rock a set. This course is designed to prepare you for the business side of DJing, as well as how to put more of a personal touch on your mixes. At the end of this course, you will be performing with your fellow students at a premier venue in the Denver area. This course will include topics such as:
- Editing tracks (Ableton)
- Mapping/control surface design
- Live Remixing
- Promotion
- Personalizing your mixes (DJ Drops/Loops/Original Samples)
- How to play at a club
DJ 401
DJ 401 is the final step along your learning to becoming a professional DJ. This course is designed to take an already experienced and knowledgeable performer (or students who have taken DJ 101-DJ 301) and give them the knowledge they will need to succeed as a DJ. This course will help you take your sets, make them something special and unique, promote them, and perform at any venue. At the end of this course you will be headlining an event with the rest of your classmates. This course includes topics like:
- Building your DJ presence (Website/Social Networking/Soundcloud)
- Live sound for DJs
- Advanced mapping/control surface design
- Using other sound sources (iOS devices, samplers, grooveboxes)
- Publishing your mixes
- How to play at any venue
Ableton 201 Production
Do you have a basic understanding of Ableton, but want to get more out of your production time? The Global DJ Academy Street Level Production course is a 4-week studio intensive built around making music using your laptop and Ableton Live. You will learn how to make the most of your studio time, how to organize your library, and how to take your ideas from start to finish consistently.
Ableton 201 Performance
*Philosophy of moving a dance floor: a discussion of inclusive/cooperative contemporary DJ culture.
*Smart fx use
*Mapping tricks in Traktor
*What else can I do with a jog wheel
*Building your sample library
*Editing/Warping for DJs
Traktor Advanced
In the Traktor Advanced course we will cover how to get the most out of all of the features in Traktor, and how to design your performance rig to get the most out of the software. This course is designed for those with a knowledge of DJing or DJ experience looking to switch to or get the most out of their Traktor rig. Topics include:
- Setting up the preferences
- Using Traktor’s advanced FX
- Using layouts
- Mapping with the Controller Manager
- Advanced beatgrid and hotcues
- Using the Remix Decks
You must have passed the DJ 101 course or received approval from our staff to bypass this prerequisite.
Serato Advanced
Advanced training using the Serato software interface. This course is designed for DJs that already have a working knowledge of DJing and are interested in learning the Serato software. There will be no dj skills education in this course. You must have passed the DJ 101 course or received approval from our staff to bypass this prerequisite.
Fader Junkies 101 & 201 - Turntablism
In 101 Learn the fundamentals of beat manipulation on multiple surfaces including Turn Tables, CD Players in Vinyl Mode and Midi Controller Scratching Techniques. Then if you really want to get in and play with the big boys… try out our 201 Course. Learn the Advanced Techniques of Beat Manipulation with Vinyl and Digital Vinyl Software.
Synthesis
Synthesis is the cornerstone of electronic music and this is a must for anyone who wants to be a producer! Various types of synthesis are discussed and demonstrated using both older analog synths and software-based synthesizers. Each type of synthesis is explored and each method is immediately applied to your tracks and compositional techniques.
Topics include:
• The history of synthesis
• Subtractive synthesis with vintage synthesizers
• Understanding waveforms
• How to use synthesis to speed up up your production
• New tools today such as software synths
• Sampling and synthesis
• Sound design with synthesizers
• Genre specific Sound design such as dub step, electro Sound design fx such as sweeps, risers, and builds
Steinberg Cubase
Producing Music with Cubase provides students with a broad skill set and a fully realized background in music production using the state-of-the-art Cubase 6 software. Designed for professionals from the ground up, Cubase represents the cutting edge of digital audio workstations and provides powerful sonic tools that can be used to produce any style of music imaginable. This course begins with an introduction to the working environments and capabilities of Cubase. Students will learn to record and edit MIDI and audio performances, while also considering the musical implications of using each recording and editing technique.
With audio and MIDI tracks in place, students will move on to learn mixing techniques using Cubase 6′s powerful EQ, audio effects, and full automation to create a well-crafted production ready to be distributed on CD, streamed online, and as a data file in various professional and consumer formats. Whether you are producing music for the club, recording your band’s album, or scoring music for film or TV, Cubase 6 has all the right tools for the job. Each lesson in the course focuses on using specific tools to achieve a desired genre specific musical result. Weekly assignments provide hands-on experience to give you the confidence to move forward in creating great sounding productions.
By the end of the course, you will:
• Configure and customize your Cubase template
• Record and edit MIDI & audio files
• Use audio loops and samples in your production
• Understand the process of equalization and apply effects processors such as reverb, delay, chorusing, and compression to enhance your production
• Manipulate your song using advanced tools such as slicing, quantizing, and pitch
• Use Cubase’s mixing panel and cutting edge tools to create professional sounding tracks
Promotion
We offer two courses in Promotion. Event Promotion will give you insight into throwing your own parties. Self Promotion will teach you some of the industry standards and secrets to promoting yourself as a DJ for local and out-of-town bookings.
Video Editing
In Video Edition 101 you will Learn how to make the typical music industry videos dj friendly. In Video Editing 201 Learn advanced video editing techniques to re-edit videos or make your own from scratch.
Specialized Course Offerings
301 – LivePA integration
201 – Warping and Material Preperation
201 – Remixing and Collaboration Methods
301 – Advanced Remixing and Collaboration Methods
201 – Controllerism and Templating
201 – Sound Design
301 – Mastering
