Mixing & Mastering
Build end-to-end skills in audio engineering for studio and live environments
Duration
5 weeks
Start
June 2026
Difficulty
Beginner
Award
Certificate of completion
Course overview
This intensive combines the essential stages of post-production — mixing and mastering — to help students achieve professional, release-ready sound. You will learn to balance, process, and finalize your tracks for various formats and platforms, developing both the technical precision and creative sensibility required in modern music production. Through practical in-studio sessions, you’ll work on multitrack projects, apply EQ, compression, and spatial processing, and prepare final masters that meet commercial standards.
How will you learn
- Work on real-world projects in a professional studio environment
- Practice the full workflow: from mixing balance to final master delivery
- Receive one-on-one guidance from industry professionals
- Analyze and reference commercial mixes and masters
- Get feedback on your individual and group projects
Learning outcomes
- Understand and apply the complete workflow from mix preparation to mastering
- Use EQ, compression, and effects creatively and technically
- Balance frequency spectrum and dynamics across genres
- Calibrate loudness and deliver masters for different formats
- Build a personal project portfolio of mixed and mastered tracks
Upon successful completion, you will receive a Certificate of Completion, verifying your professional skillset.
Course structure
Introduction to basic mixing principles, working with gain structure and panning Mix bus and headroom. Sends/returns in session mixes. Marking out song structure within a project and approaching mixing as a composition rather than a static «photograph.»
Types of filters and equalizers and their use for different instruments
Mastering the principles of dynamic processors in mixing. Basic types of compressors, expanders, and gates, the difference between compression and automation (why use each, and when to use both).
Working with spaces in a mix, how to select and adjust effects for musical-sounding results
Understand the principles of various effects (phaser, flanger, chorus), and be able to assemble them from semi-manual basic plugins (delay and EQ). Distortion and saturation, and practice using them in a mix on different instruments.
Rendering the volume of instruments, subgroups, and sends/returns to effects
Drawing plugin parameters for song sections or individual musical phrases, working in groups. Delivering the final mix. Export formats, version names, cataloging the working project library with the engineer/studio.
Understanding mastering for different formats, a brief history of the profession and its main differences from other areas of sound engineering, working with stereo mix equalization, and comparing different masters. References (and what to rely on in them)
Learn how to use compressors and limiters to bring your tracks to commercial volume levels with mono compatibility.
Mastering saturation, working in M/S, working with a stereo base, and other specialized techniques. Mastering an EP of 4−5 songs (provided by the institute) and delivering it as a production master (ready for sending to a CD pressing plant or uploading to recording studios).
Requirements
- Basic to intermediate knowledge of audio production
- Familiarity with any DAW (e.g., Ableton Live or Pro Tools)
- Open ears and attention to detail
- All studio equipment and software provided in class
Fees & scholarships
Academic Year 2026
| Membership fee | AED 1,000 |
| Tuition fee | AED 3,000 |
| Total cost | AED 4,000 |
|---|
All prices listed are exclusive of VAT.
The total cost of AED 4,000 applies when fees are paid in full. A flexible installment plan is also available, with an additional charge applied to the total.
From time to time, we offer individual scholarships to newly admitted students. These scholarships are awarded through a competitive application process and may cover either partial or full tuition fees.
How to apply
Step-by-step process
Ready to apply? Here’s how the process works:
- Complete the online application form below.
- Pay the course fees upfront to reserve your spot. You’ll then receive a confirmation email with your schedule and all the necessary instructions.
- Attend your first class!