Live Sound Design and Mixing
What this program covers
Live music production requires combining technical proficiency with creative adaptability. This program walks through the essential components — hardware integration, signal routing, performance preparation, and troubleshooting under pressure. Whether you're preparing for live gigs or streaming performances, the curriculum addresses both the fundamentals and the edge cases that separate functional setups from reliable ones.
We focus on real scenarios: venue acoustics, equipment failures, time constraints, and working with musicians who have varying levels of technical understanding. Each module builds on the previous one, moving from controlled studio settings to unpredictable live environments.
Program structure and stages
Learning modules
- Weeks 1-2: Performance-oriented synthesizer programming and preset design
- Weeks 3-4: Macro controls, parameter mapping for expressive sound manipulation
- Weeks 5-6: Effect chain design for dynamic sound processing
- Weeks 7-8: Real-time mixing fundamentals, compression and limiting in live context
- Weeks 9-10: Frequency management, EQ decisions during performance
- Weeks 11-12: Adapting mixes to different sound systems and acoustic environments
- Weeks 13-14: Complete sound design project with custom palette creation
- Week 15: Final performances with recording, mixing analysis, and group critique
Emphasis on practical application with regular performance exercises and feedback.
Studio sound design gives you unlimited time to tweak. Live sound design means creating interesting textures and tones while keeping the music moving forward.
This program teaches you to design sounds quickly, build effect chains that respond to performance gestures, and mix your live output so it works in club sound systems.
Building sounds that work in live contexts
You will learn to create synthesizer patches optimized for performance rather than studio production. This means understanding which parameters matter most for live tweaking, how to use macros effectively, and building presets that give you sonic range without overwhelming complexity.
Oleksandr Hrytsai, who designs sound for theatrical productions and electronic performances, teaches the synthesis modules. Sessions cover subtractive, FM, and wavetable synthesis with focus on performance applications.
Mixing while you perform
The second portion addresses real-time mixing decisions. You will practice balancing elements on the fly, using compression and limiting to control dynamics during performance, and adapting your mix to different room acoustics.
We work extensively with spectrum analyzers and metering tools so you can see what your ears are hearing and make faster decisions.
Final projects involve designing a complete sound palette for a 30-minute set and performing it while managing all mixing duties yourself. You will record each performance and analyze the results in group critique sessions.
Limited enrollment window
Next cohort starts soon. Registration closes in:
How sessions are structured
Group sessions
Weekly group sessions follow a consistent format: technical demonstration, hands-on practice with provided equipment, group troubleshooting exercises, and peer feedback. Each session addresses one specific production challenge — from routing multi-track stems to managing latency in hybrid setups. Participants work through the same problem simultaneously, then compare approaches. Sessions last 90 minutes and accommodate up to 8 participants per cohort.
Individual sessions
Private sessions are tailored to your specific equipment, workflow, and goals. Whether you're preparing for a particular venue, troubleshooting a recurring issue, or optimizing your personal setup, these one-on-one sessions address what group formats can't. Sessions are scheduled flexibly, last 60 minutes, and include post-session notes with recommendations and resources specific to your situation.
Practice assignments
Between sessions, you'll complete focused exercises designed to build muscle memory and confidence. These aren't theoretical tasks — they're simulations of real production scenarios with time constraints and intentional complications. You'll record your process, note what went wrong, and bring questions to the next session. Most assignments take 2-3 hours and require access to a basic audio interface and DAW.
Reserve your spot
Submit your details and we'll reach out within 24 hours to confirm availability and discuss session scheduling.