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Course Primary Skills bk-MIX_p

Mixing and Synthesis Tools

12 sessions · Mondays, Wednesdays · 2hr each

What does this button do…

Every effect, every synth, and every mixer channel shares the same core language. This course teaches that language — from the physics of sound through EQ, compression, reverb, synthesis, and gain staging — so the tools make sense instead of requiring memorization.

26 chapters of ground covered

  • How sound works — frequency, amplitude, harmonics, and why timbre matters for every mix decision
  • Subtractive synthesis — oscillators, filters, envelopes, modulation. We use a synth as a laboratory because every effect you’ll ever touch uses the same building blocks
  • EQ and filtering — low-pass, high-pass, shelves, notches, and the subtractive approach that separates clean mixes from muddy ones
  • Compression and dynamics — threshold, ratio, attack, release, parallel processing, sidechain, multiband. Several weeks on this because compression is where most people get lost
  • Reverb, delay, and spatial effects — stereo imaging, mid-side, placing sounds in a space
  • Signal chain and gain staging — headroom, routing, metering. Level is your most powerful mixing tool and the one people underuse
  • Mastering fundamentals — reference tracks, loudness, preparing a mix for release

These concepts apply in your DAW, on a hardware synth, behind a console, on a stage. The course covers how sound and audio processing work — platform doesn’t matter.

Prerequisites: None. This is where most people start after DAW Core Skills.

Ready for more? The Mixing Masterclass picks up where this course leaves off.

Apr 22, 2026 – Jun 3, 2026

Mondays, Wednesdays, 10 AM Pacific | 1 PM Eastern | 6 PM UK

12 × 2hr classes · 8 seats

$620.00

Price includes 2 months BKS Residency

What's a residency?

Residency is your Beat Kitchen membership —$85/mo or $700/yr. It includes office hours, gyms, beat challenges, and a community of producers on Discord.

Non-residents can take any class — residency months are bundled into the price. If you're already a resident, check the box above and you'll see the lower class-only price.

Learn more about residency →

Other start dates and times (3 more)
More Dates
Oct 21, 2026 – Jan 25, 2027 Mondays, Wednesdays, 6 PM Pacific | 9 PM Eastern | 2 AM UK
Nov 10, 2026 – Dec 22, 2026 Tuesdays, Thursdays, 4 PM Pacific | 7 PM Eastern | 12 AM UK
Nov 29, 2026 – May 23, 2027 Sundays, 10 AM Pacific | 1 PM Eastern | 6 PM UK
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What students say
Lots of foundational and important information happens in this class. For producers this class is a MUST, for artists its a PRIORITY and for theorists its a MOST DEFINITELY. You will leave the class with something no matter how skilled of a

—ivan, New York, NY


Shared a lot of great information about the fundamentals of music. It was very helpful to understand the basics from different perspectives and how they can be applied.

—Matthew, Philadelphia, PA


Great class. Nathan is a great instructor. I would definitely recommend Beat kitchen to friends.

—James, Bishopville, SC


In the month of June, I joined a free zoom workshop called “Music Theory for Producers and Engineers” where I got to meet Nathan. I wasn’t expecting much, as I have joined other workshops from other businesses in the past, but I was

—Rich, Switzerland


One of the greatest, most fun classes I have taken. They open my mind to the possibilities of music

—Alex, San Marcos, CA


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