Next Event: Loading...
w/ ---
00: 00: 00: 00 Get Started
Calendar
View upcoming events and classes
My Portal
My Residency
Information Panel
Beat Kitchen at-a-glance
Course Primary Skills bk-MIX_p

Mixing and Synthesis Tools

24 sessions · Mondays, Wednesdays · 1hr 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.

Building This Class

Oct 21, 2026 – Jan 25, 2027

Mondays, Wednesdays, 6 PM Pacific | 9 PM Eastern | 2 AM UK

24 × 1hr classes

$790.00 includes 4 mo. 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
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
Enrolling
Apr 22, 2026 – Jun 3, 2026 Mondays, Wednesdays, 10 AM Pacific | 1 PM Eastern | 6 PM UK
None of these times work?
Building This Class

Want this class at a different time? Seats aren't on sale yet — raise your hand and we'll build it around your availability.

The more times you select, the more likely we are to build a class that works for you.

Related videos
What students say
Great resource! Super friendly! I’ll continue to check out Beat Kitchen offerings.

—Sam, Los Angeles, CA


Excellent at explaining and going through the process of helping one understand music and it’s many intricacies.

—Michael, Brooklyn, NY


Phenomenal work, a joy to collaborate with

—Rafael, Seattle, WA


Awesome interactive/ accessable class, Nathan really cares and has a great way of teaching.

—Em, Portland, OR


Nathan has a great understanding of sound and music theory. He got me thinking and excited to dive deeper.

—Michael, Seattle, WA


Explore Classes

Beat Kitchen At-A-Glance

Our Socials