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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.

$450 residents

Already a resident? Just the class fee above. Non-residents add Residency at $85/mo. This 24-hour class typically runs 1–6 months of residency ($85–$510) depending on cohort pace. Total: $535–$960. Final price set with the next cohort.

Building This Class

Share your availability and we'll build the next cohort around it.

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

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
1 in queue
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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Building This Class

Looking for this class at a different time? Share your availability and we'll build it.

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

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What students say
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


Just finished a Workshop about music theory with Nathan, and all I can say is he really opened my eyes and mind about it and makes me want to know more. I will definitely be looking into some of the classes to further my education in this

—Mercedes, Denver, CO


Had an amazing time at the workshop! Nathan is really passionate teaching and talking with others. Really recommend taking their classes.

—Anthony, New York, NY


Nathan is Very knowledgeable and passionate about music. he has a ton of experience as an engineer and producer he plays piano and understands all the notes logic pro that is what i will be doing next. .looking forward to the classes

—Don, Vancouver, BC


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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