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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.

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

—Sam, Los Angeles, CA


Incredibly knowledge-packed and the teacher has a great, passionate personality.

—Taylor


I’ve been wanting to learn music production for a while and am so happy I found Beat Kitchen. The professors involved in this project are amazing - so talented, thoughtful and supportive. The classes help you develop the foundation and

—Belén, Los Angeles, CA


I’ve been a student at Nathan’s audio engineering school - Beat Kitchen, for seven months, and the experience has been invaluable. Coming back to music after years focused on family and business, I wanted a learning environment that was

—Lotus, Bali


Man’s really passionate about teaching music went in with literally 0 knowledge of music and came out with a lot still got a lot to learn but definitely recommend them

—Spyder


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