Course description:

This 100 hour option is our most sought after program where the student works privately with the instructor and focuses on various areas of audio engineering.  During discussions and an interview with the student, we custom tailor a program that addresses their individual desires, taking into account their current level of audio engineering skills and education, in preparation for entry into the professional audio industry or running their own studio. Program enrollment includes a Digidesign Pro Tools MBox recording system, with the 7th edition David Miles Huber “Recording Studio Handbook” and a “Pro Tools Official Courseware Manual”.

Program time allotment:

- (75) hours of intensive “one on one” instruction with the engineer/instructor in both Cue’s control rooms and studios.  Included in this time is the recording and mixing of a “real recording artist”.

- (20) hours of Learning Lab time where the student practices and hones his or her new audio engineering skills.  Assignments are given along with general experimentation of various audio processing, recording and mixing software.

- (5) hours of unassisted “mixdown” time in Studio “A” or “B” where the student is in the “driver’s seat”.  Building confidence and fluency with their command of engineering in the control room is achieved most effectively through repetitive implementation of their new skills.

Topics covered include:

• Studio setup application and theory
• Microphone selection and placement
• Audio signal processors :  Mic preamps, equalizers, compressors, limiters, and multi-effects generators – with an emphasis on both analog rack mount units and software “plug-ins”
• Analog and digital recording systems
• Recording, editing and mixing
• Analog and digital mixing consoles
• Studio monitors and the critical listening environment
• Acoustics and waveforms
• Studio psychology and managing client expectations

Additionally we facilitate discussions pertaining to industry related “job and career” requirements, peripheral knowledge and skills that accentuate the applicants credentials, and a mock-up job interview with the school’s director and studio owner, Jeff Jeffrey.

Upon successful completion of the 100 hour program, Cue Studios’ Center for Audio Engineering awards a “Certificate of Completion” to the graduated student.

During and after the course, the student is encouraged to participate in Cue’s internship program to observe and render tasks while gaining first hand knowledge of the inner workings of a successful recording studio business.

Schedule a free interview

If you’re serious about your audio education, call our course administrator at 703 532 9033 to schedule a meeting with an instructor.  You’ll meet in the studio/classroom and observe first-hand the environment and equipment used in your program.

Fee:  $7,750

If you would like to enroll in this program, click here for our online shopping cart.

To sign-up, call 703 532 9033 and ask for Dusty, or just click the below link:

Enroll here online.

There will be a short break midway between the five hour course.  Please bring a note pad and pen, and a print-out of your paypal receipt or email confirmation or your enrollment.

Topics covered:

Starting at the Source:
From selecting the right microphones to getting pro sounds in the control room, we’ll cover the basic “chain” of audio signal development and processing from start to finish.

Monitors:  Knowing what you hear.
Studio monitors, car speakers, reference CDs and other criteria for a proper listening environment.

Pro Tools:  The “In the Box” method of recording and mixing:
Includes recording, editing, comping, looping, tuning, quantizing and mixing.

Question and answer period at the end of the course.

**Reserve your space now as class size is limited. Just call Cue’s studio manager Dusty at 703 532 9033.  Most major credit cards accepted.

Click here to purchase your enrollment with PayPal / or credit card – Cost: $199.00

Jim’s Credits include: Butch Walker, Madonna, Jason Falkner, Everything, Meredith Brooks, Matthew Ryan, HR, Niki Barr, Honor By August, Justin Trawick, Toni Braxton, George Benson, Everclear, and many more…

Our most diversified program provides an excellent audio engineering course coupled with a modern music producing course.  This curriculum is designed for those seeking a position or career in either field, thus providing a broader and more complete recording industry education.

Course #1 description: “Audio Engineering (100 hours)”

The first part of the program delivers a comprehensive audio engineering education, with the student primarily working “one on one” with the instructor. During discussions and an interview with the student, we custom tailor a program which includes theory and extensive “hands on” training addressing their individual goals, taking into account their current level of audio engineering skills and education, in preparation for entry into the professional audio industry or running their own studio. Program enrollment includes a Digidesign Pro Tools MBox mini recording system, with the 7th edition David Miles Huber “Recording Studio Handbook” and a “Pro Tools Official Courseware Manual”.

Program time allotment:

- (75) hours of intensive “one on one” instruction with the engineer/instructor in both Cue’s control rooms and studios.  Included in this time is the recording and mixing of a “real recording artist”.

- (20) hours of Learning Lab time where the student practices and hones his or her new audio engineering skills.  Assignments are given along with general experimentation of various audio processing, recording and mixing software.

- (5) hours of unassisted “mixdown” time in Studio “A” or “B” where the student is in the “driver’s seat”.  Building confidence and fluency with their command of engineering in the control room is achieved most effectively through repetitive implementation of their new skills.

Topics typically covered include:

• Studio setup application and theory
• Microphone selection and placement
• Audio signal processors :  Mic preamps, equalizers, compressors, limiters, and multi-effects generators – with an emphasis on both analog rack mount units and software “plug-ins”
• Analog and digital recording systems
• Recording, editing and mixing
• Analog and digital mixing consoles
• Studio monitors and the critical listening environment
• Acoustics and waveforms
• Studio psychology and managing client expectations

Course #2 description: “Modern Music Production  (55 hours)”

Many audio engineers find it to their advantage to be knowledgeable  in the art of producing music.  This allows them to work more constructively with their clients music as well as their recordings.  In the studio, it’s not uncommon for the client to ask the audio engineer “hey, what do you think of that last take?” Or,  “is there a better way I can approach my performance?”

Instead of answering this question “i’m not a producer”, you’ll now be able to offer helpful suggestions and other advice on achieving the best “performance” as well as the best recording. The below video provides a preview of what you’ll be covering and doing in the music production portion of this program:

The “One on One” Music Production component of this program covers:

• Musician relations
• Budget development and analysis
• Studio musician contracting
• Song and track development & enhancements
• In depth vocal tuning and pitch correction
• Sound replacement for various instruments
• Achieving complimentary drum sounds and amp tones for the song style
• Use of specialized rhythm and timing “plug-ins”
• And many other facets of being a real producer that serious recording artists frequently need.

The student will learn from  multi-platinum awarded engineer/producer/instructor.

Additionally, we facilitate discussions pertaining to industry related “job and career” requirements, peripheral knowledge and skills that accentuate the applicants credentials, and a mock-up job interview with the school’s director and studio owner, Jeff Jeffrey.

Upon successful completion of the 155 hour program, Cue Studios’ Center for Audio Engineering awards a “Certificate of Completion” to the passing student.

During and after the course, the student is encouraged to participate in Cue’s internship program to observe and render tasks while gaining first hand knowledge of the inner workings of a successful recording studio business.

Schedule a free interview

If you’re serious about your audio education, call our course administrator at 703 532 9033 to schedule a meeting with an instructor.  You’ll meet in the studio/classroom and observe first-hand the environment and equipment used in your program.

Fee:  $13,350

Program can also be purchased online by clicking here

Article from the “Falls Church City Newpress”:

For anyone who has ever wanted to learn to record music, or just want to know how recordings are made, Cue Recording Studios in downtown Falls Church has a school that offers classes in audio engineering and music production.

Cue Recording Studios opened 30 years ago and has been at its current Falls Church location for 25 years. During this time, they’ve worked with artists and personalities ranging from Michael Jackson to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. They began offering classes 10 years ago as the Cue Studios Center for Audio Engineering.

“We get a lot of interns here from other schools around the country, and a lot of them don’t really have the skills that we would like them to have. So what I noticed about 10 years ago was this need,” said Cue Studios President Jeff Jeffrey. “Having an opportunity to let students benefit from our years of experience here and all our equipment, and for us to give them a head start in trying to get a job in a lot of the markets around here, locally and nationally, it seemed like a neat thing to do for the community as well as for us as a business.”

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) certified school has four instructors: Jim Ebert, Ken Schubert, John Krauss and Blaine Misner. All are trained audio engineers, and Ebert is a music producer.

The school focuses on two areas: audio engineering and music production. Audio engineering teaches the nuts and bolts of recording in terms of microphone placement and how to use the instruments and equipment to achieve the desired sound. Music production involves working with the artist to record the song by recruiting the right people to help out, working with the music and song itself, and post-production mixing.

“Jim can take that song and he can say, ‘Well, I think that if we add a different chorus, bridge, whatever, change the vocal arrangement a little bit, do this instead of that, maybe it will tingle your spine instead of just sound good,’” Jeffrey said. “A producer will help take an OK song and make it something that people will go and buy at the store.”

There are a variety of courses offered with a range of depth and intensity, from a five-hour course to a 100-hour course. Some courses offer a state certificate of completion at the end, which allows students to use this degree when job hunting. All the classes are less than $10,000, and most under $5,000, making them less expensive than a four-year program for audio engineering.

In addition to the certificate-seeking students, there are also students with no previous knowledge of the audio world and no intention of pursuing it as a career. Ebert offers a five-hour introductory class once a month where he teaches a brief overview of the production process, from setting up microphones to working with artists.

“It’s not just for musicians or aspiring audiophiles, a lot of people who come into that class are just people who are like ‘how does this happen, how does music happen when it’s recorded,” Ebert said.

The instructors place an emphasis on hands-on learning, which students in larger programs often do not receive.

“I get people coming in and saying, ‘Well, I’m going to college for audio engineering, and they won’t let us touch anything until my junior year.’ I say that’s crazy because you’re not going to learn,” said Ebert. “Here, you’re driving the car the first day.”

Both one-person classes and small group classes are offered, with an emphasis on one-on-one learning.

“With the one-on-one courses, we can really cater to that person. If they come to me and say ‘I really want to learn to work with artists,’ or ‘I’d really like to mix,’ I can tailor the course to what they want,” Ebert said.

Although they focus on hands-on learning, students still receive the required basic technical background and most of the courses use a textbook.

For those who are looking for a career, the audio industry is rapidly expanding and in demand. Although recording albums may be the first thing that comes to mind, there is a diverse range of uses for Pro Audio, the software program Cue Recording Studios and many others use, including music for video games, narration recordings, and audio post-production for film and television.

“There’s a big market for this kind of thing,” said Jeffrey. “It’s growing all the time with all the new media companies, all the cable programming, and with all the downloadable songs. It’s bigger than it ever has been.”

The Center for Audio Engineering can teach the skills required for all fields of audio production.

“We get all kinds of students. One wants to be a music producer, one wants to be an audio engineer at Discovery Channel and record dolphins making noises, you know? And whatever it is that you want to learn, because we’ve been doing it our entire lives, we can teach you how to do it,” said Jeffrey. “We prepare them to go out and do what we do so they can get a job in these fields and implement their skills competently for their new boss.”

Even with all the offered classes, Cue Recording Studios remains a fully functioning recording studio. It has 10 gold and platinum awards and is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and the Society of Professional Audio Recording Services (SPARS). Students have the opportunity to work with artists using the studios as they take their classes and watch other professionals at work.

“When you come here, it’s cool as a student because you get to hang out with platinum-winning producers, engineers, artists, and up-and-coming local talent who are cutting their new records while you’re here learning,” Jeffrey said.

These experts create a strong support system for students.

“We encourage all of our students to come up and spend time either interning or coming through and talking to the different staffers here and asking the questions that they may not have had the opportunity to ask in class,” said Jeffrey.

The Cue staff is happy to talk to anyone interested in attending the Center for Audio Engineering.

“We encourage all of our potential students to come in and have a free meeting with Jim or one of our other instructors,” Jeffrey said.

More information about the Cue Studios Center for Audio Engineering can be found on its website, centerforaudioengineering.com, or by calling the office at 703-532-9033. The studios are located at 109 Park Ave., Falls Church.

Cost is $7,750 for our “One on One” private course OR $3,750 for a Group Class course.  You’ll learn effectively with extensive “Hands-On” training using instruments, amps, recording software, and state-of-the-art recording gear while you produce the area’s finest studio musicians performing as a session band. Call Dusty at 703/532-9033 for more info.

View the Course Outline below.

Course options are days, nights and weekends.  Call for current group class dates, or to schedule convenient “one on one” dates.

From mastering world class audio gear to understanding “the song” and “the artist”, this program is essential for anyone interested in becoming a professional music producer, or just taking their music career to the next level.

Watch the below course video for a course demonstration.

Learn various types of production techniques used in alternative, rock, crossover country and many other musical styles. Upon successful completion of the (80) hour program, Cue Studios’ Center for Audio Engineering awards a “Certificate of Completion” to the graduated student.

During and after the course, the student is encouraged to participate in Cue’s internship program to observe and render tasks while gaining first hand knowledge of the inner workings of a successful recording studio business.

Schedule a free interview

If you’re serious about your audio education, call our course administrator at 703 532 9033 to schedule a meeting with Jim. You’ll meet in the studio and observe first-hand the environment and equipment used in your program.

Click the below links to sign up for either course using our online Paypal or credit card payment option, or contact our business office at 703 532 9033 to pay in person or by telephone.

Fee:  $7,750 – Call to enroll, or click to sign up online (“One on One” – Private Instruction – Dates scheduled upon enrollment)
Fee:  $3,750 – Call to enroll or click to sign up online  (Group Class) Beginning May 6th, Mondays and Tuesdays 6:30pm – 9:30pm

“Become a Music Producer” Course Outline:

Group Classes adhere primarily to the below syllabus, and “One on One” private classes can be tailored to specific needs in accordance with individual strengths and weaknesses of the student.

Getting to know your Artist

• Musical Genre
• Targeting Textures and Treatments for the Artists Sound
• Focusing Song and Artist Vision
• Understanding the Artist’s Audience
• Listening and Analyzing Comparable Artists

Song treatment

• Every Song is its Own Entity
• Explaining and developing Verse and chorus elements
• The beauty of repetitive themes
• The need for a Bridge if necessary
• Developing melody
• Setting up the Chorus
• Setting up the song to be a Journey
• The Breakdown
• The Climactic Ending

Instrumental Treatment

• Focusing Feel of the Song
• Percussion- Developing drum feel for the song
• Keeping it simple
• Leaving space for the song to develop-Everyone does not need to play All The Time
• Developing Hook lines Instrumentally
• Looking at your Artist ‘s peers Instrumentally

Vocal Performance

• Figuring out the best way to work with your Artist
• Choosing Microphones for your Artist.
• Setting up an Environment for your Artist Sonically and physically.
• Making sure you understand the Lyrics and meaning of the song and your input  into the performance.
• Vocal Production Techniques
doubling, layering, time based effects, compression, tuning

Technical Subjects:

Studio Microphones & Pre-Amps

• Microphones:  styles, types, sounds and applications
• Microphone pre-amps:  the hidden magic
• Microphone placement

Equalizers

• How not to overuse
• Frequencies and ear training
• Understanding frequency placement for song arrangement
• Compression:
• What it is and when to use it
• Using it as a weapon

Studio Software – Understanding Pro Tools, Logic, etc…

• Digital audio
• I/0 and d/a
• Plug ins and uses
• Timing correction
• Tuning possibilities
• Recording and mixing “in the box”

Mixing

• What is it?
• Instruments and frequency ranges
• Levels, panning and spacing
• Using EQ, compression and time based effects to create the atmosphere
for your song.
• Learning the rules then breaking them.

Taught by multi-Gold/Platinum awarded Jim Ebert (Engineer or Producer for Madonna, Marvelous 3, SR-71, Toni Braxton, Honor By August, HR, and hundreds of other national and local artists) in Cue’s legendary Red Room Studio.  Learn production techniques from a pro, record and produce a real band, and experience first hand how to “produce” great recordings during five (4) hour sessions.  Limited enrollment for only five participants.  Cost is $900 per student.  Call Dusty at 703/532-9033 for course details. Hands -on with instruments, amps and state-of-the-art recording gear while you assist in producing the area’s finest studio musicians performing as a session band.

Enjoy this one of kind opportunity to explore and learn how to become a real music producer!  Course options are nights and weekends.

Learn various types of production techniques used in alternative, rock, crossover country and many other musical styles. Upon successful completion of the 20 hour program, Cue Studios’ Center for Audio Engineering awards a “Certificate of Completion” to the graduated student.

Contact our course administrator at 703 532 9033 for more information, or click the below link to sign up now.

Fee:  $900

If you’d like to enroll in this course, click here for our online shopping cart.

Check out Billy Bob Thornton and other professionals in this cool video from Digidesign. Watch as they tour one of Digidesign’s most popular product families — Pro Tools. CSCAE is proud to feature Pro Tools in our classrooms/studios. Our instructors are experienced and savvy with its multitude of features, and they’re enthusiastic about showing you how to leverage it to take projects up a level.

Become a Pro Tools studio engineer at Cue! Learn with platinum winning instructors and cutting edge Digidesign software!

A new study from Purdue University has shed some light on how to most effectively engage students in technology and engineering at a young age. Research shows that students have “a deeper understanding” of concepts learned in a hands-on environment than what can be digested through more traditional lecture-based lessons.
This is especially true in students for whom English is not the first language. Check out this and more in a very interesting article at Education Week.

Course description:

This 55 hour option is our entry level program where the students work in small groups with the instructor and focus on various areas of audio engineering.  Program enrollment includes the 7th edition David Miles Huber “Recording Studio Handbook” and a “Pro Tools Official Courseware Manual”.

Program time allotment:

- (45) hours of intensive “one on one” instruction with the engineer/instructor in both Cue’s control rooms and studios.  Included in this time is the recording and mixing of a “real recording artist”.

- (5) hours of Learning Lab time where the student practices and hones his or her new audio engineering skills.  Assignments are given along with general experimentation of various audio processing, recording and mixing software.

- (5) hours of unassisted “mixdown” time in Studio “A”, “B” or The Red Room where the student commands the helm of the “driver’s seat”.  Building confidence and fluency with their knowledge of engineering in the control room is achieved most effectively through repetitive implementation of their new skills.

Topics typically covered include:

• Studio setup application and theory
• Microphone selection and placement
• Audio signal processors :  Mic preamps, equalizers, compressors, limiters, and multi-effects generators – with an emphasis on both analog rack mount units and software “plug-ins”
• Analog and digital recording systems
• Recording, editing and mixing
• Analog and digital mixing consoles
• Studio monitors and the critical listening environment
• Acoustics and waveforms
• Studio psychology and managing client expectations

Additionally we facilitate discussions pertaining to industry related “job and career” requirements, peripheral knowledge and skills that accentuate the applicants credentials, and a mock-up job interview with the school’s director or course administrator.

Upon successful completion of the 55 hour program, Cue Studios’ Center for Audio Engineering awards a “Certificate of Completion” to the graduated student.

After the course, the student is encouraged to schedule an internship at Cue where he or she will observe and render tasks, while gaining first hand knowledge of the inner workings of a successful recording studio business.

Schedule a free interview

If you’re serious about your audio education, call our course adminstrator at 703 532 9033 to schedule a meeting with an instructor.  You’ll meet in the studio/classroom and observe first-hand the environment and equipment used in your program.

If you would like to enroll in this program, click here for our online shopping cart.

Topics covered include:

• Proper microphone selection and use for great sounding vocals.
• Drum machine programming (making beats and percussive rhythm tracks)
• Sequencing of various rhythm parts and melodic leads (bass lines, keyboard chords, horn sections, strings, etc.)
• Midi channels and their assignments
• Implementation of “multi-timbral” outputs
• Triggering sound modules and samplers
• Quantizing, looping, syncopation, BPM calculations, sequencing software and other programming phases
• Integration of the above with Pro Tools and other recording / mixing systems
• Laying down or “over-dubbing” real tracks on top of your electronically programmed tracks.
• Adding vocals to the project – mic selection and usage, mic preamps, compressors, and pitch correction.
• Putting it all together to make a great sounding song

The instructor will also touch on compositional aspects of electronic music including arrangements, music notation, composing, and key signatures.

Schedule a free interview

If you’re serious about your music, we encourage you to schedule a free appointment with our electronic programming instructor to discuss your personal goals and expectations for your education in this field.  Your meeting will take place in one of our studio/classrooms where you can observe first hand the learning environment that will be your private classroom. Email John Krauss at john@cuerecording.com, or call our course administrator, Dusty, at 703 532 9033. They’ll be glad to arrange a free meeting in the studio for you.

Fee:  $1,900

To enroll in this program, click here for our online shopping cart.