Top 15 Free Online Audio Engineering Courses – The music industry is one of the most rewarding industries today. Aside from singing, there are several career paths to pursue in the industry. One of these lucrative paths is by becoming an Audio/Sound engineer. Audio engineers are really sought-after in the music industry because they are among the prerequisites for music production.
So, are you looking to become an Audio engineer? Or do you have a flair for handling the sound aspect of music production? Then you are reading the right piece. In this article, we bring you a compilation of the top 15 free online Audio engineering courses. Yes, they are completely online!
Who Is An Audio Engineer?
An Audio Engineer is a part of the crew of music production. They are professionals charged with the responsibility of recording live audio. Audio engineers also specialize in mixing, adjusting, balancing, post-production, and mastering musical sounds.
Aside from the high demand for Audio engineers in the music industry, they are also well sought-after to control and balance the Audio at events that require a lot of people to use sound, such as conferences theatres, etc. To become a professional audio engineer, you need to take Audio engineering courses offline or online. Below is a list of the top audio engineering courses available on the internet.
Top 15 Free Online Audio Engineering Courses
Without further ado, below are the best free online audio engineering courses.
- The Digital Workstation
- Creating Sounds for Electronic Music
- The Business of Music Production
- Audio Engineering: EQ and Compression for Beginners
- Live Sound
- Vocal Recording Technology
- Fundamentals of Audio and Music Engineering: Part 1 Musical Sound & Electronics
- Introduction to Acoustics
- Music Production Specialization
- Synthesis and Sound Design
- The Technology of Music Production
- Pro Tools Basics
- Young Guru’s “Learn How To Mix”
- Music Production Master Diploma
- Critical Listening for Studio Production
1. The Digital Workstation
The Digital Workstation is a comprehensive Audio engineering course designed to introduce beginners to the primary aspect of music production. In this course, you will learn the basic knowledge and skills needed to begin mixing, recording, mastering, and balancing during music production. The course is an excellent course taught by SoundBridge Academy on Simpliv — a popular online learning platform.
Some of the audio engineering skills you would gain after taking the Digital Workstation course as a beginner include;
- Automation
- Audio and Acoustics
- Software setup
- Mixer
- MIDI Instruments
- sequencer
- export hardware setup
The skills you will acquire include audio and acoustics, export, hardware setup, MIDI instruments, automation, software setup, sequencer, mixer, etc.
Take the course: https://www.simplivlearning.com/musicproduction/the-digital-audio-workstation?sscid=c1k4_jssbs
2. Creating Sounds for Electronic Music
Creating Sounds for Electronic Music is another top audio engineering course on our list. The course was designed by the Berkeley School of Music and taught via the popular online learning platform, Coursera.
Creating sounds for electronic Music production is suitable for both beginners and those with prior knowledge of digital audio workstations. The course will teach you how to create excellent sounds that you can use during musical composition. After signing up for this course, you will also learn several music production skills and even know software synthesizers.
3.The Business of Music Production
The Business of Music Production is an Audio engineering online course taught by Berklee College of Music via Coursera — an online learning platform. This course is suitable for people with prior knowledge of audio engineering or already practicing audio engineers.
The course will provide you with in-depth knowledge and the necessary skills to establish a successful career as a music producer. You will also be taught how to monetize your already existing audio engineering skills rightfully.
In the Business of Music Production online course, you will be taught audio engineering-related skills such as;
- Music recording
- Copyright
- Professional tools
- Team building
- Revenue sources
- Music Business
- Contracts
- Music/Audio production, etc.
Learners are also presented with a globally recognizable certificate after completing the online course. So, if you have been looking to enroll in an Audio engineering course, this is a good option.
Take the course: https://www.coursera.org/specializations/business-music-production
4. Audio Engineering: EQ and Compression for Beginners
Audio Engineering: EQ and Compression for Beginners is a free online audio engineering course offered by professional and experience Audio engineers via Udemy — a popular online learning platform. The course is completely free, but you have to pay for the certificate.
This course will teach you everything you need to know about using EQ and compressors during audio projects. Audio engineering utilizes EQ and compressors. They are pivotal during music production because they are used to control music, movies, and many more. Equalizers are also used to shape and adjust the music.
Take the course: https://www.udemy.com/course/audio-engineering-eq-and-compression-for-beginners/
5. Live Sound
Another audio engineering course on our list is Live Sound. It is a comprehensive course offered by SoundGym. The course covers extensively all the required skills to become a Live Sound engineer. In this course, learners are taught about;
- Soundboards
- Effects
- Mixing desks
- Equalization
- Microphones, etc.
6. Vocal Recording Technology
Vocal Recording Technology is an Audio engineering course that explores state-of-the-art technologies in recording, vocal production, mixing, and Audio engineering. In this course, You will learn extensively about the emerging technologies needed to accelerate your career as a sound engineer. Upon completing the course, students are offered a certificate of completion. Vocal Recording Technology is among the free online engineering courses taught by Berklee College of music via the online learning platform, edX.
7. Fundamentals of Audio and Music Engineering: Part 1 Musical Sound & Electronics
Fundamentals of Audio and Music Engineering: Part 1 Musical Sound & Electronics is an online course offered by the University of Rochester via Coursera. The course covers extensive topics such as basic electronics, sound waves, musical sounds, etc. In the course, students are also taught the primary concepts of acoustics and electronics. And how they can use both concepts to understand musical sounds. Learners are also taught how to utilize electronic musical instruments during music production.
8. Introduction to Acoustics
There are some theoretical knowledge needed by anyone looking to become a professional sound engineer and that’s what the introduction to Acoustics course is there for. The Introduction to Acoustics course is a comprehensive Audio engineering course that provides learners with the required theoretical knowledge needed in the sound engineering field. The course can be completed within a day and students are given certificates upon completion.
9. Music Production Specialization
Music Production Specialization is another excellent audio engineering course offered by Coursera. The course focuses on training learners with the necessary skills and knowledge needed for music recording and Music production.
10. Synthesis and Sound Design
Synthesis and Sound Design is an Audio engineering course for Audio engineers looking to advance their careers. It teaches the tactics of sampling, audio synthesis, and Sound design. The course covers the top aspects of audio engineering including;
- Reaktor modules,
- FM Synthesis,
- Large-scale,
- Modular synthesis basics,
- Serum, etc.
Take the course: https://www.soundgym.co/program/view?id=LSAD42TV&ut=school
11. The Technology of Music Production
During music production, several processes such as recording, mixing, editing, etc are followed. To have a successful audio engineering career, you need to have extensive knowledge of these processes. Offered by Berkeley School of Music, The Technology of Music Production provides students with the necessary knowledge of the steps involved in music production. They are also taught the right tools used to aid music production. Students receive certification upon completion of the course.
Take the course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/technology-of-music-production
12. Pro Tools Basics
To make really good musical sounds, you require knowledge of certain tools and how to use them. These tools are vital in helping you transform your musical ideas into actual music in an amazing way. Pro Tools Basics is a comprehensive course and among the top audio engineering resources online, offered by Berklee College of Music via Coursera.
The Pro Tools Basics is a four weeks course that introduces beginners to everything about Avid Pro Tools and Pro Tools. These tools are prerequisites for the actualization of all your musical ideas into actual music using a creative way. After completing the course, learners are required to pay a token for their certificates.
Take the course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/protools
13. Young Guru’s “Learn How To Mix”
Young Guru’s “Learn How To Mix” is an online Audio engineering course taught by Skillshare. It focuses on different areas including effects addition, determining levels, total balance, etc. In these courses, you will gain audio engineering skills such as;
- Music fundamentals
- Audio post engineering
- Music Production
- Music Composition, etc.
14. Music Production Master Diploma
Next up on our list of free online Audio engineering courses is the Music Production Master Diploma. Music Production Master Diploma is an online course taught by Point Blank Music School. Learners are taught using emerging technologies to help them transform their musical ideas into music. The course can be taken by both beginners in audio engineering and experienced audio engineers looking to advance their careers.
15. Critical Listening for Studio Production
Critical Listening for Studio Production is a free online audio engineering course taught by Queen’s college via the learning platform FutureLearn Online. The course is aimed at improving learners listening skills through technical ear training programs. Having excellent listening skills is vital during music production. All professional audio engineers are required to have listening abilities and the Critical Listening for Studio Production course provides you with that. When you finish the course, you are required to pay a fee to be awarded a certificate.
Take the course: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/critical-listening-for-studio-production
There you have it! Above are the top best free online Audio engineering courses you should check out.
Online Platforms To Take Free Audio Engineering Courses
Below are some of the top platforms to take free Audio engineering courses;
- Point Blank Music School
- Coursera
- Skillshare
- Education and Bass Online
- Noiselab
- Syntorial
- Audible and many more.
Conclusion
Becoming a professional and well-sought-after audio engineer is not easy. You are required to take several audio engineering courses, these courses will help you set a rewarding career in the music industry. Above are the top online free online engineering courses that would provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to begin your career as an Audio Engineer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is possible to learn audio engineering by yourself. You can use different online and offline resources
Yes, you can learn music production online using different platforms such as Coursera.
Yes, there are a few online Audio engineering courses that are completely free. However, some of the courses require learners to pay a fee for certificates when they graduate.
References
https://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/articles/list-of-free-audio-engineering-courses-and-classes.html
https://coursesity.com/free-tutorials-learn/audio-engineering
https://alison.com/careers/arts/sound-engineering-technician
https://www.coursera.org/learn/vocal-production
https://stayinformedgroup.com/free-online-sound-engineering-courses-with-certificates/