[nabs-l] Accessible Audio Production Training in Minnesota

[David Andrews]

Monday, May 11, 2009
For Immediate Distribution

Sales contact:
Earle Harrison
651-636-5184
earle at handytech.us

Dancing Dots Braille Music Technology & Handy Tech North America present.

Accessible Audio Production:
Track, Mix and Master with SONAR

When: Thursday, June 11, and Friday, June 12, 2009 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Where: Handy Tech North America, 3989 Central Avenue NE., Suite 402, 
Columbia Heights, MN 55421

Telephone: 651-636-5184

Email:
info at handytech.us

Web:
Handy Tech North America

Registration: To register, fill out our
Online Registration Form

Overview

Learn to use the SONAR digital audio workstation software that 
converts a Windows-based PC into a multi-track, high-end recording 
studio complete with high-tech
audio effects such as reverb, flanging and equalization. SONAR lets 
you record electronic instrumental sounds onto individual tracks 
using a MIDI musical
keyboard.  using a microphone, you can record acoustic sounds such as 
someone singing or playing a real violin onto audio tracks. SONAR 
ships with a number
of so-called soft synthes. These are digital software instruments 
that can be triggered by the musical keyboard.

CakeTalking for SONAR from Dancing Dots is a JAWS-based access method 
for SONAR that allows blind audio producers to use SONAR 
independently using a blend
of verbal and sound cues. CakeTalking installs a number of detailed 
tutorial documents containing hundreds of pages of valuable 
information written primarily
for the user of JAWS for Windows and also features extensive online help.

What You Will Learn

A trainer from Dancing Dots will teach you to record and edit 
instrumental and vocal performances on individual tracks using SONAR. 
You will learn techniques
to adjust timing on MIDI and audio tracks, how to apply various 
effects, insert soft synthes, alter volume and panning settings, and 
remove unwanted noises
such as a cough, etc. Once all tracks are complete, you will learn a 
technique called mixing for blending all tracks into a cohesive 
performance. Then
you will learn how to mix the tracks down to a stereo, two-track 
master. You will export results to any of a number of standard audio 
formats such as mp3,
.wav or Windows Media. These files can be burned to a CD, uploaded to 
a website, E-mailed to customers, etc. The material to be recorded 
will be of your
own choosing but ideally should be a selection which you can use for 
some "real-world" purpose such as putting it up on a site to share 
with family and
friends or to distribute commercially.

Prerequisites: Blind participants should have strong skills in the 
use of the JAWS for Windows screen reader software. Sighted 
participants should be prepared
to learn the technology without the use of a mouse. That is, they 
should be able to learn to operate SONAR from the PC keyboard using 
JAWS just as those
they will train will need to learn to do. Musical ability is not 
required if your goal is to learn enough to be able to train others.

Also, some participants may want to create test projects such as 
voice-overs for commercials or promotional messages using prerecorded 
music as a sound
bed. However, those wishing to create audio productions of musical 
compositions or arrangements obviously must have some musical talent. 
That being said,
you need not be a professional musician or even an experienced 
amateur to create an audio project that's all your own.

Tuition

$550 per person for two days.

$400 for each additional participant from the same organization or family.

Included: : Use of a PC workstation loaded with SONAR 8, CakeTalking 
for SONAR 8, JAWS for Windows, high-end audio interface with 
microphone, electronic
musical keyboard, box lunch, coffee/snacks.