Sending Signals
10 Classes • 3 Private Lessons • Unlimited Studio Time
Overview
Learn how to hear, describe, and design the sounds in your head. This course picks up where Making Waves leaves off, helping you train your ear, explore sound more intentionally, and build a deeper relationship with synthesis and sound design.
You'll start by learning how to identify and recreate the sounds you love—using macros, effects, and synth presets as a starting point. From there, you'll dive into building sounds from scratch with both software and hardware synths. Along the way, you'll take on challenges that push your creativity, develop your own sound library, and leave with a toolkit you can use in any genre.
Class Topics
Synthesis Fundamentals: Learn how oscillators, filters, and envelopes shape sound, and gain hands-on experience designing your own patches in software and hardware synths.
Modulation & Movement: Explore LFOs, envelopes, and modulation matrices to add dynamic movement and complexity to your sounds, making them feel alive and expressive.
Drum Synthesis & Sound Design: Go beyond samples by synthesizing unique drum sounds, layering percussion, and shaping transients for a more customized approach to rhythm.
Hardware Integration & Sampling: Get comfortable sequencing, recording, and sampling from analog synths to incorporate classic and modern hardware tones into your productions.
Recreating & Transforming Sounds: Recreate iconic synth sounds from your favorite tracks and learn how to turn any sound into a playable instrument using sampling and synthesis.
Student Perks
Unlimited Studio Time
IO Music Academy students get unlimited time in our production and DJ studios for the duration of their course or program.
Private Lessons
Courses include monthly private lessons with your choice of instructor.
Circle Community
The IO Music Academy Circle gives you access to an exclusive online hub where you can collaborate, share feedback, and get support from fellow students and alumni.
Course Materials
Students enjoy lifetime access to all course materials, including videos, dynamic notes, and recordings, so you can revisit the content any time.
Educational Pricing
Get up to 50% off partner brands such as Ableton, Arturia, AIAIAI, Auto-Tune, Pioneer DJ, and more.
Student Requirements
Students enrolling in Sending Signals must have completed Building Blocks and Making Waves or have a strong understanding of:
Music Theory (Notes, Scales, Keys, Chords, Chord Progressions)
Producing and arranging a song without pre-made samples or loops
Warping samples, loops, entire songs, and acapellas in Ableton Live
Ableton’s Simpler instrument
Writing a chord progression to an acapella
Remixing
Equipment Requirements
• Laptop (2020 or newer MacBook Pro recommended)
• Wired Headphones
• 49-Key MIDI Keyboard
• Ableton Live 12 (available at 40% off)
Program Options
Sending Signals is a cornerstone of several artist programs we offer, giving you the opportunity to expand your skills further:
Electronic Producer Program (12 Months)
Total Producer Program (18-24 Months)
Custom Producer Program (6-24 Months)
By enrolling in one of these programs, you'll benefit from a comprehensive learning experience at a reduced per-course cost, perfect for those committed to becoming professional producers.
Pricing & Payment Plans
Ready to design your own sounds?
If you’re ready to take your sound design skills to the next level, click the button below to enroll for Sending Signals..
Still have questions? Click here to schedule a tour with one of our team members.