Course Details
Synth Start is a 6-week short course designed for beginner-level participants who are relatively new to synthesis and music production, including those with little to no experience with hardware synthesisers.
If you’ve ever considered exploring the wonderful world of electronic sound creation, this course is perfect for you to jumpstart your creative process. All delivered under the guidance of our knowledgeable teachers, alongside the community of a small course group sharing the experience with you.
This supportive and friendly course will cover subtractive synthesis, creating new sounds, controlling hardware synths with software, mixing basics, and moving into live performance, all while getting to grips with essential software and methods. In the final week, participants will have the opportunity to present sounds or a short composition created during the course to the class in an informal listening session.
What's included?
Synth Start students will have the opportunity to access MESS’s one-of-a-kind collection during and after your weekly class, as well as six (6) complimentary 4-hour studio sessions (1 per week). In our collection of world-class instruments you’ll find anything from the tools used by Aphex Twin and Brian Eno, to the drum machines that popularised techno on a global stage, vintage synthesisers that changed the landscape of music forever, and much more!
For more information, see the course overview (PDF).
Who is it for?
This course is for people with a curiosity in electronic music and sound creation, with a keen desire to learn how to create their own compositions.
It’s best suited for those relatively new to synthesis and music production, including people with little-to-none experience with hardware synthesisers. Applicants are not required to have any prior experience in creating electronic sound.
This course is open to participants aged 18+.
Application Process
Course attendance is by application only. We will accept applications until 6:00 pm, Monday, 16th September 2024 (16/09/2024). All applicants will be contacted with their application results by 6:00 pm, Wednesday, 25th September 2024 (25/09/2024).
Please note: Due to the number of applications we anticipate, we cannot offer feedback on unsuccessful applications.
We are happy to offer a fully subsidised fee-free placements open to individuals with limited funds for whom the course fees represent a significant financial challenge. Please indicate on your application form if you wish to be considered for this place.
Course fees must be paid in full before the start date. We are unable to refund course fees after the course has commenced.
Prerequisites
People will need their own tools to work on course material outside of workshop times. Typically, this would be a contemporary laptop computer running music production software. Those without music/audio software access can access free, trial or inexpensive software. No specific software is needed to participate in this course. If you are unsure if your equipment will suit this course, please contact admin@mess.foundation
Class Schedule
Each week’s class consists of a 1.5-hour lecture presentation and 2 hours of practical time in the MESS Studio. During the course, participants can also access 6 free MESS Studio sessions (1 per week).
Time:
Monday 6:30 pm – 10 pm AEDT
From November 4 until December 9
Class dates:
- November 4 — The history and basics of subtractive synthesis
- November 11 – Controlling analogue synthesisers with software
- November 18 – Building the sound in your head
- November 25 – Using effects to your advantage
- November 2 – Mixing: The essentials of EQ, dynamics and spatialisation
- December 9 – Composition presentation
Course Facilitator
Jonnine Nokes (they/them) is an artist and freelance audio engineer working across venues in Naarm (Melbourne). They have mixed and mastered music for local musicians across a wide range of genres. They have designed sound and score for theatre and dance productions, installation work, and web content. They have also worked as a synthesiser and production workshop facilitator for Melbourne Sound School.
Jonnine writes music under their current solo moniker, Horse Pills, and has composed primarily with eurorack modular synthesis for over 10 years. They have played in various electronic ensembles and under several solo guises over the past 15 years. They are currently a member of synthpunk outfit Screensaver, and formerly one half of industrial/synthwave duo Activities of Daily Living.
Jonnine is a co-founder of local record label Tender Collection, devoted to releasing queer/feminist electronic, punk and outsider music.
Location
All course sessions will be held in person at the MESS Studio.
Course Fee
Price
MESS members $720.00 (incl. GST)
Non-members $880.00 (incl. GST)
We are happy to offer a fully subsidised fee-free placements open to individuals with limited funds for whom the course fees represent a significant financial challenge. Please indicate on your application form if you wish to be considered for this place.
Places
This course is limited to 12 places in total. Attendance is by application only.
”As someone who gets a bit overwhelmed by technology and software in electronic music production, Synth Start gave me just that - a starting point to make my own music by learning about the fundamentals of electronic sound production with like-minded individuals and having the freedom to experiment with MESS' vast electronic instrument collection under the guidance of artists practising in the field.
ChelseaSynth Start 2022
Course Dates
November 4 until December 9
Mondays 6:30 pm – 10 pm AEDT
Course Overview
Learn more about the course, prerequisites, requirements and class schedule.
Apply Now
Applications close at 6:00 pm on Monday 16th September 2024.
Applications outcomes by 6:00 pm Wednesday 25th September, 2024.
This course is by application only.
