How to Listen

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This 4-week course, based on Puremix's How to Listen series is designed to develop the critical listening skills essential for audio professionals. Students will learn to listen critically, going beyond just hearing to actively identify the subtleties in a mix. This includes frequency balance, dynamics, stereo imaging, and tone. Through practical exercises and discussions, students will enhance their ability to utilize reference tracks effectively, and communicate their insights clearly to clients. By the end of the course, students will confidently apply critical listening techniques to achieve higher-quality mixes.
  • Starting date
    On-demand
  • Duration
    10 hours
  • Level
    All levels
  • Instructor
    Fab Dupont

Testimonials

Testimonials

How to Listen takes a multi-pronged approach to advancing one’s listening skills in an efficient, personal, and highly effective format. The construction of this educational presentation is remarkable, blending a variety of media sources for fast and deep comprehension. The course brings accessible audio intelligence to both entry level students and seasoned professionals looking to review or upgrade their skill sets. This is an invaluable tool for every studio, large and small, and for anyone who's looking for an effective and efficient path to learning the craft.
David Schwartz / Former Editor-in-Chief, Mix Magazine

I thought I was already aware of the importance of attention to detail in a mix; but How To Listen pushed me to set my standards for listening even higher, by testing me on tiny EQ and level changes of 1-2 decibels. This course is also a great reminder of how deceitful the eyes can be. Going forward, I'll definitely make sure to tilt my head down after making mix adjustments!
Leo Loyola / Mixer, Recording Engineer, Guitarist
I've always known how important listening is, but this course really opened my eyes to the finer details. The practice with subtle EQ and dynamics differences was invaluable, and the engaging instructional videos and exercises, along with clear, detailed explanations, made me more confident in my ability to address these finer details in my mixes. I would highly recommend the course to others in the audio field.
Powell Bjorksten / Audio Engineer & Mixer
As a DJ and electronic music producer, I listen to an enormous amount of music, but developing confidence in my ability to discern subtle differences during mixing—rather than just convincing myself I hear them—has been a challenge. I'm currently taking this course and am already really excited for this opportunity to sharpen my ear, learning to distinguish actual vs. perceived differences with more clarity. Ultimately, my dream is to mix my own music with confidence, freeing me from reliance on an engineer so I can fully express my creative vision.
Amanda Whiting Gerstle / DJ & Music Producer

While I'm still progressing through How to Listen with Fab Dupont, the course has already transformed my approach to audio evaluation. The distinction between critical and analytical listening, in particular, was a game-changer. Fab breaks down this seemingly simple but often overlooked concept in a way that has made me much more intentional about when and how I apply each listening mode. His teaching style makes complex concepts accessible…with a touch of wit that makes it even a little more enjoyable. Even halfway through, I can confidently say this course is an essential investment for anyone serious about developing their listening skills and ultimately becoming a better mixer.
Aben Eubanks / Producer & Songwriter

Learning Outcomes 

Each course includes

1

Understand critical and analytical listening concepts and define related terminology, distinguishing between hearing and listening.

2

Identify and analyze the core elements of a mix, including frequency, dynamics, and stereo imaging, and how to listen for these characteristics analytically.

3

Enhance audio analysis skills by demonstrating the ability to detect changes in frequency, dynamic range, and stereo imaging, contributing to higher-quality mixes.

4

Evaluate different mixes through comparative listening, using critical thinking to assess the effectiveness of EQ, panning, and dynamic choices, and offering constructive critiques.

5

Apply critical listening techniques to real-world mixing situations by utilizing reference tracks, making more informed mix decisions.

6

Communicate technical insights effectively by articulating observations about the sonic qualities of a mix, demonstrating an advanced understanding of how to shape music. 

01: What it Means to "Listen"

  Time: approx. 1.5-2 hours 
   Week 1

Lesson 1: Course Introduction 

 Time: approx. 20 min
Discover what it truly means to "listen" and how this skill applies to everyday mixing. This lesson introduces the course structure, outlines key concepts, and explores the distinction between hearing and listening.
  What to Expect & What You’ll Need • Video
  Defining Listening • Video
  Exercise Note: Don’t Stress It • Video
  Intro to Listening • Discussion

02: Listening to Frequency Balance

  Time: approx. 2.5 - 3 hours
   Week 2

03: Balance - Listening for Impact and Control

  Time: approx. 1.5 hours
   Week 3

04: Putting it all Together & Using Reference Mixes

  Time: approx. 1.5 hours
   Week 4

05: Final Exercises & Course Wrap Up

  Time: approx. 1-1.75 hours
   Week 4

Who is this course for?

All Music Makers, including (but not limited to) Recording Engineers, Producers, Mixers, Mastering Engineers, Musicians, Audio Editors, and Songwriters.

Requirements

  • Access to the internet
  • Computer (laptop or desktop)
  • Headphones, Monitoring system, or Apple Airpod Pro 2
  • DAW (basic working knowledge of a DAW of your choice)

Learn from the best

Fab Dupont

Instructor & Course Author

David Crosby • Bad Bunny • Jennifer Lopez • Residente • Shakira • Andre 3000

Fab Dupont is an award-winning, NYC-based Record Producer, Mixing and Mastering Engineer, owner of Flux Studios in NYC, and co-founder of puremix.com. Fab has been playing, writing, producing and mixing music both live and in studios all over the world. 

Joe Totino

Course Author

Joe Totino is an Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Composer, and Educator based in New York City. With experience working on high-profile projects for Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures, A24, Netflix, and Hulu, his music and sound design have featured in numerous major motion picture trailers and hundreds of TV shows worldwide. Joe has spent the past 10 years working in renowned studios like Flux Studios and Dubway Studios. Since 2017, he has been teaching Audio Technology at the college level and is currently the Audio Program Chair at SAE Institute - New York. Passionate about hands-on learning, Joe is dedicated to helping students gain real-world insights and succeed in the audio/music industry.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I have access to the entire course upon sign-up?

The course is designed to ensure students have a reasonable amount of time between modules to absorb the material, complete exercises, and practice their newfound knowledge and skills, therefore modules will be released on a weekly basis to pace learning.

How much experience in music production or audio engineering do I need to have for this course?

While this course is designed for a variety of backgrounds, basic DAW knowledge and an understanding of beginner mixing concepts will help you navigate the more advanced exercises and follow along in discussions (as long as you are able to import audio files and load up plug-ins in your DAW, you will be fine.) You don’t need to be a pro, take this opportunity to push your limits. You can always reach out to your Teaching Assistant or conduct an internet search to find answers to specific DAW- or audio engineering-related questions.

I've been a working audio professional for years; what can this course offer me?

Training your ear is a lifelong pursuit and this course is designed to improve anyone and everyone's listening skills. Whether you're a bedroom songwriter, an EDM producer, or a classical engineer, the skills, methods, and training Fab lays out are sure to improve your ability to analyze a mix, detect changes in a complex session, and help you connect deeper with the music.

Is this just another ear-training course?

While there are certainly some exercises that help to train your ears, this course goes far beyond the typical 'white noise' ear-training approach. In How To Listen, Fab guides you by incorporating both critical and analytical listening approaches, to help you feel the music and identify problems with accuracy.

Will this course be helpful for more than just audio engineers?

Yes! Learning how to listen acutely is a very valuable skill for anyone working in or around audio and music, even tangentially. Whether you’re a gigging musician, a songwriter, a podcast editor or an up-and-coming music producer, these skills will translate across the board and allow you to better analyze your work.

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