Amplify Credless’ “Missiles” Proves That Reputation Is More Than Just a Name On the heels of success in major junior hockey and then business school, RAC alum Credless is embracing his purpose as a meticulous beatmaker in the hip-hop scene. Together with Houston rap group New Nation, his latest release “Missiles” pays tribute to the journey that built him and sets a confident pace for what’s to […]
Amplify T. Chandy’s “Ego Trip” is One to Remember RAC alum T. Chandy is perfecting the recipe for success, armed with an airtight flow and undeniable work ethic. His latest album EGO TRIP balances the bravado with astute observations on the human psyche. Describe your music in three words: Story, Feeling, Identity Best way to get inspired: Go for a walk Favourite software: DAW […]
Amplify Featured: Lørra RAC student Maria-Lorraine Caluya, better known as Lørra, is making her mark in Montreal’s R&B scene with a commitment to creative authenticity. The singer-songwriter’s forthcoming album D’ange Heureuse promises to share her compelling story of reflection and resilience. Follow Lørra Lørra: Cheat Sheet Describe the sound of Lørra: R&B/Jazz Biggest accomplishment so far? EYEZ (SoundCloud […]
Amplify Featured: Stephen “King Luck” Williams Known for his unwavering curiosity and variety of accomplishments in music production and film scoring, it’s no surprise that Stephen “King Luck” Williams is keeping busy. As one-half of Jaabu Music Group, Williams rounds out the year with high praise for scoring the socially conscious HBO drama The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain. Follow King Luck […]
Learn Introductory Music Industry Q&A To be successful in the music industry, you need to understand how it operates. Networking, career paths, independent releases, and shopping for labels are all valuable knowledge whether you’re an artist, producer, or industry exec. To help you get started on your journey, we’ve sourced and answered some of the most frequently asked introductory music […]
Amplify Featured: Méandre Riding high on the success of his melancholy debut, Francophone artist Méandre’s sophomore record, Là où les saisons t’emmènent, reaches for song structures that pack a little more punch but also build on the sincerity and purity that marked his earlier work. Find Méandre online Méandre 101: Cheat Sheet A piece of gear you can’t […]
Learn Uncategorized Introductory Songwriting Q&A The songwriting process is what allows the artist to bring their musical ideas to life. Arguably the most important part of making music, songwriting is a skill, just like production or engineering, that requires honing and continuous practice. The key to becoming an exceptional songwriter is an open mind, experimentation with writing on your own […]
Learn Introductory Live Sound Q&A Live sound is the most important part of a concert, film or live auditory experience. It’s also one of the highest-paid audio fields. Controlling sound in a live environment requires expertise, continuous practice, problem-solving skills, and ear training. The key to becoming an exceptional live sound engineer is education, experimentation and experience. To help you […]
Learn Introductory Sound Design Q&A Sound design creates and transforms the universe of a project. Building an auditory experience from scratch requires years of sound sourcing, ear training and trial and error. The key to becoming an exceptional sound designer is training, experimenting and getting your hands on the materials. To help you get started on your sound design journey, […]
Learn Introductory Production Q&A The production of a song is one of the most integral, if not THE most integral, part of creating music. Building a track’s sonic universe requires years of experience, experimentation and continuous ear training. It can be challenging to master without professional guidance, and overwhelming to know where and how to begin. To help you […]
Amplify Featured: sisterBlaze Always marching to the beat of his own drum, Mike Ferguson’s sisterBlaze project is back with a brand-new prog-pop opus, Gemini, that fuses all his pop, punk and prog influences for a result that’s sophisticated, musically accomplished, and “progcessible”. sisterBlaze 101: Cheat Sheet Your role in sisterBlaze: Composer, lyrics, guitars, drums, bass, synths, some keys, […]
Learn Introductory Mixing Q&A The mix of a song can make or break the final product. Making sure that all the sonic elements of a beat or track are intertwined to create a professional-sounding result is an art form in itself and requires continuous ear training and critical listening skills. The key to getting good at mixing is practice […]
Amplify Featured: Gant Fusing the electro bombast of new wave pioneers Depeche Mode with the dark thematic content of Nick Cave’s best work, darkwave duo Gant have just unfurled their doomy first full-length LP on an unsuspecting world. Get ready for synths. Lots of synths. Find Gant online Gant 101: Cheat Sheet Depeche Mode vs The Cure. Who […]
Amplify Featured: Melotika Mel Yelle, who goes by Melotika on stage, creates unique electro-pop music with a message. With a knack for making danceable darkness, she stands for self-confidence, empowerment and individuality. Melotika 101: Cheat Sheet One piece of gear I can’t live without My SM-58 Top musical moment or achievement to date Dancing Without You Go-to “I’m […]
Amplify Featured: Polykrome Energetic and always ready to bring the party, RAC grad and electronic music creator Polykrome has just dropped a new single, “No Doubt”. It might just be your next song of the summer. Follow Polykrome on Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / SoundCloud Polykrome 101: Cheat […]
Amplify Featured: Michael Perry With two EPs already in hand, pop crooner Michael Perry looks to break out of his musical comfort zone in 2021 with rock and punk-inspired new tracks dropping each month and an ongoing exploration of individuality, self-acceptance and love through music. Follow Michael on Instagram / Facebook / Site Web / Twitter / YouTube / Spotify […]
Amplify Featured: Lofsky RAC alum Lofsky is making the most out of lockdown with a rapid-fire string of new releases and a brand new collab with DillanPonders. Expect fresh tracks every three weeks until the end of the year from the up-and-coming Toronto rapper. Follow Lofsky on Instagram / Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Facebook Lofsky 101: […]
Learn Work What’s your unique selling point? It’s what will determine how an audience or market sees you, and whether or not they will see the value in what you have to offer. This article is borrowed from a lesson in the Music Industry course taught during the third semester at Recording Arts Canada. Scenario 1: Selling beats Trent is a hypothetical beat-maker trying […]
Amplify Featured: Alaskan Tapes With over 1 million monthly streams on Spotify alone, RAC alum Brady Kendall adds to his ever-evolving body of work with a haunting new Alaskan Tapes record For Us Alone. Follow Alaskan Tapes on Instagram / Facebook / Website / Bandcamp / YouTube / Spotify / Apple Music Rapid Fire with Alaskan Tapes’ Brady Kendall Brady Your role in Alaskan Tapes Musician One piece of gear you can’t […]
Amplify Featured: Romar Parris From Barbados to the RAC Toronto campus, Romar Parris has been tearing up the music scene as a producer and DJ. Inspired by the greats of reggae and pop, Parris channels his love of Bob Marley and Michael Jackson into his latest project with former classmate Ridah Kadabra. Follow Romar on Music By ThirtyTwo / Green Shanti Productions […]
Amplify Featured: What If Elephants Hot on the heels of their infectious new single, “Sugar Daddy”, Montreal’s trending indie-pop outfit What If Elephants are gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated new EP. Follow What If Elephants on Instagram / Facebook / Website / YouTube / Spotify /Apple Music Rapid fire with Joey and Justin Joey Justin Your role […]
Amplify Featured: Roxanne Potvin RAC favourite Roxanne Potvin is back with a brand-new single, “Jump In”. With a host of Juno and Maple Blues Award nominations already under her belt, the talented singer/songwriter’s sunny new track is just a taste of the new music she has planned for 2021. Follow Roxanne on Instagram / Facebook / Website / YouTube […]
Amplify Featured: Ozvaldo “O.Z” O.Z’s career is firing on all cylinders! The RAC grad’s hot new collab with PETiTOM, “Je Sais”, is just the opening salvo in a year that has already seen the launch of his new studio and record label, and promises not one, but two full-length albums featuring some of the biggest names in Quebec hip […]
Amplify Featured: Shayan Heidari The future is looking very bright for Shayan Heidari. With show-stopping performances on TVA’s recently revitalized Star Académie and an inspiring new collab with rapper, Majhool, 2021 promises to be a watershed year for the up-and-coming music creator. Follow Shayan on Instagram / Facebook / Facebook (Enlight) /Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube For Shayan Heidari, opportunity is knocking…hard. […]
Amplify Featured: Sage Dyck RAC student Sage Dyck, aka thankshollow, is already putting his newfound production skills to good use with his brand-new single, “alkaline”. The track, which combines hip hop, alt-rock, and pop, is just a tease of what’s coming from the talented creator in 2021. Follow Sage on Instagram / Facebook / Spotify / Apple Music It could be said that […]
Amplify Featured: La-Nai Gabriel RAC alum La-Nai Gabriel is on a musical voyage. Drawing inspiration from pandemic-induced isolation and a little Star Trek binge-watching, she boldly explores new sonic landscapes as laaain. Her new single, “Planet Surface”, lands on February 5th ahead of her sci-fi-infused EP, Away Mission, coming this June! Follow La-Nai on Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / Website / Instagram […]
Amplify Featured: Beatcotheque Alex Urdininea has got his hands full. Between his songwriting and production work as Beatcotheque and as one half of the pop duo, The Retrogradez, the RAC alum has no shortage of infectious new singles planned for 2021. Follow Beatcotheque on Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram / Facebook Follow The Retrogradez on Spotify / Amazon Music / Instagram More than anything else, Alex Urdininea […]
Amplify Featured: Karlos Danklou Inspired by artists such as Salif Kaeïta, Enya, and Avicii, RAC grad Karlos Danklou, aka Kaarlojam, pays homage to Mother Africa with a message of unity through music. Combining spiritual elevation with frenzied rhythms, Karlos’ upcoming record promises to be a must-hear for fans of Afro-world music and eclectic sounds. Follow Karlos on Spotify / Apple Music […]
Amplify Featured: Daniel Zebouni 2020 was not an easy year for Daniel Zebouni. In the face of tragedy and the social isolation caused by the global pandemic, the RAC alum is kicking back with a new musical project, Frequenzee, and a hard-hitting new single, “Bonehead”. The release of the new track is just the tip of the iceberg in […]
Amplify Featured: A.J. Rettger RAC grad A.J. Rettger has just released his first novel, Oathbreaker, proving that a little adversity, frustration, and a touch of pettiness can work wonders on motivation. With a second title and an ongoing recording project in the works, 2021 is poised to be a productive year for the multi-talented creator. Follow A.J. on Instagram (Author Account) / Instagram (Producer Account) / […]
Amplify Featured: Treh LaMonte With a recent collab with American R&B songwriter/producer Tank and his first full-length album coming in 2021, Treh LaMonte wants to put Montreal R&B on the map. Follow Treh on Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud / Amazon Music / Instagram / Facebook The Montreal R&B scene is hurting. While the city continues to be a haven for indie rockers, the […]
Amplify Featured: Kinkade Davis Kinkade is back with a string of fresh singles that continue to pay homage to the look and feel of 90s hip hop. He rounds out the year with new tracks, “Never Would Have” and the on-brand nostalgia trip, “Timing”. Follow Kinkade on Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud / Amazon Music / Instagram / Facebook RAC grad Kinkade Davis has […]
Amplify Featured: Caleigh Barker With the Spotify play count rapidly rising on contagious singles like “With You,” “Treehouse,” and her latest, “Lonely Lover Man,” Caleigh Barker is poised to make some serious waves with the release of her new EP in early 2021. Follow Caleigh on: Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook That Caleigh Barker […]
Amplify Featured: Alex Arena Enthralled by the pop icons of her youth, Toronto singer-songwriter Alex Arena parlayed her early love of poetry and singing into an intimate and personal songwriting style that grows more focussed and confessional with each new release. Follow Alex Arena on: Spotify / Apple Music / Bandcamp / Facebook / Instagram Like so many musicians […]
Amplify Featured: NUNNE With an unabashed admiration for sonic experimenters like Thom Yorke and Amy Winehouse, NUNNE creates music that weaves between multiple music genres, creating a sound that is at once familiar but altogether fresh-sounding and hard to pin down. Listen to NUNNE on all platforms Being born into a family of passionate music lovers comes with […]
Amplify Featured: Sir Louie Sir Louie’s influences are eclectic and genre-spanning. From Bob Marley to Kanye West to Erykah Badu and Rage Against the Machine, his admiration for artists who push the envelope is reflected in his fresh take on hip hop. Follow Sir Louie on: Soundcloud / Spotify / Apple Music It’s taken little more than two short years […]
Learn The Sound of 007 Lush orchestration, driving electric guitar, tense rhythms, and dramatic string arrangements have become synonymous with ‘spy music’ thanks to the decades-long work of the Bond film series. With 25 official films on its roster including the forthcoming No Time To Die, the James Bond franchise spans an ever-growing fictional universe. Building a strong brand identity […]
Learn Introduction to Deathstep feat TenGraphs Deathstep artist TenGraphs reflects that the genre “is very dark, aggressive, visceral. It comes from emotions of anger, fear and hatred. It embodies those emotions with very harsh tonalities and brutal arrangements.” In other words, deathstep is the emotional exorcism you didn’t know you longed for, filled with precise and hard-hitting sound design aimed at […]
Work Break into the music industry as a songwriter A career as a songwriter is a rewarding and beautiful ride, with plenty of exciting projects to pursue. From scoring a soundtrack for the next big blockbuster to penning a jingle for your local radio show, there are many directions a songwriter can travel. Before you can jump into your first big gig, however, there […]
Learn Sampled by Dr. Dre Dr. Dre, whose personal music collection included an alleged 80,000 records, has an almost encyclopaedic musical knowledge and fine-tuned ear for killer hooks. His ability to discover and revive older music helped him become the wildly successful producer that he is today. In this article, we’ll look at some of Dre’s most influential songs, and review how his […]
Learn Polykrome’s Guide to establishing a unique sound palette Creating a unique visual brand for yourself in the music industry helps set you apart from the crowd. But, equally important is your sonic brand. The sounds you develop and use in your music will play a key role in shaping you as an artist. Let’s look at how I developed my sound palette for “Braindeath”. Step […]
Learn Evolution of Hip Hop As we approach rap’s 50th anniversary, Evolution of Hip Hop chronicles the history of the genre’s early days in New York City to its present day domination of the pop charts. In 2018, hip hop replaced rock music as the best-selling genre of music in America, marking an incredible rise in popularity that all started […]
Learn Polykrome’s Guide to producing compelling electronic music Today I’m going to break down “Braindeath”, a song I recently released on Dack Janiels and Wenzday’s label 40 Oz Cult. I’ll go over my approach to producing compelling music in the absence of vocals or other dominant melodic voices, from establishing my sound palette, to composing and arranging my song, to the final mix. […]
Learn How Auto-Tune changed music It’s a technology of perfection that’s been called both the electric guitar of our age and one of history’s worst inventions. Auto-Tune, and its underlying pitch-correction technology, have forever changed the music industry. Initially meant to help recording engineers and artists reduce the time needed to get the perfect take, pitch correction software has become […]
Learn How Midi changed music The music creation process has changed a lot over the past 50-odd years, as music technology has shifted from an analog reality to a digital one. Whereas sheet music, guitar tabs or even simpler notation is used by performers playing acoustic or electric instruments, midi now offers a similar language for digital devices to play the music […]
Learn Evolution of House Music This series celebrates house music’s 40th anniversary by offering a glimpse into its early roots and chronicling its rapid growth; from the ashes of disco, to the dominant family of genres it has since become. The rise and fall of disco in popular music left clubs with a shrinking supply of new dance music at […]
Work Building your network for artistic success Nowadays, talented artists are everywhere: online, at your local coffee shop, or busking in the street. Unfortunately, many don’t go much further than that for reasons that have very little to do with talent. Building Your Network for Artistic Success Building a strong network is absolutely essential in creating a name for yourself as an […]
Learn Start using metaphors to create catchy lyrical hooks To improve your songwriting, start using metaphors that turn imagery and emotion into catchy lyrical hooks. The goal of your music is always to get listeners coming back for more, and when it comes to catchy lyrical hooks, short and memorable is the name of the game. There’s no better way to masterfully create catchy […]
Work Break into the video game industry as a composer In the past two decades, video game composers and sound designers have become major players in the entertainment industry. Music has always been an integral part of the gaming experience, but it hasn’t alwaysbeen a viable or common career path for music creators. These days, composers are creating sweeping scores for elaborate worlds and have become a fundamental […]
Learn Start using sidechain compression for more oomph in your mix Do you ever feel like your kick drum and bass are behaving like two children fighting for the front seat of the car? Using effective sidechaining techniques, you can get them acting more like best friends. Sidechain compression is a technique as old as signal processing itself, yet its purpose and use remain a mystery to many emerging […]
Learn Inside the world’s most popular Christmas song With the holiday season upon us, let’s take a look at the best selling Christmas single in the 21st century, Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You. Bing Crosby’s White Christmas is still the #1 selling Christmas song of all time, but when it comes to the modern era, nothing comes close to […]
Amplify Eddy : Elevating Nigeria’s music scene Eddy Brarhovwe is a Nigerian songwriter, keyboardist, vocalist, and coach whose passion for music stems from the Gospel Church. Rhythm is woven into the fabric of African culture, and Eddy approaches his music that way – he distinctly plays harmonic instruments like the piano with a percussive feel. Eddy plans to use the skills he acquired at […]
Learn How to create emotion in music: Tranquillity Imagine a serene environment; you’re lying on a beach as soft sunlight reflects off the water’s surface, and you drift into a deep and introspective meditation. Now, imagine trying to recreate that sense of calm through music. What are the elements that go into producing that tranquil feeling in music? Slow tempos, consonant harmony, repetition, […]
Amplify Pineapple Destruction: The Man Behind The Pineapple Mask Pineapple Destruction, who wishes to conceal his true identity, is a recent graduate of RAC and electronic music DJ; born in Rimouski and raised in Ottawa where he got his start in music creating and experimenting with beats. Knowing that making a living as a DJ is tough sledding these days, Laurier is constantly working […]
Learn Beginners Guide to Listening Levels Imagine completing your latest project after a long day of mixing, cranking the volume knob up to 10 and appreciating your hard day’s work. Who doesn’t love blaring their speakers to an awesome mix once in awhile? But doing so could mean more than missing out on the perfect mix, it could also cost […]
Amplify Jordan Duguay: From his recent misfortune to his early beginnings and what the RAC philosophy means to him Despite landing what was arguably one of basketball’s greatest moments this month, Kwahi Leonard from the Toronto Raptors is known for his zen approach to life, detaching himself from all of the highs and lows of working in an emotionally demanding industry. RAC’s philosophy reflects the ideals that Kwahi lives by. Here, we approach our […]
Amplify Grad Profile on Dimitri Marshall On successfully launching a second career in sound design Once a passionate forest firefighter, Dimitri Marshall suddenly felt the need for a change after attending an electronic music festival in his hometown of Nelson, British Columbia. “I remember hearing Dubstep for the first time and was interested in how they made those sounds and wanted […]
Learn Creating a Big Room Sound with Plugins Most modern recording sessions don’t take place in big budget studios like they once did. These days, it’s hardly a limitation any more, compared to when consumer recording interfaces first hit the market. CPU processing and plugin algorithms have come a long way in just a short amount of time. We have access to some […]
Learn Common Mistakes that Make Mixing Harder Whether you’re a sound engineer or musician, it is very important to consider the journey that a production goes through from start to finish before hitting record. After recording thousands of tracking sessions, I have come to find that it’s very counterproductive to treat your tracking, mixing and mastering sessions as completely separate steps in […]
Learn How to create emotion in music: Rage How to create emotion in music: Rage Rage is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as extreme or violent anger. Rage can be very difficult for music creators to capture in their work, as there’s a lot more to it than screaming or just making everything louder (although that’s definitely part of it). To provide some […]
Learn Mixing Bass Guitar: Pro Tips I recently shared some tips for sound engineers working with a bass guitar on how to adapt their tracking techniques to different playing styles. But there is still a whole lot that goes on in a mix session to make the instrument sit just right for the song. Do you want the instrument to dominate […]
Learn Top 10 Reverb Plugins for Music Production Reverb helps to create space and depth within a mix. It’s an invaluable tool because it creates an environment for the vocalist/instrumentalist to live in. Your choice of reverb has a huge influence on the vibe and spatial chemistry of your track. Think to yourself, “what kind of sound stage do I want to create […]
Learn Problem Areas When Equalizing Vocals Mixing the lead vocal track is often considered the most difficult part of a production. It’s usually the absolute focus and forefront of the song and it can set the tone for the quality of the recording. A great vocal track can make an otherwise mediocre album pop and come to life. Conversely, a poorly-produced […]
Learn Optimizing Your Room for Pro Vocals There can be a lot of variables that shift around from session to session when it comes to pro vocal recordings. The microphone, preamp, position, and voice selection will all switch up depending on the aesthetic of the song. However, one thing stays incredibly consistent in all of these ever-changing decisions: How well the […]
Learn Understanding Proximity Effect One of the most important skills to learn as a tracking engineer is the fine art of microphone placement. Getting a great sound takes a lot more work than just dropping a mic in a room and pointing it at what you want to record. It’s a skill you want to develop by using your […]
Learn The Colourful World of Microphone Preamps An often overlooked consideration of a recording chain is the brand of pre-amplifier you decide to use when bringing your signals up to a usable level. I spend just as much time considering this as I do when selecting the microphones I will use. I always have a thorough conversation with the artists I am […]
Learn Are your Mixes Loud Enough? Do you often find yourself replaying your mixes and find them flat compared to other radio finished songs? If this sounds familiar, then your mixes may not be loud enough. The fact of the matter is; whether your background is technical, musical or otherwise, loudness can greatly affect our perception of music due to psychoacoustic […]
Learn Entry-Level Audio Interfaces Worth Checking Out The audio interface, a central hub of connectivity in any budding home studio, is a crucial starter piece of equipment. Investing in a quality interface will always be worth your while, but if you’re building your home studio on a budget, we’ve rounded up five options that you can find at a great price. Let’s […]
Learn Cable Management for Beginners: Tips and Tricks for your Production Stage Managing cable lines, while an entirely fundamental concept, is a step in production stage building that is often overlooked. Proper technique in cable management can enhance the appearance and safety of the event while differentiating an amateur production stage from a professional one. Part 1: Floor Cable ManagementThere are two main forms of floor […]
Learn iZotope Trash 2 Distortion Plug-in Review Dating back 15 years ago, iZotope released its renowned plugin Trash, only to wait 10 years for releasing its new version of Trash 2 at the end of 2012. Why is this plugin recognized and used by engineers and sound designers? Let’s take a look. What is Trash?Trash is known for being the most comprehensive […]
Learn Home Studio Layout: Vocal Tracking for Under $1000 Building a home studio is a common dream for any music creator or audio enthusiast. Today we will break down two common setups that homeowners will commonly have for vocal tracking while working with a $1000 budget. Part I: Layout and Acoustic Treatment The two scenarios we will analyze are: A room which is […]
Learn Entry-Level Microphones for your Home Studio One of the most cherished pieces of gear that a recording artist can own is the sensory piece of hardware that connects reality to the electrical and digital realm; the microphone. Like most audio hardware and instruments, each make and model has its own flavour, so that leaves a recording artist with tough decisions […]
Learn Ableton Live – Working Faster Using Default Templates Templates help you work faster and get into a creative mood quicker when you have an idea. That said, it is important to be careful not to fall into a pattern of only using the same sounds for all of your projects or tracks. The following tips are based on Ableton Live 9 and […]
Learn Audio Interface vs. Audio Mixer: Which is Right for You? With today’s access to a wealth of information online, it is easier than ever to build a portfolio of work in a home studio if you’re an aspiring music creator or recording engineer. Recording from home can be as simple as getting a microphone, computer and an recording device. As with much of your equipment, […]
Learn Unleash Your Creativity With Sound Design Sound design is the process of creating a new sound, or morphing a sound into something else altogether. You can use samplers, synthesizers, instruments, or any other sound-making or sound altering device. The beauty of having such an open canvas and so many different tools at your fingertips is that you can experiment and be […]
Learn Creating a Transition using Reverse Reverb There are many ways to create transitions between sections in a song. Regular reverb may be the most widely used, however, one of my favourite ways that I find easy to implement is a long reverse reverb. In the example below, I create one using a crash sample, a reverb with a long decay, and […]
Work Breaking into the Industry: Top Tips for Your Resume A CV is one of the most important elements in your professional profile. Getting it right will take many revisions, a lot of research, and a bit of trial and error, but will pay off in separating a good candidate from a great one (you!) in the hiring process. Here are some top tips for […]
Amplify Recording Arts Canada Grads and where they work. Here’s a partial list of Recording Arts Canada grads and the labels, studios, live sound, major media broadcasters, film post production, game design, and many other creative organizations around the world. Want to join this growing list of succes stories? Click here to apply to RAC. RAC Toronto Graduates and Where They Work: Adam Herdman […]
Learn Introduction to the EXS24 instrument editor part 2 Join RAC Graduate and instructor Patrick Steele, as he further demonstrates a beginners tutorial on programming the EXS24 sampler. Patrick goes through the process of importing his own samples to create an original and authentic sound! How can I further manipulate my drum tone with the EXS24 sampler? The EXS24 sampler has a few functions […]
Amplify RAC Grad Luke Leveille’s credits include Drake, Wiley, and other outstanding artists. RAC grad Luke Leveille has worked with artists Drake, Wiley, Ghostface Killah, P. Reign, The Weeknd, Gentlemen Husbands, Majid Jordan, and producers Noah “40” Shebib, Boy1da, Carlos Illangelo, Damon Sharpe, Pro Logic and Gavin Brown, to name a few. Luke discusses the path that led him to working with some world renowned artists and producers. […]
Learn Tips and Techniques #004: Behind the scenes with a Morning Show Radio Producer! During the first part of the Paul Awad Workshop (Beat 92.5 – Morning Show Radio Producer) at RAC, Paul spoke about some of the positions he had when he first started working in radio, followed by revealing some of his own techniques and others he learned along the way from his co-workers. What’s an imaging […]
Learn Bringing life to a mix, a beat maker’s world During the first part of the Sean Paine Workshop (credits: Gucci, Future, Young Thug, 2Chainz, Migos, Fetty Wap, Waka, Sosa, and more) at RAC, Sean spoke about his journey through the industry and how he started, followed by revealing some of his own techniques. As most engineers start out, Sean stuck to a certain guideline […]
Learn Working with distorted vocal tracks During the first part of the Sean Paine Workshop (credits: Gucci, Future, Young Thug, 2Chainz, Migos, Fetty Wap, Waka, Sosa, and more) at RAC, Sean spoke about his journey through the industry and how he started, followed by revealing some of his own techniques. As most engineers start out, Sean stuck to a certain guideline […]
Learn Getting Wider Reverbs During the first part of the Sean Paine Workshop (credits: Gucci, Future, Young Thug, 2Chainz, Migos, Fetty Wap, Waka, Sosa, and more) at RAC, Sean spoke about his journey through the industry and how he started, followed by revealing some of his own techniques. As most engineers start out, Sean stuck to a certain guideline […]
Amplify Astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield w/ RAC grad Luke Leveille RAC Sound and Recording graduate, recording engineer Luke Leveille and Canada’s “singing astronaut” Colonel Chris Hadfield addressed a conference of 500 school counselors this month in Toronto. On November 10, 2014 the Ontario School Counselors Association (OSCA) hosted its annual conference at the International Plaza in Toronto. This OSCA conference was titled Creating Pathways to […]
Learn An International Experience: Mixing Music Around the World Fali Damania, Recording Arts Canada Graduate, left India in 2003 to enroll in the Sound and Music Recording program at RAC. Today, the RAC graduate is touring all across the world as a live sound engineer. One of his is biggest gigs was in front of a packed house in Toronto’s Rogers Centre. Damania says: […]
Amplify Recording Arts Canada Student Review: 2013 RAC Montreal grad and Juno nominated Roxanne Potvin Originally from Hull, Quebec, Roxanne has laid roots in Montreal and is a 2013 graduate of RAC Montreal. “The idea to come to recording school came very suddenly. Last summer, I was sort of reflecting for a while on what my next step was going to be. “I knew I wanted to do something music […]
Amplify RAC Montreal 16th Concert Series – Urban Music 16th RAC Concert a huge success. Earlier this week RAC students and staff put on an amazing show featuring some of Montreal’s best up and coming Hip Hop and Urban artists. RAC students delivered great sound and near flawless production for the packed house at la Sala Rossa. Featured acts included Safe in Sound, Serenity, […]
Amplify RAC Alumnus Interview: Mario Anzola What is your background in music prior to enrolling at RAC? “I learned to play classical guitar by the age of 13, by 15 I bought my first electric guitar and started to learn the riffs from Punk Rock bands. At 18 I was a part of a couple of bands and got into in […]
Amplify RAC Student Review: Patrice Lavoie I was on tour with Prince recently and I had the opportunity to be part of the team that was giving a concert at the White House for President Obama. I met the president and his wife. Very impressive, at least for me as a Canadian! Lol. It was a memorable experience. Prince is an […]
Amplify Recording Arts Canada Student Review: RAC Montreal Grad Alexis L. Lemay “I was fortunate to be hired by RDS through an internship offered by Recording Arts Canada for RDS. Since November 2014, I’ve worked in television for the Sports Network RDS, as an assistant audio technician”. What is your background (education, music, recording, personal)? My academic journey spanned from 2007 to 2009. I did a DEC […]
Amplify Patrick Ouellet takes the long road back to his musical roots Patrick Ouellet has had quite a journey the past few years. Patrick earned a BA, took a well paid government job, and then after some soul searching decided to leave his job and return to his musical roots in pursuit of his lifelong artistic goals. What was your background prior to enrolling at RAC? I’ve […]
Amplify RAC Digital Arts College Student Reviews featuring Leyshan Grant RAC Digital Arts College Student Reviews featuring Leyshan Grant of Turks & Caicos. Why did you choose to study Sound & Music Recording? I found it interesting. Not just sound but the process of how it’s made, produced, distributed etc. I saw it as an opportunity to further my own sound reinforcement company. What was […]
Amplify Recording Arts Canada Review: Stephen Williams: Running a successful record label. Stephen Williams, RAC graduate (2006) discusses how he started his own successful record label, his work as a producer, and his some of his music business experiences. “Developing authentic artists who define the next generation of music.”That’s Stephen Williams’ motto. It’s how he defines himself, his company and his mission.Stephen Williams, a Recording Arts Canada […]
Amplify RAC Digital Arts College Student Review featuring Rennie Williams of Antiqua Why are you studying Sound & Music Recording? I want an education so I can record and produce music. I’m a musician first and music is a part of who I am. Knowing how sound & music works is important for my career. Why did you choose RAC? My friend Max, who’s also at […]
Amplify Richard Braganza of India International Student Reviews for RAC Digital Arts College featuring Richard Braganza of India, a Recording Arts Canada student. Why are you studying Sound & Music Recording? I’m interested in being a front of house (FOH) engineer. I’ve always been a stage tech but now I want to be FOH and monitor mix engineer. Ultimately I […]
Amplify RAC Digital Arts College Student Reviews with Freddy Jesus Arevalo Gonzalez of Venezuela Why are you studying Sound & Music Recording? I love music and I wanted to go to the best college. For me music is life. Everything is music. I’m a lawyer but what I really want to do is music professionally and become a music producer. What better way than through RAC, the best recording […]
Amplify Recording Arts Canada Student Review: Paul Fitz of the Netherlands Why are you studying Sound & Music Recording? I want to know how music works in terms of sound. I’ve been composing but without a technical background and I needed a deeper understanding of sound as it relates to music. What is your goal? I’m an auditory person and my goal is to completely understand […]
Amplify Recording Arts Canada Toronto Review: Koal Harrison What was your experience like at RAC? “RAC was a really incredible experience. It was great. I feel like one of the biggest benefits of going to Recording Arts Canada was meeting talented people and staff, as they were all really knowledgeable and opened my mind to different facets of music and sound that I […]
Amplify RAC Alumnus Interview: Carl Johnson What is your background in Audio prior to enrolling to RAC? “Electronic music / DJing – got into corporate side of things.” What kind of projects did you do before graduating from RAC? “Before RAC was mainly in-class projects. I was young, and didn’t have much experience.” What was your experience like at RAC? “Great. […]