Music Production Masterclasses
at Curtis Schwartz Studio
A professional recording studio environment where students can see how records are really made.
Learn how records are really made
Learn how records are really made
This summer, I’ll be running small, practical masterclasses at Curtis Schwartz Studio for young musicians, songwriters, bands, producers and music students.
These are hands-on sessions in a real working recording studio, not lectures.
You’ll see how music is recorded, produced, mixed and mastered using professional equipment in a proper studio environment.
What you will learn
Masterclasses can cover:
• Pro Tools in real recording sessions
• Microphone choice and placement
• Recording bands and live instruments
• Songwriting and arrangement
• Record production
• Mixing, EQ and compression
• Mastering and preparing music for release
• How to listen and make better production decisions
Pro Tools in the real world
We will explore how professional sessions are organised, including editing, comping, routing, click tracks, headphone mixes and recording live instruments.
This is especially useful if you already use Logic, GarageBand, Ableton or another DAW and want to understand how professional studio sessions are run.
Microphone technique
We will explore microphone choices and placement for drums, piano, guitars, vocals and room sound, and how small movements can completely change the sound of a recording.
Hands-on music production learning in a real working studio.
Learn why microphone choice and position can completely change the sound.
Band recording and production
We will look at recording bands, capturing performances, arrangement, production decisions, dynamics and how to help a song become the best version of itself.
Working with musicians in the control room, exploring performance, arrangement and production as the track comes together.
Songwriting, mixing and mastering
Sessions can also cover songwriting structure, mixing, EQ, compression, balance, depth, mastering and how to prepare music properly for release.
The focus is practical understanding — not just which plug-ins to use, but how to listen and make good decisions.
Learn how balance, EQ, compression and listening decisions help a track become a finished record.
Who the masterclasses are for
These sessions are suitable for:
• Young musicians aged around 14+
• GCSE, A-level and college music students
• Songwriters, singers and bands
• Young producers using Logic, GarageBand, Ableton or Pro Tools
• Schools and music departments
• Adults who want to understand recording and production more clearly
You do not need to be an expert. You just need to be genuinely interested.
A real studio environment
Curtis Schwartz Studio is a professional residential recording studio in West Sussex, established in 1984.
The studio includes a large live room, a professional control room, Pro Tools Ultimate, high-end microphones, a 9ft Hamburg Steinway D concert grand piano, and Dolby Atmos monitoring.
Over the years I have worked as a producer, recording engineer, mixer, mastering engineer and composer on a wide range of projects including records by major artists, jazz musicians, bands, film and television music.
The live room at Curtis Schwartz Studio, with the Steinway Concert Grand Piano and space for real recording sessions.
Small groups, practical learning
Masterclasses are usually run in small groups so there is time to ask questions, hear what is happening properly, and talk through your own music or recordings.
Depending on the session, you may be able to:
• Watch a live recording setup
• Hear different microphone positions
• Compare raw and mixed recordings
• See a Pro Tools session being built
• Learn how EQ and compression affect the sound
• Talk through your own songs or recordings
The goal is for you to leave with a clearer understanding of how records are made, and with ideas you can take back to your own music.
Summer masterclasses
Sessions can be arranged for individuals, small groups, bands or schools during the summer holidays.
For under-18s, enquiries are welcome from parents, guardians or schools.
Workshop dates and pricing
Small-group masterclasses are offered at accessible rates, with dates arranged during the summer holidays.
Please get in touch for current availability, group sizes and pricing.
Enquire about a masterclass
To ask about availability, prices or possible dates, please use the contact form or email the studio.
Tell me your age or level, what music you are interested in, what instrument you play, and whether you are most interested in recording, Pro Tools, production, mixing, songwriting or the whole process.
I’d be very happy to help you find the right session.
Sessions can be arranged as half-day, full-day or bespoke small-group masterclasses.
For under-18s, enquiries are welcome from parents, guardians or schools.
Also available: Songwriting Workshops
Small-group songwriting workshops are also available during the summer holidays for singers, musicians, writers and producers who want to develop ideas, collaborate and record demos in the studio.