Step-By-Step Sound Design

How to create better sound design quicker, and with more confidence

It's Akash Thakkar's Face!

This course is currently closed for enrollment. Join the waiting list to be notified when it opens up!

When we're sitting down to work, starting at a blank DAW can be daunting
There are so many possibilities for the sounds we can create. Where should we even start? What will sound good? How can we make sure that the sounds we make won't come across as thin and weak sounding?

This is the common struggle of many beginning to intermediate sound designers
Even when we do make a great sound, it's hard to know how to recreate that level of quality over and over again - especially across multiple genres and types of sounds.

And in time, we start to wonder if we're improving at all
If some of our sounds are great, but we only get there randomly and with tons of wasted time and struggle, then we might wonder if we're really improving at all, and if all this time is worth it.

Introducing:
Step-By-Step Sound Design

Everything inside is laid out for you, and if you get the premium version of the course, I'll be there to offer feedback and guidance each step of the way.

Even looking high and low and trying to absorb as many sound design tutorials as you can, your improvement may not be as fast as you'd like. Why? Not because the tutorials are bad - in fact many are great, but because there's no system in how they're laid out.

However, there CAN be a process to all of this
Instead of just making sounds and hoping you get better, you can, step-by-step, follow a system that helps you create solid sound design from scratch every time you sit down to work. And no, you don't need to have any fancy gear, software, or sound effects libraries to do this.

And that's what this course helps you do
You'll be able to sit down, and know what to do next to work on your sound. Yes, you'll still need to experiment and play, but you'll have more confidence, focus, and direction in what you create - leaving you with better sounds in a much shorter timeframe.

All the Delicious Features of
Step-By-Step Sound Design

Know exactly what to do when it's time to create
Instead of opening a DAW and flailing around randomly, hoping that the sound you make will eventually turn out okay, this course provides you with simple practices and processes to keep you focused and ensures that your sounds are ready to ship.

Watch my workflows
A good demonstration can save hours and hours of learning. So, in this course you'll get to hear my thought process and watch my sound design methods right in front of you.

Have fun while practicing
We all know practice is essential... so why don't we do it enough? Well, frankly, most of the time it's boring and painful. Here, though, you'll be encouraged to practice sound design in fun, novel ways that will keep you motivated and energized.

Precise feedback directly from me (premium version exclusive)
If you join the premium version of this course, you will be able to join a Discord community where you can send me any sound design you create and get feedback from me for 30 days.

Grow with an introvert-friendly community (premium version exclusive)
Not only will you have access to me in the premium version of the course, but you will also be growing and learning alongside your fellow students - causing your sound design skill to grow ludicrously fast.

Go at your own pace
This is a self-paced video on demand course, so you'll be able to revisit it whenever you'd like. No need to be present at certain times, or show up to "class". Just jump in when you have the time, and it'll be here waiting for you.

Free upgrades to future versions
For trusting in me and jumping in to this first version of the course, you'll get upgrades to future versions of this course at no extra charge. The course will improve, and the price will drastically increase each time it is released to reflect that, but those who jump into this first cohort will never need to pay another dime for upgrades to this course.

Easy to follow, easy to finish
This isn't some gargantuan, 35-hour course that claims to teach you everything you need to know about sound design. No. Instead, this course will just give you exactly what you need to create better sound design, faster, and with less randomness.

What else will you learn in
Step-By-Step Sound Design?

  • The HMLS Technique: How to quickly make a rich, thick sound effect
  • Why practicing less will make us better sound designers
  • How to export your sound effects properly to be used in a game
  • Why we need to master both types of reverb
  • How to set up a proper sound design practice
  • How to blend various sounds together to make a cohesive whole
  • How to use sidechain triggering to create some crazy unique sounds
  • Why time stretching and shrinking algorithms are so important
  • How to use the 5 most important sound processing techniques
  • Why practicing with a timer will drastically enhance your skill

While there are plenty of sound design tutorials out there, most leave you to piece the information together yourself. Here, we follow a trusted, easy-to-follow sequence, so you know exactly what to do, and how to practice.

What's Inside
Step-By-Step Sound Design?

So many courses try to teach you everything, and thus make their course unfinishable. Here, we just have the exact video lessons you need to start making great sound, quickly.

Who Is This Course For?

  • Beginner to intermediate sound designers who want more speed, confidence, and skill when doing their work
  • Sound designers who want to feel more comfortable designing any sounds - not just those in a particular genre
  • Those who are willing to practice their craft up to 30 minutes a day
  • Sound designers who want to learn alongside a community of other designers, as well as get feedback from me (premium version only)

Who Isn't This Course For?

  • Advanced sound designers
  • Those who want to learn sound design skills using synthesizers. I'll have a course in 2022 to help with that!
  • Absolutely brand new sound designers who don't know how to use any DAW yet
  • Sound designers who want a single, giant course that will teach them everything about sound design. This course is small and focused so you can actually finish it and gain real skill from it quickly.

What's Unique about
Step-By-Step Sound Design?

Most other sound design tutorials just show you how to make a very specific sound - giving you skills that don't transfer from situation to situation. This course gives you a framework to follow so that when you're designing almost any sound, you'll know where to start.


FAQ

What if I'm a total beginner?

So long as you know the absolute basics of how to use your DAW of choice, you'll be able to follow along perfectly.

And for the best results, be sure you know some basic digital audio terms such as "plug-in", "sample rate", and "bit-depth."

What if I'm more advanced?

If you're more advanced, then this course won't be a good fit for you. This is for beginner to intermediate sound designers who know their way around a DAW, but feel like they're struggling to make great sounds.

How long is this course?

The entire course can be finished in just one afternoon. Does it teach *everything* you need to know about sound design? No. And that's actually the point. You'll be able to finish this course quickly, have fun practicing, and increase your skills rapidly without needing to slog through endless videos.

What gear/software do I need?

Only the absolute bare minimum. If you have a Mac or PC and any DAW (such as Reaper, Garageband, Logic, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Bitwig, Studio One, Digital Performer, etc.) you'll be able to follow along without issue.

Does it matter which DAW I use?

Not at all! This course is DAW agnostic so you can use any DAW you want. If you do not yet have one, then my personal favorite DAW, Reaper, offers a 60-day free trial (and is very cheap to purchase outright).

Which DAW does Akash use in the course?

Throughout the whole course, I'm using Reaper. But, if you are using any other DAW, you will be able to follow along without issue.

Are there class times, or is this course self-paced?

This course is an entirely self-paced video course. You can watch and rewatch the lessons whenever you like.

Can't I learn this all for free online?

While there are countless free sound design tutorials online, many of them only teach how to do one specific thing. This course teaches you sound design frameworks that will help you build a stronger base - a base that will give you more skill and confidence when making practically any sound.

When does enrollment close? When does it re-open?

Enrollment for this course closes down when it sells out (which will almost certainly take less than 24 hours).

Enrollment re-opens in mid-to-late 2022 at a significantly higher price (at least double, but likely much more).

How long do I have access to the course?

You have permanent access to this course! If you join the premium version, you'll also get 30 days of access to your fellow students and I via Discord. This is where you'll be able to learn as part of a group and ask me for any feedback you need.

What if I don't have any time?

The entirety of this course can be finished in just one afternoon. I kept it tiny not only so that you don't have to waste your time, but also so that you can get to making better sounds quickly. If you can spare even 15 minutes a day, you have enough time.

What if I need feedback on my sound design?

That's exactly what the premium version of this course is for! If you grab the premium version, you'll get 30-days of access to a private Discord community with your fellow students and I. I'll be in there every weekday (excluding US holidays) answering questions and giving feedback on any sound design you want to show me.


BONUSES

30 days of Discord Support
While learning to make great sound design is fantastic, it's always better to learn in a group setting - yes, even if you're an introvert like me. The premium version of this course features 30 days of access to your fellow students and I via Discord where you can share your work, and get precise, personalized feedback directly from me. You'll never be wondering what to do next to improve your skills.


Standard Version

I'm thrilled to have you inside the course! Here's just some of what you'll be getting inside the standard version:

  • Permanent Video Course Access
  • Access to Free Sound Libraries and Plugins
  • Sound Design Assignments for Each Module
  • Free upgrades to future versions of this course
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Premium Version

If you're pumped and ready to get into learning alongside myself and a group, this is the version for you! Here's just some of what you'll be getting inside the premium version:

  • Permanent Video Course Access
  • Access to Free Sound Libraries and Plugins
  • Sound Design Assignments for Each Module
  • Free upgrades to future versions of this course
  • Bonus: 30 Days of Discord Support