Orientation to the Recording Studio

Whether you’re stepping into a professional studio for the first time or building your own recording setup at home, Orientation to the Recording Studio is your essential guide to understanding the tools, techniques, and theory behind modern audio production. Led by experienced engineer and educator Vinnie Pagano, this course offers a practical, comprehensive introduction to the studio environment—designed to help aspiring producers, musicians, and engineers gain confidence and competence in every stage of the recording process.

Across a structured curriculum, Vinnie walks you through the key components of a working studio—from understanding signal flow and studio gear to exploring the physical properties of sound. You’ll learn how audio is measured, how our ears perceive it, and the differences between analog and digital workflows. The course also covers an overview of microphones, cables, and mic placement, giving you the technical foundation needed to make smart recording choices based on source, room, and sonic goals.

Once the groundwork is laid, you’ll dive into the digital domain, learning how to navigate a DAW (specifically Pro Tools), set up sessions, and record or mix tracks with clarity and purpose. The final lessons focus on mixing theory, the role of dynamic and spectral processing, and a crash course in mastering. Whether you’re recording your first demo, assisting in a commercial studio, or just curious about how records are made, this course provides the knowledge and vocabulary you need to thrive in any studio setting.