New Courses 2025:

Berlin School of Sound Winter Course Program 2025

“Make some Waves”

Duration: October 1 – December 24, 2025 (12 weeks)

Format: 3 groups of 7-10 students each

Schedule:

Group 1: Mondays 17:30-21:30

Group 2: Tuesdays 17:30-21:30

Group 3: Wednesdays 17:30-21:30

Total: 11 sessions × 4 hours = 44 hours per group

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LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Create original sound art compositions using various techniques
Operate modular synthesizers and electronic music equipment
Understand historical and theoretical contexts of sound art
Develop personal artistic voice and methodology
Professional music production, mixing, and mastering skills
Understanding of music business and AI tools in production
Knowledge of interactive audio for games and media
Document and present their artistic work professionally

Course Structure (12 weeks)
MODULE I: SOUND ART FOUNDATIONS (Weeks 1-3)
Instructor: TBC
Week 1: Introduction to Sound Art
History and theory of sound art
Semiotics of sound
Analysis of pioneering works (Henri Chopin, Isidore Isou)
Deep listening exercises
Introduction to experimental composition
Week 2: Text and Sound as Intermedia
Sound poetry fundamentals
Experimental spoken word techniques
Hands-on microphone and voice recording
Basic audio editing principles
Language-based sound works

Week 3: Expanded DJing Techniques
Prepared turntables methodology
Advanced DJ setup with 8 turntables
Loop structures in contemporary sound poetry
Practical exercises with vinyl manipulationSound publishing concepts

MODULE II:
MODULAR SYNTHESIS & ELECTRONICS (Weeks 4-6)
Instructor: Katharina Bévand

Week 4: Introduction to Modular Synthesizers
Modular synthesis fundamentals
Patch cables and signal routing
Oscillators, filters, envelope generators
Creating first ambient/drone compositions
Understanding voltage control

Week 5: Noise, Experimental, Drone
Aesthetics of noise and experimental music
Generative art and machine authorship
Long-form compositional techniques
Collaborative sound creation
The sublime in sonic atmospheres

MODULE IV: MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN FOR GAMES

Week 6: Field Recordings & Extended Techniques
Advanced field recording methods
Space and object resonance exploration
Processing field recordings electronically
Site-specific sound installation concepts
Aural architecture principles

Week 7 : Game Audio & Interactive Sound Music for games:
FMOD, Unreal Engine, Wwise (Guest Instructor)
Interactive audio design and implementation
Adaptive music systems and triggers
Game sound effects and environmental audio

MODULE IV: PERFORMANCE & MEDIA ART
Instructor:

Week 8: Audio-visual Installation, Performance & Documentation
Fundamentals of audio-visual installation art
Spatial sound design for gallery spaces
Performance art with sound elements
Body, voice, and space in performance
Professional documentation techniques for live art Creating performance portfolios

MODULE V: PRODUCTION & TECHNOLOGY (Weeks 8-11)
Instructors: Henning Grambow, Vojto Monteur

Week 9: Electronic Music Production
Music production fundamentals (Henning Grambow)
Studio workflow and creative processes
Abletone Live
Logic pro x
Recording techniques

Week 10: Advanced Music Production
Professional mixing techniques and workflow (Guest Instructor)
Mastering principles and chain processing
AI plugins in mixing: practical applications
Music business basics: publishing, sync-licensing, royalties
Sound design for film and media (Henning Grambow)

Week 11:
Session Content:

Part 1: Advanced Mixing (2 hours)
• Parallel Processing Techniques – parallel compression, EQ, and effects
• Creative Sound Design in Mixing – using mixing as a compositional tool
• Spatial Audio Mixing – stereo imaging, mid-side processing, binaural techniques
• Problem Solving – dealing with difficult recordings and frequency conflicts
• Hands-on: Students mix their own compositions from previous weeks

Part 2: Professional Mastering (2 hours)
• Mastering Chain Architecture – EQ, compression, saturation, limiting in sequence
• Reference Standards – LUFS, dynamics, frequency analysis
• Genre-Specific Mastering – different approaches for experimental vs. commercial music
• Mastering for Different Formats – streaming, vinyl, digital release preparation
• AI Mastering Tools – when to use them, limitations, hybrid approaches

Week 12: Project Finalization & Professional Development
Final project mixing and mastering (Henning Grambow & Vojto Monteur)
Professional presentation and portfolio development
Industry networking and career guidance
Music publishing and distribution strategies
Creating professional demo reels FINAL PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Each student will create:
5-10 minute sound composition/installation
Written documentation of creative processShort presentation of concept and methodology
Technical rider for live performance (if applicable)

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM ELEMENTS
Guest Lectures from international sound artists
Collaborative Projects between different groups
Final Concert at Kunsthaus ACUD (December 29, 2025)
Group Critiques and peer feedback sessions
Technical Workshops with specialized equipment

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Create original sound art compositions using various techniques
Operate modular synthesizers and electronic music equipment
Understand historical and theoretical contexts of sound art
Develop personal artistic voice and methodology
Professional music production, mixing, and mastering skills
Understanding of music business and AI tools in production
Knowledge of interactive audio for games and media
Document and present their artistic work professionally

PREREQUISITES & REQUIREMENTS
Basic computer literacy
Openness to sonic experimentation
Willingness to collaborate in group settings
Basic English proficiency (for technical instructions)
Own headphones (professional recommended)
Notebook for reflection and documentation

EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS PROVIDED
Access to modular synthesizer systems (studio)
Professional recording equipment
Field recording devices
Microphones and audio interfaces
Mixing desk and monitors
Vinyl turntables and DJ equipment

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Participation & Engagement (30%)
Weekly Exercises (30%)
Final Project (40%)

VENUE
Kunsthaus ACUDVeteranenstraße 21
10119 Berlin Mitte

This intensive 12-week program combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice, connecting students with Berlin’s vibrant experimental music and sound art community while developing their individual artistic voice.

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Berlin School of Sound

…is an artist-run education project offering practice-led training in sound art, sound design, experimental music composition and audio production. This includes multi-week courses, workshops, masterclasses, intensives, and more. In these courses, basic knowledge is taught: Sound and sound art, acoustic art, media art, radio drama, performance, installation, audio production, analog sound synthesis (e.g. through modular synthesizers), programming and digital processing, AI music, spatial and site-specific concepts and transcultural artistic practices. The focus is on creative and artistic aspects. Our courses prepare students for various professional activities, e.g. sound artist, composer, sound designer, podcaster, director (radio play, game, video and film). Our approach combines theory, practice and active listening. Our teaching includes practical exercises, technical know-how, basic physical knowledge, role-playing and research in individual and group work, as well as discussions, lectures, professional networking and self-management.

Individual Tutoring Program

You can sign up for individual tutoring with our instructors upon request. Many are experienced professors, researcher, and/or renowned artists from the vibrant Berlin culture landscape. We can give you the training you need in media and artistic production in sound in order to reach your goals whatever your background, produce work you love, and have an inspiring exchange of ideas along the way. We can also help you gain the knowledge and make connections you need to enter a professional career track without cumbersome academic rigamarole. Please contact us for details.

Workshops, Seminars and Courses on a practice-based Program

The Berlin School of Sound offers an education in sound art, sound design, music composition, audio production and other related skills through courses given at different times in the year. We periodically offer workshops and seminars and intensive 8-week courses and summer programs. Key skill areas include basic tools of sound, sound art and sound studies, analog synthesis, programming and digital processing, AI music, spatial and site-specific audio, composition, audio production and transcultural sound practices.

Acud Club

During most workshops, seminars or intensive courses, you can present your work at the end alongside that of other participants and our mentors in one of our showcase evenings in the renowned Acud Club in Berlin, Mitte. This is the core feature of our practice-based philosophy: make work you love as the focus of the courses, and perform/exhibit it for the public as soon as possible, in order to learn and grow artistically while part of a supportive community.

Studio Project Courses

You can sign up for a Studio Project Course utilizing our professional recording studio. Final work on the Studio Project Course can be presented in the Acud Macht Neu Club. This structure may be changed to accommodate the experience level  or needs of a particular student. Please contact us to inquire.

Your work can potentially be showcased at an event at the Errant Sound gallery or you can have the opportunity to produce a show for our radio program with Colaboradio on FRBB 88.4. Some of our alumni have featured in our sponsored festivals. We aim to launch your artistic career by gaining access to prestigious institutions with an impressive portfolio.

Since we have relationships with other university, residency, performance and art institutions in Berlin and beyond, both our class-based or individual-based tuition can be specifically geared towards goals like getting you ready for application tests at institutions like the UdK Berlin, or a funded Ph.D. program in the USA, or alternatively by giving you the know-how you require to apply for internships at galleries, project spaces, recording studios, production houses or participation in important festivals like CTM / Club Transmediale or others.