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Introduction to Creative Applications Technology (16+)

Short Study – Weekend Short Course

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Overview

This two-day workshop offers an introduction to different approaches to creating music in Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). Historically it is presumed that musicians and recording engineers are two very distinct skillsets. While specialising in either does take sustained and concentrated effort, as technology has become more accessible it has encouraged a new generation of music makers to take on both roles.

This course looks to address the gap between the technical skills still required to use a DAW and creativity in music making by showing creative approaches that make the most of the tools available and highlight approaches to workflow.

To fully embrace the creative aspect of the workshop, students will be tasked with completing short pieces of work, while developing their understanding of basic DAW techniques, and collaborating with other students in a safe, encouraging and supportive environment.

Students will also develop their understanding through listening to examples of work and examples of processed sound.

Learning Goals

  • Learn to listen to recordings analytically and identify basic production techniques; demonstrate this through discussion.
  • Become familiar with developing creative workflows; demonstrate this through discussion and presentation.
  • Become familiar with creating short pieces in time constraints; demonstrate this through recording, editing and exporting a work at the workshop.
  • Become familiar with collaborating with other producers; demonstrate this through sample production, export and import with appropriate deliverables.

Courses you may be interested in
We run a variety of different courses throughout the year, and update our programme regularly – you can find all courses by clicking here.

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Sign up to our mailing list to receive the latest updates of courses, offers and news from Short Courses. You can do this by completing this short online form found here.

Contact us
If you have any questions about this course before you book it, please get in touch with us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk.

The important details

Age:
16+

Cost:
£130

Date:
11 and 12 October 2025

Time:
Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 5pm

Venue:
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB

Course Information

Prospective students should be able to demonstrate basic capability of working with a DAW. This will be assessed by students submitting a short piece of work made in a DAW and a short report describing their process when completing the online booking form.

Musical ability does not need to be assessed for the needs of this course.

If you have any questions about this class or the support we can offer, please get in touch with us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk

  • Students should be prepared to do a short talk on creative work they are currently undertaking.
  • Plan and prepare to attend all classes.
  • Dress comfortably in clothes which are suitable for the activity you are taking part in.
  • Bring a notepad, folder for music and pen/pencil in case you wish to make notes.
  • Please bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated during your class.

This course is particularly beneficial to students, graduates and working-creatives who are keen to explore new techniques through demonstration, and take part in discussion to develop understanding of DAW concepts. These concepts include: recording, sound editing, sound manipulation, plugins and DAW management.

Students will engage in breakout groups to discuss their own approaches of making music and present their discussions to the whole group.

Students will engage in breakout groups to create music collaboratively, with guidance from the tutor.

Students will complete a short recorded piece of work through two production sessions at the end of each day (one for recording, one for mixing and exporting).

Example Schedule

10am – 1pm

  • Presentation and Discussion

2pm – 5pm 

  • Collaboration, Recording and Mixing

 

Further Information

We want to ensure as many children, young people and adult learners as possible can access the performing and production arts education that is offered through Short Courses at RCS. Financial support options available for Short Courses include:

Agnes Allan Bursary

Agnes Allan was a teacher, passionate about inclusion, and this bursary scheme exists to offer support to students to participate in the performing or production arts.

The Agnes Allan Bursary provides some support to students who may require financial assistance to take part in a short course in dance, drama, music, production or screen.

Anyone who wishes to take part in our Short Courses and faces a financial barrier can apply for bursary support to help meet the cost of tuition fees.

James McAvoy Drama Scholarships

BAFTA-winning and Golden Globe nominated actor James McAvoy is committed to nurturing the creative potential of young Scots who experience barriers to access and participate in drama at RCS Short Courses.

James is a graduate of the BA Acting programme at RCS and Patron of the Junior Conservatoire of Drama. The Glasgow-born actor has funded the new James McAvoy Drama Scholarships to enable young people to experience the world-class drama training at RCS as he did.

The scholarship aims to support applicants who would otherwise find meeting the cost of tuition fees at RCS a barrier to accessing pre-Higher Education drama training at the Royal Conservatoire.

You can find more information about these funds on our Financial Support page.

We run various promotional offers for our Short Courses and Summer Schools. You can view our current offers on our Promotional Offers page.

You should contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk to request your discount code before booking a course.

Please note, only one promotional offer can be applied per course and should be used at the time of booking as we are unable to apply a discounts retrospectively.

Please see our Short Course FAQs for more information about all aspects of choosing, booking and attending your course.

Please see our Short Courses – Terms and Conditions for more information about your contract with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Cancellation and Refund policies.

Sign up to our mailing list to receive the latest updates of courses, offers and news from Short Courses. You can do this by completing this short online form found here.

Short Courses
shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk

Summer Schools
summerschools@rcs.ac.uk

Credit-Rated
credit-rated@rcs.ac.uk

Bursary and Scholarship
bursaryscholarship@rcs.ac.uk

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Short Courses Photo Gallery

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Short Courses Photo Gallery

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Short Courses students are reading scripts in a rehearsal room.
Short courses music students are performing in the Stevenson Hall. A string quartet and an accordion player sit in a semi-circle while a pianist performs behind them.
A group of short courses students are playing accordions. They are sitting in a semi-circle.
A group of short courses students are playing saxophones.
A group of short courses students are playing string instruments.
Short courses students are reading scripts in a rehearsal room. They are smiling and laughing with each other.
Short courses students are using a film camera.
Short courses students are reading lines from printed scripts. They are in a rehearsal room.
A person is smiling off-camera. They are holding a pencil and a book. Another person looks on intently.
Three actors are performing on stage. They are standing next to two chairs that have been toppled over. They are gesturing off camera.
A group of actors are performing on stage. They are wearing brightly coloured clothes.
A tutor directs two short courses students. They are all smiling.