I'm completely new to all this and feeling overwhelmed. There are so many audio engineering tutorials out there, but I don't know where to start. Some seem too advanced, others seem too basic and don't actually teach you anything useful.
What audio engineering tutorials would you recommend for someone like me who's just starting? I'm looking for tutorials that explain the fundamentals clearly without assuming I already know things. Things like signal flow, basic acoustics, what all the knobs on a mixer actually do...
Also, are there any audio engineering tutorials that focus on the "why" behind things rather than just the "how"? I want to understand the principles so I can make my own decisions later.
For audio engineering tutorials for beginners, I always recommend starting with the fundamentals. There's a YouTube channel called Audio University" that does amazing videos explaining basic concepts like signal flow, frequency ranges, and acoustics in simple terms.
Another great resource is the "Recording Revolution" channel. Graham Cochrane does these "5 minute mixing" videos that break down one concept at a time. They're perfect for beginners because they're short, focused, and practical.
Also, any tutorial that includes hands on exercises is valuable. Like "here's a raw drum recording, try to EQ it to sound like this reference." That kind of practical application helps concepts stick much better than just watching someone else do it.
When I was starting out, the audio engineering tutorials that helped me most were the ones that explained the why" behind everything. Like why we use certain microphone placements, why certain frequencies are problematic, why gain staging matters.
There's this old but gold series called "The Art of Mixing" by David Gibson. It's a bit dated visually, but the concepts are explained so clearly using visual metaphors that really help you understand what's happening. He uses 3D graphics to show how sounds occupy space in a mix, which is brilliant for visual learners.
Also, tutorials that focus on listening skills are crucial. Learning to identify frequency ranges, compression artifacts, and other audio characteristics takes practice, and good tutorials give you exercises to develop those skills.
The best audio engineering tutorials for beginners are the ones that don't assume you know anything. I remember being completely lost when tutorials would say things like just bus it to an aux" without explaining what bussing or aux tracks are.
There's a website called "Sound on Sound" that has these "Beginners' Guide" articles that are fantastic. They explain everything from the ground up, with clear diagrams and examples. They cover everything from basic acoustics to advanced mixing techniques, but they start at the very beginning.
Also, any tutorial that provides practice material is gold. Being able to download the same raw tracks the instructor is using and follow along step by step is so much more effective than just watching.
What helped me when I was starting was finding audio engineering tutorials that focused on problem solving. Instead of just showing techniques, they would present common problems (muddy mix, harsh vocals, weak drums) and show multiple ways to solve them.
There's a channel called Mixbus TV" that does this really well. They'll take a poorly mixed track and show you how to identify the problems and fix them step by step. Seeing that process demystifies mixing and makes it feel more approachable.
Also, tutorials that explain the limitations of your gear and room are important for beginners. Understanding what you can realistically achieve with your setup prevents frustration and helps you focus on what actually matters - developing your skills rather than chasing gear.
For true beginners, I recommend starting with tutorials about how to listen. It sounds simple, but most people don't know how to critically listen to audio. There are audio engineering tutorials that teach you how to identify frequency ranges, dynamic range, stereo imaging, and other characteristics.
The Golden Ears" training program (or similar ear training resources) is incredibly valuable. Learning to hear what a 3dB boost at 1kHz sounds like, or what different compression settings do, is fundamental to everything else.
Also, tutorials that explain basic acoustics and monitoring are crucial. Understanding how your room affects what you hear prevents you from making decisions based on room problems rather than mix problems. So many beginners struggle because they're fighting their room without realizing it.