Music Production Pop-Up Lab

Hosted in partnership with music industry leading brands; Novation, Sequential, Focusrite, and ADAM Audio.

Attendees will explore creative MIDI controller roles, advanced mapping, routing, and performance-ready setups that seamlessly translate from creation to live execution, culminating in a synthesizer sound design and live performance workshop.

Space is limited to 10 hands-on workstations (with 10 additional assistant spots), and participants must bring a laptop with Bitwig pre-installed (no purchase required, a free 30-day trial is available here) to take part in the interactive sessions. While we will learn within Bitwig, however, techniques learned in this workshop can be applied to any DAW.

Hands-on spots will be assigned on a first come first serve basis at check-in. We are also reserving up to 20 spots for people who just want to attend the lecture without the hands-on lab experience.

Info: Participants will be introduced to the core tools and creative workflow of Bitwig, starting with navigating the interface, understanding the Arranger and Clip Launcher, and setting up audio and MIDI devices. This will cover creating beats and melodies using Bitwig’s instruments, clips, and browser, along with basic recording, editing, and loop-based production techniques. The session would also touch on using effects, automation, and modulation to shape sounds, before finishing with simple arrangement and mixing fundamentals, ensuring participants have a clear foundation to continue producing music confidently in Bitwig.

Info: This hybrid lecture- and hands-on-based session introduces how electronic artists design hybrid workflows that support both music production and live performance using Bitwig Studio with Novation MIDI controllers. Using Launchkey MK4, Launchpad and Launch Control XL 3, part 1 focuses on system layout, controller roles, and workflow design rather than completing a finished track. MIDI controller features such as keys, pads, faders, knobs, scales, clip launching, and visual feedback are demonstrated in Bitwig to show how Novation controllers provide the deepest and most integrated creative workflow.

Info: Part 2 builds directly on the previous controller setup, expanding into deeper production and performance integration in Bigwig. Using Novation MIDI controllers this session explores advanced mapping strategies, routing concepts, and hands-on control techniques that translate seamlessly between studio creation and live execution. The focus is on continuity and scalability, demonstrating how Novation controllers support evolving workflows without requiring separate setups for production and performance.

Info: No instrument can match the variety of different sounds you can get from a synthesizer. But many players are not sure where to start with designing their own sounds or even modifying presets. Join this hands-on workshop and experience a step-by-step walkthrough on how analog synths are programmed to create amazing tones. Working directly with Sequential’s new synth, Fourm, participants will start with first principles, and move on to build unique sounds. Participants will hear how the creative and technical choices build on each other, to produce the sound they were dreaming of. They’ll master the essentials: oscillators, filters, envelopes, and modulation. And in just 45 minutes, walk away with the confidence and skills to design their own sounds for all future productions.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Fault Radio, 302 Valencia Street, San Francisco, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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