With recent advancements in consumer audio technology, the immersive world of spatial sound design is more accessible than ever. While previously confined to professional audio engineering studios and state of the art multi-channel surround sound systems, spatialized music and audio have now entered the main stream. With the advent of affordable immersive listening devices such as Apple AirPods and their spatial audio/ head tracking technology, as well as the integration of Dolby Atmos into many of the leading DAWs, new possibilities have emerged for music producers of all backgrounds and skill levels.

In this class we will create spatial “soundscapes” using Logic Pro and Dolby Atmos. Spatial sound design experience is not required, but some DAW knowledge and music production skills are needed. Participants who own AirPods with spatial audio/ head tracking capabilities are encouraged to bring them if they wish to create music for this technology. Regular studio headphones will be fine to create spatialized stereo and binaural mixes.

Date: This two-time in-person workshop meets on Saturday December 2 and Sunday December 3 from 1-5pm.

Price: $150

Audience: Some music production experience, including the use of digital audio workstations, is recommended.

Materials: Laptop with most recent version of Logic Pro installed (90 day free trial version available here: https://www.apple.com/logic-pro/trial/) and headphones (any studio headphones, AirPods or Beats Fit Pro featuring Apple spatial audio/ head tracking (AirPods 3rd generation, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and Beats Fit Pro)

Accessibility: The class will meet in the Garden Music Studio, which is not wheelchair accessible. The closest bathrooms are gendered, wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. Masks are encouraged but not required. ASL and CART are available by request (if possible, please email us one week in advance so we have time to coordinate with our access workers). For access questions, please contact Christina Daniels, christina@pioneerworks.org. For more information about Pioneer Works' accessibility, visit https://pioneerworks.org/visit.

Ciarra Black is a music producer, sound artist, and DJ specializing in experimental sounds. After spending 5 years in Berlin, Ciarra recently moved back to Brooklyn where she continues to develop her artistic practice. During her time living in Europe, Ciarra toured extensively and was able to test her work on state of the art sound systems. These experiences gave new visions and inspirations to her work in the fields of immersive sound, sound design, and club music.

Ciarra has performed at many notable venues and festivals including MoMA PS1, Museum of Fine Arts (Boston), Berghain (Berlin), Sound of Stockholm Festival (Sweden) and Unsound Dislocation Festival (Armenia).

Classes at Pioneer Works are made possible by Sandeman Port.

This program is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.