Summer Production & Mixing Retreat

About the Retreat

This retreat is built for self-producing artists and emerging musicians who want to gain practical, real-world experience with recording and mixing.

Across the weekend, I’ll be leading the sessions and producing two tracks from my rig, walking you through each stage of the process in real time. You’ll get to see how to mic up instruments, set recording levels, build arrangements, and apply processing techniques. Learning by doing, watching, and asking questions along the way.

We’ll work as a team, and you’ll take on different roles throughout: from performing and recording, to making notes, assisting with setup, and observing key decisions as they’re made.

To keep the focus on production and mixing, we’ll be choosing pre-written songs from members of the group to record. If your track is selected, you’ll also get the chance to go through the revision process after the retreat. And then I’ll personally master the finished mix.

You’ll leave with the knowledge of why we make certain choices, and the confidence to start developing your own how.

What We’ll Cover

STUDIO ACOUSTICS

• Speaker placement

• Acoustic treatment

• Monitoring best practices

• Learning your environment

Recording Techniques

• Recording acoustic guitar

• Recording bass guitar

• Recording vocals (lead & backing)

• Recording percussion and found sounds

• Mic placement and capture techniques

• Gain staging during recording

Production Skills

• In-the-box production (MIDI, sampling, layering)

• Sound design (synths, textures, atmospheres)

• Arranging a track for impact and clarity

• Building dynamics with automation

• Creating space with reverb and delay

• Working quickly and creatively in a DAW

Mixing Techniques

• Balancing instruments in a mix

• Vocal mixing (EQ, compression, reverb, tuning)

• EQ for clarity and tone shaping

• Compression for tone and punch

• Parallel processing (vocals, drums, etc.)

• FX processing (creative and corrective)

• Bus processing and submixes

• Mix bus/master bus processing

• Reference tracks and listening techniques

Creative & Collaborative

• Producing and arranging a song

• Working in a production team

• Giving and receiving creative feedback

• Making fast decisions with intention

• Staying in flow and finishing a track

Final Touches

• Pre-mastering polish

• Preparing mixes for release

• Bouncing stems and managing sessions

FAQ

Q: What kind of music will we be making?
We’ll be working on two tracks: one in an indie folk style with live elements, and another indie pop/rock track that’s more in-the-box. It’s a great balance of organic and electronic production.

Q: Do I need to bring my own gear?
Only an instrument you’d like to play if you’re happy being part of the recording process.

Q: Do I need to be experienced to join?
I am curating the attendees, if you have been invited you are experienced enough. I want to encourage the mindset that you ‘learn at your level’. You can do the same things over and over and learn new lessons - especially in mixing!

Q: What’s the sleeping situation?
It’s shared rooms in a farmhouse. Some beds are doubles, so we’re volunteering to share with friends if we’re happy to.

Q: What about food?
Food’s included in the cost. We make our own breakfasts, and we all pitch in for lunch and dinner. Cooking together will help with networking and Q&A’s! On the final night, we’ll get a big takeaway to celebrate.

Q: How do I get there?
Most of us will be car sharing. Transfers from local train or coach stations can be arranged if you’re coming by public transport.

Q: What’s included in the £375?
Three nights accommodation, all the sessions, food (plus a takeaway on Sunday night), and loads of collaborative learning.

Q: How do instalments work?
If you sign up before 10th of May and pay your £100 deposit you’ll receive two monthly instalment links for £125 (June, July). If you sign up after 10th of May you’ll need to pay in full.

Q: What about my specific dietary/health needs?
If you have any requirements they will be catered for and accommodated. This is a community focused retreat where everyones needs are prioritised. Please just let me know when we are chatting..

Q: What’s the general vibe?
It’s friendly, focused, and inspiring. There’s structure, but no pressure. You learn loads just by being around like-minded people, and you leave with finished tracks and new skills.

This is your retreat and I want it to be as accessible and productive as possible. Please get in touch if you have any special requests or questions. As you know I’m all ears.