Dial Back Sound Workshop 2026

Announcing Dial Back Sound Summer Workshops July 13 through 17.

Have you ever wondered what takes place inside a professional recording studio? Have you experimented with recording software, apps and plug-ins and began to question what a wider range of real instruments and physical spaces could do for your recordings? Have you been curious or even dreamt about a career in recorded music production? Dial Back Sound in Water Valley, MS along with house engineer Starlin Browning is offering a week long summer course addressing your questions and curiosities about professional music production. There is no prior experience with recording music necessary.

Key details to know before purchasing this course:

Dial Back Sound is a commercial recording studio for music located at 1204 Bergland Street in Water Valley, MS. On class days students must not arrive on the premises before 7:45AM and must depart no later than 3:13PM. Studio owner Matt Patton can be reached at bobbymatt@dialbacksound.com and class instructor Starlin Browning can be reached at starlinb8@gmail.com. In the event you need to reach either of us quickly please call or text Matt at 662.816.1914. 

You must pay for the course in full here at the online store. Upon payment you must fill out the registration form here. If we do not receive the registration form we will contact you via email and request that you do so. 

Lunches will not be provided. There is ample break space as well as a microwave and refrigerator on the premises. Closed container water bottles are encouraged although we will have some bottled water onsite. Smoking, vaping, firearms, consuming alcoholic or other inebriating substances strictly not permitted. Students are encouraged to ask questions and contribute to class discussions at appropriate times. Disruptive behavior, however will not be tolerated and may result in non-refundable expulsion from classes. 

Although Starlin will be covering a lot of ground during the course week here is a general running order of what subjects and processes will be addressed:

Monday: Studio Intro: Microphones, console, outboard equipment, cable types 

Tuesday: Drums: drum types, miking techniques, tuning 

Wednesday: Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keys, Aux Percussion: instrument types, miking techniques

Thursday: Recording: Analog Tape, Digital Audio Workstations, Mixing, Mastering 

Friday: Mock Session: Recording a song with a band, Production Techniques

What can I expect?

This is a five day course running Monday through Friday (8AM till 3PM) the week of July 13 for participants ages 13 to 18. There will only be 6 slots available. If there is more demand we will consider a second week of courses. If there is considerable interest from adults ages 19 and up we will consider a separate week of courses. There is no recording experience necessary to attend the workshop. Lunch is not provided, but participants will have access to a break area where lunches can be stored and refrigerated.

Students will receive introductions to recording software (DAWs), hardware such as mixing consoles, microphones, compressors and preamps, effects units, mic placement and techniques, recording drums, recording vocals and much more. The workshop will culminate with the experience of recording a live band in order to tie these concepts together exactly as they are applied in an actual working scenario.

Who is my instructor?

House engineer and Water Valley resident Starlin Browning will be leading the workshop. Starlin began his quest to become of full-time engineer of recorded music attending similar summer workshops at Delta State in Cleveland, MS. He went on to attend and earn his degree in Recorded Music Production from Delta State upon finishing High School. During this time he spent time interning here at Dial Back Sound as well as the famed Ardent Studios in Memphis, TN. Starlin has been a full-time professional engineer for the past 8 years.