Soundscape Art: Recording Our World on Tape & Digital (18+)

About this class

Step into the fascinating world of sound and transform the way you listen, record, and create.
This hands-on workshop invites participants to explore the rich audio tapestry of their surroundings through a unique blend of digital recorders and vintage cassette tapes.

Over six immersive sessions, you’ll:

• Dive into the fundamentals of sound
• Learn how microphones capture the world around us
• Experiment with the contrasting textures of digital clarity and analog warmth

Participants will gain practical experience using professional portable recorders, iconic cassette gear, and a curated selection of creative effects such as reverb, delay, and tape-based pitch manipulation. You’ll learn how to sculpt found sounds into evocative soundscapes of your own.

Each session balances technical exploration with playful creativity, guiding you toward building a short “sound story” by the end of the course. Whether you’re curious about audio, passionate about sound design, or simply eager to experiment with a new artistic medium, this workshop offers a fresh way to rediscover the vibrant world of sound.

No prior technical background is required—just bring your open ears and a willingness to explore..

An online free taster class will be conducted on Sep 29, 2025.

Class Outline

Week 1: Listening & Understanding Sound

• Introduction to the world of sound and its role in cinema and storytelling
• How microphones work and the basics of sound capture
• Exploring mono vs. stereo and microphone directionality through simple demos

Week 2: Hands-On with Digital Recording

• Introduction to portable digital recorders
• Field recording basics: capturing ambient sounds from the environment
• Group activity: collaborative field recording

Week 3: Discovering Tape Recording

• Introduction to analog tape recorders and the aesthetics of cassette sound
• Hands-on practice: recording onto cassette tapes
• Experimenting with layering and texture

Week 4: Shaping Sound Creatively – Part 1

• Using built-in EQ, pitch, and feedback tools on recorders
• Understanding how sound can be transformed
• Group activity: altering and reshaping recordings in creative ways

Week 5: Shaping Sound Creatively – Part 2

• Introduction to effects pedals (reverb, delay, looping)
• Real-time sound manipulation exercises
• Preparing material for the final project

Week 6: Final Soundscape Creation

• Creating a 1–3 minute unique ambient soundscape
• Mixing on cassette using multiple layers and effects
• Group sharing and discussion of final pieces

Materials needed

VCUarts Qatar reserves the right to cancel any class that does not meet the minimum enrollment requirement. In such cases, all fees already paid will be fully refunded.

We kindly ask that you refrain from purchasing course materials until you have received a final confirmation of the class from VCUarts Qatar.

Course Materials

Participants will have direct access to a unique array of professional and vintage audio
gear, including:

• Headphones
• Digital Recorders: Sony PCM-D100 & Sony PCM-A10
• Field Mixer: Sound Devices 302
• Multi-track Cassette Recorder: Tascam PortaStudio 414
• Stereo Cassette Decks: AKAI GXC-704D, Marantz CP230, & Sony TCS-310
• Effects Pedals: A selection of reverb and delay pedals
• Microphones: Shure SM57, Sanken CS-3e, LOM mikroUši

Schedule

Start: Sun, 19 Oct , 2025
End: Sun, 23 Nov, 2025
Lessons: 6
Days: Sundays
Time: 5:30-8:30pm
Location:VCUarts Qatar Campus
Cost: QAR 1200

Instructors

Ahmed Khelif

Ahmed Khelif holds a PhD in Cinema and Audiovisual Studies and is a sound designer, media educator, and field recordist with over 15 years of experience. He started in cinema and university-level education and has since spent more than eight years working in digital media production in Qatar as a sound engineer and sound designer in digital media production. Passionate about soundscapes, Ahmed records environmental audio in diverse locations around the world and integrates it into his creative work. He continues to lead workshops, masterclasses, and training programs that blend theory and hands-on practice, encouraging experimentation and deep listening.