HOFA College
HOFA College in Karlsdorf near Mannheim in Germany specialise in Audio Engineering and Production Diplomas. My studies there cover all aspects of the subject from a practical perspective; including how to record properly and mix using a home studio, modern DAW songwriting, live deejaying, acoustics and so on. This is very useful for me as a performing musician, composer and voiceover artist because it means I can record and distribute freelance and independently when qualified. The studies at HOFA can be topped up to a Bachelors of Science (BSc) Degree in Audio Engineering and Media Production at Triagon Academy their partner college with degree awarding powers. In addition. I might also take a Composition course with them to have both a scientific and artistic Bachelors one from HOFA and one from their other partner college MMS in Innesmanning near Munich all now part of Triagon University which has official ECTS point accreditation from the EU now independently.
This is a link to my college profile:
I have remixed the following songs as part of the course so far:
HOFA BASIC and Pro V2 Syllabus
No Need for Solace by Stuck
Security by Masterbrecords
Mornings
Unter der Haut by Jochen Sachse
Tanzt by Vamerledt
Demons by Sameday Records mixed by Jochen Weyer
Floor! By Jens Helmis
Hungarian Dance from Symphonic Dances by Johannes Brahms (Orchestral)
HOFA V3 Syllabus
Do You Care by Nuemo
And I will be okay by About Last Time
When it Rains by Lenny Lamal
Demons by Sameday Records mixed by Jochen Weyer
You are the One by Hugh Waldock
Welcome! Stems
Strangers Car by Lenny Lamal (Numeo Remix)
Three Spoken Voiceovers in English and in German by Hugh Waldock
Barbie by Brenda Blitz
Theoretical Exams
Pass Mark 50% (40 Multi Choice Tests on a Pass/Fail Basis)
Pro Certificate 21/21 Theory Exams Completed
Average Mark for Pro Certificate (Theory): 65%
Acoustics 1 - 80%
Instrument Studies 1 Voice - 64%
Producing Electronic Music and Hip Hop 1 - 76%
Editing 1 - 84%
Technology in Sound Engineering 1 - 74%
Digital Audio Production 2 - 60%
Recording 2 - 71%
Sound Design 1 - 52%
Harmony and Music Theory and Songwriting 2 - 78%
Drum Machines - 50%
Editing 3 - 50%
Producing Pop, Rock, and Heavy Rock 1 - 79%
Mastering I 57%
Sound Design 3 65%
Instrument Studies 3 68%
Recording 7 56%
Technology in Sound Engineering 4 62%
Hip Hop and EDM Production 3 77%
Audio Engineering for Film 1 65%
Live Sound Engineering 2 56%
Acoustics 3 54%
Practical Exams for Pro Certificate
3/3 Exams Taken
Mixing 3 - When it Rains By Leny Lamal - Mixing 3 - Pass
Mixing 6 - Strangers Car by Leny Lamal - Mixing 6 - 65%
Mixing 10 - Barbie by Brenda Blitz - 70%
Certification
HOFA Harmony and Theory for Audio Engineers April 2022
HOFA College German Certified Audio Assistant March 2023
Introduction Guide to Digital Audio Production March 2023
HOFA German Certified Audio Engineer September 2023
Exerts from the 3 Exam critiques for HOFA PRO
When it Rains by Leny Lamal
Hello Hugh!
Congratulations on your final mix in the BASIC course Mixing 3! You already know the song from the mix documentation in the course – so you know how we proceeded in our mix. It was your task to use your own DAW and your own tools to do this mix.
Conclusion:
All in all, you have submitted a great mix in this learning unit - keep it up! You have implemented the processings well and achieved a balanced overall sound. Some details could still be optimized, but you are on a good way.
Stranger's Car by Leny Lamal (Numeo remix)
Practical exam: Passed
Exam result: 65 %
Congratulations on passing your Mixing 6 module exam!
You have managed points of the task well, although there is still some room for improvement in a few aspects. Let's take a detailed look at how you handled the different parts of the task. But over the course of your mixing process, you have improved this mix
Conclusion:
Overall, you have demonstrated good session management and a clear plan for the mix which results in a solid mix. Your processing ideas are good starting points, but could be improved in some places. You could look at the balance of the drums and bass, while the instruments could be more open and bright, for example the chord-piano. Have fun in your upcoming courses!
Barbie - by Brenda Blitz (a 72 track mix)
Practical exam: Passed
Exam result: 70%
Congratulations on passing your Mixing 10 module exam!
Looking at your mix, we can immediately see that a lot of work and effort has gone into it. You have listened very carefully in many parts and in some places you have been able to translate the sounds of the original very well. Mixing this song is not so easy and has many pitfalls. So, generally speaking, your mix is going in the right direction, but there are still a few aspects we need to address.
Conclusion:
All in all, you have done a good job in this unit! You have listened carefully to the original mix and have been able to implement a few aspects in your mix - well done! However, there are some points we would like to discuss. In particular, the dull and resonant sound of the vocals and the guitar. There is still some room for improvement here. All in all, you can build on this mix because it goes in the right direction 🙂