Freelance IT consultant and educator, Pam Doran, leads this series of tech labs on Zoom. All ages welcome.

Date/Time: Select Wednesdays at 6pm on Zoom
February 5: Google Drive
February 26: Google Search, Tips and Tricks, and Google Calendar
March 5: Security and Scams
April 2: Photos and Art
Registration: Email columbiacountylibraries@gmail.com to register and receive the Zoom login information.

This program is offered in collaboration with Columbia County Libraries Association.

Please Note: Registration is now full. If you'd like to be placed on a waiting list, please contact info@wavefarm.org

Develop sound skills to share your story through best practices for recording, editing, and live radio.

• First Thursdays of the month, 6 - 8 p.m. February - November 2025
• WGXC Catskill Studio 393 Main Street Catskill, NY 12414
• Registration limited to 15 participants per session. No experience required.
• Instructor: Jen Kutler, Wave Farm Technical Director
• Questions: Email Meredith Kooi, meredith@wavefarm.org

February 6, 2025: Basic Audio Concepts 

Session objectives include an overview of common and useful terms related to acoustic, electronic, and digital ecologies, with a technical focus on audio transduction and microphone varieties. Additional topics for discussion include psychoacoustics—the branch of science studying the psychological responses associated with sound—with a focus on physical spatial considerations and panning/width in recording.

March 6, 2025: Filters

Session objectives include an introduction to common concepts related to filters in audio production, including frequency response, polar pattern, and equalization. Participants will also learn about The Fletcher Munson Curve, frequency masking, and infrasound, and how to apply these concepts to your work. We will also consider recording height and how to address unwanted plosives and sibilance.

April 3, 2025: Considering Loudness when Recording

Session objectives include strategies for achieving desired “depth” in your recordings. Topics include gain staging, dynamic range, compression, and the concept of distance in recording, including reverb and distortion.

May 1, 2025: Editing Bootcamp

Editing bootcamp! We will cover hotkeys, fades, matching takes, punching in/out, layering tracks, and bus processing. Participants will learn shortcuts for quicker and better edits, as well as bulk import/export strategies.

June 5, 2025: Creative processing

Session objectives include strategies for creating your own audio effects (FX). Topics include delays, filters, autopan, and time stretching. Participants will learn about sequences FX and FX automation in order to achieve the sounds you are imagining.

July 3, 2025: Multitrack Mixing

Session objectives include strategies for mixing multitrack sessions for full height, width, and depth without murkiness. The goal of this session is to understand how to make multiple tracks fit together in a mix. Attendees will participate in critical listening for frequency range, dynamics, and headroom.

August 7, 2025: The Physical Components of Recording Audio

Session objectives include an overview of crucial care and maintenance of recording equipment to ensure longevity of your tools, including a hands-on introduction to soldering and light electronic repairs.

September 4, 2025: The Intangible Components of Recording Audio

Session objectives include discussions about analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion and digital audio processing. Specific topics will include block size, sample rate, bit depth, compression, streaming, and physical media. Additional topics include how best to manage computer resources in large sessions, latency for high track count, and CPU intensive processing.

October 2, 2025: Understanding Monitoring Sources and Taking it to the Stage

Session objectives include a conceptual overview of possible monitoring sources: speakers, headphones, and subwoofers, as well as the impacts of the space or room on your recording quality. Additional topics will include techniques for recording live performance, including ringing out microphones, PA system safety, microphone techniques, and streaming.

November 6, 2025: Taking It to the Field

Session objectives include field recording tools, principles, refinement, and processing.

Jen Kutler is a multidisciplinary artist and Technical Director of Wave Farm. Kutler modifies found objects that are cultural signifiers of power, gender, queerness, and intimacy to create atypical instruments and sculptures. Her performances feature many of her instruments incorporated with immersive field recordings to explore common and discrepant experiences of familiar social tones in immersive sound and media environments. You can learn more about her at jenkutler.com.

Wave Farm programs are made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; the National Endowment for the Arts; the Greene County Legislature through the Greene County Cultural Fund; the Alexander and Marjorie Hover Foundation; and hundreds of other generous individual donors, including WGXC Monthly Supporters, who provide critical monthly support to Wave Farm's radio station WGXC 90.7-FM. A special acknowledgment to the Alexander and Marjorie Hover Foundation for their support of the the All Things Audio workshop series.

The Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension are delighted to unveil Garden Day 2025 class offerings that are designed to inspire and equip both novices and experienced gardeners. This year’s range of classes will provide hands on learning experiences, expert guidance, and practical tips to help attendees grow vibrant, sustainable gardens. Tickets and more information at the following link:

This exploration walk is perfect for nature lovers of all ages! We will learn about woodland pools and the animals who call these places home. These woodland pools, also called vernal pools, are seasonal pools of water that provide habitat for distinctive plants and animals, like spring peepers, wood frogs, and salamanders. This time of year is ideal for spotting amphibians as they migrate from their wintering spots and journey to vernal pools to find mates. What’s involved: We will travel about a mile along the Salamander Loop, which features packed earth terrain. This event may include walking off-trail over uneven, wet, and muddy terrain to get closer to woodland pools. More information about trail conditions can be found at the link below. In the case of inclement weather, this event will be postponed to Saturday, 4/12 at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 5 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Harris (105 Bloody Hollow Road, Austerlitz)

Bradford Reed and Ryder Cooley combine strings, reeds, keys, bows and steel to create plateaus of sound, intertwined with pizzicato ostinatos and improvisatory elements as the musicians respond to the energy of the room.

The electro-acoustic duet blends the sounds of bowed saw with harmonic overtones of pencilina, a zither-like instrument designed by Bradford. The music segues into traditional reedy melodies and drones on the accordion, then back again to the whispery moans of the saw interspersed with rhythmic pulses on the pencilina. Traversing a broad sonic palette, Grains of Euphora can be categorized as simultaneously symphonious and rambunctious.

The Melting Pot, a secular series by FPC Hudson, brings together musical talent and culinary artisans, pairing homemade soup with stellar live music.

Bobby Previte and Michael Kammers lead a new and exciting big band. From Strauss to Ellington to Johnny Winter via John Barry. Expect everything. First Sunday of every month, downstairs at the Avalon Lounge.

An opportunity to gather with fellow creatives to get peer feedback on any type of project you're working on! Even if you don't have a specific project or question, you are welcome to be a part of the crit process. Donations are suggested.

The Berkshire Community Land Trust hosts a panel with local leaders; “Fighting for Food, Home, and Earth: What Do We Do Now? The panel will follow a brief annual meeting and announcements.

Moderator Erik Bruun, will lead a discussion with Bob Climo (GB Bagel & Deli), Shannon Smith (Berkshire Agricultural Ventures), and Jonathan Schrag (Deputy Climate Chief, MA Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience)

A reception will close the evening. Everyone is welcome, you need not be a member to attend, but reservation is recommended .