DMLab Colchester - January: DAW Skill Swap

A monthly meet-up for musicians and technologists to get together and dream up new ways to make music through accessible instrument design.

About this month's session

A DAW (digital audio workstation) is a piece of software you can use to record, edit and mix music.

This session is for people who are:

-Interested in learning how to use a DAW

-Interested in strengthening their skills

-Interested in sharing their skills and knowledge

And who are interested in joining a friendly and inclusive community of like-minded people!

We encourage you to bring your own laptop or tablet if you can, but we will also have plenty of iPads and laptops available for you to use during the session if not.

Everyone is very welcome from complete beginners to seasoned sound engineers. We hope you’ll come away with new perspectives and ideas!

Please get in touch with steph@clipsoundandmusic.uk or let us know on your ticket booking if you would like to share about your preferred DAW in the session to help us plan!

Session Accessibility

During the session we can explore ways to use DAWS more accessibly, including adjusting settings, discussing tailored physical solutions, or practical ways of working. We would encourage you to let us know in advance of the session of any specific barriers you would like to address where possible.

We will have at least one 5-10 minute break in the middle of the 2 hour session. There will be some time listening to presentations and some time working individually and in small groups. You are very welcome to attend this session flexibly in a way that works for you.

DMLab aims to address access barriers to music-making relating to disability. We have our key accessibility information listed on our Eventbrite page, but please get in touch with steph@clipsoundandmusic.uk if you have any queries relating to access, or if there are any adjustments we can make for you to attend.

What happens at DMLab?

Each month the community bring their musicality, ideas, innovations, dreams, specific access needs and technical know-how. From this, amazing new musical instruments and projects will be conceived and developed. Each session will be different, from presentations to jam sessions, hack-a-thons to workshops, all of which will be led by the community.

These friendly get togethers are about coming up with, building and sharing new projects and music. New people are always welcome to join and be part of making music accessible.

Who is DMLab for?

DMLab is for musicians and makers. We use the word disabled as we are disabled-led however you do not need to identify as disabled to join us. Everyone is welcome and we will be led by our members who experience access barriers, including people who are Deaf, Blind, Disabled, or who have a condition, impairment or chronic illness.

Where is DMLab Colchester?

DMLab Colchester takes place at Firstsite, Colchester. There is step-free, level access throughout the building and 4 accessible parking spaces are available outside the main entrance on a first come, first served basis. There is also an additional drop-off area.

Assistance dogs are welcome, and there is a hearing loops is available. There are several disabled access toilets in the building, and there will be seating available at the event.

There will be plenty of opportunity to take breaks and you are very welcome to attend for the length of time that works for you.

There is space to let us know of any specific access needs when you book. Alternatively, please get in touch if you would like to to discuss further or need any more information at: steph@clipsoundandmusic.uk

Further details about venue accessibility can be found on the Firstsite website.

DMLab Colchester is an exciting collaboration between CLIP and Drake Music. For the next three years, from November 2025, we'll host monthly meet ups bringing together an inclusive community of makers and musicians on a regular basis, to support the development of new accessible musical instruments.

DMLab Colchester is an inclusive, community-led space for musicians and creative technologists, disabled and nondisabled, to create, hack instruments, jam & explore new ways to make music. All experience levels are welcome. If you have any questions please contact steph@clipsoundandmusic.uk.

Participants are welcome to bring their own laptop if they wish. Please note that this project is aimed at people age 18 and over, and all experience levels are welcome.