Music Production Courses cover everything from the basics of software music creation to advanced techniques. These courses are often part of a larger Berklee Music Specialization or offered as a standalone course.
For example, one course covers the basics of a Digital Audio Workstation like Ableton Live. Another focuses on the beatmaking process with an industry expert, Timbaland.
FL Studio
FL Studio is a complete software music production environment, or Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that provides the tools to create, arrange, edit and mix professional-quality music. It comes with a range of templates for different genres and styles that can provide a starting point to get your ideas flowing. FL also includes a range of plugins and effects that can be used to enhance your tracks.
FL has a slightly unconventional workflow in comparison to competitors such as Cubase, Ableton Live and Logic Pro. Instead of a timeline-based layout, FL uses a pattern screen to setup your music patterns and a browser for navigating presets and plugins. However, once you understand how to navigate this system it can be very efficient and fast to use.
The FL Studio DAW includes a number of native sound design and composition tools that are ideal for creating beats. For example, the FL Studio plugins Sytrus and Harmor are powerful FM synthesizers that can create complex and evolving timbres. It also includes a sampler called Edison that can be used to manipulate sounds through slicing, time-stretching and pitch-shifting.
Learning to produce music takes time and effort. But if you’re dedicated and have the right resources, it can be much faster than you think. Just remember that every little bit of knowledge you acquire will add up over time and help you to become a better producer.
Timbaland
If you’re interested in learning more about the production process and hearing the music behind some of the biggest hits of the past two decades, this course is a great option. It covers everything from sampling to creating drum sounds to directing vocalists and building infectious beats. It also provides some insight into how musicians like Timbaland find inspiration for their work. It is less technical than some of the other courses featured in this guide but it does offer a behind-the-scenes look at the industry and some useful tips and tricks.
One of the things that I found interesting about the course is how playful Timbaland was during his creative sessions. He would often run into the vocal booth and create a song with his voice alone, a style that’s kind of like beatboxing. He also emphasized that musical inspiration can be found anywhere, from the sound of a baby crying to waves on the beach to even the noises of a garbage disposal working.
Another aspect of the course that stood out to me is the way it emphasized collaboration and teamwork in the production process. Several of the lessons feature members of Timbaland’s crew collaborating on various parts of the production. He also emphasizes that producers aren’t necessarily great because they have a lot of expensive equipment and that you can produce music with just a few simple tools.
With his signature mask, massive equipment rig and back catalog of hits, deadmau5 is one of the biggest names in EDM. His keen ear for production and excruciating perfectionism has earned him the respect of his peers in the industry. He has even taken the time to help newcomers to the music scene through his online presence. Now, he has partnered with Masterclass to produce an electronic production course that can teach you how to make your own music.
This course teaches you how to build unique instrumental sounds that give your tracks their character. The first step is to understand how synthesis works. This is done by creating waveforms from voltage (analog) or samples (digital). This process can be used to create sounds that are impossible to mimic using acoustic instruments.
You will also learn how to shape a track through the use of EQing and limiting. This is essential for achieving a good mix. Finally, you will learn how to build drum beats that get people dancing. The key is to have a clear, designed structure that is easy to move to.
Overall, this Masterclass has a lot to offer for both seasoned producers and novices alike. However, the course can feel a bit repetitive at times and is not for those who are expecting a magical source of enlightenment.
Recording & Production Tricks by Reverb
Recording & Production Tricks by Reverb is a great online course for anyone who wants to learn more about music production. It teaches you how to use various software programs, including FL Studio and Ableton Live. It also covers essential topics such as mixing and EQing. The course is designed for beginners, but it can be a good refresher for experienced producers too.
It’s important to take a course that can help you develop your creative skills, not just the brand names on your computer. Some schools, such as Berklee, will have Music Production Courses that focus solely on the techniques and tools you need to create your music. Others, like NYU Steinhardt and Johns Hopkins will work those topics into their larger courses.
Reverb is one of the most important effects in the world of music production, and understanding it will make you a better musician or composer. This is especially true when creating electronic music, where reverb can be used to achieve unique sounds and create space in your compositions.
In this introductory course, you’ll learn how to produce and arrange electronic music in FL Studio. You’ll also learn about recording and mixing techniques, such as acoustics, compression, and equalization. In addition, you’ll learn how to create and mix your own songs in a short time frame.