Music Production Crash Course

01

Audio Formats

Learn all about different audio formats and how to control sound quality.

02

Know Your DAW

Learn all about your chosen DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) We’ll show you around with an in-depth tour so you can familiarise yourself with your program.

03

Know Your Studio

Learn all about music studios, common hardware and software. Get personal advice on how to set up your own home studio.

04

Building A Track

Learn all about the famous Technic 1210 turntables, how to set them up and how to cue your records and mix them in. Learn how to sequence Audio and Midi drums and melodies to begin to build your first track. We’ll make sure you know how to correctly follow musical phrasing norms and create a track which will flow on the dance floor. You’ll also be shown how to use all the audio editing tools at your disposal.

05

How To Mix Down Your Track

Start learning how to mix down your track using correct gain theory and practical knowledge. We’ll make sure your track follows industry targets and is ready for more advanced mastering.

06

Sampling

Learn all about the art of sampling from the Amen Break to the humble 808 Kick. We’ll show you have to source samples correctly and use them creatively to reinvent a sound.

07

Composing Harmonically

We’ll make sure you are composing your tracks harmonically and show you some tricks of the trade to help you compose melodies in key and plan your harmonic chord progressions.

08

Working With Vocals

We’ll show you how to produce with vocals to give your tracks a memorable identity.

09

EQing Your Mix

Learn how to use the EQ to tidy up your sounds and blend them together seamlessly in the mix. We’ll show you how to balance your sounds and fix any noise issues.

10

Audio FX

Learn how to use all the audio FX you need to spice up your sound and add a cinematic quality to your track. We’ll show you all the complex parameters at your disposal.

11

Midi FX

Learn how to use the advanced Midi FX. We’ll show you how to speed up your music production and how to experimental with Midi FX to help generate new ideas for your track.

12

Plugins

Learn how to use industry standard plugins to give you more sounds than ever to work with.

13

Improving Your Mix

Now you have tracks with many elements you’ll need to take your mix down to the next level, making sure every sound is properly processed and that your mix follows industry standards.

14

Checking Your Productions

Work through your productions in detail with your tutor, checking for any errors and improving on your production skills.

15

Basic Compression Skills

Learn all about the theory of audio compression and how to apply it to your tracks to get the best out of them.

16

Basic Volume Automation

Learn how to use the basic automation tools to change the volume of your different elements over time.

17

Mix Down Your Track

Mix down your first track with your tutors help. We’ll show you how to create a professional sound adhering to industry norms.

18

Take Your Tracks To The Next Level

Go through your productions with your tutor, recapping your beginner music production skills and furthering your knowledge in all areas. We’ll give you specialist insight with some handy tips, tricks and cheats that will help you produce faster and keep the creative juices flowing.

19

Groove & Melodic Structure

We’ll show you how to create a groove and melody that will progress and develop over the course of your track. Putting your harmonic theory to good use.

20

Advanced Audio & Midi FX

Learn all about your DAWs advanced Audio and Midi FX and how to apply them to your genre of music. We’ll also show you how to apply your FX using the Auxiliary channels and bussing techniques.

21

Third Party Plugins

We’ll guide you through the maze of third party plugins available and show you which ones are suitable for your genre of music. We can also give you advice on templates and presets.

22

Recording & Multitrack Recording

We’ll show you how to record your own sounds from the real world, perhaps a vocal recorded in the studio or even a sample from an instrument or turntable!

23

Synthesis Theory

We’ll teach you all about synthesis, the art of creating your own sounds using a synthesiser. You’ll learn all about ADSR and the modular synth layout.

24

Make Your Own Sound

We’ll show you how to create a unique sound with the synthesiser and use it in your own track to create a memorable sonic identity.

25

Advanced EQ Skills

We’ll tighten up your sound and show you more advanced techniques on the EQ including Mid and Side EQing.

26

Advanced Compression Skills

Now you have some awesome new sounds you’ll need to process them using a compressor to get the right kick out of them. We’ll show you how to beef up your sounds so they dominate the dancefloor.

27

Remixing

Learn how to chop up and remix your favourite tracks or samples. We’ll teach you how to create catchy remixes and enter competitions to gain experience.

28

Transitions For Your Genre

Learn how to tie your tracks structure together with creative transitions relative to your genre of music.

29

Advanced Vocal Editing

Learn how to process, warp and EQ your vocal recordings or samples to a professional level. We’ll show you all the relevant audio FX and plugins to use.

30

Advanced Automation Skills

Learn how to automate FX and events in your tracks to create epic builds and seamless transitions.

31

Polish Up Your Track

With the mentorship of your tutor, work together on your track so that it has a full structure and rocks the dancefloor.

32

Managing Creative Flow

Learn tips and tricks to improve your creative flow and to keep churning out fresh ideas without getting bogged down by the details.

33

Advanced Mixdown Techniques

Take your mixdown to the next level with advanced techniques including bussing, auxiliary tracks, send & returns and signal paths.

34

Basic Master

Learn all about the process of mastering and create a basic mastering chain with your tutor suitable for your style of music. You can then use this as a template for future tracks.

35

Back In The Studio

Catch up with your tutor and make sure you’ve checked off everyone from the Beginner and Intermediate courses. You will then work on any areas that need attention.

36

Reverse Engineering

Perhaps you’ve heard a sound you are really inspired by, learn how to reverse engineer it in the studio with your tutor so you can replicate and improve on it.

37

Defining Your Sound

Create a sonic identity of your own with the help of your tutor. Solidify your creative ideas and stamp your own creative influence on your work.

38

Know Your DAW

With your tutor go through every function of your DAW making sure you’ve not missed anything and that you understand all sections of the software correctly. We’ll also go through any tools you’ve not yet had time to use and common shortcuts.

39

A/B Compare Your Track

Learn how to compare your track to similar tracks that have been released. Find the flaws in your mix and improve until you’re happy with your sound.

40

Limiters

Learn how to use limiters correctly, to your advantage without distorting your sound.

41

Advanced Compression

Learn how to use advanced compression techniques like multi-track compression to give your track more volume without distorting the sound.

42

Panning Automation

Learn how to pan various elements of your track to help create a stereo image while staying within industry limits.

43

Phasing and Phase Meters

Learn all about the sound phasing and how to avoid it using Phase Meters to help improve your mixdown.

44

Clips, Clicks & Pops

Scan your track for tiny imperfections including Clips, Clicks and Pops. Learn how to remove or hide these errors with various editing techniques.

45

Perfect Your Mix

Working closely with your chosen instrumentation we’ll show you how to get the best of each individual sound, including vocals, melodies, basslines and grooves.

46

Plugins

Learn how to use industry standard plugins to give you more sounds than ever to work with.

47

Advanced Pre-Master

Perfect your pre-master chain with your tutor using in-built and third party plugins while following genre-typical ideals.

48

Constructive Criticism

Get feedback and constructive criticism from your tutor on your track and make amendments under supervision to improve the final result.

49

Approaching Labels

Learn how to approach record labels and how you should present your work.

50

Advice On Mastering Engineers

Learn how to choose the right mastering engineer service for your track and your budget.

51

Legal Advice

Get first-hand advice from your mentor on record label contracts, copyright and the legal aspects of being a producer.

52

Final Report & Support

Get invaluable advice from your tutor and your final course report. Your certificate will be automatically generated and you become a DJ Gym Alumni, so welcome to the family!