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There are 4 modules in this course
Explore the art of record production and how to make recordings that other people will love listening to. This course will teach you how to make emotionally moving recordings on almost any recording equipment, including your phone or laptop. The emphasis is on mastering tangible artistic concepts; the gear you use is up to you. You will learn to develop the most important tool in the recording studio: your ears. You will learn to enhance every aspect of your own productions, both sonically and musically, by employing deeper listening skills.
Assignments will include posting your own recordings for peer review, and reviewing your classmates’ work by employing specific tools and strategies. This course does not provide instruction on using a digital audio workstation, but if you do use one to record and mix, that’s great. But, as long as you can record into your computer and post an MP3, you can complete the assignments.
As you learn about the art of record production in this 4-week course, you will also learn about yourself and who you are as an artist and producer. It is not necessary that you read music or play an instrument to take this course.
Welcome to The Art of Music Production! Before you begin the course, we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience. In this first module, we will focus on learning the concepts of listening to music emotionally and technically. You will discover strategies for maintaining objectivity and using kinesthetic observations to discover musical effectiveness. Finally, you’ll train yourself to make distinctions on what works and what doesn’t work, rather than just passively listening as a fan.
Elements of A Compelling Musical Recording•4 minutes
Letting Go Of Prejudice•3 minutes
6 readings•Total 38 minutes
Course Resources•10 minutes
Earn A Course Certificate•7 minutes
Connect with Your Classmates•5 minutes
Elements of a Compelling Recording•3 minutes
Exercise: Active Listening•10 minutes
Module Review and Progress Check-in•3 minutes
2 assignments•Total 35 minutes
Listening Like a Producer•20 minutes
Identifying Emotions•15 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 27 minutes
Meet and Greet•10 minutes
Letting Go Of Prejudice•7 minutes
Active Listening Reflection•10 minutes
Module 2: Identity, Vision, and Intention
Module 2•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you’ll hone in on your identity as a recording artist: who are you, and what are you meaning to convey through your music? You’ll work on refining your vision and intention for the recordings you’ll make employing these skills, and record and post a “work tape” of a new piece of music.
By the end of this module, you will be able to employ several useful techniques for strengthening your songs and instrumental tracks. You’ll acquire skills in prosody, focus, and an intelligent approach to repetition. You’ll also learn to craft better melodies, write better lyrics, and construct a musical form that best suits the emotional contour you are trying to accomplish with your recording. You’ll understand the principles of getting the most out of feedback on your recordings, in order to gather valuable perspective to better convey your intended response. You’ll incorporate notes from your colleagues to further refine your recording and re-post an updated version.
Exercise: Strengthening Your Production•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Writing Better Lyrics•10 minutes
Module 4: Defining the Sonic Signature of your Song
Module 4•3 hours to complete
Module details
By the end of this module, you will address the sonic signature as it relates to your intention and vision, as well as your technology resources and acoustic space. You’ll learn about microphone techniques, getting good levels, and mixing with reverb, EQ and compression. You will record your material, having made some deliberate decisions about the sound of your record, and post your recording for peer review according to specific criteria.
Founded in 2002, Berklee Online is the premier innovator and largest provider of worldwide music education, offering more than 75,000 students from 144 countries the renowned curriculum of Berklee College of Music, at a fraction of the cost. Through Berklee Online’s award-winning online courses, certificates, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs, students receive expert music instruction and emerge with the skills to exceed the demands of the music industry.
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Learner reviews
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5·
Reviewed on Jun 10, 2016
The course won't go deep into any subject, but it's a *great* intro. The teacher is just SO great, he keeps making you want to come back for the next lesson over and over again!
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PC
4·
Reviewed on Jul 21, 2016
Definitely stretched me to think of myself as an artist rather than just a musician. This course is a great starting point for someone who wants to get into the nitty gritty of the creative process!
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JH
5·
Reviewed on Aug 7, 2018
good overview of the "forest" of music production. Mr. Webber is an excellent instructor, I was able to see an immediate improvement in my art by following his lessons.
Absolutely. You will be writing new pieces and making new recordings that will incorporate specific elements in order to learn new skills. The assignments in this course require you to submit your own, original work.
What do I need in order to submit recording assignments?
During the course, you will be asked to submit recorded examples of your song ideas. You may also use your smartphone or tablet. You may also use your computer's built-in microphone or an external microphone plugged directly into your computer (via built-in ports or an external audio interface), in addition to basic audio recording software, such as Audacity, that will allow you to record yourself and save the recording in MP3 format.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.