Electronic Music Production Short Course
Course description
Course overview
Whatever your musical taste, this inspiring short course will help you to create your own music, beats and compositions using popular music production software such as Ableton live.
During the course, students gain an insight into all the basic techniques including arranging, sound generation (sampling, synths, drum machines) mixing and mastering through a series of hands-on sessions. Through a combination of tutor demonstrations, one-to-one tuition, practical exercises and pair and group work, students build confidence and gain the knowledge needed to make their own music.
The course aims to build technical skills and demystify technical terms to enable students to create their own music productions which they can learn from and develop further.
Who this course is for
This 5-week evening course is aimed at anyone who wants to start working on their own music production projects and learn how to implement their ideas in imaginative ways.
The course would be an excellent introduction for those considering studying on more advanced courses in music production with the aim of working within the music production industry.
Students should be comfortable using a computer, have experience in organising software files and be able to commit to spending at least 3 hours a week outside of class going over principles studied in sessions and implementing them in music production experiments.
Key information
Topics covered
- Using digital audio workstations (DAWs), such as Ableton Live and Logic Pro
- Audio recording and editing of voice and instruments
- MIDI recording and editing using software instruments, such as synthesisers and samplers
- Using effects such as e.q., compression, reverb and delay
- Mixing and mastering
Learning outcomes
- Be able to set up and use a small, personal computer-based music production system
- Know how to select, set up and use MIDI devices to record MIDI information
- Have developed the confidence to work within digital audio workspaces (DAWs) such as Ableton Live
- Be able to play, manipulate and record MIDI instruments, such as software synthesisers and samplers
- Have developed some understanding of how to structure, edit and mix audio and MIDI material
- Know to add and automate effects such as e.q., compression, delay and reverb, to parts and tracks
- Be able to produce a basic song or track (not everyone will finish a track, but everyone will start one and know how to start one)
- Have some understanding of how to remix parts of a track to produce a different version of a piece of music
- Be able to mix and create a basic master of a track (not everyone will finish a mix and basic master, but everyone will begin one and know how to do it)
- Upload and share tracks, projects and stems
- Have some understanding of how the acoustics of a space and microphone positioning can influence recording results
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
- Materials for note taking e.g. notebook and pen, laptop, digital device
- Sound samples for relevant sessions
- Headphones will be available, but you may wish to bring your own
Tutor
Gareth Mitchell
Gareth is a sound artist practising in composition, performance and installation. He has released albums for labels such as Kranky and Staalplaat and performed at festivals such as Online Flash Film Festival (Barcelona) and EARational ('s-Hertogenbosch), along with venues such as New York's The Knitting Factory and Berlin's Madam Claude.
He has created installations at locations such as Angus Hughes Gallery, Waterman's Arts Centre (London) and La Nuit Blanche (Calgary), and composed several works for theatre and dance at venues including D眉sseldorf Opera House, Vault Festival, The Coronet Theatre and The Place (London). In 2024, he presented multichannel installations at UAL's Unfolding Narratives 4 exhibition and Spatial Audio Gathering (SAG) at De Montfort University.
Utilising extended techniques and samples of his recordings, Gareth also creates, composes and performs using voice and guitar, along with a wide variety of synthesis techniques.聽He is currently working on a PhD, based at London College of Communication, UAL, entitled Spatial Sonics of a Contemporary Tree, and lectures on the BA Sound Arts and MA Music Production courses, also at LCC, UAL.
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