Program: Recording Connection for Music Producing

If the term “producer” seems just a bit confusing to you, know this: you are not alone. The producer can be the person who made the beat on the track the artist is rapping/singing over, the person known for having a particularly good “ear” or for achieving a particular “sound.” They can be the person who hires much of the talent (beat makers, session musicians, mastering engineers). Or the person who edits or oversees the editing... Read more

Understanding one’s digital audio workstation or DAW is a key aspect of being a modern-day music producer who’s capable of creating and communicating various song and artistic ideas to other artists and professionals. Whether you choose to learn Pro Tools™ or Logic Pro X® this course will enable you to understand the basic functions of your DAW and its layout, identify its various tools, and demonstrate the ability to navigate its functions and communicate them... Read more

If you find the term “music theory” a little off-putting or downright intimidating, don’t worry. Simply stated, music theory gives us different options for thinking about music. That’s it! And while theory is not an end-all solution to creating good music, armed with the proper application of knowledge, you can make informed musical decisions which will help you get to your ultimate goal of creating great music. Are you ready? This course will explore how modern-day... Read more

There is no music without time. Just think about it and you’ll see why that’s true. In classic musical notation, time is expressed in musical units of measures and bars. Also known as meter, time signatures such as 4/4, 6/8, and 5/4, greatly influence the character, feel, and mood of a piece of music. Different notes have different values which communicate how long to hold or play each note. The speed of a piece of... Read more

What is harmony? Strictly speaking, harmony is defined as two or more notes playing simultaneously to create a chord. When harmony is used to create a series of chords, we call that a chord progression. A chord progression, also known as harmonic progression, is a tool used in western music to create the tension and resolution which is at the core of what makes a particular piece of music interesting and emotive. Chords can be used... Read more

What do great novelists and music producers have in common? Control of form. Much like a novel, a good song requires a solid foundation to support the body of work as the listener is led along on a sonic journey. Good song form can take a listener on a rollercoaster ride of emotions that’ll end with them clamoring for more of your work. A good foundation allows for you to organize the various elements of... Read more

If you want a great record, one way to do it is to fill it with great songs. At its simplest form, a song is something that can be performed with vocals and simple accompaniment—that’s it. Aside from the sound design, the mixing, the overdubs, studio tricks, and all the other things that come with lush production value, when we think of a song at its most elemental level, we’re thinking about the relationship between lyrics,... Read more

Today’s music producer is oftentimes much more than just the person in charge of guiding a project. In the context of popular music, the producer is often the person responsible for the entire arrangement, including the lyrics. A successful commercial song is built on a great arrangement. As the producer responsible for the construction of the instrumental, there are certain musical considerations you must keep in mind when aimed at creating an interesting piece of... Read more

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a major part of the modern music production process. Its flexibility and options allow users to create and manipulate sounds in a manner which could never be done with physical instruments. MIDI has many uses from creating scratch tracks, to using it to control FX parameters in a live performance, to creating a virtual orchestra inside of your computer. With proper manipulation, MIDI can be the whole show, or... Read more

You can use drums to drive an arrangement forward, to emphasize a specific moment in a piece of music, to provide a sense of space or bubbling energy and, most importantly, to evoke emotions from the listener. Long a staple of western popular music, and of most music worldwide, drums have been at the center of hip hop from day one. Starting with looping break beats as music beds for MCs to rap over as... Read more

Big, round, and booming, the bass can be found at the foundation of western popular music across the genres. With the ability to generate room-rattling energy, the bass plays an integral role in popular music. There’s no substitution for a great session bassist but there is tremendous value in understanding how a bassline works. There will come a project where you are responsible for creating the bassline for a song, so dig in and soak... Read more

You’re halfway there! This chapter is dedicated to preparing you for your midterm. We have put a lot of valuable information in your hands and want to make sure you’re retaining it. From the role of the producer, to understanding your DAW Logic Pro X® or Pro ToolsTM and being able to construct and communicate various artistic ideas within its environment, to knowing the roots of musical notation and standards established during the Classical Period,... Read more

Scratch tracks and demos are essential to the production process. They provide context for ideas, work as a guide for the people involved, help to spark new ideas, and can significantly help you save time in the studio by providing a blueprint from which to work. But what’s most important about a demo is its function as a tool to sonically express a musical thought or idea. Being able to hear what’s there as well... Read more

Imagine that you’re in charge of a session in which musicians were flown in from across the country to get certain parts laid down. Then, when you’re ready to have the project mixed, you realize certain parts which are essential to the arrangement are missing! Aside from the sheer embarrassment, the consequences could mean losing your job. To prevent such mishaps, you have to have a plan prior to that session. Organization is the key to... Read more

As the producer on a project, you are responsible for quality control. Sure, there may be others to help out. A good performer will know when they are off; a good engineer will be able to catch subtle mistakes, but when all is said and done, the producer has the final say on the product. Everyone looks to the producer as having “the ear” not only for good music but a great performance. So, it’s... Read more

Often the unsung heroes of a project, session players are crucial to the recording process because they can come in with little to no direction and bring a track to life with what they contribute. A good, live element on a record can mean the difference between cutting a decent track or a generational anthem. Pro session players are virtuosos and specialists who are expected to be able to come into a session and do what’s... Read more

Though often taken for granted, overdubbing is one of the most powerful practices at a producer’s disposal. Overdubbing i.e. the practice of recording new parts over an existing performance, was introduced into commercial music in the late 50s when Les Paul and Mary Ford used an 8-track tape recorder to enhance their recordings. It was a game-changer. It gave musicians and producers unimaginable flexibility and enabled them to push the boundaries of what recordings could... Read more

A good vocal makes a huge difference in a recording but what makes a good vocal? With wide variety genres and emotions to be expressed in music, there are many types of vocals to accommodate musical needs. Every style of music has its own criteria for a “good” vocal. What makes the vocals of “My Girl” by Temptations good is different than what makes the vocals good on “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” by the... Read more

The music industry does not run on handshakes alone. Because of the nature of quarterly payments and prospective success, the music industry works on a series of agreements between parties in order to ensure that everyone gets paid what they deem is fair for the situation. What we will look at in this section are basic agreements between producer, artist, and record label. In this course we’ll get into various agreements including work for hire, side... Read more

Please take time to go back through your past lessons’ section reviews. They are extremely helpful study tools. The Final Exam contains questions from ALL past lessons, so be sure to review everything you can. Proper review of Courses 1-19 and scheduling sessions with your Academic Facilitator will help you set yourself up for a beneficial exam experience. Remember: preparation is key. Objectives: Be able to recall learned elements of music producing, as measured by the... Read more