Electronic Music Production and Sound Design

Gain a complete foundation in recording music on your computer, and explore the art of sampling, sequencing, remixing, audio production, Reason, and sound creation in this five-course program.

The Electronic Music Production and Sound Design certificate program begins by teaching students how to get their home studio off the ground – from planning and configuring their home studio hardware, to choosing the right tools to produce their own electronic music. “Some students may have produced a few pieces already, but many just have a computer and the inclination to make music on it,” says Michael Bierylo, who co-authored this portion of the certificate program with David Mash. “Either way, the information provided will help them to get to the next stage. Students completely new to producing music will be able to start here. Those more experienced will fill in any gaps in their understanding.”

Once students have mastered these essentials, they will move on to cover sampling techniques and technology. Students will examine basic to in-depth principles associated with sampling, including programming single and multi-sample programs, digital signal processing, and extending the sampler program using synthesis - techniques that are used extensively in dance music, hip-hop, and many other musical genres. Students will then explore the capabilities of MIDI sequencing and learn to compose music and arrange instruments in a variety of musical styles. Students will also learn to create their own electronic sounds for musical productions using the software synthesizers provided with Reason and the Korg Legacy collection. They’ll gain an understanding of the skills necessary to produce and replicate the electronic sounds common in today's modern music through a series of practical, hands-on activities.

To round off the program, students will learn to remix and produce contemporary styles, including drum and bass, R&B, breakbeat/trance and house music using Ableton's Live audio and MIDI sequencing software, a sequencer that can re-arrange live samples on the fly – an essential skill for the performing electronic musician.