Music Production and Technology Program Electives
$16,800
Complete certificate tuition
(Plus Registration Fee $175)
Become a truly great producer/engineer. This is Berkleemusic’s most comprehensive course of study, focusing on every aspect of music production, from the technology, software and hardware available today to the core music theory necessary to arrange and compose great music. Over the 3 years with Berkleemusic you will immerse yourself in the art of music production, learning about the physics of sound, getting the best performances out of musicians, studio set-ups, MIDI, microphone techniques, mixing, mastering, music and recording equipment, sampling, sequencing, plug-ins and much, much more.
Some of the most renowned producers of today such as Steve Lilywhite, Dave Jerden, BT, Paul Kolderie, Steve Albini, and Butch Vig, are accomplished engineers, and all refer to the importance of understanding the studio and basic principles of recording as well as the evolving technologies at their constant disposal.
In this program you’ll gain a well-balanced understanding of music production with practical approaches to each step in the process. You’ll work with renowned Berklee College of Music production faculty and collaborate with other musicians and producers from around the world, exchanging ideas and methods. You’ll compose, mix, edit and master finished works and develop a portfolio of work along the way.
To start the program, you’ll learn to use your home computer to make professional-quality recordings. Through hands-on lessons and weekly projects, you will turn your home PC into a virtual complete recording studio, mastering concepts like digitization, signal flow, multi-tracking, EQ, signal processing, mix balance, reverb, and MIDI. You’ll learn to choose the right tools for producing your music; configure home studio hardware components; edit and create your own synthesizer sounds; use samples and loops in a variety of musical settings; mix multi-track audio projects; make a final master suitable for distribution; and much more. And even if you have done some home production already, you’re sure to learn plenty of new tricks. Like the other courses in this program, Desktop Music Production is designed to make you into the complete package, capable of excelling in every aspect of music production on your terms.
The program then moves on to instructor Dan Thompson’s (Assistant Chair of Music Production and Engineering at Berklee) Critical Listening course, where you’ll learn to identify width and depth, frequency range, and dynamics; how to tailor your mix to the genre of the music you’re working with; how to optimize your listening setup; how signal processors, EQ and reverb are used in different genres; how to identify different instruments, distortion types, and production tricks by sound alone; and more.
You’ll then apply these listening skills to the audio recording application of your preference - Pro Tools, Logic, or SONAR – and gain the ability to take your projects through the preproduction, production, and postproduction processes. You’ll explore Reason’s rack of virtual instruments, effects, mixers, built-in sequencer and patching system, and learn real-world production setups and techniques used by today's top producers. You’ll then study Abelton’s Live audio sequencing software, and learn to remix and produce contemporary styles of music, including hip-hop, industrial pop/rock, and house. The elective selection of this program will introduce you to areas such as music publishing, music promotion and marketing, and core music theory - from arranging to harmony - all essential knowledge for artists looking to create exceptional work. This course is for those dedicated to a career in music production and provides an intensive learning program that will equip you with all the tools of the trade with an industry recognized qualification.
Substitutions may be requested for electives. Please contact our Continuing Education Registrar at registrar@berkleemusic.com or call (617) 747-2146 to see if your request suits the overall academic requirements for your chosen program.
Required Courses
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Desktop Music Production
Michael Bierylo, David Mash (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Master the tools and techniques for producing great-sounding music at home…and create high quality recordings ready for CD or MP3!
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Music Production Analysis
Stephen Webber (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Develop the skills to listen to music like a seasoned music producer. Learn to identify the elements of effective records, and gain the skills to bring these elements to your own productions.
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Critical Listening 1
Dan Thompson (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Create compelling, professional-sounding songs by learning to identify the production elements that contribute to a well balanced, artful and professional-sounding mix.
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Pro Tools 101
Andy Edelstein, Digidesign (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Pro Tools 101 constitutes the first stage of Digidesign’s Pro Tools certification program. Learn the foundational skills needed to understand Pro Tools technology and software. This course instructs you on recording, editing, and mixing on a basic level, and will get on the road to becoming a Pro Tools operator from home.
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Mixing and Mastering with Pro Tools
Jeff Baust (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Gain a greater understanding of two key elements of music production by learning the Berklee approach to mixing and mastering using the Pro Tools software.
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Producing Music with Ableton Live
Kai Turnbull (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Remix and produce in any number of contemporary styles, including drum and bass, R&B, breakbeat/trance and house music using Ableton's Live audio and MIDI sequencing software, a sequencer you can play like an instrument.
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Producing Music with Reason
Erik Hawkins (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Gain a firm understanding of the functionalities and capabilities of Reason software. Explore Reason's rack of virtual instruments, effects, mixers, built-in sequencer and patching system, and learn real-world production setups and techniques used by today's top producers.
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Sampling and Audio Production
David Doms (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Explore the art of sampling and audio production, and learn Berklee's approach to recording, editing, and programming using the software samplers provided in Reason.
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+ 4 Elective Courses ↓
Recommended Electives
Please contact our Continuing Education Registrar to request elective substitutions.
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Sound Design for the Electronic Musician
Michael Bierylo, David Mash (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Learn to create your own electronic sounds and musical productions using Propellerhead's Reason and Native Instruments' Absynth.
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Music Notation Using Finale
Jonathan Feist (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Create great-looking music quickly and easily with the powerful Finale music notation software, and learn techniques to maximize speed, control, and accuracy.
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Music Notation Using Sibelius
Tom Rudolph (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Learn to create lead sheets, choral and instrumental scores, drum maps and guitar notation, and explore many other ways to use Sibelius for your own personal and professional needs.
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Music Theory 101
Paul Schmeling (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Get the musical foundation you need to take your skills to a higher level. Learn to read, write, really listen…and put theory into practice every day!
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Introduction to Game Audio
Jeanine Cowen (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Gain a solid foundation of sound production and engineering skills that will prepare you to work at a game development company or as a freelance game audio professional.
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Advanced Audio Ear Training for Mix Engineers
Dan Thompson (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Expand your production skills and take your critical listening to the next level by learning to identify and implement mix strategies, compression and panning techniques, and a wide array of professional mix approaches across multiple genres of music.
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Producing Music with Logic
David Doms, Jeff Baust (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Strengthen your technical understanding of Logic Pro and heighten your overall creative abilities in music production in this 12-week course. Harness the power of Logic's extensive software instruments, and learn to record, edit, and mix your project like a pro.
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Audio Mastering Techniques
Jonathan Wyner, Marc-Dieter Einstmann (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Mastering is the final, critical, step in the post-production process. Gain a thorough understanding of what is involved in creating a final master recording ready for duplication, replication, or online distribution.
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Pro Tools 110
Andy Edelstein (12 weeks, 3 credits)
This second stage of Digidesign’s Pro Tools certification program teaches a broad range of tools and Berklee production techniques that will help you tackle more complex Pro Tools projects and enhance your capabilities in all aspects of Pro Tools production.
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Art of Mixing
Alejandro Rodriguez, Richard Mendelson (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Explore the many creative and technical considerations necessary to mix in today's music production environment. Acquire the core skill set needed to mix multi-track master recordings to a stereo final mix-down suitable for release.
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Advanced Music Production with Pro Tools
David Franz (12 weeks, 3 credits)
Learn to play the new virtual instruments and effects found in Pro Tools and beyond, and improve your overall musical productions, whether for TV, film, commercials, Web sites, video games, or the productions of artists you may be working with.
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Berklee College of Music is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
