The Music MasterChef: Music Production Course

🎹 Cooking from Scratch (Music Production)

Module 1: Introduction to Music Production

• What is Music Production?
• Understanding the Music Production Workflow
• Essential Gear & Software Overview (DAWs, Mic, Audio Interface, headphones, etc.)
• Essential Equipment for a Home Studio Setup

Module 2: Getting Started with Your DAW

• Basic DAW Setup (Ableton/FL Studio)
  • Understanding bit depth and sample rate
  • Optimizing performance (latency, buffer size, CPU management)
• Navigating the Interface
• Working with clips (loading, playing, moving)
• What is Signal Flow? (The path that an audio signal takes from its source to the output)
• Creating and Saving Your First Project

Module 3: Understanding Sound and Instruments

• Types of Sounds: Synths, Drums, Instruments
• MIDI vs Audio: What’s the Difference?
• Using Virtual Instruments and Plugins
• Download & Install 3rd Party Plugins/VSTs
• Download & Add More FREE Sample Packs

Module 4: Beat Making Essentials (Songwriting Basics)

• What is Tempo/BPM and Time Signatures?
• Introduction to Drum Programming
  • What is Grid
  • What is Beat and Bar(or Measure)
  • Subdivision(Note Lengths) – Quarter notes, Eighth notes, Sixteenth notes, or Triplets
• Layering Kicks, Snares, and Hi-Hats
• Groove, Swing, and Humanizing Beats

Module 5: Music Theory Basics (Scales, Chords)

• Introduction to music scales, chromatic scale
• Key concepts: whole-step, half-step, semitone, cents, root note, diatonic, chromatic
• Major and minor scales
• Introduction to chords, triads and seventh chords
• Major and minor chords
• Transposing and inversions
• Ear Training
  • Ear Training Exercises using Vocal Tuner Apps
  • How to Find the Scale and Key of a Song
• How to choose the right Key and Scale of your Song

Module 6: Building Melodies and Chords (Songwriting Basics)

• MIDI Programming and Recording
• MIDI Overdub and Capture MIDI features
• Quantization – Auto vs Manual
• Techniques for Writing Chord Progressions
• Crafting Catchy Melodies
• Enhancing basic melodies with effects
• Layering Instruments for Depth

Module 7: Audio Recording, Monitoring and Comping

• Miking Technique
• What is Input Monitoring? (Software vs Hardware Monitoring & Low-Latency Options)
• Recording Scratch Vocals for Reference is a Good Practice!
• Recording Audio (Vocals, Guitar, etc.)
• Layering (Harmonies, Double Track(unison vocals), Octave Doublings)
• Comping Multiple Takes Recording and using Fades and Crossfades

Module 8: Arrangement and Structure (Songwriting Basics)

• Intro, Verse, Chorus, Bridge Explained
• Working with Locators/Markers
• Creating Dynamic Song Structures
• Tips for Keeping Listeners Engaged (Adding Ear Candy, Transitions and FX)

Module 9: Sound Design Basics

• Introduction to Synths and Samplers
• Basic Sound Shaping Techniques (Filter, ADSR, etc.)
• Using Presets vs. Custom Sounds

Module 10: 808s vs Bass, Bassline Programming (Songwriting Basics)

• What is 808, Synth Bass, Bass Guitar, Sub-Bass?
• Working with 808s – Tweak the Pitch and Envelope Settings to Shape Your Sound
• 808 Patterns – Layering with Kicks
• Bass Programming using Synth Bass, Bass Guitar

Module 11: Automations & Mapping

• Keyboard and MIDI controller Mapping
• Creating and Editing Automation Envelopes (MIDI & Audio)
• Recording Real-Time Automation
• Drawing Automation Manually

🎚️ Plating and Garnishing (Mixing & Mastering)

Module 1: Introduction to Mixing

• What is Mixing and Why Does It Matter – The Purpose of Mixing
• Balancing Levels and Panning
• Understanding Frequencies and the Audio Spectrum
• Essential Mixing Tools (EQ, Compression, Reverb, etc.)

Module 2: The Mixing Process Step-by-Step

• Gain Staging, Volume Balancing and Headroom
• Panning for Stereo Width
• EQ Techniques for Clarity (Subtractive EQ(Cutting), Additive EQ(Boosting) and Tonal Balance)
• Compression Basics for Dynamics
• Mixing Low Frequencies (Kick and Bass) – using EQ, Compression and Sidechaining
• Using Distortion, Saturation, and Exciters

Module 3: Vocal Processing Chain

• Clean up a Vocal Recording (Removing Noise, Clicks, Breaths)
• EQ for Clarity
• Compression for Dynamics
• Using Auto-Tune for Pitch Correction
• De-esser and Saturation
• Final Compressor and EQ, if needed!
• Final Vocal Levelling Techniques

Module 4: Adding Effects

• Using Reverb and Delay for Depth
• What are Sends and Returns
• Creative Effects (Chorus, Flangers, Distortion)
• Automating Effects for Movement

Module 5: Finalizing the Mix

• Creating Space with Reverb and Delay
• Checking Your Mix in Mono
• Referencing with Professional Tracks

Module 6: Introduction to Mastering

• What is Mastering?
• Preparing Your Mix for Mastering
• Understanding LUFS, RMS, and Peak Levels

Module 7: The Mastering Process

• Applying EQ, Compression, Saturation, and Limiting
• Stereo Imaging and Widening
• Final Loudness Optimization

Module 8: Exporting and Distribution

• Exporting for Different Platforms (Spotify, YouTube, etc.)
• Metadata and File Formats
• Basic Tips for Online Distribution (Free vs Paid)

BONUS!!

• Project Breakdown and Analysis
• How do I identify a music genre?
  • Listening is the key to knowing and identifying any song genre
  • Overview of music genres (Hip-Hop, RnB, EDM, Rock, Pop, Metal, Bollywood/Punjabi, etc.)
• Music Producer Terminology(Terms and Words) – You Must Know to Sound like a Producer!
• Music Marketing and Business Concepts