CN: 34443
Course is full with a waitlist of 5, but will change if people drop on the first day/don't have the software, you can attend to audit/sit in. I recommend showing up on the first day (8/28)
Email me for questions
You will learn the basics of music production via Ableton and will create an EP for the final. No background required.
Music Production 101 DeCal Syllabus Music 198 Day/Time: Tuesday 6 - 8 Units: 1-2
Course Syllabus Fall 2018
Instructor information
Ravneet Kaur, ravneetkaur@berkeley.edu; soundcloud.com/spiralight
Course number: 34443 Office Hours: tbd Course Website: (bcourses link) Classroom: Morrison Hall 128
Course Description
This course is centered around music production vis-á-vis Ableton. We will go over the basics of Ableton, Mixing and Mastering, Chord Progressions, etc. Throughout the semester you will produce a 4 track EP., I will be using the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW): Ableton. The type of progressions I will be teaching will be focused on electronic music, though the tools you will learn will allow you to dive into other genres.
This is a 1 to 2 unit course depending on the amount of time you will be spending on developing your EP; our in class time will be 24 hours, for a decent album the minimum time expected to construct your songs is 36 hours, while the minimum time expected to construct your album is 4 hours. Student taking the course for 2 units will be assigned readings related to music theory, and will be required to meet once for office hours.
Song construction will begin on the 5th week of the course, while the album construction will begin on the 9th week of the course.
Course Outline
Intro to Ableton Live, Global Controls, Audio Basics, MIDI Basics, Basic track Set up (Audio /MIDI), Loops, Software Instruments, Recording Drums + MIDI Clip, Using the Keyboard Equalizers Filters Reverb, Instrument Stacking, Kicks, Hi Hats (Trap), Pump Effect, Dubstep (Wobble) Bass, Lead Pluck Synth, Filter Sweep Major & Minor Scales Intervals Chord Types, Progressions, and Inversions.
Track Structure: Intro, Drop, Verse #1, Chorus, Verse #2 & Chorus, Wrap Up
Goals: Learn basic concepts and techniques of music production, theory, and composition. We will also work on creating an artist profile across varying platforms. All levels of musicians welcome.
Materials
I will be teaching the course using Ableton Suite Edition. A free 30-day trial of Ableton is available on their website, see me for further information.
Required:
1. A personal laptop
2. DAW, Ableton Suite
3. Spotify account, premium not required 4. Headphones
Homework:
Homework will constitute of you coming up with chord progressions.
Attendance:
Missing 2 class constitutes a NP (no pass).
Schedule
We will meet for two hours a week on Thursday from 6 - 8 for a total of 24 hours of lecture. Schedule is subject to change, please watch bCourses for important announcements.
Class Structure
August
28th Introduction, course overview, course survey, setting up artist profiles and emails; Basic Concepts: Session View, Arrangement View, Controls
September
4th Mastering: Audio and MIDI
11th Sound Design
18th Music Theory: HW: write 6 Chord Progressions
25th Midterm; Creating the Final Product October
2nd Homework 1 DUE; Working Through Track 1 9th Track 1 Continued
16th Working Through Track 2
23rd Track 2 Continued
30th Homework 2: write 2 Chord Progressions, Cover Art Concept November
6th Working Through Track 3
13th Homework 2 DUE; Track 3 Continued
24th NO CLASS – Thanksgiving Break December
4th NO CLASS – Dead Week, I will be available for office hours 11th Final EP due: will be played in class tentative
Policies
Grading
Final EP: 50% Midterm: 10% Homework: 20% Attendance: 20%
Grade Distribution
Pass (P) 100% - 70% No Pass (NP) 69% - 0%
PASS (P) will be given to those whose EP shows a clear understanding of the concepts outlined under course outline.
NO PASS (NP) will be given to those students who do not turn in their EP on time, or are absent more than 2 days of class.
Midterm Project
Your midterm will consist of questions from the topics discussed in class: focusing on chord theories.
Final Project
Your final project will be an compilation of all of your songs into an EP, including cover art Your EP: Will be turned in via a SoundCloud link. Must show an understanding of all of the content that we have learned in class.
Important Dates
Deadline to add without approval: September 12th
Deadline to drop without notation on transcript: September 12th Deadline to withdraw: December 7th
Attendance
Attendance is required and a large portion of your grade, please show up to every class. Missing more than 2 classes unexcused will result in a NO PASS for the course. If you’re not able to make it to class, please contact me ahead of time.
Late Work
Generally will not be accepted.
Academic Integrity
Collaborations will be approved a case by case basis.
Accommodations
If you have a letter of accommodation from the Disabled Students Program (DSP), please come up to after class or email me to work out any needed arrangements. If you need an accommodation and have not yet met with DSP, please do so as soon as possible. If you would need any assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation of the building, the DSP recommends you plan for this in advance. Contact the DSP at 510-643-6456.
Discussions
This is a collaborative course, you will get to know myself and your colleagues well. This class builds off of one and another, engage in class. This is a place where you ca share ideas, links, websites, albums, sounds etc.
Section | Facilitator | Size | Location | Time | Starts | Status | CCN(LD) | CCN(UD) |
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Music Production 101 | Ravneet Kaur | 50 | 128 Morrison Hall | [Tu] 6:00PM-8:00AM | 08/28/2018 | Full | -- | 34443 |
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