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Luke Harrald, Christian Haines, and Stephen Whittington

Want to produce and record your own music?

This course will help you do that by showing you how to apply new technologies to your own creative practice, using freeware and browser based apps.

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Want to produce and record your own music?

This course will help you do that by showing you how to apply new technologies to your own creative practice, using freeware and browser based apps.

Music Technology Foundations draws on Adelaide’s world-class pioneering expertise in making electronic music, to provide a great foundation to a career in music and to enable any learner to use technology in creative ways.

In this course, you’ll learn about the core principles of music technology, including sound, audio, MIDI, effects and sequencing.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to produce and record your own music
  • History, theory and practice of music technology
  • Sound, audio, midi, effects and sequencing
  • Hands-on practice with music-making using contemporary digital tools

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores the fundamentals of music technology, providing a foundational comprehension of the field
Provides a comprehensive understanding of the history, theory, and practice of music production
Develops foundational skills in recording and producing music, a valuable asset for aspiring musicians
Uses contemporary digital tools for hands-on learning, granting students practical experience
Covers essential principles of music technology, including sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing
Taught by experienced instructors, Luke Harrald, Christian Haines, and Stephen Whittington, all with expertise in music and technology

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive music tech overview

Learners say Music Technology Foundations provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of music creation, from early sound recordings to modern-day digital audio workstations. The course teaches beginners how to create their own sounds and tracks in Audacity. The final project is a two-minute track.
Final project is to create a track in Audacity
"The final project of the course being a two-minute track created in Audacity"
Beginners will learn how to make their own music
"The course also guides beginners on how to create their own sounds and tracks"
Traces the history of music technology from the start to the present
"The class starts with a huge timeline of how music technology has evolved from the very first recorded sounds to player pianos to the creation of synthesizers, all leading up to all of the amazing DAWs we have today."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Music Technology Foundations with these activities:
Review DAW fundamentals
Prepare for this course by reviewing fundamentals of digital audio workstations, which will be essential knowledge for the course.
Browse courses on Digital Audio Workstation
Show steps
  • Watch introductory tutorials on YouTube or Coursera
  • Read the user manual for your preferred DAW
  • Practice basic operations such as recording, editing, and mixing
Join a music technology forum or online community
Connect with other music technology enthusiasts, share knowledge, and get feedback on your work.
Browse courses on Music Technology
Show steps
  • Find a music technology forum or online community.
  • Introduce yourself and ask questions.
  • Participate in discussions and share your experiences.
  • Collaborate with other members on projects.
Attend a music technology conference or meetup
Stay up-to-date on the latest trends in music technology and connect with industry professionals.
Browse courses on Music Technology
Show steps
  • Find a music technology conference or meetup in your area.
  • Register for the event.
  • Attend the event and actively participate in discussions.
  • Connect with other attendees on LinkedIn or other social media platforms.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Complete the tutorials on the Ableton Live website
Get started with music technology by following guided tutorials from a leading software provider.
Browse courses on Ableton Live
Show steps
  • Create an Ableton Live account.
  • Watch the introductory tutorials.
  • Complete the hands-on exercises.
  • Create your own music project.
Read 'Music: A Mathematical Offering' by Dave Benson
Learn about the mathematical foundations of music to deepen your understanding of music technology.
Show steps
  • Read the first three chapters of the book.
  • Complete the practice exercises in the book.
  • Write a summary of what you have learned.
Practice using MIDI controllers
Develop proficiency in using MIDI controllers to enhance your music production skills.
Browse courses on MIDI
Show steps
  • Connect a MIDI controller to your computer.
  • Learn the basic functions of the MIDI controller.
  • Practice playing melodies and chords using the MIDI controller.
Contribute to the Sonic Pi open-source music programming language
Gain practical experience in music technology by contributing to a real-world open-source project.
Browse courses on Open Source
Show steps
  • Read the Sonic Pi documentation.
  • Find a bug or feature to work on.
  • Submit a pull request with your fix or improvement.
Write a blog post or article about a music technology topic
Share your knowledge of music technology and help others learn from your experiences.
Browse courses on Music Technology
Show steps
  • Choose a topic that you are passionate about.
  • Research your topic thoroughly.
  • Write a well-structured and engaging blog post or article.
  • Publish your work on a relevant platform.
Create a portfolio of your music productions
Showcase your music technology skills and build your professional portfolio.
Browse courses on Music Production
Show steps
  • Select your best music productions.
  • Create a website or online portfolio to showcase your work.
  • Promote your portfolio to potential employers or clients.

Career center

Learners who complete Music Technology Foundations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Audio Engineer
Audio Engineers are responsible for recording, mixing, and mastering audio for a variety of purposes, including music, film, and television. This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing. You will also gain hands-on experience with music-making using contemporary digital tools.
Music Producer
Music Producers are responsible for overseeing the recording, mixing, and mastering of music. They work with artists, musicians, and engineers to create the final product. This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing. You will also gain hands-on experience with music-making using contemporary digital tools.
Sound Designer
Sound Designers are responsible for creating and manipulating sound effects for a variety of purposes, including film, television, and video games. This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing. You will also gain hands-on experience with music-making using contemporary digital tools.
Musician
Musicians perform music for a variety of purposes, including live performance, recording, and teaching. This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing. You will also gain hands-on experience with music-making using contemporary digital tools.
Composer
Composers create original music for a variety of purposes, including film, television, and video games. This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing. You will also gain hands-on experience with music-making using contemporary digital tools.
Music Teacher
Music Teachers teach music to students of all ages. This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing. You will also gain hands-on experience with music-making using contemporary digital tools.
Music Therapist
Music Therapists use music to help people improve their physical, emotional, and mental health. This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing. You will also gain hands-on experience with music-making using contemporary digital tools.
Audiovisual Technician
Audiovisual Technicians set up and operate audio and visual equipment for a variety of purposes, including live events, conferences, and presentations. This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing. You will also gain hands-on experience with music-making using contemporary digital tools.
Broadcast Engineer
Broadcast Engineers design, install, and maintain broadcast systems for radio and television stations. This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing. You will also gain hands-on experience with music-making using contemporary digital tools.
Acoustical Engineer
Acoustical Engineers design and analyze sound systems for a variety of purposes, including concert halls, recording studios, and theaters. This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing. You will also gain hands-on experience with music-making using contemporary digital tools.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineers design, develop, and test electrical systems and components. This course may be useful for those who are interested in pursuing a career in this field, as it will provide them with a foundational understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing.
Computer Scientist
Computer Scientists design, develop, and implement computer systems and software. This course may be useful for those who are interested in pursuing a career in this field, as it will provide them with a foundational understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing.
Mathematician
Mathematicians study the properties of numbers, shapes, and other mathematical objects. This course may be useful for those who are interested in pursuing a career in this field, as it will provide them with a foundational understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing.
Physicist
Physicists study the fundamental laws of nature. This course may be useful for those who are interested in pursuing a career in this field, as it will provide them with a foundational understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing.
Chemist
Chemists study the composition, structure, and properties of matter. This course may be useful for those who are interested in pursuing a career in this field, as it will provide them with a foundational understanding of sound, audio, MIDI, effects, and sequencing.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Music Technology Foundations.
This textbook provides a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the theory and practice of digital audio signal processing. Suitable for students and professionals, it covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced techniques.
Critical history of electronic music, exploring its origins, development, and impact. It must-read for anyone who wants to understand the history and culture of electronic music.
Beginner's guide to making music with computers. It covers the basics of music theory, sequencing, and recording. It good starting point for anyone who wants to learn how to make music with computers.
This encyclopedia of jazz comprehensive reference work covering all aspects of jazz. Provides background information.
Comprehensive list of all the number one hits in the United States. Provides background information.
Compilation of world records, including many related to music. Provides background information.

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