The Art of Music Production from Coursera

Explore the art of record production and how to make recordings that other people will love listening to. This course will teach you how to make emotionally moving recordings on almost any recording equipment, including your phone or laptop. The emphasis is on mastering tangible artistic concepts; the gear you use is up to you. You will learn to develop the most important tool in the recording studio: your ears. You will learn to enhance every aspect of your own productions, both sonically and musically, by employing deeper listening skills.

Assignments will include posting your own recordings for peer review, and reviewing your classmates’ work by employing specific tools and strategies. If you use a digital audio workstation to record and mix, that’s great, but as long as you can record into your computer and post an MP3, you can complete the assignments.

As you learn about the art of record production in this 4-week course, you will also learn about yourself and who you are as an artist and producer. It is not necessary that you read music or play an instrument to take this course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to The Art of Music Production

Welcome to The Art of Music Production! Before you begin the course, we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.

Listening Like A Producer

By the end of this lesson, you’ll understand the concepts of listening to music emotionally and technically. Strategies for maintaining objectivity and using kinesthetic observations to discover musical effectiveness will be internalized. You’ll train yourself to make distinctions on what works and what doesn’t work, rather than just passively listening as a fan.

Identity, Vision, and Intention

In this lesson, you’ll hone in on your identity as a recording artist: who are you, and what are you meaning to convey through your music? You’ll work on refining your vision and intention for the recordings you’ll make employing these skills, and record and post a “work tape” of a new piece of music.

Strengthening Musical Productions: Tools & Strategies

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to employ several useful techniques for strengthening your songs and instrumental tracks. You’ll acquire skills in prosody, focus, and an intelligent approach to repetition. You’ll also learn to craft better melodies, write better lyrics, and construct a musical form that best suits the emotional contour you are trying to accomplish with your recording. You’ll understand the principles of getting the most out of feedback on your recordings, in order to gather valuable perspective to better convey your intended response. You’ll incorporate notes from your colleagues to further refine your recording and re-post an updated version.

Defining the Sonic Signature of your Song

By the end of this lesson, you will address the sonic signature as it relates to your intention and vision, as well as your technology resources and acoustic space. You’ll learn about microphone techniques, getting good levels, and mixing with reverb, EQ and compression. You will record your material, having made some deliberate decisions about the sound of your record, and post your recording for peer review according to specific criteria.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills in identifying and addressing the sonic signature of a song

Teaches essential listening strategies for effective music production and artistic development

Provides a creative and comprehensive study of the art of music production, which is highly relevant to the music industry

Suitable for learners of varied experience levels, as it offers a combination of fundamental concepts and advanced techniques

Stephen Webber's expertise as a renowned producer enhances the course's credibility

The course's multi-modal format, including discussions, peer reviews, and hands-on assignments, enhances engagement and learning

The online platform is convenient and accessible for remote learning

Reviews summary

Precision and intention: art of music production

learners say that this course is largely positive, providing an in-depth look at the creative side of music production, from developing your identity as an artist to refining your musical vision. Many students emphasize the importance of defining your Identity, Vision, and Intention (IVI) as a producer to guide your creative process. They also highlight the value of the peer review process in providing feedback and helping them improve their work. The course's focus on the human side of music production and its emphasis on songwriting and emotional expression resonate with many learners, who appreciate the opportunity to connect with other musicians and develop their artistic skills.

This course focuses on the human side of music production, emphasizing songwriting, emotional expression, and connecting with other musicians.

"I learned a lot about myself as an artist!"

"I've been making music for a long time but this course made me wish I started taking classes from the beginning."

"This course was a way for me to test if I actually wanted to get into that part of the creative process and it turns out, I LOVE IT!"

The peer review process provides valuable feedback and helps improve your work.

"The most important lesson here was defining my artiste identity, and then figuring out what needs to go into the song."

"I really enjoyed this process."

"The peer graded assignments weekly also helped me recieve feedback and understand how peers were perceiving the song."

Defining your Identity, Vision, and Intention (IVI) is essential for creating meaningful and impactful music.

"I learned a lot from this course! It really made a difference in my life."

"It really helped me find out who I am as a musician and what my intentions are with the music I produce."

"It helps you make decisions based on where you want to go musically."

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 The Art of Music Production with these activities:

Start using the DAW of your choice

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Become familiar with the basic principles of a DAW (digital audio workstation), such as GarageBand, Logic Pro, or Ableton

Browse courses on Digital Audio Workstation

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Download and install a DAW
Complete the built-in tutorials
Search for beginner tutorials on YouTube, Udemy, or other online platforms

Read The Art of Production by Dave Pensado and Herb Trawick

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Extract knowledge from experts in the field of music production to better understand the methods behind successful productions

View The Pensado Papers: The Rise of Visionary... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book
Set aside at least 30 minutes each day to read
Take notes and highlight key passages
Consider joining a book club or online discussion forum to engage with others

Record and mix a cover song

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Apply the principles of music production to create your rendition of an existing song

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Choose a song that inspires you
Record your own vocals and instruments, or use samples
Mix the different tracks together
Master the final mix

Five other activities

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Join a peer review group

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Share your work with others and receive constructive feedback

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Find a group of fellow musicians or producers
Set up a regular meeting schedule
Bring your work to each meeting for review

Attend a music production workshop

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Connect with audio professionals and learn from their experiences

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Research music production workshops in your area
Choose a workshop that aligns with your interests
Register for the workshop and attend

Complete mixing exercises

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Develop your mixing skills through repetitive exercises, using a library of sounds

Browse courses on Mixing

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Find a set of mixing exercises online or in textbooks
Set aside dedicated practice time each day
Listen carefully to the results of your mixes
Consider recording your mixes and sharing them with others for feedback

Produce an original song

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Challenge yourself to create a unique piece of music from start to finish

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Develop a song idea, including lyrics, melody, and chord progression
Record your vocals and instruments
Edit and mix the different tracks
Master the final mix

Organize a listening party for your work

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Present your music to a small audience and collect feedback

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Invite friends, family, or other musicians to a listening party
Set up a comfortable and intimate listening environment
Play your music and encourage everyone to share their thoughts

Career center

Learners who complete The Art of Music Production will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Music Producer

A Music Producer is responsible for overseeing the recording and production of music. They work with artists, engineers, and other professionals to create high-quality recordings. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Producer. You will learn about the music industry, how to work with artists, and how to produce recordings that meet the highest standards.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Audio Engineer

An Audio Engineer is responsible for recording, mixing, and mastering audio content. They work in a variety of settings, such as recording studios, broadcast facilities, and post-production houses. This course, The Art of Music Production, can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this career. You will learn how to use recording equipment, edit and mix audio, and master your tracks to create professional-sounding recordings. You will also learn about the music industry and how to market your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer

Recording Engineer

A Recording Engineer is responsible for recording and mixing audio content. They work in a variety of settings, such as recording studios, broadcast facilities, and post-production houses. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this career. You will learn how to use recording equipment, edit and mix audio, and master your tracks to create professional-sounding recordings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Recording Engineer

Music Director

A Music Director is responsible for overseeing the musical aspects of a production. They work with musicians, singers, and other performers to create a cohesive and engaging performance. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Director. You will learn about music theory, conducting, and how to work with musicians.

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Sound Designer

A Sound Designer is responsible for creating and editing sound effects for film, television, and other media. They work with directors, producers, and other professionals to create a sonic environment that enhances the storytelling. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Sound Designer. You will learn about sound design theory, how to use sound editing software, and how to create realistic sound effects.

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Music Teacher

A Music Teacher is responsible for teaching music to students of all ages. They work in a variety of settings, such as schools, music studios, and community centers. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Teacher. You will learn about music theory, pedagogy, and how to work with students.

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Musician

A Musician performs music on an instrument or sings. They work in a variety of settings, such as concert halls, recording studios, and churches. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Musician. You will learn about music theory, performance techniques, and how to work with other musicians.

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Composer

A Composer writes original music for a variety of purposes, such as film, television, and video games. They work with directors, producers, and other professionals to create a musical score that enhances the storytelling. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Composer. You will learn about music theory, composition techniques, and how to write for different media.

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Broadcast Engineer

A Broadcast Engineer is responsible for maintaining and operating broadcast equipment. They work in a variety of settings, such as television stations, radio stations, and satellite companies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Broadcast Engineer. You will learn about broadcast equipment, how to maintain and operate it, and how to troubleshoot problems.

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Audiovisual Technician

An Audiovisual Technician is responsible for setting up and operating audio and visual equipment for events and productions. They work in a variety of settings, such as concert halls, theaters, and conference centers. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Audiovisual Technician. You will learn about audio and visual equipment, how to set up and operate it, and how to troubleshoot problems.

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Multimedia Artist

A Multimedia Artist creates art using a variety of media, such as sound, images, and video. They work in a variety of settings, such as studios, galleries, and museums. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Multimedia Artist. You will learn about multimedia art theory, production techniques, and how to exhibit your work.

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Music Librarian

A Music Librarian is responsible for managing and preserving music collections. They work in a variety of settings, such as libraries, universities, and museums. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful Music Librarian. You will learn about music librarianship, cataloging, and preservation techniques.

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Music Therapist

A Music Therapist uses music to help people with physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities. They work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and schools. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in becoming a Music Therapist. You will learn about music therapy techniques, how to work with clients, and how to evaluate the effectiveness of your work.

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Arts Administrator

An Arts Administrator manages the business and operations of arts organizations. They work in a variety of settings, such as theaters, museums, and dance companies. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in becoming an Arts Administrator. You will learn about arts management principles, how to budget and manage finances, and how to market and promote arts organizations.

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Event Planner

An Event Planner plans and coordinates events, such as weddings, conferences, and parties. They work with clients to determine their needs and budget, and then plan and execute the event. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in becoming an Event Planner. You will learn about event planning principles, how to budget and manage finances, and how to market and promote events.

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