When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
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Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 4 modules in this course
Step into the dynamic world of music production with '"What Does a Music Producer Do?" This course is designed to help you cultivate your identity as a music producer, providing insights into the roles, responsibilities, and creative processes that define the profession. Learn from industry experts about the unique ways award-winning producers have shaped their roles. By the end of this course, you'll have a clear vision of the type of producer you aspire to be, armed with the skills to create technically excellent and creatively inspired music. This course is a stepping stone towards exploring music production, critical listening, and music composition.
In this module, you'll explore the roles and responsibilities of music producers, focusing on their creative and technical decisions to enhance a song's quality. Through critical analysis strategies, you'll dissect music compositions and arrangements. Take a quiz to identify your producer skills and engage in peer discussions to share your goals. In one activity, you'll study GRAMMY®-winning productions, and in another, you'll understand the impact of composition and arrangement decisions. Join us to shape your unique producer identity and excel in music production.
Welcome from Recording Academy® CEO Harvey Mason jr.•1 minute
Welcome to Course 1: What Does a Music Producer Do? •2 minutes
What Music Producers Do•4 minutes
Serving the Song•3 minutes
GRAMMY® Winners Cirkut and Judith Sherman, Artist and Celebrity Vocal Coach Stevie Mackey, and GRAMMY® Nominee Harvey Mason jr. Explore Finding Your Identity •4 minutes
How to Listen Like a Producer•3 minutes
GRAMMY® Winners Judith Sherman, Hit-Boy, Cirkut, and Celebrity Vocal Coach Stevie Mackey Share How They Listen•5 minutes
Reference Tracks•2 minutes
Debrief: Thinking About Composition and Arrangment•2 minutes
Recording Academy CEO and GRAMMY® Nominee Harvey Mason jr. Considers Composition and Arrangement •2 minutes
10 readings•Total 94 minutes
About Your Instructor: Carolyn Malachi•10 minutes
Course Introduction and Expectations•10 minutes
Technology Requirements•6 minutes
Earn a Course Certificate•4 minutes
Welcome to Module 1: A Music Producer's Role•3 minutes
Exploring Different Types of Music Producers•5 minutes
Additional Roles and Responsibilities that Impact a Production•6 minutes
Your Turn to Listen Like a Producer•20 minutes
Think About Composition•15 minutes
Think About Arrangement•15 minutes
2 assignments•Total 10 minutes
What Skills Do You Have? Quiz•5 minutes
Quiz: A Music Producer's Role•5 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 35 minutes
Share Your Goals with Your Peers•15 minutes
Listen Closely•10 minutes
Listen Critically•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 1 minute
Become a GRAMMY GO Insider!•1 minute
Music Production Software and DAWs
Module 2•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you'll explore music production system components and their impact, learn to control acoustics in your space, and use your digital audio workstation (DAW) creatively. You'll recreate a reference track in your DAW and discuss music production in its language. Use peer discussions to assess your setup and tackle challenges. In peer-review assignments, you'll understand the significance of acoustics and reflections in recording quality and recreate a reference track to enhance your skills. This module fosters creativity and a deeper appreciation for music production.
What's included
8 videos6 readings2 peer reviews
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 27 minutes
Assembling Your System•3 minutes
Set Up•5 minutes
How Microphones Impact Production•5 minutes
Acoustics and Your Physical Space•2 minutes
GRAMMY® Winners Hit-Boy and Cirkut Explore Creating a Unique Production •3 minutes
Exploring Acoustic Treatments•3 minutes
How to Work Efficiently in Your DAW•4 minutes
Reproduce a Reference Track•2 minutes
6 readings•Total 37 minutes
Welcome to Module 2: Using Your Music Production System•3 minutes
Terms to Know: Using Your Music Production System•5 minutes
Music Production Setups•5 minutes
Microphone Choices in Music Production: Finding Your Sonic Signature•8 minutes
Assessing Your Setup•10 minutes
Best Practices for Saving Files•6 minutes
2 peer reviews•Total 90 minutes
Capturing Acoustic Signals and Exploring Acoustic Treatment and Reflections•30 minutes
Recreate Your Reference Track•60 minutes
Creative Listening for and Artistic Mindset
Module 3•1 hour to complete
Module details
Discover the pivotal role of individual artistic perspectives in music production outcomes in this module. You'll analyze creative performances within songs, their evolution, and their impact. In addition, you'll explore choices shaping composition, arrangement, and concept, affecting mood and emotions. Enhance creative expression using DAW plug-ins. Engage in discussions and activities, including "Reference Track Analysis" and "Practice Creative Effects with Plug-ins." Evaluate your understanding with a Knowledge Check Quiz, empowering your unique perspective in music creation.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment2 discussion prompts
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 21 minutes
Creative Listening•4 minutes
Listening for Inspiration•2 minutes
Listening for Creative Composition•3 minutes
Serve the Artist to Serve the Song•2 minutes
GRAMMY® Winners & Nominees Hit-Boy, Harvey Mason jr. and Cirkut Share How They Find Creative Inspiration•3 minutes
How To Use Your DAW for Creative Composition•7 minutes
1 reading•Total 2 minutes
Welcome to Module 3: Creative Productions•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Reflect on Your Progress Quiz•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 25 minutes
Reference Track Analysis•5 minutes
Practice Creative Expression with Effects Plugins•20 minutes
Critical Listening to Craft Soundscapes
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you'll explore the technical choices that impact the sonic quality of musical elements in your productions. You'll analyze how each musical element occupies space, how their sonic qualities change over time, and how they support your song's concept, mood, and subject matter. You'll also create a comprehensive production plan based on your sonic priorities. Engage in practical activities like evaluating technical aspects in a reference track and applying plug-ins to refine your compositions. As you conclude the course, you'll design a production plan that ensures emotional resonance and cohesion, while also providing feedback to your peers.
GRAMMY GO is the first creator-to-creator learning platform from the Recording Academy; a vibrant, diverse, global community dedicated to empowering music’s next generation. It puts the wisdom and experience of GRAMMY winners and nominees, Recording Academy members, and industry pros into practical, up-to-the moment coursework and content. GRAMMY GO is where everyone who wants to build their future in music can learn from the best: those who are shaping the industry of tomorrow.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.