About this course: Producing music is an incredibly creative process, and knowing the tools of the trade is essential in order to transmit the musical ideas in your head into the DAW in a creative and uninhibited way. Whether you have used a computer to create music before, or you have been curious about production for years, this 4-week course will give you an introductory look into the world of Avid Pro Tools and Pro Tools First.
Created by: Berklee
Taught by: Chrissy Tignor-Fisher, Assistant Professor
Contemporary Writing and Production
| Basic Info | Course 3 of 4 in the Music Production Specialization |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Welcome to Pro Tools Basics!
Welcome to your Berklee MOOC! 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.
1 video, 9 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Reading: A Note From Chrissy
- Reading: Connect with Your Classmates
- Reading: Tell Time
- Reading: Artist Bio: Amy Allen
- Reading: Meet Your Teaching Assistant!
- Practice Quiz: What Are Your Goals?
- Video: What You'll Need For This Course
- Reading: Download Pro Tools First or the FREE Demo Version
- Reading: Learner Support
- Reading: Course Certificates
- Reading: Peer Review Assignments
WEEK 2
Diving In
In this first lesson, we will roll up our sleeves and dive into the Pro Tools interface. We'll learn how to set up a session and how to add instrument and audio tracks. We'll also learn how to save and bounce our work while keeping everything organized.
9 videos
- Video: The Pro Tools Interface
- Video: MIDI and Software Instrument Tracks
- Video: Audio Tracks
- Video: Working From Templates
- Video: Organizing Your Session
- Video: Bouncing Your Session
- Video: Saving Your Session
- Video: Working with The Basics
- Video: Giving and Receiving Feedback
- LTI Item: Peer Learning Exercise: Working with The Basics
Graded: The Basics
WEEK 3
Exploring MIDI and Software Instruments
In this lesson, we'll focus on MIDI and software instruments. We'll start by learning about the different kinds of sound waves. Next, we'll learn the difference between samplers and synthesizers and how to use them in music production. We'll also learn how to manipulate and automate MIDI.
7 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Introduction to On-Board Software Instruments
- Video: Wave Basics
- Reading: Wave Basics
- Reading: Simple Automation in Pro Tools
- Discussion Prompt: Even MORE About Waves
- Reading: More About Waves
- Video: Synthesizers
- Video: Samplers
- Video: MIDI Manipulation
- Video: Automation
- Video: Working with MIDI and Software Instruments
- Reading: Beatport
Graded: MIDI and Software Instruments
Graded: Peer Learning Exercise: Working with MIDI and Software Instruments
WEEK 4
Recording and Manipulating Audio
This week we'll dive into the world of audio. We'll learn how to properly import and manage audio in Pro Tools. We'll learn how to record into Pro Tools, and we'll also learn how to use AudioSuite to manipulate audio regions.
6 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Importing and Managing Audio
- Video: Audio Suite (Reverse)
- Video: Tempo Operations
- Reading: Audio Samples
- Video: Recording In
- Video: Playlists
- Video: Working with Audio
- LTI Item: Peer Learning Exercise: Working with Audio
Graded: Recording and Manipulating Audio
WEEK 5
Mixing and Mastering
In this final lesson we will be discussing mixing and mastering. You'll learn how to make a radio-quality production by adding reverb, EQ, compression, and limiters.
7 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Overview of Plugin Effects and Creating a Rough Mix
- Video: EQ
- Reading: Frequency Graph
- Video: Compression
- Reading: Compression Recap
- Video: Reverb, Buses, and Aux Tracks
- Reading: More About Reverb
- Video: Limiters
- Video: Practice Mixing and Mastering
- Video: Course Wrap-Up
- Reading: Credits
Graded: Mixing and Mastering
Graded: Peer Learning Exercise: Practice Mixing and Mastering
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
Berklee
Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music is through the study and practice of contemporary music. For more than half a century, the college has evolved to reflect the state of the art of music and the music business. Berklee serves distance learners worldwide through its award-winning online extension school, Berklee Online.
Pricing
| Purchase Course | Audit | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Available | Not available |
| Receive a final grade | Available | Not available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Available | Not available |
Ratings and Reviews
The best Ever i learn a lot
My great gratitude to all who developed this course and to Chrissy Tignor-Fisher in particular. Difficult things have become much more simplier, no matter what DAW you have. Thank you and hope to see yo in person some day.
This was a challenging course that really taught me what I needed to learn. I have wanted to know how music production is done in the all-digital domain with a DAW for years. Now I have my DAW, some software, and I am using it to make music! Thank you Chrissy!
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i Learned a lot of new things in this course.. Thanks very much