Intro to Music Production 1
$200
About this course
This course teaches music production through direct, hands-on work rather than lecture. Every session takes place inside BandLab, a free browser-based studio that requires no software purchase and no equipment beyond a laptop and a pair of headphones. Students build original songs from the first week, working through the same process professional producers use: starting with loops to sketch an idea, then moving into building tracks from scratch.
Early weeks cover programming drum patterns using both loop-based and sample-based techniques, then move into melody and harmony using the piano roll, where students learn to construct chords and basslines by ear, without requiring a music theory background. From there, the course introduces sound design: swapping and layering instrument sounds, building original tones from raw samples, and shaping them with effects like delay and distortion.
The course is taught by professional audio engineer and mixer Zach Johnson who has worked on Grammy Award Winning Albums, so the techniques taught reflect how songs are actually produced in professional settings, not a simplified version built for a classroom. Students are not restricted to one genre. Whether the interest is hip hop, EDM, pop, rock, or country, the same tools and workflow apply, and students finish with original, complete tracks they can share, post, or use as portfolio material.
Note on software: Bandlab is an extremely simple and intuitive software for beginners to help you grasp the concepts necessary for fluent music production. Though it is basic, it can lay a powerful foundation to evolve from later in your music producing journey. For more advance courses, sign up for our email list to be notified about courses using software like Ableton Live, GarageBand, or FL Studio (more advanced production courses)
Whether you’re into hip-hop, EDM, pop, rock, or game music, you’ll create your own songs from day one. No experience required—just bring your creativity.
FAQs
Minimum Computer Requirements?
The course utilizes the browser based software BandLab, and it works on every type of computer, even Chromebooks! Set up your free account here.
How much time per week is the course?
We will meet twice per week, with an additional window for office hours with the instructor. The first day of the week is to discuss the techniques, the second day is later in the week, to review everyone’s work and make corrections. Office hours are to trouble-shoot any issues students are having or to address any assignment questions. This time, combined with project assignments could equal up to 3-4 hours per week.
Do I have to know how to play an instrument?
Not at all! We’ll be using electronic samples and your imagination to begin the process.
Does this workshop last all school year?
No. We offer each class in a package of either 1 month or 2 months, depending on the class. This class lasts 1 month, and you can take additional workshops after this one to continue your development.
Do I have to focus on a specific genre?
The short answer is no! You can be an absolute beginner, looking to make beats or learn the workflow and processes to refine your own existing creations.
Syllabus
Learning music production from random YouTube videos can be fun, but it often leaves you with gaps in your knowledge. One tutorial teaches you how to make an 808 hit harder, another shows you a cool effect, and another explains mixing—but it's hard to know what to learn next or why. Many students spend months jumping from video to video without ever finishing a complete song. This course is different. The curriculum is designed like a professional training program, with each lesson building on the skills you've already learned. You'll start with the fundamentals, then progress into beat making, recording, MIDI programming, sound design, arranging, mixing, and mastering. Every project reinforces previous concepts, so you're constantly improving instead of starting over with every new tutorial. The techniques you'll learn are the same core skills used by music producers across the industry. Whether you want to create beats, produce songs, compose music for video games or films, or simply make better music for yourself, you'll develop a strong foundation that transfers to any genre or software. Most importantly, you'll receive guidance and feedback from an instructor who can answer questions, identify mistakes, and help you improve much faster than learning on your own. Instead of wondering what to learn next, you'll follow a proven path that helps you build confidence, complete projects, and create music you're proud to share.
Week 1
Tools, Tech, and the Producer Mindset
Set up BandLab, a free studio that runs right in your browser, and learn what a modern producer actually does. You'll drag in your first loops and start shaping them into an idea by the end of the week.
Week 2
Programming Drums From Scratch
Learn three ways to build a beat: BandLab' s Drum Machine, real audio samples, and BandLab' s own Sampler. Use them to program a full 16-bar drum pattern that' s entirely your own.
Week 3
Chords, Melody, and Sound Design
Write chords and basslines by ear using the piano roll, no music theory required, then shape raw presets into original sounds using effects like delay and distortion.
Week 4
Arranging a Full Song
Break your loop apart and rebuild it into a real structure, intro, verse, chorus, bridge, using risers, drops, and section changes so the track actually goes somewhere instead of repeating forever.
Week 5
Recording Real Audio
Bring your own voice or instrument into the mix using nothing but a laptop or phone, then clean up, tune, and stack takes into a finished vocal performance.
Week 6
Mixing
Balance levels, pan for space, and use EQ, compression, reverb, and delay to turn a cluttered session into a track that sounds clear, wide, and intentional.
Week 7
Mastering and Exporting
Polish your final mix, export it the right way, and get your song ready to share, tagged with the right metadata and, if you want, released on Spotify and Apple Music.
Week 8
Workshop Week
Work on your own custom track utilizing all of the techniques and showcase your work! You’ll get feedback and revise it to have something to share!