Learn the basics of music composition and beat-making

During this 6 week course, learn to use the instruments in Ableton Live to compose a song. We’ll touch on making drum beats with the drum rack and some basic rhythmic techniques for certain genres (broken beats versus straight beats, syncopation), adding a bass line that complements the rhythm of the drums, choosing a key and scale type based on the feel you want to achieve, basic chord progressions, and organizing the clips as Scenes (with each scene being a different combination of clips that will reflect a different part of the arrangement).

This is the first course in our 3-course Music Production Bootcamp. You can enroll in this course only, or save 20% by enrolling in all 3 courses of our Music Production Bootcamp. View additional information about pricing and enrollment options.

Live, Interactive Training

This program is conducted in an online group class setting, at the same high quality you've come to expect from our video courses, which have been enjoyed by over 30,000 students!

Participate in weekly lectures, submit assignments and collaborate with other students. Classes meet twice per week. Each class is 2 hours long and alternate between a lecture day and a lab day, with a homework assignment in between. You can also optionally drop in to regularly scheduled office hours for extra help from the instructor.

Since this program is entirely online, you can participate from the comfort of your own home. Students may join from anywhere in the world since classes are hosted in a virtual classroom (via Zoom), which includes seamless audio/video/screen streaming for each student.

Week 1: Overview and Adding Clips

Week 2: Drum Racks and Rhythm Theory

Week 3: Keys, Scales, and Chord Progressions

Lecture Day

• Discuss scales and what the concept of “key” is, and how these aspects influence decisions when creating melodies.

• Learn about several scales and how to create chords using scales.

• Learn common chord progressions in a specific key signature.

WEEK 4: Adding Bass lines and basic EQualizing

Lecture Day

• Learn how to compose bass lines building upon your knowledge of key signatures.

• Study different approaches to bass lines and how they complement rhythms, chords and melodies.

• Study the various frequency ranges of the layers and learn how to use an equalizer to remove conflicting frequencies.

WEEK 5: Melody and Adding Lead Sounds

Lecture Day

• Discuss lead sounds with examples of guitar, synths, vocals, etc.

• Discuss the concept of flow state and using it as an effective technique in the creative process.

• Learn about the value of simplicity in melodies and how to craft arrangements with scenes.

WEEK 6: Transitions and Clip Envelopes

Lecture Day

• Learn about transition techniques like reversed cymbals, filter sweeps, pitch risers, etc.

• Learn how to use clip envelopes to create variations and add movement.

• Use the mixer’s sends and return tracks for efficient effects processing.

Ready to Enroll?

Reserve your spot by clicking the “Purchase” button below and completing the checkout process. Payment is required in full to reserve your spot.

Learn about the other courses in our Music Production Bootcamp →

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the digital classroom work?

Students may login from anywhere in the world using Zoom classroom software. Zoom requires virtually no setup, includes high quality audio/video/screen streaming, breakout chat rooms, and much more so that the classroom experience feels immersive and highly interactive.

What is the class schedule? When does it start?

The course will begin on September 8, 2020. Classes will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-8pm EST. Students will be required to complete homework and project assignments between classes. Additionally, students will have access to their instructor via weekly office hours, for additional help and student-teacher interaction.

What if I miss a class? Will the lectures be accessible after the class?

Yes, all classes will be recorded and made available for viewing. If you miss a lecture, you can watch the recording later when you have time.

What skill level is required to attend the course?

Beginners as well as intermediate-level musicians and producers are welcome to attend this bootcamp. The only prerequisite is to complete our free Electronic Music Production: Level 1 course, which you can access for free right here.

Can I get a discount on a Noiselab membership, to access all your video courses?

All enrolled students will receive a FREE 1-year membership to the complete Noiselab course library ($120 value). Students enrolled in all 3 courses of the Music Production Bootcamp will get a FREE lifetime membership to the complete Noiselab course library ($300 value).

Will there be homework or out-of-class work?

Yes, each week there will be assignments to further your learning and apply the concepts taught in class.

Can I get a discount for Ableton?

Yes, all students will receive a discount code to purchase Ableton Live and Push at a 30% discount.

How do I sign up?

Click the “Purchase” button above to proceed with the enrollment process. Your seat will be secured by paying the $800 fee. The course will be limited to 20 students, so enrollments will be closed once all seats are filled. If you have any questions, please contact us at contact@noiselab.io.

What’s your refund policy?

No refunds. Since we limit the number of spots in each course, we can’t provide any partial or full refunds.