Learn the foundations of music production and take your first steps inside Ableton Live. This module is designed for beginners and covers essential workflow, beat-making, music theory, MIDI programming, sampling, arrangement, and core mixing concepts. Students will develop creative habits, understand how professional producers build songs, and gain the skills required to confidently start producing music across multiple genres.

Welcome to Music Production: Mindset, Creativity & Course Roadmap

Get introduced to the course structure, instructors, and the mindset required to succeed as a music producer. Learn how to listen to music analytically, identify musical elements, and develop productive creative habits.

Ableton Live Foundations: Interface, Workflow & Ear Training

Understand the Ableton Live interface, navigation, workflow, file management, and essential shortcuts. Begin developing your ears to recognize rhythm, melody, and important musical details.

Building Beats: Drum Programming & Understanding Genres

Learn how to create drum patterns using Drum Rack and understand the rhythmic foundations of various genres. Explore groove, timing, and time signatures while building professional-sounding beats.

Music Theory for Producers: Scale, Keys and Chords

Understand scales, keys, intervals, and chord construction with a practical approach designed specifically for producers. Learn how music theory can improve songwriting and production decisions.

Mastering MIDI & Piano Roll Essentials

Gain complete control over MIDI programming and editing. Learn note placement, velocity, timing adjustments, quantization, and advanced piano roll techniques used in professional productions.

Creating Professional Loops Across Genres

Discover how to create engaging loops for Pop, Hip-Hop, Electronic, R&B, and other styles. Improve your musical listening skills while understanding how producers build ideas and maintain interest.

Sampling & Audio Manipulation Fundamentals

Explore Simpler, audio warping, sample editing, and creative sampling techniques. Learn how producers manipulate audio and transform sounds into unique musical elements.

Creative MIDI Processing & Composition Tools

Use Ableton's MIDI effects and composition tools to generate ideas, create harmonies, develop rhythms, and speed up the songwriting process.

Automation & Macro Controls: Bringing Tracks Back to Life

Learn how automation and macro controls bring tracks to life. Understand parameter movement, dynamic changes, and creative techniques that add excitement and expression to your productions.

Song Arrangement & Transitions

Transform loops into complete songs by understanding arrangement, energy flow, intros, verses, choruses, bridges, endings, and professional transition techniques.

EQ & Filters: Sculpting Your Sound

Learn the fundamentals of equalization and filtering while understanding frequency ranges and how sound behaves across the spectrum..

Creating Space with Reverb & Delay

Master time-based effects and learn how professional producers create depth, width, atmosphere, and dimension in their productions.

Take your music production skills to the next level with advanced Ableton Live workflows and creative techniques. This module focuses on live performance, recording, routing, synthesis, audio processing, mixing fundamentals, and professional production workflows. Students will explore Ableton's powerful instruments and effects while learning how to build complete tracks and develop a deeper understanding of sound design and audio engineering concepts.

Live Performance & Creative Workflow with Session View

Unlock Ableton's unique Session View for live performance, idea generation, jamming, and arrangement experimentation. 

Recording, Routing & Resampling Techniques

Learn professional recording workflows, signal routing, audio management, and creative resampling techniques.

Modulation Effects & Stereo Enhancement

Explore chorus, flanger, phaser, utility tools, Max for Live devices, and modulators like LFO that add movement, width, and character to sounds.

Ableton Instruments: Wavetable & Meld

Understand ADSR and create contemporary synth sounds using Ableton's advanced synthesizers and sound design tools.

Ableton Instruments: Operator, Analog & Electric

Learn synthesis fundamentals and design basses, leads, pads, keys, and unique sounds from scratch.

Ableton Instruments for Physical Modelling: Tension & Collision

Explore realistic and experimental instrument creation using Ableton's physical modelling synthesizers.

Compression, Dynamics & Sound Control

Understand dynamics and compression techniques that help create punch, clarity, and balance in your productions.

Creative Effects: Saturation, Distortion & Character Processing

Add colour, energy, warmth, and excitement using distortion, amp simulation, saturation, and advanced effects.

Advanced Audio Effect, Instrument Racks & Signal Chains

Build creative custom racks to generate ideas and develop advanced workflows used by professional producers.

Mixing Fundamentals & Audio Engineering Essentials

Learn gain staging, balance, sample rate, bit depth, phase relationships, mono and stereo concepts, and the foundations of a professional mix.

Track Production Project: Build Your Own Song

Apply everything you've learned by creating an original track from concept to near-finished production. 

Production Lab & Listening Session

Receive feedback, refine your track, participate in critical listening sessions, and prepare your music for release or sharing.

Fundamentals of music theory, Melody Writing, Lyric Writing, Practical Music Theory, Chord Progressions, Melodies, Song Structure, Lyric Writing, Creativity, Songwriting Tips & Tricks, and more will all be covered in this course. This module covers basic and advanced concepts in detail, such as track arrangement, using music theory inside Ableton Live to write melodies and chord progressions.

Introduction to Advanced Music Theory

Introduction to advanced music theory and understanding the intervals and rules of intervals. Understand different types of scales (Diatonic and Pentatonic).

Chords and Chord Progression

Understanding Chords(Dyads, Triads, Tetrads, Pentads) Creating Chords and Chord Progression.

Functional Harmonies and Cadences.

Understanding Functional Harmonies and Famous Chord Progression and Why They Work, and Understanding the relationships between them.

Voice Leading, Circle Of Fifths and Key Signature

Understanding the colouration of harmonies and how they move through the musical section. How to construct and learn various uses of the circle of fifths. What is a key signature, and how is it helpful for musicians?

How to Borrow Chords and Change Scales.

How to Sound Unique with the composition and use different techniques to Borrow Chords and Change the Scale.

Musical Modes

Understanding different types of modes like Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian. What is the difference between Modes and Scales, and how to use them?

Rhythms

Understanding Tempo and Time Signature in depth. How to break down a rhythm and learn different types of rhythms.

Introduction to Songwriting

Introduction to songwriting and understanding how to deliver a story, and how to get started for writing your first song.

Compositional Elements

Introduction to compositional elements like Number of lines, Length of lines, Rhyme Schemes and Pro tips and tricks for writing lines in your song.

Rhymes and Rhythms

Understanding different types of rhymes and their emotions, and how to use Lyrical Rhythms in your song.

Writing a Song From Scratch

Writing lyrics and composing a song from scratch by only using the techniques we learned in previous sessions.

Feedback and Final Tips

Final tips, tricks and in-depth feedback on your tracks to create a popular hit.

This module provides an overview of audio engineering and how to operate professional audio equipment correctly. The module is particularly beneficial for technical employees who have some practical experience but lack a fundamental understanding of sound and audio theory. The module has been deliberately developed from the outset to be a self-paced, step-by-step approach so that you won’t require any prior expertise with home studio setup, miking techniques, analog emulation plugins and sound recording.

Introduction to Audio

Basics of Sound, Behaviour of Sound, Human ear functioning, Waves theory, Psychoacoustics, Localisation, Fletcher Munson and concepts of frequency, amplitude and wavelength and their relation with each other.

Sound Propagation and Hearing

Waves Theory, Localisation, Psychoacoustics, Fletcher Munson and a basic understanding of human hearing and speech. Using Fletcher Munson to understand audio reception and exploring the modes of sound propagation and the inverse square law.

Studio Protocol

Studio Etiquestes: Understanding of studio signal flow, rooms, and equipment. Understanding the studio routing and cabling for Recording and control rooms. Patch bays and tie lines. Cabling for audio / MIDI and Data routing and Daisy chaining.

Computer Fundamentals

Working Principles of Modern-day Computers and Fundamentals to Make Your PC for Home Studio Setups. Understanding how RAM and Processor play a key role along with storage capacities for a DAW to function smoothly. Exploring the basics of Mac OS and Windows for Core Audio and ASIO routings for DAW.

Cables and Connectors

Analog and Digital AES-approved cables and connectors that are being used in industry for audio signal flow and data management. Understanding the cable connection and making your own cables for audio routing. Understanding balanced and unbalanced audio and exploring new edge technology, such as DANTE.

Analog Console / AToD Convertors

Types of analog consoles, signal flow in channel strips and audio routing, introduction to sampling, buffer size, and AD converters and interfaces. Understanding Clocking and word clocks, exploring the AD/DA conversion by industry standard equipment and understanding the concept of jitter.

Microphone and Miking Technique

Types of Microphones and Their Working Principles. Miking techniques: Mono and Stereo, Understanding polar patterns and their usage while recording, Construction of microphones and their use for vocals and instruments. Recording techniques using room Mic, Glen John and Deca Tree, etc. Stereo Recording Techniques like XY, MidSide, ORTF, A,B etc.

Audio Format / Streaming

Types of Audio Formats and streaming principles, introduction to audio streaming process and broadcast. Streaming using OBS and Live streaming facilities for shows. Understanding the concept of TV vs Web Streaming.

Speakers and Amplifiers

Types of speakers and amplifiers and its usage. Construction Principles of Speakers for Studio and Live Applications. Studio Monitoring and placement principle.

MIDI

Introduction to MIDI Protocol, CC messages, MPE, Daisy Chain and MIDI devices. MIDI 2.0 and controller mapping. MIDI Daisy Chain and MIDI Ports, etc.

Acoustics

Acoustic Principles, RT60, Studio Setups with Acoustic Treatments, and Home Studio DIY Setups. Understanding IR for rooms and using SonarWorks to understand room response for studio monitors.

Audio Routing Principles, Outboard Routing

Learn to route and use the outboard equipment with DAW and utilise an analogue console to multitrack and mix, exploring the concept of analog tracking and routing.

Explore the art and science of sound creation through synthesis, sampling, layering, and creative processing. This module covers the fundamentals of synthesis, practical applications of industry-standard instruments, and specialized sound design techniques for music, films, advertising, and content creation. Students will develop the skills needed to create unique sounds and build their own sonic identity.

Basics of Synthesis: Construction, Elements & Signal Flow

Learn the foundations of sound synthesis including oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFOs, modulation, and signal flow. Understand how synthesizers generate and shape sound from the ground up.

Wavetable: Practicals

Explore Ableton's Wavetable synthesizer through hands-on sound design exercises. Create basses, leads, pads, plucks, and evolving textures while understanding wavetable synthesis concepts.

Meld: Practicals

Learn modern sound creation using Meld. Explore modulation systems, macros, performance controls, and techniques for creating unique contemporary electronic sounds.

Serum Part 1: Introduction

Get introduced to Serum's interface, workflow, wavetable engine, modulation system, effects section, and sound design architecture used by professional producers worldwide.

Serum Part 2: Practicals

Apply Serum concepts through practical patch creation. Design professional basses, leads, plucks, atmospheres, FX sounds, and genre-specific presets from scratch.

Operator: Practicals

Dive into FM synthesis using Ableton's Operator. Learn how frequency modulation works and create punchy basses, bells, keys, synth leads, and experimental textures.

Granulator: Practicals

Explore granular synthesis techniques using Granulator. Transform audio recordings into evolving textures, cinematic atmospheres, ambient pads, and experimental soundscapes.

Analog: Practicals

Learn subtractive synthesis with Analog. Create classic synth sounds inspired by vintage hardware including basses, leads, pads, brass, strings, and arpeggiated sequences.

Sound Design: Layering & Stacking

Learn professional layering techniques used to create powerful and polished sounds. Combine multiple synths, samples, and processing chains to build complex sonic textures.

Sound Design for Films

Explore cinematic sound design principles including atmosphere creation, emotional textures, transitions, drones, impacts, risers, and storytelling through sound.

Sound Design for Jingles

Learn how to create memorable sonic branding elements, audio logos, transitions, commercial sound effects, and production techniques used in advertising and media.

Sound Design: Foley & FX

Create custom Foley recordings and sound effects for music, film, games, and content creation. Learn recording, processing, editing, and creative sound manipulation techniques.

In this hands-on module, students will learn the core principles and processes that form the foundation of every great mix. From properly preparing a DAW session to understanding the roles of EQ, compression, reverb, delay, and modulation, this module will guide you through the complete mixing workflow with a focus on real-world applications.

Whether you're mixing vocals, synths, drums, or acoustic instruments, this module ensures you understand how to balance your mix elements in a way that feels dynamic, musical, and emotionally impactful.

Preparing Session for Mixing

Learn how to set up your project for an efficient mix. Explore track organisation, colour-coding, naming conventions, bus routing, aux channels, and the use of templates. Discover why proper session prep ensures faster decisions and better mixes.

Gain Staging

Understand analog vs. digital gain staging and how it affects your mix headroom and clarity. Explore LUFS, RMS, peak levels, floating point vs. fixed point processing, and how to prevent unwanted distortion or clipping in your chain.

Dynamic Processing 1: Compressor

Discover why compression is utilised in mixing and explore key parameters, including threshold, ratio, knee, attack, and release. Compare various compressor types: VCA, FET, Opto, Tube and understand when and why to use each.

Dynamic Processing 2: Compression Techniques

Dive deeper into compression with techniques like parallel compression, sidechaining, glue compression, and genre-specific dynamic shaping. Understand upward vs. downward compression and their use in vocals, drums, and instruments.

Noise Gate and Gating Processes

Clean up unwanted background noise and mic bleed using noise gates. Understand hysteresis, attenuation range, and how to use gates creatively on reverb or delay returns for rhythmic and spatial effects.

EQ in Detail Part 1 – Additive EQ

Learn the art of boosting frequencies the right way. Understand the parametric EQ layout and explore musical boosts to add air, presence, or warmth using stock plugins and analog emulations.

EQ in Detail Part 2 – Subtractive EQ

Discover how subtractive EQ can help remove mud, harshness, or resonances to create clean and focused mixes. Learn to use spectrum analysers and reference EQs to guide your decisions.

Time-Based Effects: Delay

Explore different delay types, mono, stereo, tape, ping-pong and their creative uses in a mix. Learn how to sync delays with tempo and automate them for transitions, vocals, and spatial depth.

Time-Based Effects: Chorus, Modulation & Flanger

Learn how modulation effects like chorus, flanger, and phaser add movement and width to static sounds. Discover how to use them subtly on vocals or dramatically on synths to enhance harmonic richness.

Mixing Approach: Fixing Common Problems

Understand common mix issues like muddiness, phase problems, harshness, and lack of punch. Explore philosophies like the New York, London, and Nashville mixing schools for creative problem-solving.

Approach to Get Clean, Punchy, and Dynamic Mixes

Master the techniques that give your mix energy and clarity from gain matching and additive EQ to buss compression and routing. Discover how professional engineers craft tight, modern mixes across various genres.

This module is designed for producers who already understand the basics of mixing and want to take their skills to a professional level. You’ll explore high-level mixing concepts such as automation for movement, advanced saturation and distortion techniques, tape emulations, multiband processing, and dynamic spatial treatment using reverb and delay.

You’ll also dive into the science and art of mastering, including how to prepare mixes for streaming platforms, how to use metering tools, and how to create competitive loudness without sacrificing dynamic range or clarity. Learn to master using Ozone, FabFilter, Waves, Plugin Alliance, and more.

Whether you're working on EDM, hip-hop, pop, or film music, this module equips you with the creative and technical edge needed to produce clean, loud, and emotionally engaging tracks that stand up in commercial playlists and club systems.

Automation to Create Movement in the Mix

Add dynamics and emotion through automation. Learn to automate volume, panning, filters, FX sends, and plugin parameters using DAW lanes or hardware controllers. Understand the 3dB pan law and movement techniques.

Saturation and Distortion

Explore saturation types: tape, tube, and digital to add harmonic warmth and colour. Discover when and how to utilise distortion creatively to thicken sounds and add character.

Tape Emulations, Soft Clipping & Aliasing Filters

Delve into tape emulation plugins like Slate Digital and Waves to replicate analog sound. Understand aliasing, soft clipping, and how floating-point calculations affect plugin behaviour and mix tone.

Multiband Compression, De-essing, Limiter & Maximiser

Learn how to tame specific frequency bands, remove vocal sibilance, and control dynamics with multiband compression. Understand how limiters and maximisers create loud yet clean mixes for streaming.

Reverb and Spatial Treatment

Master convolution vs. algorithmic reverbs and their parameters (decay, pre-delay, damping). Choose the right type of plate, hall, and spring for vocals, drums, and synths. Explore spatial effects for stereo depth.

Metering: Analog vs Digital

Understand LUFS, VU, RMS, dBFS, dBV, and more. Learn how to calibrate levels for mixing and mastering using Izotope Insight, VU meters, and correlation meters. Separate loudness from level perception.

Introduction to Mastering

Learn why mastering is essential and how it differs from mixing. Explore the basic mastering chain: EQ, compression, stereo imaging, limiting, and gain staging. Understand loudness standards for release.

Mastering for CD and Streaming (Ozone Focus)

Explore the differences in mastering for CDs, vinyl, and streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. Use Izotope Ozone to finalise tracks with multiband processors, maximisers, vintage EQs, and imagers.

Dither, Aliasing, Quantisation Errors & Noise Shaping

Understand how dithering reduces quantisation noise during bit-depth conversion. Learn about aliasing filters and sample rate conversion, and when to use noise shaping in your mastering workflow.

Using FabFilter Plugins

Deep dive into FabFilter Pro-Q, Pro-C, Saturn, and Pro-L for precision EQ, compression, creative saturation, and transparent limiting. Learn workflow tips for both mixing and mastering.

Using Waves Plugins

Explore iconic Waves plugins like SSL E-Channel, CLA-76, L2 Limiter, and H-Reverb. Learn how to integrate them into your mixing and mastering chain for professional polish.

Master Using Izotope and Plugin Alliance

Master your tracks using Plugin Alliance tools like Brainworx, Maag EQ, and Elysia compressors. Combine them with Izotope Ozone for advanced hybrid mastering chains and tonal balance..