Learning how to produce can be tough, but there's plenty of sources online. However, learning which ones are right for you can even be tougher than learning music itself.
Let's take a look at some of the better places online that offer music production courses.
I'll break down a variety of options all offering music production courses. I break it down into three categories
- Certified Music Schools
- Education Companies that have music courses
- Music Companies offering courses
I'll break down the general benefits so you'll roughly know what you can get out of each.
Let's dive in
This first set is schools that offer fully fleshed out curriculums and degreee programs. Let's get into it:
Berklee Music Online
Berklee Music Online is an extension of Berklee College of Music, a renowned institution for music education. It offers over 200 music courses, 50+ certificate programs and eight undergraduate programs.
One of the biggest benefits of Berklee is the brand. But of course a brand that big doesn't get that big without being great.
Here are some of the benefits of Berklee Music Online:
| Berklee Music Online Benefits | The Details |
| Online Degree Programs | Berklee Online provides fully online degree programs in areas such as Music Production, Songwriting, Music Business, and more. These programs are designed to offer the same high-quality education as Berklee College of Music's on-campus programs. |
| Specialized Certificates | The platform offers a range of specialized certificates in music-related subjects. These certificate programs allow students to focus on specific areas of interest and gain expertise in those domains. |
| High-Quality Instructors | Courses are taught by experienced faculty, often including industry professionals and Berklee College of Music alumni, providing students with insights from individuals with real-world experience. |
| Interactive Course Content | The online courses typically include a mix of video lectures, interactive assignments, and collaborative projects. This format aims to engage students and provide a comprehensive learning experience. |
| Live Sessions | Every Berklee online course includes a one hour live class each week. This allows you to connect, work with, and interact with your classmates live, along with the instructor. |
| Access To Berklee Resources | Students enrolled in Berklee Online programs may have access to Berklee College of Music's resources, including libraries, forums, and networking opportunities. This also includes access to and connection opportunities for networking with musicians and professionals in the industry. This could be beneficial for getting into the industry or advancing your career. |
Find out more at the Berklee Online site.
Point Blank Music School
Point Blank Music School is an institution that offers a variety of music production and DJ courses. It's definitely geared more towards those squarely focused on music productions (as opposed to music in general).
With plenty of music production courses, great facilities if your local to one of the campuses, and workshops and masterclasses with great artists and producers, here's more in what they offer:
| Point Blank Music School Benefits | Details |
| Music Production Courses | Point Blank provides comprehensive courses in music production, covering various genres and styles. Students often learn about music theory, sound design, arrangement, and mixing/mastering techniques using industry-standard software and hardware. |
| DJ Courses | The school offers DJ courses for beginners to advanced levels. These courses typically cover beatmatching, mixing, using DJ equipment and software, and performance skills. |
| Sound Engineering Courses | Point Blank may offer courses focused on sound engineering, providing students with the technical skills needed for recording, editing, and producing high-quality audio. |
| Vocal Courses | Some programs may include vocal courses, teaching students about recording vocals, vocal production techniques, and integrating vocals into their music projects. |
| Industry Connections | The school may facilitate networking opportunities and collaborations with industry professionals, offering students a chance to connect with the music industry and gain real-world insights. |
Find out more at the Point Blank Music School.
Full Sail University
Full Sail University offers a number of programs in modern arts, including music production courses. It's pretty vast in offerings ranging from songwriting, audio arrangement, production, and music business.
Let's break down the benefits:
| Full Sail University Benefits | The Details |
| Degree Programs | Full Sail offers a range of degree programs in areas such as film, music, gaming, design, technology, and business. These programs are designed to prepare students for careers in the entertainment and media industries. These include online and on-campus programs. |
| Hands On Learning | The university emphasizes hands-on, project-based learning, providing students with practical experience in their chosen fields. This approach aims to simulate real-world work environments and enhance students' practical skills. |
| State-of-the-Art Facilities | If you're local, Full Sail University is equipped with cutting-edge facilities, including recording studios, sound stages, motion capture labs, and game development studios. These facilities are designed to mirror industry standards and provide students with professional-grade resources. |
| Industry-Experienced Faculty: | The faculty at Full Sail often includes industry professionals who bring real-world experience to the classroom. This allows students to learn from instructors with practical insights into their respective fields. |
| Career Development Services: | The university provides career development services to help students transition from education to employment. This includes resume building, job search assistance, and networking opportunities. Some programs include internship components, allowing students to gain real-world experience and make industry connections during their education. This is huge as getting real world experience is second to none. |
Find out more at the Full Sail Music Recording Degress.
There are a number of companies that solely focused on education, but not quite schools EdTech is generally how they are referred to. The goal is to provide quality courses and material but not in a formalized way where you get a degree from a school/college.
Still, very valuable nonetheless. I'll list several and focus a bit more on what they offer from a music standpoint.
MasterClass
Masterclass is an online education platform that offers classes taught by experts in various fields.
Unlike traditional online courses, MasterClass focuses on providing high-quality video lessons that are created and presented by accomplished individuals who are considered masters in their respective industries.
The platform covers a wide range of topics, including music, film, writing, sports, cooking, and more.
The general benefits of Masterclass include:
| MasterClass Benefits | The Details |
| Learn from Industry Experts: | MasterClass features classes taught by renowned professionals and experts in the field of music production. Learning directly from successful and experienced figures can provide valuable insights and real-world perspectives. As far as music goes, they have high profile artists like Timbaland and deadmau5 teaching music production. |
| High-Quality Video Content: | The platform delivers professionally produced video lessons with high production values. This can enhance the learning experience, making it engaging and visually appealing. |
Insights into Artistic Process: | Instructors often share their creative processes, techniques, and approaches to music production. Understanding how successful musicians work can be inspirational and help learners develop their own unique style. This is quite unique as you're getting specialized insihgt to some of the top artists and their process. |
| Flexibility and Accessibility: | MasterClass allows learners to access content at their own pace and on their own schedule. The platform is accessible on various devices, including smartphones and tablets, providing flexibility in when and where users choose to engage with the lessons. |
| Broad Range of Topics: | MasterClass covers various aspects of music production, from composition and arrangement to mixing and mastering. This allows learners to explore different facets of the music production process and expand their skill set. Expanding even further - I know you're here for music production courses, but with a Masterclass membership you also get access to all its courses. So if you have other interests you can delve into those as well. |
| Variety of Instructors: | The platform offers classes from multiple instructors, each with their own expertise and genre preferences. This diversity allows learners to choose classes that align with their specific interests and goals within music production. |
Inspiration and Motivation: | Learning from accomplished professionals and hearing their success stories can inspire and motivate learners. This can be particularly beneficial for those looking to pursue a career in music production. |
Specifically for online music production, Masterclass offers classes taught by:
There's plenty more, those are just a few of the key prominent musicians on Masterclass.
Find out more at the MasterClass Site.
Udemy
Udemy is a popular online learning platform offering a wide range of courses including those for online music production.
Here are the benefits.
| Udemy Benefits | The Details |
| Diverse Course Options: | Udemy hosts a vast collection of music production courses covering various genres, software tools, and skill levels. This diversity allows learners to choose courses that align with their specific interests and needs. |
| Affordability | Udemy often provides courses at a relatively low cost compared to traditional education or other online platforms. Additionally, the platform frequently offers discounts and promotions, making it accessible to a broad audience. |
| Lifetime Access and Updates: | Once you purchase a course on Udemy, you typically get lifetime access to the course content. This means you can revisit the material, review lessons, and access any updates made by the instructor without time constraints. Instructors can update their courses over time, ensuring that content remains relevant and reflects changes in the music production industry. |
| Self-Paced Learning: | Udemy courses are designed for self-paced learning, allowing students to progress through the material at their own speed. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for individuals with busy schedules. |
| Practical and Hands-On: | Many Udemy music production courses include practical exercises, hands-on projects, and real-world examples. This applied learning approach can help reinforce theoretical concepts and enhance practical skills. |
| Varied Instructors: | Different courses on Udemy are taught by various instructors, each bringing their unique style, expertise, and teaching methods to the table. Learners can explore multiple perspectives on music production. One thing to be careful of is it relied on individual course instructors so the quality of content will vary. There will be some hits, but there also will be some duds. |
Find out more at the Udemy site.
Skillshare
Skillshare offers a large library of courses including those in music production courses. It's main angle is interaction over lecturing. So instead of watching someone talk about a topic, students are encouraged to complete a project as a way to learn.
Some more benefits of Skillshare:
| Skillshare Benefits | The Details |
| Affordability | Skillshare operates on a subscription-based model, providing access to a wide range of courses for a flat monthly fee. This can be cost-effective for learners who want to explore multiple topics, including music production, without additional per-course charges. |
| Diverse Course Content: | Skillshare hosts a diverse range of music production courses, covering different genres, software tools, and skill levels. This diversity allows learners to explore various aspects of music production based on their interests and goals. |
| Project-Based Learning: | Many Skillshare courses are project-based, meaning that learners can apply the concepts they've learned in practical exercises and create their own music projects. This hands-on approach enhances the learning experience. |
| Short and Focused Classes: | Skillshare classes are often designed as shorter, focused lessons. This structure can be beneficial for learners who prefer bite-sized content or have limited time for extended study sessions. |
Notable Courses on Music Production at Skillshare
- Learn How To Mix With Young Guru
- Learn How Young Guru Mixes For Jay-Z
- Learn The Fundamentals Of Music Production
- Mixing At Home With Stock Plugins
- Blueprint To Beatmaking
Coursera
Coursera is a platform that collaborates with universities and other organizations to offer a variety of online courses including online music production courses. Some benefits:
| Coursera Benefits | The Details |
| University-Backed Courses: | Coursera often collaborates with universities and institutions, providing access to courses developed by experts in the field. This can lend a level of credibility and academic rigor to the learning experience. |
| Diverse Course Offerings: | Coursera offers a range of music production courses covering different aspects such as composition, production techniques, audio engineering, and more. Learners can choose courses based on their specific interests and skill levels. |
| Specializations and Certifications: | In addition to individual courses, Coursera provides specializations and certification programs. Completing these programs can demonstrate a certain level of proficiency in music production and may be recognized by employers. |
| Quality Instructors: | Courses on Coursera are often taught by experienced professionals, educators, and industry experts. The platform typically provides information about the instructor's background, allowing learners to assess their qualifications. |
| Interactive Assignments: | Some courses on Coursera include hands-on projects and assignments, allowing students to apply the concepts they've learned. These practical tasks can enhance the learning experience and reinforce skills. |
| Peer Interaction: | Coursera includes discussion forums and community features, facilitating interaction with other learners. This peer engagement can provide opportunities for collaboration, discussion, and the sharing of insights. |
LinkedIn Learning
You might remember the popular site Lynda.com back in the day. It was so popular it was bought by LinkedIn and rebranded to LinkedIn Learning.
Similar to other EdTech sites, it offers a wide range of topics including music production courses. All courses fall into one of four categories: Business, Creative, Technology, and Certificates.
More details on LinkedIn Learning:
| LinkedIn Learning Benefits | The Details |
| Industry-Expert Instructors: | Courses on LinkedIn Learning are often created by industry professionals and experts in music production. Learning from experienced practitioners can provide valuable insights and real-world perspectives. |
| Diverse Course Selection: | The platform offers a variety of courses covering different aspects of music production, including recording, mixing, mastering, and the use of specific software and equipment. Learners can choose courses based on their specific interests and skill levels. |
| Flexible Learning Paths: | LinkedIn Learning allows users to follow personalized learning paths, helping them structure their education based on their goals and preferences. This can be especially beneficial for individuals with specific career objectives in music production. |
| Practical Projects and Exercises: | Many courses include hands-on projects and exercises, enabling learners to apply theoretical concepts in a practical context. This hands-on approach can deepen understanding and build practical skills. |
| Integration with LinkedIn Profile: | Completion certificates from LinkedIn Learning can be showcased on users' LinkedIn profiles. This can be valuable for professional networking, job searches, and showcasing acquired skills to potential employers. |
Find out more at the LinkedIn Learning.
There's a number of companies offering music related products such as sample packs or VSTs. Some also offer courses in music production.
If you dabbled in music production or been working at it for a bit, you probably come across some of these companies. May even have bought some of their products.
Here's several of these companies, along with the benefits of their music production courses.
Noiselab
Noiselab has a extensive catalog of courses on music production. The music production courses range from beatmaking tips and techniques, song breakdowns, Ableton tutorials and more.
Of note, it is focused on Ableton, something to take into consideration if you look at their offerings.
Some of Noiselab's benefits:
| Noiselab Benefits | The Details |
| Focused Music Production Content: | Noiselab is specifically dedicated to music production, providing a focused learning environment for individuals interested in this field. |
| Structured Courses and Tutorials: | The platform offers structured courses and tutorials designed to guide learners through various aspects of music production, from beginner to advanced levels. |
| Hands-On Learning: | Many Noiselab courses include hands-on exercises and practical projects, allowing learners to apply theoretical concepts in a real-world setting. This hands-on approach can enhance understanding and skill development. |
| Specialized Genres and Techniques: | Noiselab offers courses that focus on specific music genres or production techniques. This allows learners to tailor their education to their preferred styles or areas of interest within music production. Most of it seems focused on electronic music production. |
| Access to Sample Packs and Resources: | Some courses on Noiselab may include access to sample packs, presets, and other resources, providing learners with additional tools for their music production projects. |
ProducerTech
ProducerTech is an online platform that provides music production courses and materials for electronic music production. The benefits:
| ProducerTech Benefits | The Details |
| Specialized Content: | ProducerTech focuses on electronic music production, offering courses that cater specifically to the needs and interests of producers in genres such as techno, house, drum and bass, and more. |
| Experienced Instructors: | Courses on ProducerTech are often created by experienced music producers and industry professionals. Learning from instructors with hands-on experience in electronic music production can provide practical insights and techniques. |
| Wide Range of Topics: | ProducerTech covers a variety of topics within electronic music production, including sound design, synthesis, mixing, mastering, and specific software tutorials. This allows learners to explore different aspects of the production process. |
| Detailed Tutorials: | The platform provides detailed video tutorials that walk learners through step-by-step processes, making it easier to understand and apply concepts. Visual demonstrations can be especially beneficial for music production techniques. |
| Regular Updates: | The platform may update its content regularly to reflect changes in music production software, techniques, and industry trends. This ensures that learners have access to up-to-date information. |
Waves Audio Courses
Waves is a super popular audio mostly known for its plugins. They're some of the best in the industry.
They also offer music production courses, centered around their plugins.
Here are some of the benefits:
| Waves Audio Courses Benefits | The Details |
| Official Content from Waves: | The courses are created by Waves Audio, providing learners with direct insights into the use of Waves plugins and audio processing tools. This can be valuable for those specifically interested in integrating Waves plugins into their production workflows. |
| Focused on Waves Plugins: | The courses are likely to focus extensively on the use of Waves plugins, offering in-depth tutorials and guidance on maximizing the capabilities of these specific audio tools. If you're a fan of Waves plugins, diving into their courses could be good for you. |
| Practical Application: | Given the focus on Waves plugins, the courses may include practical demonstrations and real-world examples of how to use these plugins effectively in music production scenarios. |
| Industry-Standard Tools: | Waves plugins are widely used in the music production industry, and learning how to use them can provide learners with skills relevant to professional audio engineering and production environments. |
| Up-to-Date Content: | Waves Audio may update its courses to reflect new plugin releases, updates, and industry trends, ensuring that learners have access to the latest information and techniques. |
| Official Certification: | Completing courses on the Waves Audio platform may lead to official certification or recognition, which can be valuable for showcasing skills to potential employers or clients. |
Loopmasters Courses
Loopmasters has been around for quite some time and off a number of sample packs and sounds. They also offer music production courses. Like the sample packs and sounds they offer, the courses are curated from a number of sources.
Here are the benefits:
| Loopmasters Courses Benefits | The Details |
| Diverse Course Selection: | Loopmasters Courses cover a variety of topics within music production, including sound design, mixing, mastering, and genre-specific techniques. This allows learners to choose courses based on their specific interests and skill levels. |
| Experienced Instructors: | Courses on Loopmasters are likely to be created by experienced music producers and industry professionals. Learning from instructors with practical experience in music production can provide valuable insights and techniques. |
| Practical Application: | The courses may include practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises, allowing learners to apply theoretical concepts in real-world music production scenarios. This hands-on approach can deepen understanding and build practical skills. |
| Focus on Industry Standards: | Loopmasters is known for its high-quality sample packs and sounds used in the industry. Courses on the platform may provide insights into using Loopmasters content and integrating industry-standard sounds into productions. |
| Integration with Loopmasters Library: | Courses on Loopmasters may provide insights into effectively using Loopmasters sample libraries and sound packs, offering learners a practical understanding of incorporating professional-grade sounds into their productions. |
Fading Out
There you have it. A number of locations online offering up music production courses. There's a lot out there so take your time to really understand the pros and cons of each and what's right for you.
Think about your goals and what you want to get out of it. If you're looking to make music your full time career and are open to a number of opportunities, perhaps one of the schools is right for you.
If you're looking for something specific, like wanting to know how to create your own transitions, synthesize your kicks, or learn about hip hop mixing and mastering - maybe one of the EdTech or Music sites is for you.
Explore the range of music production courses. Many offer free trials so you can play around and find what fits with you.
Cole
PS
if I missed one - please let me know!
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