Music Production Fundamentals for Songwriters

Erin Barra

Authored by Erin Barra

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Course Code: OSONG-150

Learn to use music production tools as part of your songwriting process. This course introduces DAWs, MIDI, and modern recording techniques, helping you compose, produce, and refine original songs while gaining the technical skills to collaborate effectively with producers, engineers, and other creatives.

Level 1
Foundational
Modality
Online
Duration
12 Weeks
3-Credit Tuition
$1,575
Semester Starts
Apr 6
Accreditation
NECHE

Key Learning Outcomes

  • Write, produce, and record an original song entirely within a DAW
  • Translate moments of inspiration into structured arrangements using MIDI, audio, and virtual instruments
  • Record, edit, and refine vocals and instruments to produce polished songwriter demos
  • Use music production tools creatively to expand songwriting possibilities and stylistic range
Overview Syllabus Requirements Instructors Related Music Career Roles
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Course Description

NEW!

This course is now available in Spanish!

View Spanish version/Explora la versión en español

You are a songwriter of the twenty-first century, which means you have more options for writing songs than just you and an old acoustic instrument. You’re using your computer to read this course description now, but what you may not realize is that this same computer can be a powerful compositional tool! In Music Production Fundamentals for Songwriters, you will use your computer to compose, produce, refine, and share your music. 

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Whether this is your first foray into using technology tools to make music, or you’ve had some experience working inside a Digital Audio Workstation already, the main goal of the course is to put you in the driver’s seat when it comes to your music and your content. You’ll learn more about DAWs, MIDI technology, and all of the modern recording techniques that will help your songs sound the way they’re supposed to sound. You’ll bolster your writing skills with the technical skills to engineer and produce your music. With the skills learned in Music Production Fundamentals for Songwriters, you’ll be able to become more involved in the process when collaborating with engineers, producers, and other collaborators. Note that in this course you will be required to write songs—meaning there needs to a lyric set to a melody, sung by a vocalist or vocalists.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Select and configure a DAW and MIDI controller to support an efficient songwriting workflow
  • Create melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic MIDI sequences using virtual instruments
  • Record audio using microphones and interfaces, applying basic comping and cleanup techniques
  • Apply quantization, editing, and file-management practices to keep sessions organized and flexible
  • Shape vocal sounds using EQ, compression, and time-based effects such as reverb and delay
  • Produce genre-aware demos by choosing sounds, textures, and effects appropriate to a specific style
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Syllabus

Lesson 1: Creating a Percussive Foundation

  • MIDI Controllers
  • MIDI Drum Programming and Editing
  • Creating Sectional Contrast with Rhythmic Patterns
  • Exporting and Bouncing
  • Assignment 1: Create Drum Loops for Verse and Chorus

Lesson 2: Adding Melodies

  • Audio Interfaces and Microphones
  • Recording Audio
  • Basic Region Editing
  • Sketching Melodies in the DAW
  • Assignment 2: Write Melodies and a Bass Line

Lesson 3: Adding Textures

  • Programming Textural Elements
  • Recording Textural Elements
  • Choosing a Sonic Palette
  • Creating Prosody and Contrast
  • Assignment 3: Add Additional Textures with Virtual Instruments and Audio

Lesson 4: Reworking, File Management, Home Studio, Troubleshooting

  • Reworking/Editing
  • File Management
  • Troubleshooting Basics
  • Building a Home Studio
  • Assignment 4: Create a Final Arrangement

Lesson 5: Critical Listening/Analysis/Preproduction

  • Critical Listening
  • Genre Analysis
  • Session Prep
  • Session Organization
  • Assignment 5: Analysis and Session Prep

Lesson 6: Recording Basics, Instrumental Comping

  • Basics and Scratches
  • Instrumental Comping
  • Cleaning up a Comp
  • Assignment 6: Create a Song to Produce in a Specific Genre

Lesson 7: Lead Vocals, Early Gain Staging

  • Recording Lead Vocals
  • Lead Vocal Comping
  • Lead Vocal Tuning
  • Gain Staging
  • Assignment 7: Record and Comp Your Lead Vocal

Lesson 8: Effects Processing Week 1: Vocals and Inserts

  • Effects Processors as Inserts
  • Dynamics Processors
  • Filters
  • De-essing
  • Assignment 8: Compress, EQ, and De-ess Your Lead Vocal

Lesson 9: Effects Processing Week 2: Time-Based and Parallel

  • Reverbs and Delays
  • Parallel vs. Serial
  • Presets
  • Effects Chains
  • Assignment 9: Create a Demo of a Song With Percussion, Vocals, Bass, and Two Textures

Lesson 10: Effects Processing Week 3: Creative and Automated

  • Creative Effects Processing
  • Automation
  • Assignment 10: Edit Basic Tracks and Add Textures

Lesson 11: Final Mix

  • MIDI Effects
  • Template Sessions
  • Mastering
  • Creating a Final Mix
  • Assignment 11: Create a Final Mix

Lesson 12: Technology and Creativity

  • Technology in Your Future
  • Home Studio

Requirements

Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements 

Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills
This course does not have any prerequisites

Textbook(s)

  • No textbooks required

Software

  • One of the following Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) (examples will be shown for all three):
    • Pro Tools 2025 (Studio or Ultimate) or higher
    • Logic Pro 11 or higher
    • Ableton Live 12 (Suite or Standard) or higher

Hardware

Other

  • Pop filter
  • Microphone stand

Student Deals
After enrolling, be sure to check out our Student Deals page for various offers on software, hardware, and more. Please contact support@online.berklee.edu with any questions.

General Course Requirements

Below are the minimum requirements to access the course environment and participate in Live Classes. Please make sure to also check the Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements section above, and ensure your computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for all software needed for your course. 

Mac Users

  • macOS Monterey 12.0 or later

PC Users

All Users

  • Latest version of Google Chrome
  • Zoom meeting software
  • Webcam
  • Speakers or headphones
  • External or internal microphone
  • Broadband Internet connection

Instructors

Erin Barra
Erin Barra

Author

Erin Barra has been a key player in the creative process of many projects from conception to final master to stage performance. With a wide ranging skill set (educator, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, music technology consultant), she enables people to create content they’re personally invested in and execute their ideas.

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Specializing in music technology integration, she works with artists and bands looking to integrate laptops and digital technologies into their writing, production and stage setups, and has developed, taught and executed several music technology curriculums at the open source (Coursera and ROLI), K-12 (Beats By Girlz), and collegiate levels (Berklee College of Music, Berklee Online).

An authoritative voice in music, tech, and education, Barra is the Director of Popular Music at Arizona State University, Executive Director of Beats By Girlz, course developer for Berklee Online and former Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Specializing in composition, performance, and creative music technology application, she has worked with and represented companies such as Ableton, Splice, ROLI, MusicTech, Moog, and iZotope. She has presented at Loop, NAMM, SXSW, Moogfest, Gearfest, KIEM, Future of Music Coalition, Yale’s EXPOL, and Re-Mixed Media Festival. Check out Barra’s work as an artist on all platforms, and catch her live electronic performances on YouTube. Read Less

Kareem Clarke
Kareem Clarke

Instructor

Kareem Tony Clarke is a DJ, music producer, and label owner. Throughout his career, he has performed at major clubs in New York City, toured US colleges, performed at TEDxBerkleeValencia, played at SXSW 2017, and held DJ residencies in Valencia, Spain. In 2016 he founded the deep house and techno label Digital Den Records with fellow Berklee alum Ian Cahill.

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Kareem holds a BA in Engineering Studies from Lafayette College, as well as an MA in Global Entertainment and Music Business and an MM in Music Technology Innovation from Berklee College of Music. Read Less

Gabi Martinez
Gabi Martinez

Instructor

Gabi Martinez is a guitarist, producer, and engineer from Zaragoza (SPAIN), based in Los Angeles (USA). With a unique and eclectic career, he has had the chance to work with acclaimed international artists with worldwide exposure and has been involved in projects with some of the most prestigious names in the music industry. Additionally, he was selected to be part of “Grammy Next” at The National Recording Academy (a program designed to identify and empower the next generation of music industry leaders) and he is a member of the Producers and Engineers Wing Committee-LA Chapter.

What's Next?

When taken for credit, Music Production Fundamentals for Songwriters can be applied towards the completion of these related programs:

Related Certificate Programs

Related Degree Major

Related Music Career Roles

Employers look for skills learned in this course, when hiring for the following music career roles:

ADR Recordist

Assistant Engineer (Studio)

Dialogue Editor (Film, TV, and Video Games)

Field Recordist

Musical Theater Adapter

Music Editor

Performing Songwriter

Recording Engineer

Songwriter-Producer

Sound Designer (Theater)

Studio Maintenance Engineer

Technology Trainer/Specialist

Top-Line Songwriter
See All  

Questions?

Contact our Academic Advisors by phone at 1-866-BERKLEE (U.S.), 1-617-747-2146 (INT'L), or by email at advisors@online.berklee.edu.

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