12 Weeks
Level 2
3-Credit Tuition
$1,545Non-Credit Tuition
$1,290The iPad has become a powerful alternative to traditional music production tools, offering a portable and professional platform for creating, recording, mixing, and mastering music. With just an iPad, a MIDI controller, a microphone, and a small audio interface, you can achieve the functionality of a full recording studio. This course will guide you through every stage of music production using the iPad, empowering you to bring your creative vision to life wherever you are.
You will learn to sketch ideas in GarageBand, sequence MIDI tracks and record live instruments in Cubasis, and mix and master your productions in Logic Pro. Along the way, you’ll explore advanced sound design techniques with software synthesizers like Quanta and Chameleon, and master your final tracks with Logic Pro’s built-in tools. By the end of the course, you’ll not only have a polished portfolio of music but also the skills to share your creations on platforms like SoundCloud, directly from your iPad.
This course is designed to take you on a step-by-step journey through music production on the iPad. Starting with hardware and setup, you’ll progress through preproduction, recording, mixing, and mastering, with lessons that combine engaging video demonstrations, interactive exercises, and collaborative discussions. Whether you're a professional looking for portable solutions or an aspiring producer entering the world of music creation, this course provides the tools and techniques to turn your iPad into a studio-on-the-go.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Pick the best software for sequencing, producing, and mixing with the iPad
- Choose the best iPad-compatible hardware tools (audio interface, MIDI interfaces, controllers, etc.) to meet your needs
- Set up a mobile production studio
- Sketch musical ideas using the iPad and GarageBand
- Use the iPad as a creative inspirational tool for music composition and sound design with a selection of advanced software synthesizers
- Sequence and arrange musical ideas on the iPad with Cubasis and Logic Pro for iOS
- Record real instruments and vocals
- Produce projects with Logic Pro
- Master projects with Logic Pro
- Distribute and share the final production
Syllabus
Lesson 1: Understanding and Setting Up the iOS Platform
- iPad Architecture and Setup
- Internal Hardware
- External Hardware
- iPad Advantages and Limitations
- Interaction with Other Platforms
- Gestures
- Other Tablet-Based Platforms
- Setting Up Your iPad for Music Production
- Interfacing
- Matters of I/O
- Monitoring
- Software
- Assignment 1: Studio List for Two Budgets
Lesson 2: MIDI and Digital Audio Concepts
- MIDI: A Review
- MIDI Basics
- The MIDI Protocol
- The MIDI Messages
- Channel Voice MIDI Messages
- Control Changes
- Connecting Your MIDI Keyboard to Your iPad
- Principles of Digital Audio: A Review
- The Converters
- Sample Rate and Bit Depth
- Quantization Noise
- A Picture Is Better Than 1000 Words!
- Connecting Your Audio Interface and Your Keyboard Controller to Your iPad
- Assignment 2: Set Up Your iPad Studio
Lesson 3: Writing and Sequencing Music with the iPad
- iPad Music Software for Music Production
- MIDI Sequencing and Preproduction
- Mixing and Recording
- Mastering
- Software Synthesizers
- Distribution
- The Portable Digital Audio Workstation (P-DAW)
- Using GarageBand for Music Production
- Workshop: GarageBand User Interface
- First Recording in GarageBand
- Adding Some 'Personal' Touches
- Adding More Tracks
- Using External Instruments in GarageBand
- Assignment 3: GarageBand Composition Part 1
Lesson 4: Working with Audio Tracks in GarageBand
- Working with Audio Tracks
- Tips for a Successful Recording
- Editing Audio Tracks
- Using Loops
- Creating a Full Song Using GarageBand 'Sections'
- Final Mix and Effects
- Quick Tips for a Successful Mix
- Mixdowns: Merging Tracks
- Quick Tips for Creating Stems
- Automation
- Export, Share, and Back Up
- Quick Tips to Share Your Song Successfully
- Assignment 4: GarageBand Composition Part 2
Lesson 5: Music Production in Cubasis
- Using Cubasis for Music Production - Basic Concepts
- Setting Up a New Project
- Let’s Get Grooving!
- Exporting and Sharing a Mixdown
- The Writing Process
- The Compositional Process
- MIDI Editing in Cubasis
- The Tool Bar
- Editing MIDI Data
- Assignment 5: Sketching Ideas in Cubasis
Lesson 6: Mixing in Cubasis
- Mixing Concepts in Cubasis - Mixing the MIDI Tracks
- Adding Some Effects
- Alternative Input Methods for MIDI Data
- Using Third-Party Software Synthesizers
- Automating Your Mix Through MIDI Automation
- Real-Time Automation
- Assignment 6: Compose, Sequence, and Produce an Original Track
Lesson 7: Audio Recording and Editing with Cubasis
- Multitrack Recording with Your iPad - Setup and Configuration
- Preamplifiers
- Microphones
- Microphone Polar Patterns
- Workshop: Microphone Types
- Audio Editing in Cubasis
- Destructive versus Non-Destructive Audio Editing
- Normalizing
- Mixing Concepts in Cubasis
- Setting the Levels
- Panning
- Using Cubasis Effects
- Microphone Techniques for Mobile Recording
- Assignment 7: Effects and Mixing in Cubasis
Lesson 8: Using Third-Party Software Synthesizers in Cubasis
- Using Third-Party Software Synthesizers
- Wait a Minute, What Is a 'Subtractive Synthesizer'?
- Back to Redshrike
- Creating a New Sound in Redshrike
- Using a Sampler: Chameleon Sampler
- The Chameleon Interface
- Creating Your Own Drum Set in Chameleon
- Creating Your Own Violin Patch in Chameleon
- Freezing Tracks in Cubasis
- Assignment 8: Compose and Produce in Cubasis
Lesson 9: Logic Pro for iOS
- Working Across Music Applications with the iPad
- Files Access and Backup Solutions/Techniques
- Logic Pro for iOS
- Starting a New Project in Logic Pro
- Interface Overview
- Recording on MIDI Tracks
- Editing MIDI Tracks/Data
- Exporting Your Music
- Assignment 9: Logic Sequence
Lesson 10: Recording Audio Tracks and Mixing in Logic Pro for iOS
- Recording on Audio Tracks in Logic Pro
- Editing Audio Tracks in Logic Pro for iOS
- Mixing in Logic Pro for iOS
- Using Effects in Logic Pro for iOS
- Dynamic Effects
- Compressors and Limiters
- Compressor
- Limiter
- Noise Gate
- Equalization Concepts
- EQ Guidelines
- Logic Pro's EQ Plug-in
- Working in Logic Pro: Freeze
- Assignment 10: Logic Project
Lesson 11: Advanced Logic Pro for iOS
- Granular Synthesis in Quanta
- Quanta Overview
- Basic and Noise Oscillators
- The Grain Oscillator
- Filters and Modifiers
- Using Third-Party Software Synthesizers in Logic Pro for iOS
- Using Automation in Logic Pro for iOS
- Track-Based Automation
- Region-Based Automation
- Adding Some Loops!
- Using Session Players
- Assignment 11: Logic Pro’s Project with Session Players and Audio Loops
Lesson 12: Mastering and Distributing Your Work
- Live Loops in Logic Pro for iOS
- Mastering in Logic Pro for iOS
- Introducing Your Personal Mastering Assistant
- The Equalization Module
- The Dynamics Module
- The Spread Module
- The Global Options
- Let’s Master Our Project
- Assignment 12: Final Project
Requirements
Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements
Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills
A basic understanding of digital audio concepts, MIDI concepts, and some writing/production concepts is recommended.
Software
- The following iPad apps are required:
Hardware
- iPad compatible audio interface, along with any cables or adaptors necessary to connect it to the iPad
- Recommended: iPad compatible MIDI controller such as IK-Multimedia iRig KEYS Pro, iRIG KEYS, AKAI LPK25, or M-Audio KEYSTATION-MINI32, etc.
Important Technical/System Considerations
- iPad running iPadOS 14 or higher
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
PC Users
All Users
- Latest version of Google Chrome
- Zoom meeting software
- Webcam
- Speakers or headphones
- External or internal microphone
- Broadband Internet connection
Instructors
Author & Instructor
Andrea Pejrolo is the chair of the Contemporary Writing and Production department at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He is a MIDI programmer, composer, and bassist. He is the author of Creative Sequencing Techniques for Music Production (2005) and Acoustic and MIDI Orchestration for the Contemporary Composer (2007) and has written several articles for music magazines, including Sound On Sound and Bass World magazine.
Andrea has extensive professional experience as a sound designer, audio engineer/producer, MIDI programmer and composer for film, TV, theater, and multimedia. Some of his recent projects include iAcoustica Studio drum library, iDrum Rock Edition for iPhone/iPad in collaboration with Izotope, and arranging and recording with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
Andrea is an active presenter and lecturer for prestigious conferences such as AES and MacWorld. His most recent publications include Creating Sounds from Scratch (Oxford University Press), and Acoustic and MIDI Orchestration for the Contemporary Composer (Focal Press).
Andrea holds a Ph.D. in jazz studies from New York University, a Master in Composition for Film, TV, Theater and Multimedia from the University of Bristol (U.K.) and a Music Diploma in Jazz Performance from Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Read Less
What's Next?
When taken for credit, Music Writing and Production with the iPad can be applied towards the completion of these related programs:
Related Certificate Programs
Related Degree Majors
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.
