Build complete productions from idea to release in this undergraduate music production course centered on Steinberg’s Cubase software. Develop fluency in MIDI sequencing, audio recording, loop creation, arrangement tools, automation, and mixing workflows used across songwriting, film scoring, and modern studio production.
Key Learning Outcomes
- Build complete music productions by recording, editing, and arranging MIDI and audio in Cubase
- Shape musical form, harmony, and structure using Cubase’s advanced composition and arrangement tools
- Craft professional-quality mixes using Cubase’s mixing console, automation, and processing tools
- Adapt Cubase workflows to support a wide range of production contexts and musical styles
Course Description
Producing Music with Cubase provides you with a broad skill set and a fully realized background in music production using the state-of-the-art Cubase software. Designed for professionals from the ground up, Cubase represents the cutting edge of digital audio workstations and provides powerful sonic tools that can be used to produce any style of music imaginable. This course begins with an introduction to the working environments and capabilities of Cubase. You will learn to record and edit MIDI and audio performances, while also considering the musical implications of using each recording and editing technique.
With audio and MIDI tracks in place, you will move on to learn mixing techniques using Cubase's powerful EQ, audio effects, and full automation to create a well-crafted production ready for distribution in various professional and consumer formats. Whether you are producing music for song demos, recording your band's album, or scoring music for film or TV, Cubase has all the right tools for the job. Each lesson in the course focuses on using specific tools to achieve a desired musical result. Weekly assignments provide hands-on experience to give you the confidence to move forward in creating great sounding productions.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Configure and customize your Cubase environment
- Record and edit MIDI and audio files
- Use audio loops in your productions, including creating custom loops from your original recorded material
- Understand the process of equalization and apply effects processors such as reverb, delay, chorusing, and compression to enhance your production
- Manipulate your project's key and form using advanced tools such as the Play Order Track
- Use Cubase's flexible mixing console and cutting-edge tools to create professional-sounding mixes
- Design efficient Cubase project templates, key commands, and workflows to streamline production and session management
- Edit timing, pitch, and phase relationships in multitrack audio recordings to improve clarity and musical impact
- Prepare, export, and archive professional mixes for streaming, data delivery, and long-term project backup
Berklee Online and Steinberg have come together to offer an educational discount on Cubase software. Once you enroll in the course, you will be able to purchase the software at the discounted price through the Required Course Materials link on your My Home page. Early enrollment is encouraged to ensure software delivery prior to the start of the course. Depending on the shipping option chosen, software delivery could take up to eight business days. Read Less
Syllabus
Lesson 1: Cubase Overview
- Recording Basics
- Recording Basics: Analog Recording
- Recording Basics: Digital Recording and Sample Rate
- Recording Basics: Bit Depth and Recording Standards
- Recording Basics: Digital Advantages
- Installing Cubase: Interface
- Installing Cubase: Computer Specs
- Cubase Overview
- Cubase Overview: Audio and MIDI Editing
- Cubase Overview: Mixing
- Cubase Overview: File Management
- Cubase Overview: Integration with Hardware
- Cubase Overview: Flexibility
- Additional Resources for Help
- Intro to Work Environments: Project Window
- Intro to Work Environments: Transport Panel and Mix Console
- Intro to Work Environments: Tracks
- Intro to Work Environments: Track Inspector
- Assignment 1: Basic Knowledge
Lesson 2: Track and File Management
- Types of Files Used in Cubase
- Highest-Quality Audio File Types
- Variable-Quality File Types
- Other Audio Types
- Standard MIDI Files
- Video and Musical Score Files
- Cubase Proprietary File Types
- Other File Types in Cubase
- Storing Preferences
- Backwards Compatibility and File Extensions
- Starting a New Project: Project Creation
- Starting a New Project: I/O
- Starting a New Project: Track Settings
- Starting a New Project: Template
- Starting a New Project: Hardware
- Importing Files into a New Project: MIDI
- Importing Files into a New Project: VST
- Importing Files into a New Project: Audio
- Assignment 2: Final Adjustments
Lesson 3: MIDI Sequencing and the Virtual Instrument
- MIDI Overview: What is MIDI?
- MIDI Overview: MIDI Defined
- MIDI Overview: MIDI Cables
- MIDI Overview: MIDI Messages
- MIDI Overview: MIDI Message Types
- MIDI Overview: MIDI Input Devices
- MIDI Recording: The Sequencer
- MIDI Recording: More on PPQN
- MIDI Recording: Quantizing
- Virtual Instruments
- Virtual Instruments Included with Cubase
- Using Virtual Instruments in Cubase
- The Transport and Metronome
- Recording MIDI
- Getting the Most Out of Your MIDI Tracks
- Recording Drums in Cubase
- Assignment 3: Spy Scene
Lesson 4: Editing and Modifying MIDI Performances
- MIDI Tracks and Parts in the Arrange Window: MIDI Parts
- MIDI Tracks and Parts in the Arrange Window: MIDI Editor
- MIDI Tracks and Parts in the Arrange Window: Show Lanes
- MIDI Tracks and Parts in the Arrange Window: Stacked Loops
- MIDI Tracks and Parts in the Arrange Window: Comp Tool
- MIDI Tracks and Parts in the Arrange Window: Snapping to Grid
- MIDI Tracks and Parts in the Arrange Window: Editing MIDI Parts
- MIDI Tracks and Parts in the Arrange Window: MIDI Resizing
- MIDI Tracks and Parts in the Arrange Window: Parts Editing
- MIDI Tracks and Parts in the Arrange Window: Repeats
- Editing in the Key Editor: Quick Overview
- Editing in the Key Editor: Key Editor
- Moving Notes in the Key Editor: Basics
- Moving Notes in the Key Editor: Group Editing
- Moving Notes in the Key Editor: Velocity Editing
- Moving Notes in the Key Editor: Additional Editing
- Adding a Controller After a Track Has Been Recorded: Controller Tracks
- Adding a Controller After a Track Has Been Recorded: Hide/Show
- Adding a Controller After a Track Has Been Recorded: Line Tool
- Quantizing: Basics
- Quantizing: Scale Quantization
- Quantizing: Panel
- Quantizing: More Practice
- Edit in Place
- The List Editor and MIDI Modifiers: The List of Editors
- The List Editor and MIDI Modifiers: Controller Event
- The List Editor and MIDI Modifiers: Pitch Bend Controls
- The List Editor and MIDI Modifiers: Modifiers Parameters
- The Tempo Track Editor
- Assignment 4: Song Arrangement
Lesson 5: Recording Audio
- Audio Recording Basics
- Audio Recording Basics: The Environment (Part 1)
- Audio Recording Basics: The Environment (Part 2)
- Audio Recording Basics: Microphones
- Audio Recording Basics: Dynamic Microphones
- Audio Recording Basics: Condenser Microphones
- Audio Recording Basics: Polar Patterns
- Audio Recording Basics: Frequency Response
- Audio Recording Basics: Instrument Pickups
- Audio Recording Basics: Analog Connection Types (Part 1)
- Audio Recording Basics: Analog Connection Types (Part 2)
- Audio Recording Basics: Analog Output Levels (Part 1)
- Audio Recording Basics: Analog Output Levels (Part 2)
- Audio Recording Basics: Microphone Output Levels
- Audio Recording Basics: Instrument Pickups and Line Levels
- Recording and Editing an Audio Track: Setting Up Parameters
- Recording and Editing an Audio Track: Setting Up Tracks
- Recording and Editing an Audio Track: Checking Levels
- Monitoring Your Audio: Types of Monitoring
- Monitoring Your Audio: Applying Previous Knowledge
- Monitoring Your Audio: Multiple Editing
- Monitoring Your Audio: Multiple Layers
- Monitoring Your Audio: Punching I/O
- Monitoring Your Audio: Rerecording
- Monitoring Your Audio: Editing Tools
- Monitoring Your Audio: Bounce
- Pools
- Editing a Drum Groove: Slicing
- Editing a Drum Groove: Duplicating
- Editing a Drum Groove: Moving the Kick
- Editing a Drum Groove: Fades and Track Picture
- Phase Relationships
- Phase Relationships: The Experiment
- Saving Your Assignment File for Posting
- Assignment 5: Recording Audio
Lesson 6: Mixing and Equalization
- Mixer Signal Flow
- Mixer Signal Flow: The Cubase Mixer
- Mixer Signal Flow: Routing and Pre
- Mixer Signal Flow: Inserts
- Mixer Signal Flow: EQ, Channel Strip, and Aux Sends
- Mixer Signal Flow: Pre- and Post-Fader Sends
- Mixer Signal Flow: Level/Mute/Panning
- Mixer Signal Flow: Mixer Overview
- Starting a Mix
- Starting a Mix: Monitor Setup
- Comparative Listening and Volume Levels
- Getting Started: Drum Mixing
- Getting Started: Adding Guitar and Bass
- The Equalizer: What Is It?
- The Equalizer: Types of EQ
- The Equalizer: Mixing the Project
- The Equalizer: Opening EQs
- The Equalizer: Basic Knowledge
- The Equalizer: High Pass
- The Equalizer: Low Pass
- The Equalizer: Tweaking Presets
- Equalizing Drums
- Inserting EQ
- Assignment 6: Basic Equalizing
Lesson 7: Using Effects Processors in Your Mix
- Time-Based Effects Processors
- Delay
- Reverb: Settings
- Reverb: Adding Reverb to the Project
- Reverb: Snare
- Reverb: EQ
- Reverb: Multitrack
- Reverb: Pre/Post-Faders
- Reverb: Vocals
- Digital Delay: FX Channels
- Digital Delay: Editing Settings
- Return Fader
- Insert: Adding an Effect
- Insert: Tweaking Settings
- Dynamic Processors
- Compressor
- Limiter, Expander, and Gating
- Inserting Dynamics Processors: Adding a Processor
- Inserting Dynamics Processors: More about Compressors
- Inserting Dynamics Processors: Gates
- Inserting Dynamics Processors: More about Gates
- Inserting Dynamics Processors: Compressing Snare
- Modulation and Other Effects: Effects
- Modulation and Other Effects: Chorus
- Modulation and Other Effects: Tube Simulation/Distortion
- Assignment 7: Applying Effects
Lesson 8: VST Instruments and Automation
- VST Instrument Channels: MIDI Tracks
- VST Instrument Channels: Signal Adjustment
- VST Instrument Channels: MIDI Track Details
- Setting up a VST Instrument Channel: Creating an Instrument Rack
- Setting up a VST Instrument Channel: Playing an Instrument
- Setting up a VST Instrument Channel: Adding Another Instrument
- Setting up a VST Instrument Channel: Reverb
- Setting up a VST Instrument Channel: Adjusting Velocity
- Setting up a VST Instrument Channel: Editing
- VST Instrument Channels Advantages and Disadvantages
- Automation: Panning
- Automation: Recording
- Automation: EQ
- Using Automation Tracks
- Drawing In Automation
- Using Line Tools with Wave Shapes for Automation: Panning
- Using Line Tools with Wave Shapes for Automation: Using Square Wave
- Using Line Tools with Wave Shapes for Automation: Automation Preferences
- VST Instrument Parameter Automation
- Creating Automated Fade Outs: Setting Up
- Creating Automated Fade Outs: Settings Adjustment
- Creating Automated Fade Outs: Writing Automations
- Freezing
- Assignment 8: Using Automations
Lesson 9: Sample Editing and Loop-Based Music Production
- Brief Definition and History of Sampling and Looping: What Is It?
- Brief Definition and History of Sampling and Looping: Synth/VST
- Brief Definition and History of Sampling and Looping: In the '80s
- Rhythmic Loops
- The Drum Machine
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Destructive Edits
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Locating Files
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Audio Pool Window
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Audition Loops
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Zero Crossing Rule
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Wave's Shape
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Editing Loops
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Bouncing
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Audio Wrap
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Musical Mode
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Tempo Change
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Transposition
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Variation
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Creating Silence
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Setting Up for Pitch Shift
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Pitch Shifting
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Processing Pitch Shifting
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Tone Booster
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Gain
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Process History
- The Sample Editor and Looping: Recap
- Assignment 9: Looping, Automate, and Effects
Lesson 10: Working with Your Project’s Form
- Musical Form
- Cubase Markers: Intro
- Cubase Markers: Marker Track
- Cubase Markers: Adding Markers
- Cubase Markers: Locate
- Cubase Markers: Cycle Marker
- Cubase Markers: Working with Markers
- Cubase Markers: Editing
- The Arranger Track: Adding an Arranger Track
- The Arranger Track: Arranger's Editor
- The Arranger Track: Creating Events
- The Arranger Track: Looping
- The Arranger Track: New Project
- The Transpose Track: Overview
- The Transpose Track: Setup
- The Transpose Track: Transposition Info
- The Transpose Track: Adding a Transposition Track
- The Transpose Track: Transposing
- Chord Pads and the Chord Track
- Assignment 10: Final Pt. 1
Lesson 11: Preparing Your Project for Mixing and Exporting Your Mix
- Mixing Considerations
- Mixing Considerations: EQ
- Turning External Audio Sources into Tracks
- Track Duplicate and Nudge Tools: Track Duplication
- Track Duplicate and Nudge Tools: Using the Nudge Tool
- Track Duplicate and Nudge Tools: Levels
- Track Duplicate and Nudge Tools: Editing
- Track Duplicate and Nudge Tools: Stereo Vocals
- Track Duplicate and Nudge Tools: MIDI Track, Transport Explanation
- Track Duplicate and Nudge Tools: MIDI Track, Snap
- Track Duplicate and Nudge Tools: MIDI Track, Edits
- Folder Tracks: Creating Folder Tracks
- Folder Tracks: Folder Organization
- Folder Tracks: Functionalities
- Subgroups: Group Tracks
- Subgroups: Routing
- Subgroups: EQ/Compression
- Subgroups: Changing Routing
- Subgroups: Project Organization
- Subgroups: Adding FX
- Subgroups: Blend, a Different Use of Subgroups
- Subgroups: Blend, Routing
- Subgroups: Blend, Faders
- Mixing Audio Files: Audio Mixdown
- Mixing Audio Files: Fades/Location
- Mixing Audio Files: Formats
- Mixing Audio Files: Export
- Mixing Audio Files: Creating Another File
- Assignment 11: Final Pt. 2
Lesson 12: Mastering and Archiving Your Project
- What Is Audio Mastering?
- Tips on Audio Mastering
- Preparing to Master
- Mastering in Cubase: Project Creation
- Mastering in Cubase: Importing
- Mastering in Cubase: Compression
- Mastering in Cubase: Limiter
- Mastering in Cubase: EQ, Tips
- Mastering in Cubase: Using EQ
- Mastering in Cubase: GEQ-30
- Mastering in Cubase: EQ, Fine Adjustment
- Mastering in Cubase: EQ, Experimenting
- Mastering in Cubase: Inserting Multiband Compression
- Mastering in Cubase: Multiband Compression, How It Works
- Mastering in Cubase: Multiband Compression, Presets
- Mastering in Cubase: Final Adjustments, Opening Project
- Mastering in Cubase: Final Adjustments, Setting Start of Song
- Mastering in Cubase: Final Adjustments, Setting End of Song
- Mastering in Cubase: Final Adjustments, Fade Out
- Mastering in Cubase: Final Adjustments, Curve Fades
- Mastering in Cubase: Exporting
- More MediaBay and File Management: Primary View
- More MediaBay and File Management: Importing
- Assignment 12: Final Pt. 3
Requirements
Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements
Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills
Students should have a basic working knowledge of either Mac or Windows computers. No prior knowledge of Cubase is required; however, you should have a basic foundation in music theory.
Textbook(s)
- No textbooks required
Software
- Cubase Pro 10.5 or higher
- Note: Cubase Artist or Elements are only acceptable if taking the course for non-credit, but there will be limitations in the course experience.
Hardware
- MIDI keyboard controller
- Audio interface
- XLR microphone and cable
- One of the following studio monitoring options (both recommended):
- Studio monitors (pair), as well as necessary cables
- Over-ear studio headphones
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
Author
James Ross Ramsay, faculty in the Piano department at Berklee College of Music, has been teaching piano for 25 years, and has been included in the "Who's Who List of American Teachers" several times. He composes and produces music for local and nationally broadcast television, radio, cable, and video programs, and has been a featured soloist on piano and keyboards with various artists touring throughout the United States and Europe. Ramsay is a product specialist and clinician for Yamaha Corporation of America, Digital Musical Instruments, and Pro Audio Division. He received a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music in 1986.
Instructor
Woody Pak is a composer, producer, and educator whose work spans film, musical theater, commercials, and emerging media. He brings a practical, real-world approach to music production, drawing on decades of professional experience—creating, recording, and delivering music across genres and platforms. As a faculty member at Berklee College of Music, Woody emphasizes workflow, creative decision-making, and adaptability, helping students use music production tools not just technically, but musically—as a means of translating ideas into finished, professional productions.
Instructor
Kevin is a Berklee Film Scoring (’05) alum that has worked as the U.S.A west coast product specialist for Steinberg’s Cubase for the last 6 years. He frequently gives master classes, clinics and demos at some of Los Angeles' top studios and production facilities such as Remote Control Productions (Hans Zimmer), Warner Brothers, Music and Motion Productions and Westlake Pro. He has a vast amount of experience in film composition, song and remix production as well as invaluable music and entertainment industry experience. Primarily, Kevin is a film, video game, and tv composer and has worked on a variety of projects including the recently released biopic “Pele - 2016”, “The Legend of Hercules - 2014”, “The Hundred Foot Journey - 2014”, “Million Dollar Arm - 2014”, a soon to be released X box game, and ABC television shows. In addition to his frequent collaborations with A.R. Rahman (Oscar Award Winning Composer for “Slumdog Millionaire - 2009”), Kevin is developing a new gestured based musical instrument with Intel Corp. and was featured at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with Intel’s CEO.
What's Next?
When taken for credit, Producing Music with Cubase can be applied towards the completion of these related programs:
Related Certificate Programs
Related Degree Majors
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
Music Editor
Recording Engineer
Sound Designer (Theater)
Studio Maintenance Engineer
Technology Trainer/Specialist
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.
