Level 1
3-Credit Tuition
$1,545The goal of this course is to teach you the fundamentals of working with FL Studio to produce electronic music. You will explore drum programming with the step sequencer, MIDI recording and editing with the Piano roll editor, audio recording, mixing, effects processing, automation, mastering, as well as the fundamentals of synthesizer programming. The course will also cover the basics of creating a visualizer using the ZGameEditor plug-in. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to produce a piece of music from scratch, and also create visuals that synchronize with your music.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Produce a musical piece of your choice, demonstrating competency with using FL Studio
- Create a video for your musical piece that has visual effects synchronized with the music
- Record audio and MIDI into FL Studio
- Mix and master a musical piece in FL Studio
- Demonstrate competency using FL Studio's synthesizers and effects processors like the compressor, EQ, reverb, and delay
- Demonstrate competency working with MIDI controllers and audio interfaces in FL Studio
Syllabus
Lesson 1: Programming Drums
- Overview of the Interface
- Channel Rack Step Sequencer
- Creating Additional Patterns
- Recording Drum Patterns into the Piano Roll
- Utilizing the Mixer and Playlist
- Mixer Routing
- Assignment 1: Percussion Playlist
Lesson 2: Working with MIDI
- Setting up a MIDI Controller for Use in FL Studio
- Recording and Quantizing MIDI Data in Piano Roll
- Draw Musical Patterns in the FL Piano Roll
- Creating Chord Progressions
- Using the Arpeggiator
- Assignment 2: Harmonic, Melodic, and Bass Parts
Lesson 3: Automation and Effects Processing
- Creating Automation Clips
- Removing Automation
- MIDI Mapping and Control
- Advanced Automation Clips
- Working with Effects
- Assignment 3: Add Dynamic Changes to Your Arrangement
Lesson 4: Working with Audio
- Setting up FL Studio for Recording with an Audio Interface
- Recording Audio into the Playlist
- Loop Recording and Comping
- Audio Editing in the Playlist
- Recording with Edison
- Editing Audio with Edison
- Assignment 4: Audio Recording and Editing Project
Lesson 5: Synthesis and Sampling
- Working with FLEX
- Workshop: FLEX Review
- Working with 3x Osc
- Sampling with the FL Sampler
- Creating Sounds from Scratch using Harmor
- Assignment 5: Custom Preset Design
Lesson 6: Mixing Your Tracks
- Preamble
- Signal Flow in FL Studio
- Setting Levels
- Balance
- Frequency Ranges
- Track Analysis
- Assignment 6: Creating a Mix
Lesson 7: Effects Processing
- Adding Effects
- Spectrum Processing with Filters and EQs
- Equalizer
- Fruity Parametric EQ 2
- Dynamics Processing
- Spatial Processing
- Sends and Returns
- Assignment 7: Effects Processing
Lesson 8: Advanced MIDI Techniques
- Slide Notes
- Slide Chords
- Portamento Notes
- MIDI Note Properties
- Riff Machine
- Polymetric Patterns
- Polyrhythmic Patterns
- Assignment 8: Create a MIDI Sequence
Lesson 9: Working with Patcher
- Patcher
- Creating a Multilayered Instrument
- Rhythmic Filter Effect
- DJ-Style Effects Processing
- Assignment 9: Patcher
Lesson 10: Remixing Techniques
- Stretching Audio
- Importing Audio
- Slicing Audio with Slicex
- Working with Vocodex
- Side Chain Compression and Gross Beat Effects
- Assignment 10: Creating a Remix
Lesson 11: Mastering Audio
- Mastering Fundamentals
- Prepping Mix for Mastering
- Equalization in Mastering
- Compression in Mastering
- Saturation in Mastering
- Stereo Widening
- Limiting/Maximizing in Mastering
- Loudness
- Youlean Loudness Meter
- Assignment 11: Create a Master
Lesson 12: Creating Visuals
- Setting Up the Project
- ZGameEditor Interface
- Working with Layers
- Adding Media
- Splitting Processing Layers
- Assignment 12: Creating a Video
Requirements
Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements
Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills
No prior knowledge of FL Studio is required, however, students should have a basic working knowledge of either Mac or Windows computers.
Textbook(s)
- No textbooks required
Software
- FL Studio 20 Signature Edition or higher
Hardware
- MIDI controller
- Audio interface
- At least one XLR microphone or electric musical instrument, such as guitar or keyboard, as well as necessary cables
- One of the following studio monitoring options (both recommended):
- Studio monitors (pair), such as JBL 305Ps or better, as well as necessary cables
- Over-ear studio headphones, such as Sennheiser HD 600, Sony MDR-7506, Philips SHP9500, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, etc.
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 Chats. 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
Rishabh Rajan is an educator with eight years of experience in higher education, having taught in schools in India, Malaysia, and the US. He is an Ableton Certified Trainer, Apple Certified Trainer for Logic Pro, and an Avid Certified Instructor for Pro Tools. He is also an accomplished electronic music producer, writing future bass music and performing mashups under the alias code: MONO. He has worked as a sound designer for Twisted Tools, Meta Function, and Bela D Media, and is currently developing sample libraries of Indian instruments with Crypto Cipher. His products have been used by BAFTA-, Emmy-, and Grammy-nominated composers from around the world. He has written three eBooks on sound design, which are all available on the Apple iBookStore. He has also developed over 30 sound design and music production streaming video courses for macProVideo and AskVideo. Aside from being a regular contributor to the online music production news blog Ask.Audio, he also hosts a YouTube channel where he regularly posts sound design/synthesizer tutorials & mashup performances.
What's Next?
When taken for credit, Producing Music with FL Studio can be applied towards the completion of these related programs:
Related Certificate Programs
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.
