Course

Electronic Music Production

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Course code
MUSC 2271
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15
Max class size
26
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
Electronic Music Production is an increasingly popular style of creating music. This course will explore techniques for drum programming, sound design, synthesis, sample-chopping & micro sampling, song arrangement, creating, mixing and exporting tracks, using Ableton Live software and appropriate hardware.
Course content

Getting Started with Ableton Live:

  • An Overview of Ableton Live
  • Live's User Interface
  • Introduction to the Arrangement View
  • The Aesthetics of Music Production
  • Music Production Analysis

Exploring the Session View:

  • An Introduction to the Session View
  • Launching Individual Clips in the Session View
  • Launching Clips from Tracks and Rows
  • Key and MIDI Map Mode

Song Production: Part 1 (Introduction and A Section)

  • Developing a Song Production (First Steps)
  • Adding Clips (Creating an Intro Scene)
  • Audio Clip Properties
  • Adding and Modifying Clips (Creating a Second Scene)
  • Clip Launch Programming

Song Production: Part 2 (B Section, Variation, and End)

  • New Song Sections
  • Creating the Breakdown Section
  • Variation of A
  • The Ending
  • Clip Envelopes
  • Creative Clip Envelope Editing

Song Production: Part 3 (Adding Effects)

  • Effect Processing in Live
  • Setting Up Effects
  • Determining Where Effects Are Needed
  • Effects as Inserts
  • Effects on Return Tracks
  • Audio Effect Racks
  • Creative Possibilities Using Built-in Effects

Song Production Part 4: (The Arrangement View)

  • Session View Recording to the Arrangement View
  • Using Locators
  • Editing in the Arrangement View

Song Production Part 5: (Creating a Vocal Track and Mixdown)

  • Adding a Vocal Sample
  • Mix Automation
  • Rendering the Live Demo 2 Song Mix
  • MP3 File Format

Creating an Original Live Production: Part 1 (Establishing Style)

  • The Production Process: Establishing Style
  • Designing Parts
  • Working with MIDI
  • Live's Software Instruments
  • Making Beats
  • Drum Racks
  • Slicing
  • REX Files
  • File Management

Creating an Original Live Production: Part 2 (Developing the Groove)

  • Instrument Racks
  • Creating a Groove
  • Developing a Song Section
  • Using the Session View to Develop a Song Section
  • Building a Scratch Vocal
  • Higher Fidelity Audio

Creating an Original Live Production: Part 3 (Expanding the Sound Palette/Perfecting Musical Parts)

  • Expanding the Sound Palette
  • Designing Sounds for the Blue Nova Trip Hop Production
  • Sound Sources
  • Submixes
  • Finalizing Musical Elements

Creating An Original Live Production: Part 4 (Song Arrangement and Mix)

  • Song Form
  • Developing The Arrangement
  • Refining the Arrangement
  • The Aesthetics of Mixing
  • Mixing the Production

Other uses fore Ableton Live

  • Remix Production
  • Video Production
  • Stage Performance
  • The Akai APC40
  • MAX for Live
Learning activities

Lecture/demonstration. Students will work alongside the instructor, either in the large studio or Technology Lab. Students will be expected to complete regular assignments and projects outside of class time. These can be done in the lab, the studio, or at home.

Means of assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. 

The following is an example evaluation scheme:

Tests or assignments (minimum of 2) 30%
Midterm Project 25%
Final Project 35%
Professionalism 10%
Total 100%

Professionalism is assessed on consistent attendance, punctuality, taking responsibility for deadlines, constructive and considerate inter-personal communication and contribution to class discussion and group work. 

Learning outcomes

Successful students should be able to work unassisted with Ableton Live software, and will understand and be able to apply the following:

  1. Getting Started with Ableton Live
  2. Exploring the Session View
  3. Song Production: Part 1 (Introduction and A Section)
  4. Song Production: Part 2 (B Section, Variation, and End)
  5. Song Production: Part 3 (Adding Effects)
  6. Song Production: Part 4 (The Arrangement View)
  7. Song Production: Part 5 (Creating a Vocal Track and Mixdown)
  8. Creating an Original Live Production: Part 1 (Establishing Style)
  9. Creating an Original Live Production: Part 2 (Developing the Groove)
  10. Creating an Original Live Production: Part 3 (Expanding the Sound Palette/Perfecting Musical Parts)
  11. Creating An Original Live Production: Part 4 (Song Arrangement and Mix)
  12. Other uses for Ableton Live
Textbook materials

No texts or materials are required. All required hardware and software for the completion of assignments and projects is available in the studio.

Requisites

Prerequisites

MUSC 2171

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for MUSC 2271
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC MUSC 2304 (3)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
26
Currently enrolled
23
Remaining seats:
3
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N3220
Times:
Start Time
11:30
-
End Time
13:20
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N3220
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
Section notes

This course is restricted to Music Technology students.