Music Production Certificate

Program Overview

Point Blank LA's Music Production Certificate program is a 6-month intensive taught by industry veterans with experience working with iconic artists. This program covers the fundamentals of music production, sound design, and mixing using Ableton Live and Logic Pro software. Students benefit from small class sizes, guest masterclasses, industry equipment access, and exclusive discounts on software and gear.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Point Blank LA's 6-month Music Production Certificate will teach you all about the world of music production, composition, sound design, and mixing. This program will be taught by industry professionals who've worked with the likes of Flying Lotus, Pharrell, Skrillex, and more. This certificate program takes place over 6 months with two classes per week, in small class sizes designed to help you get the most out of the program. You will have the opportunity to take part in exclusive masterclasses from the likes of Mark de Clive-Lowe, Laura Escude (Jay Z, Kanye West), Daddy Kev (Low End Theory), and Jimmy Mac (Lorde). Spaces are limited to just 16 students per class, so Enroll Now now to guarantee your spot! Point Blank offers exclusive features and partner discounts to students in our LA School.

Outline:

Duration:

6 Months

Available start dates:

2024 & 2025

• July 8 (Limited availability)
• September 30 (Limited availability)
• January 13
• March 17
• April 14

Weekly timetable:

Two 4-hour classes each week for 20 weeks. Daytime, evening & weekend slots available.

Course breakdown:

Term 1:

• Course 1: Music Production: Ableton Live
• Introduction to Ableton Live
• MIDI & Making Beats
• Melody & Harmony
• Audio Warping, Recording & Editing
• Audio Effects & Controllers
• Push
• Introduction to the Instruments
• Sampling
• Track Arrangement & Automation
• Mixing Tools: EQ & Compression
• Finalizing the Mix
• Live's Extended Capabilities
• Course 2: Music Production: Logic Pro
• Drum Programming
• Drummer & MIDI Editing
• Drum Machine Designer & Drum Synth
• Music Basics & MIDI Effects
• Virtual Instruments & Other Features in Logic X
• Audio Processing & Quick Sampler
• Flex Time & Flex Pitch
• Live Loops & Step Sequencer
• Creating Parts & Structure
• Mixing & Final Mixdown
• Apple Certified Pro Exam
• Course 3: Music Composition
• Music & Time
• Rhythm & Beats
• Harmony 1
• Melodies & Creating Riffs
• Basslines
• Hooks
• Harmony 2
• Structure & Arrangement
• Applying Vocals
• Finishing Tracks
• Creative Tactics & Workflow
• Intro to Copyright & Publishing

Term 2:

• Course 4: Sound Design
• Introduction to Sound
• Subtractive Synthesis
• Wavetable Synthesis
• Frequency Modulation Synthesis
• Creating Multi-Sample Patches
• Sampling & Drum Design
• Processing & Layering
• Resampling
• Intro to Reaktor
• Reconstructing Patches
• Using Reaktor as an Effects Plugin
• Synthesis with Absynth
• Course 5: Art of Mixing
• The Mixing Environment & Critical Listening
• Hardware & Plug-ins
• Starting a Mix
• Controlling Dynamics
• EQ & Separation in the Mix
• Reverb, Space & Depth
• Echos, Delays & Related Effects
• Creative Mixing
• Mixing Vocals
• The Mix Process
• Final Mix Basic Mastering

Teaching:

• Small class sizes
• Taught by industry professionals with experience working with the likes of Flying Lotus, Pharrell, Skrillex, and more.
• Exclusive masterclasses by: Mark de Clive-Lowe, Laura Escude (Jay Z, Kanye West), Daddy Kev (Low End Theory), and Jimmy Mac (Lorde).

Careers:

• Music Producer
• Music Composer
• Music Arranger
• Beatmaker
• Mixing Engineer
• Music Production Instructor
• Sound Designer
• Digital Audio Editor
• Independent Producer
• Ableton/Logic Tutor
• Track Producer
• Music Editor

Other:

• Students have access to their own fully-equipped workstation in class and during their practical studio work outside of class time.
• Point Blank will help students arrange student discounts from leading industry partners including Apple, Ableton, Pioneer, Native Instruments, Serato, Izotope, Waves, and more.
• Classes are usually available in the evening and on weekends, and Point Blank will arrange a class schedule that works around other professional commitments.
• International students have different options for attending Point Blank classes depending on their country of origin.
• 50% off Ableton Live 12 Suite
• 50% off MSRP on NI Komplete 14 or Komplete 14 Ultimate
• 70% off Eventide plugins
• 55% off Roland Cloud Ultimate