As the world is becoming more and more digital, the music industry has seen a major shift in recent years. The music industry is transforming, and it has made it easier for new musicians to get started. With the shift from CDs and vinyl to digital formats like MP3s and streaming services, it’s easier to get your music out there. So if you’ve ever dreamed of being a musician, now is the time to go for it!
Online music production courses are a great way to learn the skills and techniques needed to create professional-sounding music. Whether you want to learn about sound design, mixing, or mastering, these courses will teach you the techniques you need to know to take your music production to the next level.
From beginner to advanced, these courses cover a wide range of topics that will help you become a better music producer. In this article, we’ll be exploring the best online music production courses for 2023.
Why Should You Take an Online Music Production Course?
There are several reasons someone might choose to take an online music production course:
Learn from Industry Professionals:
A good deal of online music production courses is taught by experienced music producers and industry professionals, who can provide valuable insight and knowledge on the latest techniques and trends. In addition, the perspectives of professionals will help you ask them questions and get feedback on your work.
Convenience and Flexibility
One of the great things about taking an online course is that you can often study at your own pace and on your own schedule. This is especially helpful if you have a full-time job or other commitments that make it difficult to find time to attend a traditional in-person class. With an online course, you can study whenever and wherever you want.
Access to a Wide Range of Software and Equipment:
These professional online music production courses often provide access to a wide range of software, such as digital audio workstations (DAWs) and virtual instruments, as well as information on how to use various types of recording equipment. You can also experiment with different software to see which ones you like best.
Cost-effective:
Online courses can be more cost-effective than traditional in-person classes, as they often have lower tuition fees and no additional costs such as transportation or accommodation. Taking an online music production course is a great way to learn about music production without breaking the bank, and you can learn at your own pace.
Variety of Options:
There are a wide variety of online music production courses available, catering to different skill levels, interests, and budgets. You can find courses that fit your schedule and learning style and that focus on specific genres of music, so you can learn the skills you need to produce the type of music you’re interested in.
Helps You to Achieve Career Goals:
If you are looking to make a career in music production or want to make your hobby into a profession, taking an online course is a good step to achieving your goals. It will help you understand the industry and its workings and provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the field.
Overall, an online music production course can be a valuable investment for anyone interested in creating and producing music. It can help you develop your skills, knowledge, and creativity and put you on the path to achieving your goals in the music industry.
Best 15 Online Music Production Courses for You in 2023
1. Berklee Online: Music Production and Engineering (Paid)
It is a paid online course offered by Berklee College of Music, one of the most prestigious music schools in the world. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to music production and engineering principles and techniques.
The course is taught by industry professionals and Berklee faculty members, who provide valuable insight and hands-on experience. Some of the specific topics covered in the course include:
- Recording and mixing techniques for different music.
- The principles of sound design and synthesis.
- The art of mastering and completing audio for release.
- The basics of virtual instruments.
It is designed for students of all skill levels and backgrounds, and it’s suitable for aspiring music producers, engineers, composers, and anyone interested in the music production process.
2. Coursera: Music Production and Sound Engineering (Varied Pricing)
This course is a collection of online courses offered by various universities and institutions on the Coursera platform. The courses cover a wide range of topics related to music production and sound engineering, and they vary in length, difficulty, and Pricing.
Some of the specific topics covered in the courses include:
- The basics of music production and sound engineering.
- Recording, mixing, and mastering techniques.
- The use of effects and processors to shape and enhance audio.
- The art of mastering and completing audio for release.
Pricing for these courses varies and depends on the specific course you choose. Some courses are free, while some are paid. Some of the paid courses also offer Financial Aid or scholarships to help make the courses more accessible.
3. Udemy: Music Production Fundamentals (Varied Pricing)
Udemy offers a variety of courses on music production fundamentals, from beginner to advanced levels. Prices for these courses vary depending on the length and content of the course. However, Udemy frequently offers discounts on its courses, so it is always worth checking the website for sales before enrolling in a course.
Music production is a complex and rewarding process. By taking a Udemy course on music production, you will learn the ins and outs of music production and be able to create your music. These courses are a great investment for anyone interested in music production, and they can help you take your music career to the next level.
4. The Recording Revolution: Audio Production Fundamentals (Varied Pricing)
The Recording Revolution offers a variety of online courses on audio production, covering a wide range of music recording topics. However, the courses vary in length and tuition fees, so it is worth checking the website for up-to-date pricing information before enrolling in one of its courses.
The course will teach you the following:
- The basics of audio production.
- Recording techniques, mixing and mastering, and other essential skills to produce your music.
- It covers the fundamental concepts and techniques of audio production.
- Provides practical exercises, examples, and resources to help you improve your skills.
- Help achieve professional-sounding results.
In most cases, these courses are taught by industry professionals who have experience working in the music industry and can provide valuable insight and knowledge to help you achieve your goals in music production.
5. Skillshare: Music Production for Beginners (Subscription-Based)
Skillshare is an online learning platform that offers a wide variety of courses on different subjects. The course “Music Production for Beginners” is the course available on the platform, and it is subscription-based. It means that to access the course, and you will need to have a paid subscription to the Skillshare platform.
This course will teach you the basics of music production and covers various software and hardware equipment, as well as different music production techniques. Learn the basic concepts of music production with this beginner’s course from Skillshare. You’ll explore the different elements of a song, how to create a basic track using software, and how to add effects and finish your first track with the guidance of a professional music producer. Get started today and see how easy and fun music production can be!
6. Ableton: Ableton Live Music Production (Paid)
Ableton Live is a digital audio workstation (DAW) software used for music production, and Ableton offers paid courses on how to use the software for music production. These courses teach students the features and capabilities of Ableton Live and how to use it to create and produce music. It covers a wide range of topics, including creating beats, baselines, melodies, and tracks.
They provide training on setting up and configuring the software, working with audio and MIDI, using effects and instruments, and creating and arranging tracks. And by the end of it all, you’ll be able to produce your electronic music.
7. FutureLearn: Understanding Making Music (Paid)
FutureLearn is an online learning platform that offers courses from a variety of educational institutions, from universities such as Oxford University and Cambridge University to professional organizations like the BBC and The British Academy of Sound.
This course covers various topics related to music production, including music arrangement, mixing techniques, using effects, software synths, mastering music for release, etc. You’ll be able to get a taste of all the aspects of music production by taking this course. This comprehensive online course will help you understand the basics of music production, from choosing the right equipment to recording, editing, and mixing your music.
8. SAE Institute: Music Production Courses (Paid)
SAE Institute is a global network of audio engineering and music production schools that offer a variety of courses in these fields. They offer diploma and degree programs, as well as short courses and workshops. These music production courses can be completed either online or in person.
Their programs cover a wide range of topics, including music production, audio engineering, sound design, and mixing and mastering. They also provide hands-on training with industry-standard equipment and software. As a result, they cover everything from the basics of music production to advanced sound engineering techniques. SAE Institute has campuses in multiple countries across the world.
9. Point Blank Music School: Online Music Production Courses (Paid)
Point Blank is one of the world’s leading electronic music schools, with a faculty of over 40 international music producers, DJs, and sound designers. These paid courses cover a wide range of topics, including production, composition, sound design, mixing, and mastering.
These online music production courses teach students the skills and techniques used in the music industry. They are available at various levels, from beginner to advanced, and are taught by industry professionals who provide students with hands-on training using industry-standard software such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools.
Point Blank’s online courses also provide students with access to a global community of alumni and industry professionals.
10. edX: Audio Production for Virtual Media Creators (Paid)
The Audio Production for Virtual Media Creators course offered by edX is designed for individuals who want to learn about audio production for virtual and augmented reality applications. The course covers a wide range of topics, including sound design, mixing, and mastering for virtual reality and augmented reality applications.
The course is led by industry professionals and covers the following topics:
- Audio production and post-production techniques
- Sound design and mixing for virtual reality
- Audio specialization and interactive audio
- Recording and editing dialogue
- Music composition and production for virtual reality
The course is self-paced and takes about 3-5 weeks to complete. Upon completion of the course, students will receive a certificate of completion. It’s a paid course and is suitable for those with basic audio production knowledge.
11. LinkedIn Learning: Audio Mixing Master Class (Free)
LinkedIn Learning’s Audio Mixing Master Class is a free online course that teaches the fundamental principles of audio mixing. The course is taught by music producer, engineer, and educator Bobby Owsinski and is designed for anyone who wants to learn the basics of audio mixing.
The course covers the following topics:
- Understanding the mixing process
- Setting up a mixing session
- Working with EQ and compression
- Creating space in the mix
- Adding effects
- Automation and completing the mix
The course is suitable for those who are new to audio mixing and want to learn the fundamental principles of the process. It also provides a great starting point for those who want to understand the basics of audio mixing before moving on to more advanced courses.
12. Noiselab: Electronic Music Production Level 1 (Free)
Noiselab’s Electronic Music Production Level 1 is an online course that teaches the basics of electronic music production. The course is designed for individuals who are new to music production and want to learn how to create electronic music.
The course covers the following topics:
- Setting up a music production environment
- Understanding the basics of music theory and composition
- Using digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Ableton Live
- Creating beats and drum patterns
- Synthesizer programming and sound design
- Mixing and mastering techniques
The course is suitable for those who are new to music production and want to learn the basics of electronic music production using Ableton Live. It also provides a great starting point for those who want to create their electronic music and become proficient with Ableton Live.
13. Soundfly: Beat Making in Ableton Live (Subscription-based)
Soundfly’s “Beat Making in Ableton Live” online course teaches students how to create beats and produce electronic music using Ableton Live. The course is designed for individuals new to music production who want to learn how to create beats and electronic music tracks and become proficient with Ableton Live.
The course covers the following topics:
- Setting up Ableton Live and understanding the interface
- Understanding the basics of music theory and composition
- Creating beats and drum patterns
- Mixing and mastering techniques
Soundfly is a subscription-based service, so you will need to pay a monthly fee to access the course. However, it is suitable for those who are new to music production and want to learn the basics of beat-making and electronic music production using Ableton Live.
14. Skillshare: Trap Music Production (Subscription-based)
Trap Music Production: Drums, Baselines, and Melodies is a course offered on Skillshare that teaches the techniques and skills needed to produce trap music. The course is focused on the creation of drums, basslines, and melodies, which are essential elements of trap music production.
It covers topics such as sound design, mixing, and mastering and provides tips and tricks for creating unique and professional-sounding trap beats. The course may include video lessons, audio samples, and assignments to help students practice and apply what they have learned. The course is subscription-based, meaning you will need a paid membership to access the content.
15. MasterClass: Timbaland Teaches Producing and Beatmaking (Subscription-based)
MasterClass is an online learning platform that offers classes taught by industry experts in various fields. Timbaland Teaches Producing and Beatmaking is a class offered on MasterClass that is taught by Timbaland, a highly successful and influential producer and beatmaker.
In this MasterClass, legendary producer and rapper Timbaland teaches you everything you need to know about making hits. The class covers a wide range of topics related to music production, including beat making, sound design, songwriting, and more.
From finding the right samples to layering beats to adding vocals, Timbaland breaks down, creating a hit song step by step. He also shares insider tips and stories from his career, offering rare insight into the world of music production.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, many online courses are available for those who want to learn how to produce music. This list includes the best online music production courses currently available. They are taught by experienced professionals and provide students with valuable knowledge and skills to excel in the music production industry.
Whether your career goal is to produce electronic music or create beats for hip-hop artists, the basics of music production are essential, so it’s best to choose a course that provides all the basics in-depth. We recommend checking out more than one course and gauging each one’s value based on your goals and budget.
Once you have mastered all these skills, you can move on to intermediate and advanced courses that teach more complex techniques and topics specific to various genres of music.
