The Electronic Music Production and Sound Design (EPD) Workshop in Los Angeles begins with a keynote presentation from a visiting electronic music artist/producer and features daily morning producer perspectives presentations from faculty based in the EPD department at Berklee. Each morning, there is also a unique opportunity for students to collaborate with other participants, under the guidance of recent Berklee alumni, in producer pods to develop a production that will be presented at the end of the week. Throughout the workshop, several concurrent breakout sessions are offered in the afternoon and evening. You can self-select which session to attend in any given time slot over the course of the workshop, space permitting. Offerings range from introductory to intermediate levels of skill and preparation in electronic music production, sound design, sound for visual media and games, new musical instrument design, and more.
The following is an example of possible breakout sessions to give you a sense of what to expect:
- Introduction to Ableton Live
- Designing Instrument Racks and Effects in Ableton Live
- Designing Sample-Based Drum Racks in Ableton Live
- Sound Design with Modular Synthesizers
- Modular Synthesizer Performance Workshop
- Creative Sound Design Techniques
- Sampling
- Electronic Music Mixing Techniques
- Vocal Mixing Techniques
- Mix Critique
- Producing and Performing with Ableton Push
- Finger Drumming
- Live Sample Beatmaking Techniques
- Remixing
- Digital DJ Techniques
- Vocal Processing Techniques
- Introduction to DJing
- Exploring the Turntable
- Elektron Workflow
- Introduction to Video Mapping
- Sound for Picture
- Patching with VCV Rack
- Musification
*Breakout sessions subject to change.
Below is a sample of a typical day in the program.
Time | Event |
8 AM–9 AM | Breakfast |
9:00 AM–12:30 PM | Producer Perspectives and Working in Producer Pods |
12:30 PM–2 PM | Lunch |
2 PM–3:45 PM | Breakout sessions |
4 PM–5:45 PM | Breakout sessions |
6 PM–7 PM | Dinner |
7 PM–9 PM | Breakout sessions |
Schedule subject to change.
The Electronic Production and Design workshop does not focus on live performance.
General Requirements
All students 15 and older with some background in electronic production are welcome to attend.
Participants must possess a proficient level of English to enroll in this program. We do not require proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) as part of the enrollment or application process; however, you are expected to have a sufficient command of the English language to understand class material and assignments.
Required Materials
Bring a computer with access to a digital audio workstation (DAW) software (e.g., Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic, etc.) and a MIDI Keyboard. All other required musical equipment and technology will be provided throughout the program. Consider bringing portable media storage to save the work you create during the week. Participants are also welcome to bring completed songs.
Participants will study on the campus of the Colburn School. This program is conveniently located in LA's downtown arts corridor, at 200 South Grand Avenue.
Stay on Campus at Colburn
Students enrolled in this program have the option to live on campus at the Colburn School. Enjoy the convenience of on-campus housing, access to practice rooms, furnished suites, and a supportive residential staff. To reserve your spot, complete the Residence Hall Agreement in your Berklee application portal after registering for your program. Visit our help center to learn more about housing at Colburn.
Residential students must remain on the Colburn School campus for the entirety of the program.
Commuter students must remain on the Colburn School campus from the start to end of classes each day.
Program Director
-
Chair