Music Production Workshop

Boston
Ages 15+
Delve into music production techniques with our world-renowned Music Production and Engineering Department faculty and facilities. Customize your entire experience by selecting your classes, which include topics such as modern record production, multitrack recording and mixing techniques, and DJ production skills. The weekend culminates in a keynote address and presentation featuring a noted industry professional.
Dates
June 20-June 22
Check-in Time
Coming Soon
Move-out
Sunday, June 22, 7 PM
Tuition
$1,755
Housing
$537
Registration fee
$50 (nonrefundable)
 

How to Enroll

  1. Submit your registration by May 1.* Begin by submitting your registration online. If applicable, you may need to submit additional supporting materials.
  2. Make your tuition payment by May 1.* All programs have limited capacity, so be sure to complete your full tuition payment to reserve your space in the program.
  3. Request housing by May 1. Students who are 15 years of age or older by the start of their Boston-based program are eligible to stay in on-campus housing. If you meet the eligibility requirements and have indicated that you would like to request on-campus housing, please revisit your registration portal and submit a Residence Hall Agreement.

*Please note: This program has limited capacity. Submission of registration materials alone does not guarantee participation in the program. You will secure your spot by paying in full.

Curriculum

Throughout the workshop, several concurrent breakout sessions are offered in each time slot. You can self-select which session to attend in any given time slot over the course of the weekend, as space allows. Offerings range from introductory to intermediate levels of skill and preparation. Participants have limited hands-on opportunities, and most seminars are demonstration-based.

The following list of classes gives you a sense of what to expect:

  • Critical Listening: Explore techniques used to analyze popular recordings from a variety of perspectives, both technical and musical.
  • Business of Music Production: Discuss licensing, publishing, royalties, contracts, and distribution.
  • Demystifying Mastering: Even for those who have heard of it, mastering is a discipline shrouded in mystery. Every song on the Billboard Top 100 has been mastered, and every record made by a major artist gets mastered. So, what is it?
  • Making and Selling Your Own Recordings: Learn how mastering can enhance your final product, how to prepare for manufacturing, how to design your package, and about the most successful marketing methods for independently released albums.
  • Multitrack Mixing Techniques: Explore the aesthetic choices related to the balance, dynamics, arrangement, preparation, and realization of a successful mix.
  • Multitrack Recording Techniques: Participate in an accelerated workshop covering many aspects of recording, including microphone selection and placement, equalization, and dynamic signal processing.
  • Project/Home Studio Design and Setup: Learn about basic equipment requirements, budget considerations, affordable acoustic modifications, and the formation of appropriate expectations.
  • Turntable Techniques: Learn about the historical development of the turntable, from its origins in Jamaican music to its prominence in hip-hop and contemporary music. Develop basic skills using the turntable for performance/live expression and as a production tool.
  • Vocal Production: It’s all about the vocals; ask any established producer. This session will focus on how to help your vocalist give you the best, truest vocal performance, and how to enhance that performance by “comping” (combining parts of different vocal takes), context-based level-riding, and phrasing adjustment to augment emotion.
  • Keynote Presentation: The weekend culminates in a presentation by a noted industry professional.
  • Evening Sessions: Enjoy open recording and mix sessions, demonstrations, and lab time.
Schedule

Below is a sample of a typical day in the program. 

TimeEvent
8 AM–9 AMBreakfast
9:15 AM–11 AMBreakout Sessions
11:15 AM–1 PMBreakout Sessions
1 PM–2:15 PMLunch
2:15 PM–4 PMBreakout Sessions
4:15 PM–6 PMBreakout Sessions
6 PM–7 PMDinner
7 PM–10:15 PMExtended Evening Breakout Sessions or Open Time in the DJ Lab or Virtual Reality Space

Schedule subject to change.

Requirements

General Requirements

All students 15 and older with some background in 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 laptop with access to digital audio workstation (DAW) software (ie. Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic, etc.) and a MIDI Keyboard.

Once You've Enrolled

The Berklee Summer Programs Team is excited that you've taken the first step! Now that you've enrolled, here's what to know, to be sure you're prepared before and after you check in for the experience of a lifetime.

What to do first?

Complete These Tasks by June

Prepare to Arrive and Check In

Access the Summer Programs Help Center

Explore some of these top articles from the Summer Programs Help Center.