Equipment Recommendations

In order to meet the learning needs of the course, it is recommended that students configure the following basic equipment by themselves:

• Laptop (Mac) (Semester 1 and above)
• Logic Pro X (Semester 1 and above)
• Antares Auto-Tune, Pro Tools and iLok USB key (semester 2 and above)

Course Assessment and Certificate Awarding

• To successfully complete the entire course, the student must maintain 70% of attendance rate, an assessment must be completed, and a passing score of at least 50 marks must be obtained.
• Successful completion of the designated semester will be awarded with the relevant professional certificate or professional diploma

Course Introduction

This diploma course is divided into three semesters, covering four major areas of music production:

(1) Songwriting Composing is the first step of producing professional music. The course covers a variety of melodic writing techniques, analysis and theories, creating a strong foundation for a professional song. Moreover, under the guidance of a number of composers who are active in the music industry, students will have a better understanding of how the professionals combine different musical elements and evolve into more professional pieces.

(2) Music Technology Guiding students to master the skills of digital technology to transform music concepts into professional demos, and learn how to use various music production software applications to create their own professional music.

(3) Arranging In this chapter, students can fully understand the varieties and timbres of instruments for different arrangements, and master on how to arrange different song styles in order to cooperate the melody with the arrangement better.

(4) Song Producer The Elite Music Producer Course for Song Production is regarded as the most important chapter. This chapter focus on music theory and practices, simulate professional music production procedures to understand the requirements of true professional standards. This would improve students’ abilities on becoming a professional (Composing, lyrics-writing, arranging, recording and mixing, etc.). Also, the school will arrange meetings with professional composers in the field to share valuable experiences and provide guidance, setting high-level goals for the final project in order for students to become excellent music producers.

Course Structure

• Semester 1 – MIDI & DIGITAL AUDIO’ AND ‘POP MUSIC COMPOSITION I’ [2 MODULES FROM PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN POP MUSIC PRODUCTION OFFERED BY BARON SCHOOL OF MUSIC]
• Semester 2 – Arranging Pop Music and Advanced Contemporary Composition Course
• Semester 3 – Elite Song Supervision Course

Semester 1

Module 1 : MIDI & Digital Recording Techniques
MIDI

• Basic equipments & setup of home studio
• Basic knowledge in MIDI & digital recording
• DAW (e.g. Logo Pro X or Ableton Live or other recommended softwares) and Mac application skills
• Audio Editing
• Skills to produce a high-quality Demo
• Basics skills of recording and editing
• Selection on basic sound libraries/instruments

Module 2 : Pop Music Composition
Composition skills

• Aural training
• Development of music theory and keyboard skills
• Analysis on song structure (paragraphs/elements/chords)
• Basics of arranging
• Develop different music styles and creative ideas
• Hook line development
• Lyric-writing skills for Demo
• Pop music and electronic music composition
• Classification of music styles (Music Genre Analysis)

Semester 2

Module 3 : Pop Music Arrangement and Advanced Pop Music Composition
MIDI/ Digital Audio

• Basic application of computer software (Pro Tools)
• Logic Pro X (or Ableton Live; or designated muscial software)
• Using Pro Tools in music production
• Knowledge on selecting music libraries/instruments/sampling, and other music production softwares
• Application of hardwares

Advance Pop Music Composition

• Aural ability: Chord, Rhythm, etc.
• Numbered musical notation writing
• Communication skills between song writers (e.g. composer & lyricist)
• Advanced knowledge in chords, to strengthen the sense of rhythm and highlight emotional expressions in song
• Study and learn different styles in pop music

Advanced Remix

• Study different types of music arrangement styles
• Chord progression and chord variations according to different music styles
• Introduction of commonly used instruments / music libraries and their different characterics and skills in music arrangemnent

Semester 3

Module 4 : Production of Song

• Training students’ aural abilities
• Advanced application of Pro Tools
• Theory of studio setting, recording and mixing
• Post-production skills in editing and vocal tuning (Auto-Tune)
• Skills in production and vocal recording
• Knowledge related to music industry / copyright
• Music production
• Setting up music production benchmark and philosophy as a producer
• Training the producer’s producing and decision-making ability on top of various production units
• Quality control and judgment in music production (including melody, lyrics, arrangement and recording, etc.)
• Ability of sound controlling during sessions
• Communication and cooperation between producer and lyricist or other musicians/arrangers/mixing engineers
• Producer’s skills on evaluating lyrics
• Communicate with musicians and offering clear guidance
• Course-end assignment: produce songs in different styles (at least one song of Pop style or EDM style)

*Baron School of Music reserves the right to change the content and rules of the original course or unit at any time, including but not limited to the start date, content, Medium of instruction, number of classes, class time, location, instructor, course fees, regulations, etc. If the number of applicants is insufficient, Baron School of Music reserves the right to cancel or postpone courses or units. Students should pay attention to the latest information changes released by Baron School of Music through official email notifications or through other channels.