Music production lessons
How to actually build a track: making a groove, choosing sounds that work together, designing a synth, and knowing what each instrument usually does in a song. I got started at 17 with a birthday-present audio interface and Reaper, because Reaper was free.
Where we’d start
If you’ve never opened a DAW, I’ll start with how sound gets into a computer and back out. A wave hits a microphone, becomes an electrical signal, becomes data, and eventually moves your speakers to make a wave again. Not many people stop to think about that, and it’s kind of magic.
Where you could be in a few months
If you already know a little music, you should be able to record your own beats and loops and put together a little song. It won’t be a top 40 hit. It’ll be something you can play for your friends.
What not to buy
Your DAW’s built-in plugins are more than enough, as long as you learn to use them. If a new plugin gets you excited to open your session and you can afford it, great. It should never be a choice between that and your utility bill.
A word about YouTube
I watch tutorials all the time, but when I was starting out I hopped between everyone’s method, because everyone says theirs is the right one. Part of what we’ll do is figure out your own workflow.
I use Logic every day, so that’s what I teach in. The ideas carry over to Ableton, Pro Tools or anything else, and only the key commands and interface are specific to Logic. Lessons work well online, since we’re both looking at a screen anyway.
Lessons are $50 an hour, and you can start with a $20 half-hour trial, which is mostly a conversation.