Electronic music production (ENG)

Entry requirements: none. You will use your own laptop in class.

Electronic music comes in many forms: from trance, electronica, techno, deep house, ambient, wave, dubstep, hip-hop, and acid to more exotic styles. It can be summarized as any music that incorporates electronic sounds and beats. This also includes pop music and indie. The Netherlands is internationally renowned for its export product: Dutch dance music. In this course, we also look beyond the borders: what’s happening, for example, in Berlin and London?

What you’ll learn

You will learn to create electronic music on your computer, that is, to compose, produce, and creatively manipulate it. Step by step, in a structured and creative way, you will learn to work with the software package Ableton Live. The course is suitable for emerging producer talent, creative laptop DJs, artists, and singer-songwriters who want to record and support their songs electronically.

The course consists of three parts

• Creating beats and sounds (synthesis)

• Manipulating existing sound material

• Mixing your tracks

What to bring to class

• A laptop with Ableton Live installed (see below for more info)

• Headphones

Good to know

Parnassos provides a free Ableton Live license, worth 45 euros. This allows you to use the software both at home and during class sessions for the entire course period. If you plan to use your own license, please indicate this when registering via info.parnassos@uu.nl.

The instructor is an experienced Ableton specialist, but not an IT helpdesk 😉 So it’s important that you install the software yourself in advance.

Tips & info for a smooth start

• Ideally, install Ableton Live at least a week before the first class to ensure everything works properly on your laptop.

• Need help with installation? Contact Ableton’s customer service directly. They have clear guides and support available: https://www.ableton.com/en/contact-us/

• Find the system requirements for your laptop here: https://help.ableton.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001663530-Live-Minimum-System-Requirements