Beat Lab Production Certificate

Course Overview

Unit Number: BLP101

Unit Name: Beat Lab

Credit: 72 Clock Hours

Course Description

The Beat Lab Program is an avocational self enrichment course that provides an opportunity for aspiring producers to learn and perfect their skills in the art of Hip Hop music production from trained instructors using the latest tools and software. This program encourages immense professional growth and provides great insight for the producer by combining the fundamentals of Hip Hop music production with new cutting edge techniques and perspectives. Students will graduate from the 12-week program with the skills and knowledge essential for creating the music they love.

Beat Lab is intended for the aspiring Hip Hop producer and beat maker in order to provide them with the skills necessary to take his or her production to the next level. The program is open to anyone 18 years of age and above with no prior experience or personal equipment required.

The Beat Lab course is an innovative combination of lecture-based training and practical, hands-on learning.

Lecture-based training:

Consists of interactive sessions based on comprehensive notes and visual demonstrations of theory and concepts. Throughout the course, students will be assigned projects in sound creation, arrangement, and production so that their comprehension and technical progress can be monitored and guided.

Hands-on learning:

In class, students are asked to perform tasks relating to the subjects being covered. Instructors conduct demonstrations showcasing studio equipment and best practice production techniques. Beat Lab students also have many studios and workstations available to book to hone their skills outside of class time.

Instructor Feedback:

Students are encouraged to present their work to instructors for critique throughout their time at SAE. While booking studios and workstations, there is always a lab instructor on hand to help.

At the conclusion of the program, students will present their work to a professional guest producer who will give constructive criticism and guidance for each student as they embark on their future musical endeavors.

Areas of Study

The Beat Lab course is divided into three sections: Standard Hip Hop Production & Engineering Fundamentals, Composition, Arrangement, & Programming, and Marketing & the Business.

Standard Hip Hop Production & Engineering Fundamentals

This area of study helps students get up to speed on the history of Hip Hop and the fundamental elements, terminology, and production basics surrounding the genre. It includes studio layout and setup, audio signals and cabling, common gear and microphones, and engineering basics. An emphasis is also placed on critical listening and critique of the sub-genres of Hip Hop and the business side of the industry.

These components look at professional projects and dissect common practices and standards in the recording industry specific to Hip Hop music. Covered are topics such as working with the artists, practical recording and mixing methods, vocal recording editing, and processing and mastering. Under the guidance of instructors, students will participate in practical hands on recording sessions.

Composition, Arrangement & Programming

These subjects serve as the core elements of the course and require learning industry standard software programs such as Reason, Logic and Pro Tools. NI Komplete. With these tools students will cover subjects such as sampling, synthesis, sequencing and hardware devices such as Native Instruments Maschine and Komplete Instrument bundle . Once the tools of the trade are mastered the student can focus on creativity and personal production style.

Marketing & the Business

This aspect of the program will include the basics of marketing and how to get your music heard and distributed to as many people as possible. Also the fundamentals of music business will be discussed to be able to effectively navigate the competitive Hip Hop industry.