57-562 Intro to Music Production with DAWs

9 units, Carnegie Mellon University

This course introduces the creative and technical practices essential to modern music production through hands-on music making, critical listening, and guided exploration in a digital audio workstation (DAW). Through weekly songwriting projects, students will explore core techniques including audio recording, MIDI sequencing, signal processing, effects, mixing, synthesis, sampling, and automation, with an emphasis on how these tools shape sound and musical structure. Students will work primarily in Ableton Live while developing broader production concepts and workflows applicable across a range of software platforms. In addition to guided production exercises, students will complete short reflection pieces addressing topics such as creative workflow, problem-solving in production, and the role of technology in shaping sound, supported by selected readings on contemporary production practices. By the end of the course, students will have practical experience applying these techniques to create original music.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Spring 2027, Fall 2026

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