MIONLINE SHORT COURSE

Production Essentials: Recording

i COURSE OVERVIEW

Starting Date
April 20, 2026
Tuition
$575
Level
Beginner
Duration
4 weeks
This course provides artists and aspiring producers with the foundational skills necessary to begin recording and producing music. Students will learn the stages of production—from pre-production to mastering, how to set up and optimize a home studio, and selecting and using microphones. Through guided instruction and demonstration, students will explore vocal and instrument recording techniques. By the end of the course, students will have developed essential technical and creative production skills.

i YOU’LL LEARN TO

- Identify and explain the stages of music production.
- Know the steps to begin a multitrack production of a song.
- Configure a functional home studio setup with attention to acoustics.
- Demonstrate correct microphone selection and placement techniques.
- Record audio and MIDI performances.

i LESSON GUIDE

This lesson introduces students to the foundational stages of music production — from pre-production to post-production — and walks through the essential process of recording audio into a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Students will learn how to set up proper recording levels, choose the right input types for different instruments, and begin building a track starting with a guide recording. By the end, students will understand how each production stage fits into the workflow of creating a complete song, and how to start a project efficiently and effectively.

  • Identify and describe each stage of the music production process (pre-production, production, and post-production).
  • Configure DAW audio settings correctly (sample rate, bit depth, buffer size, and file format).
  • Select and connect appropriate input types for microphones, electric guitars, and electronic instruments.
  • Set accurate input gain levels to avoid distortion or noise when recording. Record audio into a DAW with correct device routing and input settings.
  • Create a functional guide track that outlines chord progressions, melodies, and song structure.
  • Understand the importance of workflow order and task management during the production process.

i INSTRUCTOR

ROB HARKNESS

ROB HARKNESS

Rob Harkness is a music producer, multi-instrumentalist, and entrepreneur. A Boston native, Rob relocated to Los Angeles after graduating from the Berklee College of Music. His company, Barn Productions, has worked with hundreds of independent artists to elevate...
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