Beginner training plan
Your first classWeek 1: DAW Navigation and Basic Rhythm Focus on mastering the interface of a chosen Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) like GarageBand, Ableton Live, or FL Studio. The primary task is to build a simple 8-bar drum loop, practicing MIDI input and basic patterns. This phase emphasizes getting comfortable with shortcuts and workflow without chasing perfection.
Class 2-3Week 2: Song Structure and Sound Selection Expand the 8-bar loop into a full song structure (intro, verse, chorus, outro). Students should practice arrangement by duplicating and muting sections to create distinct parts. They must also refine their sound palette, replacing weak sounds with better choices rather than adding excessive layers.
Class 4-10Week 3: Mixing Fundamentals Introduce basic mixing concepts such as gain staging, volume balancing, and simple EQ adjustments. The goal is to ensure no tracks are peaking into the red and that the mix sounds balanced. Students should aim for peaks between -6 to -12 dBFS on the master bus.
Class 11+Practice Ratio: Aim for 10 hours of DAW practice for every 1 hour of tutorial watching.
Reference Tracks: Analyze songs in the desired genre to understand arrangement and sound design.
Community: Share work with peers or mentors for constructive feedback to accelerate learning.
What you need to bringAny instruments you may have.
