5

Music Production

Handbook Vol 1

Ableton LIVE

By Loudon Stearns

Audio Mastering

By Marc-Dieter Einstmann

TOP

Pro Tools

By Andy Edelstein

Reason

By Eric Hawkins

11

Cubase

By Ross Ramsay

13

Finale

By Jonathan Feist

TIPS

5
Ableton LIVE

13
2
TOP TIPS

BY LOUDON
Stearns

Back away from the mouse

off turns on and vice versa, so you can

hear which version you like better. This
process becomes so fast and easy you

Mapping, both Key and MIDI, is the

might find yourself doing it all the time.

foundation of Lives performance

capability.

Key

mappin g,

once

configured, gives you single-key access

Go parallel with Racks

to Lives most important functions

like looping, draw mode toggle, click

track, punch recording, etc. Once you

There are 4 types of Racks in Live:

configure your set of key mappings, go

Effect, Instrument, MIDI, and Drum.

to the preferences, there is an option

Each is a way to split the incoming data

to save the current project as your

into multiple chains which have unique

default project, so those mappings

processing, then the data is combined

will be waiting there for you in every

at the end. Racks are a way to process

new project.

data (MIDI or audio) in parallel within

a single track. Also, racks allow you to
save a group of effects as a single preset

Quick A/B

to be used in other projects. Group

effects together using a key command:
Command G on Mac or Ctrl G on PC. With

When mixing you need to make sure

instrument racks you can layer multiple

that changes to effects like Compression

soft synths to create huge thick pads.

and EQ are really helping the track.

With effect racks you can split the audio

Some quick work with key mapping

into separate frequency bands, allowing

makes it easy to compare presets. Say

you to put a delay on just the highs and

you have an EQ in a track and you want

keep the low end mono perhaps. With

to try out some new settings. First

Drum Racks each incoming MIDI note

duplicate the effect (command D on

has its own instrument and chain of

mac ctrl D on PC) Turn the first one off

effects, your snare could be sampled

using the effects power button (now

and run through a compressor, and

the first is off and the second one is on).

the kick be created with a third party

Enter key mapping mode (command

synth. With MIDI effect racks you can

K on Mac Ctrl K on PC) and map both

create complex arpeggiated patterns

power buttons to a single key (the A

by stacking multiple arpeggiators in

key), then exit key map mode. Now if

parallel along with other MIDI effects.

you hit the A key the effect that was

5
Ableton LIVE

45

TOP TIPS

BY LOUDON
Stearns

Be modular and documented

Try out some sound design

Clips, Racks, Tracks, and Presets can be

One of the coolest live effects, Corpus,

shared from project to project. Right

creates a talking synth. It is a pretty

click on the title bar of any of these

long process, but the end results are

objects and you can assign it a color,

worth the time spent. Check out this

name, and even custom info text that

YouTube video where we go over many

shows up in the help view in the lower left

important Analog, Corpus, and Effect

corner of the Live window (? opens up

Rack features.

the help view). In the Live Browser you

can look inside other projects, grabbing

individual tracks or clips and dropping

them in your current project. The more

you name, color, and add custom text,

the more efficient you will be in the

future. Also, look for custom info text
in the live library presets, many of the
patches give you hints at the best way
to use them.

Loudon StearNs

nssSs

teaches

Advanced

Music

Production

with Ableton Live, and Composing and

Producing Electronic Music at Berklee Online. As a bass player, producer, and laptop
musician, Loudons music can be heard on numerous documentaries and short films.
While continuing his studies of composition, engineering, and sound design, he is
currently pursuing a degree in physics as part of ongoing search for the answer to
the question of life the universe and everything.

After studying harmony at University of Lincoln, Loudon became actively involved with the National Guitar
Workshop, where he was an instructor and the live sound engineer. At Berklee College of Music he graduated
with honors with a dual major in bass performance and contemporary writing and production. Now an assistant
professor in Berklees Contemporary Writing and Production Department, Loudon teaches classes in sequencing,
arranging, and scoring to visuals.

5
Audio Mastering

13
24
TOP TIPS

BY Marc-Dieter
Einstmann

L/R balance

Tight low end

Are the vocals well centered? If not:

If bass is lacking focus and clarity, try

In Ozone, unlink input level faders to

a high-pass filter on the side-channel

make necessary adjustments. This will

(elliptical EQ), essentially making the

rarely be necessary, but should be done

low end mono. In Ozone, use the EQ

first. Subsequent stereo processing will

in Mid-Side mode, listen and observe

track better to preserve imaging, i.e. the

LF content in the side-channel. While

stereo sound stage.

listening to the regular stereo signal,

adjust the cut-off frequency of the sidechannel high-pass filter until it sounds
right. Make sure this is not set too high,
stereo imaging and width should not
change noticeably.

Frequency balance

Dynamic problems

Using the spectrum analyzer and your

ears, are there any portions that need

Are the various instruments of a track

to be cut? Subtracting unnecessary

cohesive? For example: it may be easier

frequencies may unmask the important

to reduce sibilance early by de-essing.

portions in audio better as well as

In Ozone, use the Multi-Band Dynamics

regaining headroom, rather than trying

tool. To affect only lead vocal sibilance,

to boost the important parts and

which is predominantly in the stereo

running the risk of clipping. In Ozone,

center, use Mid-Side mode and use

if large amounts of cut are needed,

frequency dependent compression

it is usually best to use the EQ in

on the mid channel only to minimize

Digital mode.

unwanted side effects, such as loss of

clarity and silk. Use the mid-frequency
band in a 3-band processor to adjust for
sibilant frequencies.

5
Audio Mastering

TOP TIPS

Leveling

at the highest resolution (24-bit, 32-bit

float, or higher) used. Next, line up all
these bounced tracks in the right order

An essential part in mastering is to

as they should appear on a CD. Use

ensure all tracks play at the same

one instance of Ozone on the master

perceived loudness. This task is best

insert using the Loudness Maximizer

done using your ears and relying less on

only. For a CD, set a healthy -0.3dBfs

level-meters, as they do not accurately

safety Margin and leave the Threshold

respond to the frequency response of

at 0dBfs. Set Mode and Dithering to

our ears. To leave the entire load of

taste/need. Now you can use gain (e.g.

leveling all your tracks to individual

automation) on individual tracks or

limiters is not recommended, as they

parts of a track to achieve coherent

tend to alter the sound if driven too

leveling without having to change the

hard. 2dB of limiting may already have

Loudness Maximizer settings. In vocal

an adverse effect, especially on the

music, use the vocal level as a loudness-

transient and bass content of a track.

Use

previous

gain

stages

BY Marc-Dieter
Einstmann

in

anchor or reference when dealing with

your

mixed musical styles and arrangements.

processing to get all of your tracks

Listen to the transitions from one track

within 1dB of perceived loudness from

to the next for coherent leveling. After

one another.

all, we as mastering engineers are

responsible for making sure there arent

For example: In Ozone, before you use

any sudden changes that would spoil

the Loudness Maximizer as a last step

the flow of a record.

in leveling, capture/bounce your tracks

Marc-Dieter EinSTMANN

teaches
Audio

Mastering Techniques at Berklee Online. Marc is the senior

mastering engineer at MasterLab Mastering Studios, based in
Berlin and Hamburg, and owner of Sonic Silver Mastering, based in
New York City. Since 1987 has worked with artists and producers,
such as Dave Stewart, Annie Lennox, Chrissie Hynde, Mick Jagger,
Mary J. Blige, the late Notorious B.I.G., Depeche Mode, Yo-Yo

Ma, Elvis Costello, The Neptunes, Frankie Knuckles, Flood (U2), David Kahne (Paul McCartney), Rodney Jerkins
(Michael Jackson), Alan Moulder (Nine Inch Nails), Chris Evans-Ironside (Drafi Deutscher), Dru Hill, and DAngelo,
among others.

5
Pro tools

13
24
TOP TIPS

BY ANDY
EDELSTEIN

Save Your Favorite

Screen Layouts

Create a Preset Library

Pro Tools provides session templates
for quickly creating new projects with

Unless you have a couple of large

standard track layouts, but sometimes

monitors, your on-screen interface will

youll want to begin a new session with

easily get cluttered. Using view presets

customized track configurations. Rather

(via Memory Locations) and Window

Configurations

(accessed

in

than building these from scratch, save

the

your favorite setups in dummy sessions

Window menu), you can store and recall

and

your favorite screen arrangements for

use

the

Import

Session

Data

command to pick and choose whatever

tracking, editing, and mixing sessions.

you want. For example, you could import

Create a set of presets for various

from a drum track session that contains

tasks with customized layouts, control

ten of your favorite kick configurations,

settings, and track displays; then switch

another ten for snare drums, and so

between them with a single click.

forth. If an la carte approach works

best, start with a rich menu!

Watch Your Recording Levels

Use Groups for Reducing

Screen Clutter

While analog systems generate rich

harmonic distortion when overdriven,

clipping the input to digital audio

devices almost always degrades sound

Most

people

use

g ro u p s

to

quality. Keep in mind that the waveform

simultaneously change levels or other

displays in the Edit window is not a

parameters on multiple tracks, but its

good indicator of acceptable levels

also easy to simultaneously show and

tracks recorded too hot can appear to

hide all group members. You can use

be fine. Use your track meters when

this function to switch between a set

setting input levels, and make sure they

of simplified screen views rather than

never display inputs in the amber range.

scrolling around to locate tracks. Create

To be safe, back off a bit when your

a set of groups that account for all of

levels approach the extremes of the

the tracks in your session, making sure

yellow range.

that each group is small enough so all

of its members can fit on screen. Using
the Mac OS, simply Control-click on

5
Pro tools
TOP TIPS

BY ANDY
EDELSTEIN

any group name to show only those

by recording the mix on a track in the

tracks. With Windows, this is a little

session. Route your mix tracks to a bus

less

the

that feeds a new Audio track, then record

group name, then select Show Only

on that track while playing through the

Tracks in Group.

mix. After the first pass, you can punch

convenient
right-click

on

in subsequent updates only in sections

where changes have been made rather

Punch in Mixes to Update

Bounces Faster

than re-recording the entire song. When

Even though theres no way to bounce

command to almost instantaneously

a Pro Tools mix without playing it in

generate a bounce with the desired

real time, you can speed up the process

format, bit depth, and sample rate.

finished, consolidate the mixed regions

(or clips, as of Pro Tools 10) and use
the Export Regions (or Clips) As Files

Andy Edelstein

nssSs

teaches Pro Tools 101 and Pro

Tools 110 at Berklee Online.

Andy is an active educator, record producer, engineer, and multimedia

developer. He is currently Associate Professor of Music Production
and Engineering at Berklee, and has also served as Assistant Chair of
the Music Production and Engineering Department during his twentyfive-year tenure at the College. Andy has produced, recorded, and/
or mixed numerous records from jazz and rock to bluegrass, Celtic,

and blues, including the genre-bending Wayfaring Strangers critically acclaimed Rounder releases, the SpinART
debut by independent rockers Apollo Sunshine, and the latest Dry Branch Fire Squad live album, all using his Pro
Tools HD system. Andy is Principal of Rapid Eye Media, specializing in multimedia production services. His design
and production work is featured in a series of award-winning interactive exhibits at the American Jazz Museum
in Kansas City, MO and the Longyear Museum in Brookline, MA. Consulting clientele has included the GRAMMY
Foundation in Santa Monica, CA. Andy holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology.

5
REASON

13
24
TOP TIPS

BY ERIK
HAWKINS

Work Fast with Templates

Combinators for Sound Design

Having a project template set up with

Constructing your own sounds is key

all of your favorite devices, patches,

to creating a unique identity in your

most commonly used parallel effects,

productions. Combinators offer a quick

and

to

and easy way build your own sounds

and

without needing to know how every

production process. After creating

synth parameter works. By starting

a project containing these elements,

with a mixer in the combinator you

make the file read-only so you dont

can easily mix and layer instrument

accidentally overwrite it. Then, make it

patches and effects for a monstrous

the Default Song Template in Reasons

sound without programming a single

General Preferences. This way, as soon

synth. After you cook up something you

as you open Reason youll be making

like, you can then save the combinator

music without any time wasted setting

patch for quick recall in any of your

up devices and tracks.

Reason projects.

Individual Outs for

Max Control

Master Bus Effects are Cool

audio

streamline

tracks

your

really

helps

songwriting

DJs often run an entire stereo mix

through an effect, such as tempo

Many of the devices feature individual

synchronized

outputs, including Redrum, Kong, NNXT, and Dr. Octo Rex.

filters

and

delays,

add extra drama to their mixes.

Learn how to

to
You

can recreate this effect in Reason by

assign sounds to these individual outs

inserting an effect device, such as the

for maximum control over each signal in

PH-90 Phaser and the Alligator Filter

your mix. For example, when you can

Gate, in the Main Mixers Master Section,

assign the drums in Kong to its individual

at its main output. Then, automate the

outs you can add EQ and compression

effects Bypass button and some of its

on the Main Mixer to the snare drum but

parameters to turn up the drama at

not to the bass drum, or parallel reverb

specific points in your song.

to the low tom but not the hi-hat. Thats

the level of control you want in order to

produce truly pro sounding mixes.

5
REASON
TOP TIPS

BY ERIK
HAWKINS
output through third party plug-ins. In

Rewire for Third

Party Plug-Ins

fact, up to 64 stereo outputs can come

from Reasons Hardware Interface device
and be plugged directly into the DAW
programs mixer.

A common complaint about Reason is

In other words, the

output of every device in Reasons Rack

that it does not work with third party

can be sent to its own mixer channel in

plug-ins, such as those made by Waves

the DAW for up to 128 channels of third

or iZotope. This is not entirely true.

party plug-in processing! Rewire opens

When you rewire Reason into a rewire

up a world of possibilities.

compatible DAW program, such as Pro

Tools or Logic, you can process Reasons

ERIK HAWKINs

nssSs

teaches Producing Music with

R e a so n ,

P ro g ra mming

a nd

Producing Drum Beats, and Remixing with Pro Tools and Reason
at Berklee Online. Erik has written and produced beats for songs
on ABC, CBS, FOX, MTV, Nickelodeon, and New Line Cinema, on
films and TV shows such as Ugly Betty, CSI:Miami, Burn Notice, Lie

to Me, Big Brother, and The Last Day of Summer. He has worked
with and remixed artists such as Irene Cara, Digital Underground,
DJ Sasha, Conscious Daughters, Brenda Russell, and Stryper. He is the author of The Complete Guide to Remixing
(Berklee Press), and numerous articles for publications including Remix, Mix, Electronic Musician, and Keyboard.
His album, Erik Hawk & The 12-Bit Justice League (MuziCali/Synchronized Music), is packed full of killer beats and
is available through iTunes and CD Baby.

10

5
CUBASE

1
3
2
TOP TIPS

Be ready in a flash
with Templates

setup, named, and stored for all of the

engineers who use your studio.
You can also create workspace setups

Creating your own templates allows

that call up the size, position, and content

you to set up the most commonly used

of your Cubase windows.

elements in your productions so the

submenu, select New Workspace and

Start by

enter an appropriate name. Setup the

opening a new empty project and then

windows as needed and your new setup

add the elements that you most often

use.

can be activated from the workspaces

For example ; two audio tracks,

menu or through a key command as

4 MIDI tracks, Groove Agent One and

HALionSonic

as

virtual

needed.

instrument

Create workspaces that are

ideal for tracking, editing, and mixing.

channels, and a REVerence reverb FX

channel.

From the

Window menu, open the Workspaces

moment inspiration strikes, you can

be ready to record quickly.

BY ROSS
RAMSAY

Once the setup is complete,

go to the file menu and select SAVE as

Work more efficiently

using Key Commands

template. Your templates are available

in the More category of the project

assistant when you start a new project.

You can save hours of time by learning

and customizing key commands in

Customize your work

environment: Preferences
and Workspaces

Cubase.

The default key commands

are listed in the various menus as well

as in the manual, and they will expedite
everything you do with your project.
Select the tool you need by hitting

and

0 through 9, open the mixer with F3,

responds by editing your preferences

toggle the transport out of the way with

and saving your workspaces layout.

F2, youll spend more time making music

Open the preferences settings from the

and less time scrolling through menus.

Customize

how

Cubase

looks

Cubase menu to set your knobs to move

linear or circular, choose text input on

left click for entering data, adjust the

color and line intensity, etc. All of these

parameters and many more can be

11

5
CUBASE

45

TOP TIPS

Use VST instrument channels

to get the most out HALion
Sonic and other multi
timbral plug-ins
Cubase

uses

instrument

tracks

BY ROSS
RAMSAY

Create multiple arrangements

of your song fast using the
arranger track
Songwriters, want to work on getting
the perfect arrangement of your new

to

song?

conveniently combine the audio and

Create an arranger track and

put together as many versions of the

midi routing of virtual instruments, but

tune as you can imagine.

in order to get the most out of a virtual

Record your

basic parts (such as the verse, chorus,

instrument, open the virtual instrument

bridge) and add the arranger track from

window from the devices menu (F11)

the project menu. On the arranger track,

and assign your virtual instruments to

outline each section with the pencil tool

the rack. Any MIDI track can now be

(you can create and name as many

assigned to play the virtual instrument,

sections of any length as you need) and

and you can activate multiple channels

create an arranger chain by adding the

of audio routing to the mixer right from

created events in the order you want

the window.

them to occur.

For example, Groove Agent ONE can

Create

have 16 stereo outputs, each assigned to

multiple

arranger

chains

to

compare different forms of your song.

its own fader in the mixer. Individually

You can even use the arranger for

process each drums pan, level, EQ,

triggering sections in a live performance.

compression settings, and effects for a

pro sounding mix.

Ross Ramsay

nssSs

teaches Producing Music with Cubase at Berklee Online. Ross as

a faculty in the Piano department at Berklee College of Music,

has been teaching piano for twenty-five years, and has been included in the Whos Who List
of American Teachers several times. He composes and produces music for local and nationally
broadcast television, radio, cable, and video programs, and has been a featured soloist on piano
and keyboards with various artists touring throughout the United States and Europe. Ramsay is a product specialist
and clinician for Yamaha Corporation of America, Digital Musical Instruments, and Pro Audio Division. He received
a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music in 1986.

12

5
FINALE

13
24
TOP TIPS

BY JONATHAN
FEIST

Get to Know the Selection Tool

Utilize Shortcuts

Use the Selection tool, which you

Memorize,

can access quickly from anywhere

keyboard

by just hitting the ESC key. This gives

for expressions, articulations, and

generic editorial control over many

other tools. In selection palettes,

types of notation elements. So, to

these shortcuts are generally in the

move something, choose the Selection

top-right corner of their assigned

tool and just drag it. To edit it, use its

shape. Customize what key serves as

contextual

in

the shortcut by holding down Shift

Mac; Right-click in Windows), or if you

and the key you want to become the

need deeper control, double-click it to

new shortcut.

menus

(Control-click

customize,

and

shortcuts

use

the

(metatools)

activate the tool that created it.

Know How to Control

Notation Elements

Optimize Your Notation Input

Use a MIDI keyboard and QWERTY

There are essentially just three places

keyboard shortcuts for notation input.

to check for figuring out how to control

Its dramatically faster than using just

notation

the computer keyboard, particularly

elements:

the

Main

Tools

palette, the Document Options window

for entering chords. Even the smallest,

(Document menu), and the specialized

cheapest MIDI keyboard will be fine for

menu

Finale work.

that

becomes

visible

when

you select a tool. Nearly everything

important can be found in one of those
places.

Then, the Utilities menu is a

great source for some mind-boggling

shortcuts that dont exactly map to
specific tools.

13

5
FINALE

TOP TIPS

BY JONATHAN
FEIST

USE the Right Tool for the Job

BONUS: The Mother

of All Finale Tips

Dont fuss too much with getting

performance quality playback. Finale is

The Help built into Finale is vast and

a notation program first and foremost.

Other

products,

such

as

indispensable. If you cant figure out

Digital

something, go to Help > Index. From

Performer, Logic, and Pro Tools, are

there, you can look up anything.

optimized for producing audio, and

youll be much happier using the right
tool for the right job.

JONATHAN FEIST

nssSs

teaches Music Notation U s i n g

Finale

at

B e r kl e e

O nline.

Jonathan has used Finale since it was introduced in the mid 1980s.
Today, he teaches Finale to Berklee College of Music faculty, and uses it
in his daily work as Managing Editor of Berklee Press. Jonathan is editor
of Finale: An Easy Guide to Music Notation (2nd edition, Berklee Press
2005), and co-author of Essential Songwriter (Berklee Press 2004) and

The Berklee Practice Method Teachers Guide (Berklee Press, 2004). He has edited over seventy books and courses
about music, technology, culture, and business, including the Berklee Practice Method, Berklee Instant, and
Songwriters Workshop series. He has also taught several courses in software design and database development,
and presents a writers workshop called How to Write a Book. A composer and writer, Jonathan holds bachelors
and masters degrees in composition from New England Conservatory of Music.

14

MUSIC PRODUCTION COURSES

ONLINE COURSES

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Pro Tools 101

MASTER CERTIFICATES
(8-12 COURSES)

Producing Music with Ableton Live

Composing and Producing Electronic Music
Critical Listening 1

Music Production and Technology

Producing with Pro Tools

Music Business and Technology

Advanced Music Production with Ableton Live

Music Production using Pro Tools

Remixing with Pro Tools and Reason

Production and Guitar

Orchestration 1

Writing and Producing

Producing Music with Reason

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES
(5-6 COURSES)

Mixing and Mastering with Pro Tools

Music Notation Using Finale

Electronic Music Production

Pro Tools 110

and Sound Design

Advanced Mixing and Mastering with Pro Tools

Advanced Music Production with Pro Tools

Music Production

Producing Music with Logic

Producing Music for Film and Television

Producing Music with SONAR

Pro Tools

Producing Music with Cubase

Studio Production

Advanced Audio Ear Training for Mix Engineers

SPECIALIST CERTIFICATES
(3 COURSES)

Desktop Music Production for Mac

Desktop Music Production for PC
Audio Mastering Techniques

Studio Production

Recording and Producing in the Home Studio

Producing Music with Logic

MIDI Sequencing Intermediate

Acoustics and Live Sound

Hip-Hop Writing and Production

Live Sound Production

Sound Design for the Electronic Musician

Music Creation using Reason

Sampling and Audio Production

Music Creation using SONAR

Live Sound: Mixing and Recording

Music Production and Audio Mastering

Music Production Analysis

Music Production using Ableton Live

Orchestration 2: Writing
Techniques for Full Orchestra

Music Production using Cubase

Orchestrating and Producing Music

Acoustics

for Film and Games

Programming and Producing Drum Beats

Pro Tools

Getting Your Guitar Sound

Sound Design using Reason

Film Scoring 101

Art of Mixing
Audio Post Production for Film and TV
Introduction to Game Audio

15