Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers


Book Description

The producer's guide to harmony, chord progressions, and song structure in the MIDI grid. As an online class, Dr. Allen has had over 50,000 students use this ground-breaking curriculum to learn music theory. Students and Producers who have wanted to learn music theory to improve their own music, but have been intimidated by traditional approaches, music notation, and abstract concepts will find this book to be the answer they have been looking for. From the Author: "How music theory is usually taught is unfair. It starts with the assumption that you can read music and understand the language of classical music. My book leaves all of that behind - focusing only on the MIDI grid that producers are already familiar with to learn all the key concepts of music theory, and ultimately, make better music." This book covers all the fundamentals of music theory, but is written using the language of the DJ and Producer - the MIDI Grid. It includes "analysis" projects that look at the harmonic and melodic ideas in songs by popular producers including Zedd, Boards of Canada, Daft Punk, Deadmau5, Bonobo, Richie Hawtin, Moby, Skrillex, and Aphex Twin. Praise for Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers: "Aspiring electronic musicians have choices to make when it concerns their own education and training. This text makes one choice much easier: start here and get learning, quickly. Grounded and easygoing, the book uses real-world examples to help you make sense of music's inner worksings while steering clear of dense theories." - Michael J. Ethen, PhD Musicologist "This book knocks the oftentimes alienating world of music theory completely onto it's side. Difficult to explain concepts are perfectly demonstrated for the aspiring electronic music producer who might have no formal music training. A must have for all aspiring producers." - James Patrick (DJ, Producer, Educator) Slam Academy, Dubspot, IPR, Ableton Certified Trainer "With Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers, Dr. Allen has produced a remarkable resource: an extensive tour of musical theory that leverages some of our favorite modern tools - the virtual studio and it's piano roll note display. By introducing us to the "why" as well as the "what" of music theory, this book helps us to understand what makes music tick and how to improve our own work. In addition to offering a sound theoretical foundation, the deep dives into analyzing tracks by Skrillex, Aphex Twin, and Deadmau5 keeps our attention focused on real-world production. MTEMP will definitely go on the top of my recommendation list for anyone that needs a fresh view of musical concepts." - Darwin Grosse Director of Education, Cycling '74




Summary of J. Anthony Allen's Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers


Book Description

Get the Summary of J. Anthony Allen's Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers in 20 minutes. Please note: This is a summary & not the original book. "Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers" by J. Anthony Allen is a guide tailored for electronic music creators, focusing on the application of music theory within the context of modern production tools. The book emphasizes the importance of the producer's ear over strict adherence to theoretical rules, encouraging the use of dissonance and unconventional methods to prevent monotony. Allen introduces the Piano Roll Editor as a central teaching tool, applicable across various software platforms, and uses popular tracks to illustrate chord structures and inspire experimentation...




Electronic Music


Book Description

This accessible Introduction explores both mainstream and experimental electronic music and includes many suggestions for further reading and listening.




Making Music


Book Description




The Creative Electronic Music Producer


Book Description

The Creative Electronic Music Producer examines the creative processes of electronic music production, from idea discovery and perception to the power of improvising, editing, effects processing, and sound design. Featuring case studies from across the globe on musical systems and workflows used in the production process, this book highlights how to pursue creative breakthroughs through exploration, trial and error tinkering, recombination, and transformation. The Creative Electronic Music Producer maps production's enchanting pathways in a way that will fascinate and inspire students of electronic music production, professionals already working in the industry, and hobbyists.




Making Beats


Book Description

Winner of IASPM's 2005 International Book Award Based on ten years of research among hip-hop producers, Making Beats was the first work of scholarship to explore the goals, methods, and values of a surprisingly insular community. Focusing on a variety of subjects—from hip-hop artists' pedagogical methods to the Afrodiasporic roots of the sampling process to the social significance of "digging" for rare records—Joseph G. Schloss examines the way hip-hop artists have managed to create a form of expression that reflects their creative aspirations, moral beliefs, political values, and cultural realities. This second edition of the book includes a new foreword by Jeff Chang and a new afterword by the author.




Electronic Music Production


Book Description

In over 70 easy-to-understand chapters, the book covers the most important elements of electronic music production. Geared towards prevalent genres like techno, ambient and electronica, the author provides practical, easy-to-follow examples designed to be recreated. Contents of the book: Which equipment works well for electronic music production? How to mix tracks that work in the club. 22 common mistakes to avoid Hands-on sound design: the perfect kick, silky pads and more - how to create your most important elements. Production strategies for creative dry spells. In the introductory part, you'll learn how to choose the right studio equipment and set up your studio. The next chapters are dedicated to the biggest mistakes in electronic music production and how to avoid them. The author goes into detail on mixing and arrangement, but also tackles some basic issues that often arise in music production. The fourth part covers mixing the most important sounds and elements, producing beats and dives into creative sound design with concrete, easy-to-follow instructions. The author avoided focusing on specific genres, so most of these tips can be applied to a range of electronic music genres, be it (melodic) techno, ambient, IDM, trance, or house.




Secrets of Dance Music Production


Book Description

The Secrets of Dance Music Production pulls together all you need to take a mix from concept to club-ready master whether you make house or techno, 2-step or D&B, EDM or trance. Studio fundamentals: Synthesis and sampling; studio setup and monitor placement; EQ, ambience and compression all covered in detailed 101-style guides. The golden rules of mixing: Learn how the pros get loud, defined and dynamic mixes stacked with interest and energy. Essential techniques: Layering, frequency bracketing, lo-fi processing, bass splitting, vocal production, mastering... It's all inside. Up your writing chops: Compose inspired bass and toplines with kick-starter approaches to voicing, arpeggios, syncopation, killer chord progressions and more. Bigger beats: 50+ pages of rhythm-making insight. Masterclasses in drum sound design, transient shaping, swing crafting and ghost placement plus 30+ beats broken down. Get that sound: From vintage arps to supersize FX; ripping Reese basslines to stacked EDM leads; ethereal soundscapes to deep house keys - dozens of sounds built from the ground up in media-rich walkthroughs.




Composing Electronic Music


Book Description

Electronic music evokes new sensations, feelings, and thoughts in both composers and listeners. Composing Electronic Music outlines a new theory based on the powerful toolkit of electronic music techniques.




Music Habits - The Mental Game of Electronic Music Production


Book Description

Music Production can be an elusive art form for many, and the challenges that face someone who is new to this can easily create overwhelm and lead to complete paralysis. The goal of this book, is to cover music production from many different angles in a way that will change your thinking on the subject and build your confidence.Music making is a very mental and psychological game, and more often than not, all the technical stuff can hold you back from achieving your goals if you don't have the right creative habits in place first.With all the information available with a simple Google search, I wanted to really get to the heart of things that aren't being discussed nearly enough. I want to clear out all the garbage you may have been told and replace it with the essentials you can put to immediate use. Many people new to music may dive into forums and mindlessly watch video tutorials attempting to gather more and more information until they think they have enough to get going (hint: you never feel like you know enough).That would be like reading a whole encyclopedia and then being asked to recall only the important things that will get you from point A to point B. Even worse, much of the information you get will contradict the last thing you read. It's like finding a needle in a haystack only to be told it's the wrong needle. There is a much better approach. It's an approach that doesn't require you to know a lot to get started. You only need to know enough to get to the next step in your process.There is truly nothing stopping you from becoming a music producer. The ones who are successful now are the ones who started from nothing and chipped away at it until they found a way to express their unique voice. There are no gatekeepers making decisions on who is worthy and who isn't. The determining factor is you, your habits and your confidence in yourself.This book can be read from start to finish, or as a "choose your own adventure", going directly to what you think can help you most right now. Don't get caught up thinking you have to devour everything before getting started. That isn't necessary, and isn't the point of the book.The core concepts in the book will come up time & time again which should help you retain them & be able to recall them when the need arrives. By exploring these concepts from several angles you should gain a broad view of their many uses.My hope is that this book is used as a toolbox. You simply find the right tool that moves you forward and get back to work. So few people, who have more than enough information in their heads, ever start. Of those who do start, even fewer finish what they started and are satisfied with the results. I want you to be in that small group of finishers.Let's get started.