Electronic Music Production and Sound Design Workshop

Woman singing and man performing music on a MIDI controller.

Push your limits as an electronic musician, and develop your skills in sound design, production, and laptop performance. Over the course of the workshop, you have the opportunity to explore everything from the foundations of sound synthesis and sampling to sound design for picture and video games, working with modular and vintage synthesizers or the latest in performance controllers. Based on knowledge level and experience, you will select course work to tailor the curriculum to your interests.

2022 Program Information

Program dates:	TBD
Registration fee:	$50 (nonrefundable, nontransferable)
Tuition:	$2,600
Housing:	$895
Payment deadline:	TBD
Move in:	TBD
Move out:	TBD
Age range:	15 years and older

What is the curriculum like?

Throughout the workshop, several concurrent breakout sessions are offered in each time slot. You can self-select which session to attend in any given time slot over the course of the workshop, space allowing. Offerings range from introductory to intermediate levels of skill and preparation.

Though breakout sessions for 2021 are not yet available, the following list of classes offered in 2019 will give you a sense of what to expect:

Producing EDM with Ableton Live
Creative Sound Design Techniques
Sound Design and Csound
Sampling Workshop 1
Samping Workshop 2
Sound Design with Modular Synthesizers
Electronic Music Mixing Techniques
Creative DSP for Free
Modular Synthesier Performance Workshop
An Introduction to Game Audio
Performing Live with Ableton Push
Expressive Performance with MPE and the Roli Seaboard Rise
Introduction to Circuit-Bending
Sound Design for VR
Sound Design in Electronic Dance Music
Introduction to DJing
Composing and Performing with Ableton Live
New Ways to Play
Digital DJ Techniques
Music of the Body and Mind

All breakout sessions will take place in Berklee's labs and studios. Our state-of-the-art facilities use Ableton Live as well as MAX for Live, Logic, and Native Instruments Komplete.

Other opportunities include the following:

Electronic performance controller lab
Modular synthesizer open lab time
Turntable open lab time
Ableton Live tutorial sessions
Electronic performance open mic

What is the schedule?

Below is a sample of a typical day in the program.

Time	Event
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.	Breakfast
9:15 a.m.–10:45 a.m.	Keynote Presentation
11:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m.	Breakout Sessions
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.	Lunch
2:00 p.m.–3:45 p.m.	Breakout Sessions
4:00 p.m.–5:45 p.m.	Breakout Sessions
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.	Dinner
7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.	Electronic Open Mics or Open Lab Time

Schedule subject to change

What are the performance opportunities?

Students have the opportunity to perform in multiple open mics throughout the program.

All performances are free and open to friends and family.

What are the requirements to attend?

All students 15 and older with some background in electronic production are welcome to attend.

Please note: This program has limited capacity. Submission of registration materials alone does not guarantee participation in the program. You will secure your spot by paying in full. When the program capacity has been reached, registrants who have not paid in full will be placed on a waitlist.

What do I need to bring?

All necessary musical equipment and technology will be provided throughout the program. You may want to bring portable media storage to save the work you create over the weekend. Participants are welcome to bring songs they have completed and may elect to bring laptops for their review.

If you intend to stay in the Berklee residence halls while participating in the program, please also review what to bring for your room on the housing page.

Program Director Michael Bierylo

Michael Bierylo is the chair of the Electronic Production and Design Department at Berklee College of Music.

Program Director Michele Darling

Michele Darling is the assistant chair of the Electronic Production and Design Department at Berklee College of Music.

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