What Does a Music

Producer Do?
by GRAMMY GO

About this Course

Hello there! I’m Carolyn Malachi, and I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome you
to What Does a Music Producer Do?, developed by the Recording Academy®.
In this course, we’re going to explore the role of a music producer: what they
do, what tools they use, and how they approach their work.

Taught by: Carolyn Malachi, GRAMMY®-nominated Producer, Engineer,

Artist and Songwriter
BASIC INFORMATION
• Course 1 of 3 in the Music Production: Crafting Award-Worthy
Songs Specialization
• Level: Beginner
• Commitment: Four weeks of study, two to four hours per week
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Hardware Requirement: Smartphone, tablet or computer
• How to Pass: Pass all graded assignments to complete the course
• User Ratings: Average User Rating
Syllabus
WEEK 1: A MUSIC PRODUCER’S ROLE
Welcome to Course 1: What Does a Music Producer Do?
Welcome! Before you begin the course, get to know your instructor and learn
some logistics.

Activities
• Video: Welcome from Recording Academy® CEO Harvey Mason jr.
• Video: Welcome to Course 1: What Does a Music Producer Do?
• Reading: About Your Instructor: Carolyn Malachi
• Reading: Course Introduction and Expectations
• Reading: Technology Requirements
• Reading: Earn a Course Certificate

What Music Producers Do

Before starting the class, we will cover course details and what you’ll need to
know to get the most out of your experience.

Activities
• Reading: Welcome to Module 1: A Producer’s Role
• Video: What Music Producers Do
• Video: Serving the Song
• Reading: Exploring Different Types of Music Production
• Reading: Additional Roles and Responsibilities that Impact a Production
• Practice Assignment: What Skills Do You Have? Quiz
• Video: GRAMMY® Winners Cirkut and Judith Sherman, Artist and Celebrity
Vocal Coach Stevie Mackey, and GRAMMY® Nominee Harvey Mason jr.
Explore Finding Your Identity
• Discussion Prompt: Share Your Goals with Your Peers

Listening Like an Expert Music Producer

In this lesson, you’ll learn the techniques experienced producers use when they
listen to music.
Activities
• Video: How to Listen Like a Producer
• Reading: Your Turn to Listen Like a Producer
• Video: GRAMMY® Winners Judith Sherman, Hit-Boy, Cirkut, and Celebrity
Vocal Coach Stevie Mackey Share How They Listen
• Discussion Prompt: Listen Closely

Thinking Like an Expert Music Producer

This lesson focuses on reference tracks. You’ll learn to evaluate tracks for
composition and arrangement, and you’ll discuss your thoughts with
fellow learners.

Activities
• Video: Reference Tracks
• Reading: Think About Composition
• Reading: Think About Arrangement
• Video: Debrief: Thinking About Composition and Arrangement
• Video: Recording Academy CEO and GRAMMY® Nominee Harvey Mason jr.
Considers Composition and Arrangement
• Discussion Prompt: Listen Critically
• Graded Assignment: Quiz: A Music Producer’s Role

WEEK 2: MUSIC PRODUCTION SOFTWARE AND DAWS

Using Your Music Production System
In this module, you’ll explore music production system components and their
impact, learn to control acoustics in your space, and use your digital audio
workstation (DAW) creatively.

Activities
• Reading: Welcome to Module 2: Using Your Music Production System
• Video: Assembling Your System
• Reading: Terms to Know: Using Your Music Production System
• Reading: Music Production Setups
• Video: Set Up
• Reading: Microphone Choices in Music Production: Finding Your
Sonic Signature
 • Video: How Microphones Impact Production
• Video: Acoustics and Your Physical Space
• Reading: Assess Your Setup
• Video: GRAMMY® Winners Hit-Boy and Cirkut Explore Creating a
Unique Production
• Video: Exploring Acoustic Treatments
• Peer Review: Capturing Acoustic Signals and Exploring Acoustic Treatment
and Reflections

Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) Tips and Tricks

In this lesson, you’ll recreate a reference track in your DAW and discuss music
production in its language.

Activities
• Video: How to Work Efficiently in Your DAW
• Reading: Best Practices for Saving Files
• Video: Reproduce a Reference Track
• Peer Review: Recreate Your Reference Track

WEEK 3: CREATIVE LISTENING FOR AN ARTISTIC MINDSET

Creative Productions
During this week, you’ll analyze creative performances within songs, their
evolution, and their impact. You’ll also explore choices shaping composition,
arrangement, and concept, affecting mood and emotions.

Activities
• Reading: Welcome to Module 3: Creative Productions
• Video: Creative Listening
• Video: Listening for Inspiration
• Video: Listening for Creative Composition
• Discussion Prompt: Reference Track Analysis
• Video: Serve the Artist to Serve the Song
• Video: GRAMMY® Winners & Nominees Hit-Boy, Harvey Mason jr. and Cirkut
Share How They Find Creative Inspiration
Amplify Creative Expression with Effects Plugins in your DAW
This week, you’ll enhance your creative expression using DAW plug-ins. In addition,
you’ll evaluate your understanding with a Knowledge Check Quiz.

Activities
• Video: How To Use Your DAW for Creative Composition
• Discussion Prompt: Practice Creative Expression with Effects Plugins
• Graded Assignment: Reflect on Your Progress Quiz

WEEK 4: CRITICAL LISTENING TO CRAFT SOUNDSCAPES

Technical Production
In this module, you’ll explore the technical choices that impact the sonic quality of
musical elements in your productions.

Activities
• Reading: Welcome to Module 4: Technical Productions
• Video: Technical Listening
• Reading: Terms to Know: Sound Theory
• Video: The Physical Experience of Sound
• Video: Spatial and Spectral Balance

Practice Technical Composition

This week, you’ll analyze how each musical element occupies space, how their
sonic qualities change over time, and how they support your song’s concept, mood,
and subject matter.

Activities
• Reading: Practice Technical Choices
• Discussion Prompt: Enhance Your Technical Composition with Plugins

Planning for Production

As you conclude the course, you’ll design a production plan that ensures emotional
resonance and cohesion, while also providing feedback to your peers.
Activities
• Video: Blending Creative and Technical Decisions
• Video: GRAMMY® Winners & Nominees Hit-Boy, Stevie Mackey, Judith
Sherman, and Harvey Mason jr. on How They Plan
• Video: GRAMMY® Winner Judith Sherman and Celebrity Vocal Coach Stevie
Mackey on How They Work with Collaborators
• Peer Review: Plan for Your Production

GRADING FORMULA
Earning a Final Grade
The percentages below are used to calculate your final grade from the graded
assessment scores. The passing threshold is 80% for each assessment.

Assessment Name Grade Percentage

Graded Assignment: Quiz: A Music Producer’s Role 10%

Capturing Acoustic Signals and Exploring Acoustic

25%
Treatment and Reflections

Peer Review: Recreate Your Reference Track 25%

Graded Assignment: Reflect on Your Progress Quiz 15%

Peer Review: Plan for Your Production 25%

Total 100%
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
How do I pass?
To earn your Certificate, you’ll need to earn a passing grade on each of the required
assignments — these can be quizzes, peer-graded assignments, or programming
assignments. Videos, readings, and discussion prompts are there to help you
prepare for the graded assignments.

What do start dates and end dates mean?

Once you enroll, you’ll have access to all videos, readings, quizzes, and
programming assignments (if applicable). If you choose to explore the content
without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments. If you
don’t finish all graded assignments before the end of the session, you can reset
your deadlines. Your progress will be saved, and you’ll be able to pick up where you
left off.

What are the due dates? Is there a penalty for submitting my work after
a due date?
Within a course, there are suggested due dates to help you manage your schedule
and keep work from piling up. Quizzes and programming assignments can be
submitted late without consequence. However, it is possible that you won’t receive
a grade if you submit your peer-graded assignment too late because classmates
usually review assignments within three days of the assignment deadline.

Can I re-attempt an assignment?

Yes. If you want to improve your grade, you can always try again. If you’re re-
attempting a peer-graded assignment, re-submit your work as soon as you can to
make sure there’s enough time for your classmates to review your work. In some
cases, you may need to wait before re-submitting a programming assignment or
quiz. We encourage you to review learning material during this delay.

PEER-GRADED ASSIGNMENTS
Peer-graded assignments require you and your classmates to grade each
other’s work.

How do peer-graded assignments work?

After you submit your assignment, you will review some of your peers’ assignments.
The number of assignments you must review is set by the instructor of the course.
I reviewed my peers’ assignments! What happens next?
While you’re reviewing your peers’ assignments, they’ll review yours. If you submit
your assignment on time, you’ll get your grade within a week, as long as at least one
peer reviews your assignment. If you submit late, you’ll need all of the peer reviews
the instructor requires.

Learn more about Peer-graded assignments.

How are grades calculated?

You and your classmates will be asked to provide a score for each part of the
assignment. Final grades are calculated by combining the median scores you
received for each section.

What kind of feedback should I give?

Use the instructor’s criteria in the rubric to grade honestly and fairly. If your
peers’ answers are excellent, score them highly and tell them what they did well.
If their answers aren’t as good, give the score they deserve, and be sure to
provide respectful, useful feedback so they can do better next time they
attempt the assignment.

Is there a penalty for submitting my work late?

No, but it’s important to submit your work as close to the due date as you can.
Classmates grade most of the assignments within three days of the due date. If
you submit yours too late, there may not be anyone to review your work.

If I fail an assignment, can I try again?

Yes! You can always try again, but you’ll need to resubmit your work as soon as
possible to make sure your classmates have enough time to grade your work.

Can I edit my assignment?

Yes, but you’ll need to re-submit your work and any grade you’ve already received
will be deleted.