Guide
How to Learn Music Production
To learn music production, master a DAW (like Pro Tools, Logic or Ableton), learn microphones, signal flow, editing, mixing and mastering, and spend as much time as possible producing real sessions with real artists. Classes help, but nothing replaces hands-on studio hours with a mentor giving you feedback. CMC Nashville is a 15-week, hands-on music industry semester in Brentwood, Tennessee (just outside Nashville), for high school graduates, gap year students and college students. Students earn 16 college credits under Greenville University’s accreditation, which can transfer to your home school, start in January, and the semester costs $17,600 including room and board.
Step by step
1. Learn a DAW
Pick one industry-standard DAW and learn it deeply: recording, editing, MIDI and session organization.
2. Understand signal flow and microphones
Know how sound gets from the source to the speakers, and which mics and placements work for vocals, drums and guitars.
3. Mix and master
Learn EQ, compression, effects and gain staging, and compare your mixes against professional references.
4. Produce real artists
Work with singers and bands on real songs. Producing is about decisions and people as much as gear.
5. Get live experience too
Many producers also work in live sound, touring and churches, which opens up more paid work.
Where CMC fits in
Alumni have gone on to roles like front-of-house engineer and tour director for TobyMac and executive director of Ascend Amphitheater, and have worked with artists like Lauren Daigle, John Mayer and U2.
FAQs
- Do I need experience to study production at CMC?
- No. The Technical Track starts with the fundamentals and moves quickly into hands-on studio and live production.
- Will I work in a real studio?
- Yes. CMC has its own recording studio and mainstage in Brentwood, and students produce real projects during the semester.
- Does it count for college credit?
- Yes. Students earn 16 college credits under Greenville University’s accreditation, which can transfer to your home school.