Music Production & Vocal Performance Diploma

Music Production (Ableton)

This module aims to develop your fundamental understanding of contemporary music production. You will learn technical production skills within a DAW that are central to the realisation of musical ideas: recording and editing MIDI and audio, pre-production considerations, drum programming, mixing, audio effects processing, automation and arrangement techniques. You will have the opportunity to conceive and execute a production project, applying creative, technical, project management and reflective skills to aid your development as a producer and for professional life beyond.

• The Production Process
• Ableton Live Overview
• Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony Production
• Drum Programming
• Pre-Production and File Management Techniques
• MIDI and Audio Processing Techniques
• Warping
• Introduction to Synthesis and Sampling
• Track Arrangement & Automation
• Mixing & Exporting
• MIDI Controllers and MIDI Mapping

Music Production (Logic)

This module aims to develop your fundamental understanding of contemporary music production. You will learn technical production skills within a DAW that are central to the realisation of musical ideas: recording and editing MIDI and audio, pre-production considerations, drum programming, mixing, audio effects processing, automation and arrangement techniques. You will have the opportunity to conceive and execute a production project, applying creative, technical, project management and reflective skills to aid your development as a producer and for professional life beyond.

• The Production Process
• Logic X Overview
• Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony Production
• Drum Programming
• Pre-Production and File Management Techniques
• MIDI and Audio Processing Techniques
• Flex Time & Flex Pitch
• Introduction to Synthesis and Sampling
• Track Arrangement & Automation
• Mixing & Exporting
• MIDI Controllers and MIDI Mapping

Compositional proficiency is a core skill for contemporary producers and artists, equipping them with the ability to realise their creative ambitions and make more informed production decisions, whilst helping them become professionally competitive. This module will explore the core elements of musical composition: rhythm, harmony, melody, structure, and arrangement. You will develop compositional techniques through practical application of music theory using music software. This module focuses explicitly on commercial western popular musical styles, genres and their aesthetics. You will have the opportunity to investigate technical and stylistic aspects of these styles and genres, developing their confidence and abilities in composition. You will gain experience in composing original musical elements and arranging these elements into a full composition.

• Commercial composition techniques
• Use of rhythm in drum beats and melodies
• Key, modes, and scales
• Use of harmony: chord sequences and modulation
• Use of melodies
• Writing basslines
• Composing musical ‘hooks’
• Form, structure and arrangement
• Listening and analysis

This module aims to provide an overview of the music industry: what are the different components and how do they operate and interlink? You will develop an awareness of different revenue sources, analysing areas including record labels, publishing, independent artists, digital distribution, and the varied ways that money flows through the industry. The importance and value of copyright will be explored, along with different music industry deals and agreements. The knowledge, skills, and understanding developed in this module will provide you with the foundation for a successful and sustainable career within the music industry.

• Introduction to the music industry
• Music copyrights
• Major and independent record labels
• Music publishers
• Music distribution and consumption
• Music streaming
• The independent artist route
• Artist management
• The live sector
• Contracts & agreements
• Negotiation skills
• Synchronisation

Point Blank Music School’s unique Singing module shows you how to deliver an accomplished vocal performance on stage and in the studio. Develop your vocal talents with professional warm-up routines and learn vocal techniques to gain confidence in your performance. You’ll learn to perform classic songs before exploring your own songwriting ideas with a Grammy award-winning lecturer. And finally, you’ll get the chance to perform in a solo and group performance in a selected London venue. All styles are welcome and no previous experience is required.

• Warm Ups & Practice Routines
• Scales, Arpeggios, Vibrato
• Articulation, Dynamics & Pitching
• Breathing & Diction
• Current Timbre/Styles
• Music Theory
• Triads & Harmony
• Harmonies & Double Tracking
• Intonation, Tone & Ad libs
• Voice Projection Techniques
• Confidence & Stage Presence
• Live Performance

The Songwriting course teaches students how contemporary songs are put together and what makes them successful. If you want to sell your songs and make a living from your music, then it’s essential that you have an understanding of music theory, composition and arrangement techniques. We also look at the music industry now and explore copyright, publishing and promotion. Practical exercises form an integral part of this course so students are expected to be able to either play an instrument, sing or have some experience in music production software such as Logic Pro or Ableton Live.

• Songs & Songwriting
• Basic DAW Skills
• Music Theory for Songwriters
• Song Analysis
• Writing Lyrics
• Rhyming Structures
• Topline & Melody
• Writing Songs to a Backing Track
• Harmony
• Chord Progressions
• Structure & Arrangement
• Workflow

Listening is the key to developing your vocal performance and honing your songwriting craft. Understand musical language and familiarise yourself with musical notation. Develop musical techniques and build your keyboard skills to get your ideas down and communicate them to others. We’ll analyse key genres and iconic artists in the history of vocal music to give you loads of inspiration to bring to your sets and your songs.

• Ear training
• Notation
• Pitch Transcription
• Rhythmic transcription
• Lead Sheets
• Keyboard Skills
• Musical Analysis
• Vocal Genres & Artists: Blues
• Vocal Genres & Artists: Soul
• Vocal Genres & Artists: Pop
• Vocal Genres & Artists: Hip Hop
• Vocal Genres & Artists: EDM
• Vocal Genres & Artists: Grime

The Advanced Singing module is designed to take your skill level to that of a professional vocalist. With an emphasis on developing your own unique voice, this journey shows you warm-up routines to protect and stretch you, creative vocalising, covers jazz, blues, gospel, background vocals, duets, plus three studio sessions with professional producers. One of the benefits of studying at Point Blank as a singer is the access you gain to the UK’s finest upcoming producing talent. If you’re serious about your singing, apply now.

• Vocal Exercises & Warm-Up Routines
• Vocal Technique/Control
• Harmony
• Studio Sessions
• Learning Different Styles/Genres
• Jazz/Soul/Freestyling
• Creative Vocalising
• Interpreting Songs & Making Them Your Own
• Tones & Expressing Emotion
• Backing Singing
• Session Singing
• Music Performance

Mixing is a crucial stage in the production process and this module aims to develop your skills as a competent mix engineer. What are the processes, equipment, considerations, and techniques involved in creating professional-sounding commercial mixes? Critical listening will be developed alongside technical and creative skills which are essential to successful mixing and production. Mixing is a key skill for producers and offers a variety of potential career paths.

• Mixing Procedures and Techniques
• Critical Listening
• Signal Paths and Routing
• Aux Sends vs Insert Processing
• Stereo Width
• Dynamic Processing
• Corrective and Creative Equalisation & Filters
• Timbre and Harmonics
• Creating Depth through Reverberation and Delay Effects
• Modulation Effects & Distortion
• Creative Mixing techniques

This module will give you a deep dive into vocal production techniques to get your best performances onto your tracks. Build on your sound engineering knowledge by exploring specialist vocal hardware and recording techniques. To create a polished professional vocal performance we’ll look at timing and pitch correction. Through collaboration, you’ll develop communication and editing skills to get great takes and learn how to process your vocals to put them right where you want them in the mix.

• Vocal Microphones and Preamps
• Vocal Recording Techniques
• Comping and looping
• Vocal EQ & Dynamic Processing
• FX for Voice
• Compression and Processing to Tape
• Editing Techniques
• Creative and Corrective Auto-Tuning
• Correcting Vocal Timing and Synching
• BVs
• Studio Performance Techniques
• Ad Libs
• Communication and getting the best out of the performer

This module is designed to help you transfer your existing music production skills into a performance context to potentially increase the value of your artist profile and brand. It will explore the various methods for designing and creating a bespoke system that facilitates an engaging, fluid, and technically creative performance. You will explore the integration of hardware devices and controllers to manipulate sound and musical structure, working with a blend of prepared material and improvisation. The module seeks to introduce a further degree of musicianship and improved workflow back into existing studio-based practices. There are further vocational benefits to possessing technical knowledge and the ability to problem solve. Live performances can include edited online video presentations, a live-streaming concert or a gig at a music venue/club/festival.

• Session View in Ableton Live
• Live Loops area in Logic Pro X
• Multi-channel playback
• Live remixing
• Liveset design concepts
• Adapting production work for a performance
• Custom audio effects and instruments
• Live looping and composition
• Planning a set of music
• Working with hardware
• Building a show – use of technology and video
• Collaboration with other musicians/artists/techs

You will expand your knowledge base of stylistic, rhythmic, harmonic, and structural conventions and gain skill in their application through practice and analysis following the maxim described by Clark Terry as “imitate, assimilate, innovate. The module will focus on developing an individual compositional voice by examining and assimilating the features of acclaimed musical works and music that aligns with personal goals. You will challenge your notions of taste and aesthetics by asking such questions as: where is the line between music and noise? What is style? And questions that challenge our aims: why do I write this way? Why do I want to write this way? This personal exploration will be underpinned by the technical study of musical forms, theories of rhythm and harmony, extra-musical stimuli, and contemporary methods of sonic manipulation.

• Aesthetics of music
• Implementing concepts drawn from a musical analysis
• Composing in traditional and novel forms and structures
• Composing for electronic and acoustic instruments
• Non-Western music traditions
• Creative strategies: experimentation and improvisation
• Understanding and developing a compositional brief
• Developing a portfolio and the composer’s place in the music industry

As the culmination of your performance studies, it’s time to showcase your talent to the world. Prepare an extended set which effectively sells your musical style and vocal technical expertise to the public. You’ll hone your visual style and persona as an artist to effectively convey your brand. Keep your audience entertained and engaged during your performance Manage your set and lighting to create a dynamic performance.

• Brand Style
• Visual Communication
• Developing Vocal Stamina
• Performing an Extended Set
• Support Acts
• Engaging an Audience
• Set flow and Segues
• Creating Tech Riders
• Channel lists
• Rehearsal process
• Guest Masterclass