Digital Music Production

Have you ever wondered what it takes to make a song? What skills, knowledge, and technology go into taking a musical idea in your head and turning it into a fully-fleshed-out song on your computer? Have you ever questioned how producers make those sounds or those beats that get stuck in your head? Learn music production, music theory, and recording techniques that will allow you to realize your ideas.

Learn the fundamentals of music theory and build captivating chord progressions. Write memorable melodies and bouncing bass lines. Produce music individually or create collaboratively with your peers using Ableton - an industry-standard music production software used by the biggest names in pop, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. Use a selection of synthesizers, drum machines, and musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) keyboards. Join our community of collaborators to share what you’ve made and give feedback to your peers on their creations. Hear your music on a professional grade (and very loud!) sound system in Duke’s Rubenstein Arts Center.

Musicians are turning more and more toward digital tools for their music-making. Join the wave by learning the tools and theories used in today’s digital music-making environment.

 

How to Apply

Duke Pre-College uses a 2-step enrollment process: 

  1. First, students apply to the Pre-College program, indicating their course(s) of interest. Apply now.
     
  2. After they receive notification of their acceptance into Duke Pre-College, they enroll in the course(s) indicated in their Pre-College Application. 

Learn more on our How to Apply page.