What You Will Learn at NUS EML this Academic Year

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What You Will Learn at NUS EML this Academic Year

Are you ready to dive into the world of beats, loops, and live performance? Whether you're a curious beginner or a budding producer, this course will guide you through the essentials of electronic music creation—from your first beat to your first live show.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll be learning across two semesters:

📅 Semester 1: Foundations of Electronic Music Creation

This semester focuses on building your creative toolkit and preparing you for your first internal showcase.

Weeks 1–2: Getting Started

  • Open class and recruitment
  • Orientation: hardware/software setup
  • Demo of performance types: finger drumming, clip launching, live effects
  • Mentor assignments

Weeks 3–6: Core Music Production Skills

  • Beats, melodies, and layers in Session View
  • Basic music theory: bars, beats, scales, transposition
  • MIDI vs. Audio clips, clip editing
  • Song arrangement: verse, chorus, bridge, build/drop/break
  • Sampling basics: Simpler, Drum Rack

Recess Week & Mid-Terms

  • Mentor check-ins and progress refinement
  • Light schedule during mid-terms

Weeks 8–12: Effects, Recording & Showcase

  • Audio effects: Filter, Delay, Reverb, EQ3, Redux
  • Recording instruments and vocals (guitar, kalimba, voice)
  • Preparation for PLUG IN showcase
  • Internal showcase of student-created music

🎛️ Semester 2: Advanced Techniques & Live Performance

This semester deepens your technical skills and prepares you for public performance and industry insights.

Weeks 1–4: Advanced Production & Sound Design

  • Live sound reinforcement: PA setup, mixing, troubleshooting
  • Mixing and mastering techniques
  • Advanced music theory: chord progressions, scales, Circle of Fifths
  • Sound design with synths: ADSR, filters, waveforms

Weeks 5–6: NUS Arts Festival Rehearsals

  • Dedicated rehearsal weeks for public performance

Weeks 7–10: Creative Expansion

  • Advanced audio effects: Grain Delay, Saturator, Phaser, Auto Shift
  • Field recording and sampling techniques

Week 12: Industry Insights

  • Music business models and contracts
  • Copyright essentials for electronic music

🎤 Performance Highlights

  • PLUG IN Showcase (Semester 1): Internal performance by new members
  • NUS Arts Festival (Semester 2): Public performance opportunity


🧠 What You'll Gain

  • Hands-on experience with Ableton Live and performance gear
  • Understanding of music theory tailored for electronic music
  • Skills in sound design, sampling, and live performance
  • Exposure to music business and copyright essentials
  • Opportunities to perform and collaborate with peers

Ready to plug in and create something unforgettable? 🎧
We can't wait to see what you'll bring to the stage.


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