Engineering Archives - Music Impact Network

Music Producer Incentive System

Participants earn studio privileges while improving their production skills!

The Music Producer Incentive System motivates participants to learn more in the studio by creating 3 levels of “Producers”. As participants advance, they learn studio software and techniques and “level-up” to earn additional studio privileges.

How to…

First, set up various levels of Music Production workstations and/or studios in your program space.
- For larger Music Studios, this could include various physical studios and/or workstation setups (e.g. Studio A, B, C, etc. in separate rooms)
- For smaller Music Studios or single-room studios, consider limiting access to programs, software, and recording equipment (further described below)
All participants start on the most basic setup and “level-up” to more sophisticated studios (or equipment) as they learn more skills. For example:
- “Studio A” – iMac or iPad Workstation equipped with Garageband (Headphone based)
- “Studio B” – iMac Workstation with Logic and basic interface/mic setup (with speakers) located inside of a practice room
- “Studio C” – Professional level project studio, complete with Logic/ProTools, vocal booth, and your program’s most advanced recording studio equipment
Determine what skills participants must demonstrate in order to gain access to each studio. Print and display the requirements for each level of “producer” (Sample levels are provided below)
Create an incentive chart to visually track and help motivate participants’ achievements. Regularly post and update the names of each “Co-Producer”, “Producer” and “Executive Producer”

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Podcast

Encourage “youth voice” while reinforcing planning, communication, and basic production

Podcasts are popular and easier than ever to create – anyone can do it. Help your participants start their own Podcast to discuss music, social/community issues, or whatever else they want to discuss. Participants will learn the audio production process along with how to respectfully engage in a group discussion.

In addition…

Great way to introduce participants to recording/production best practices
Participants also learn life skills like planning, thinking, and communication
Participants can express their thoughts/opinions about relevant topics (in a safe environment)
Participants can use a Podcast as a platform to showcase their music projects and ideas

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How to…

Set up your studio or a dedicated Podcast station (Computer/DAW, microphone/s and a quiet room)
Staff can act as moderator/host (to help steer the conversation) or assign a participant to host
Assign participant roles like: host, guests, expert, engineer, performer, music director, note taker, etc.
Choose topic (music, bands, projects, current events, family/friends, video games, fashion, etc.)
Have participants research the topics and write 6-10 questions relating to the topic.
As a group, write the introduction (listen to professional radio/podcast introductions for inspiration).
When ready, record an Introduction to the week’s topic.
With the host moderating the conversation, record the conversation about your chosen topic, passing the microphone from participant to participant (or set up enough mics for everyone).
Once the conversation is done, have the participants edit the audio, considering:
- Remove silences
- Remove inappropriate content or off topics comments
- Edit mistakes and mess-ups
- Add background audio, sound clips, and sound effects

Note: The editing process is a good Youth Development opportunity. Staff can coach participants to develop planning, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills.

Post to the web: Soundcloud, YouTube or other social media

Optional steps/ideas: Compose and record theme-song for the podcast and use it each weekUse a field recorder to capture sounds/clips from different environments/peopleGo Live! Host a weekly Live Discussion on social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc)

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Meme Factory

Sample a viral video to make an original beat – great for beginners who are into YouTube

Objective:

Introduction to Music Production by creating projects that emulated viral YouTube videos
Introduce basic audio editing techniques
Engage participants who are interested in detailed audio editing

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Dub Club

Two sound design projects that will build your participants’ critical listening skills and creativity

From TikTok to YouTube, everyone is making video content these days. But, the best video productions also have excellent audio quality and sound design. Help your participants tap into their inner voice actor or foley artist by encouraging them to rebuild the audio for short video clips.

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How to…

Voice Acting (Check out TikTok #voiceover for inspiration)
- Teens choose a scene from their favorite movie (https://www.scriptslug.com/) or other viral video
- Find a Video Clip of the scene and strip the audio
- Each participant records their voice recreating the scene

Art of Foley (Check out “The Magic of Making Sound” for inspiration)
- Teens choose a commercial, funny YouTube video, movie, show or cartoon
- Pick a short clip and remove all of the audio
- Set up microphone and record voiceovers
- Edit voice overs showing participants how to “punch-in” audio
- Add additional audio tracks and have participants recreate sound effects using everyday items
- Drag and drop other sound effects that are harder to recreate

Additional ideas:
- Host a viewing session to watch all Dub Club videos
- Discuss what they like about each project and what can be improved, etc.
- Create an organization-wide Dub Club challenge
- Show off their creations on your organizations’ social media pages

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