Advanced Logic Pro: Dance Music

This advanced-level course explores the essential production techniques behind professional dance music. Students will learn to craft authentic sounds, arrange compelling tracks, and mix specifically for high-energy club systems. While the focus is on house, techno, and disco-inspired music, the principles extend to most electronic subgenres. By the end of the course, students will produce a polished dance track ready for performance and playback on large sound systems.

Topics

• Foundations of Groove
  Build rhythm and groove with kick, bass, percussion, and swing templates in Logic.
• Sound Design for Dance Music
  Design basses, leads, pads, and textures with Alchemy, ES M, and third-party synths.
• Arrangement & Energy
  Structure loops into full tracks using phrasing, energy shaping, and automation.
• Automation for Tension
  Create movement and variation with Logic’s automation tools.
• Mixing for Club Systems
  Layer drums, EQ, compress, and mix with translation to large PA systems in mind.
• Logic Production Workflow
  Apply track stacks, Marquee/Skip Cycle, swing creation, and Sampler workflows.

Goals

• Program an 8-bar groove with tuned kick, bass alignment, and swing variation.
• Design and save a library of Logic instruments (basses, leads, pads) for track development.
• Expand loops into full-length arrangements with breakdowns, drops, and DJ-friendly intros/outros.
• Use automation to create tension, release, and variation across sections.
• Mix with clarity, headroom, and stereo balance for club playback.
• Complete and present a polished 5–7 minute dance track mixed for performance.