Learn Music Producing Websites: 12 Real Options

If you want to learn music production online, the best websites combine structured video lessons, hands-on projects, and feedback from experienced producers. You enter with basic computer skills and a desire to make music, and you leave with the ability to record, arrange, mix, and export your own tracks. The best choice depends on your budget, your preferred genre, and whether you learn better from free YouTube tutorials or paid, structured courses.

Formula

Total practice hours = (hours per week) × (weeks per month) × (months committed). Weeks per month is 52 / 12 ≈ 4.33. So the formula is:

Total hours = H × 4.33 × M

Where:

• H = practice hours per week (hours)
• M = number of months you plan to practice (months)
• 4.33 = average weeks in a month (weeks/month)

Worked Example

Using the defaults: 5 hours per week for 6 months.

1. Weeks in 6 months: 6 × 4.33 = 25.98 weeks
2. Total hours: 5 × 25.98 = 129.9 hours

So you would practice about 130 hours total. That is roughly the amount of time a dedicated hobbyist spends in their first year.

What “Learning Music Production” Actually Involves

Music production is not one skill. It is a bundle of skills: beat programming, melody writing, sound selection, recording, editing, mixing (balancing levels, EQ, compression), and mastering (final loudness and polish). Most online courses teach these in sequence. Before you choose a website, decide whether you want to produce electronic music (EDM, hip-hop, lo-fi), record live instruments, or do both. Electronic-focused platforms like Producer School or EDMProd dive deep into synthesis and sound design. General platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Udemy cover broader ground, including recording vocals and acoustic instruments.

Free vs. Paid: What You Get

Free resources are excellent for starting. YouTube channels like In the Mix, MusicTech Help Guy, and Andrew Huang offer high-quality tutorials on specific topics: how to use a compressor, how to sidechain, how to mix vocals. The downside is that free content is scattered. You might watch a 20-minute video on reverb, then a 10-minute one on EQ, but you won’t get a structured path or assignments that build on each other.

Paid courses give structure. Soundfly offers mentorship-based courses where you get feedback on your work. Berkeley Online provides university-level instruction with certificates. Skillshare has thousands of project-based classes, often taught by working producers. Prices range from $15/month (Skillshare) to $300+ for a single comprehensive course (like those on FaderPro).

How to Choose a Website: 6 Criteria

• Your DAW: Most courses are tied to a specific Digital Audio Workstation (Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, Pro Tools). Pick a site that teaches the DAW you already own or plan to buy.
• Genre match: If you make techno, a country-mixing course won’t help. Look for genre-specific lessons.
• Feedback mechanism: Can you submit your mix for review? Sites like MixWithTheMasters and PureMix focus on pro mixing but don’t give feedback; Soundfly does.
• Level: Some sites assume you know basic music theory. Others start from absolute zero.
• Certificate value: If you want a credential for a job, university-affiliated courses (Berklee, Point Blank) matter more than hobbyist platforms.
• Trial period: Most paid sites offer a 7-day or 30-day free trial. Use it to test the video quality, instructor clarity, and whether the pace suits you.

Common Problems Beginners Face (and How Sites Address Them)

The most common problem is “tutorial hell” – watching endless videos without making your own music. Good websites force you to practice. Producer School has weekly challenges. Skillshare classes end with a project prompt. Another common issue is gear envy: you think you need expensive plugins. Most courses emphasize that the stock plugins in your DAW are enough to produce professional-sounding tracks. A third issue is feeling overwhelmed by mixing. Look for courses that teach mixing in stages, like “The Art of Mixing” on Udemy, which breaks the process into gain staging, EQ, compression, and effects.

Comparison: Top Platforms at a Glance

• YouTube (free): Best for isolated tips, no structure, no feedback.
• Skillshare ($15–30/month): Thousands of short classes, project-based, good for beginners, no certification.
• Udemy ($10–50 per course): One-time purchase, lifetime access, huge library, variable quality – read reviews before buying.
• Soundfly ($30–50/month): Mentorship and feedback, structured curriculum, good for intermediate producers.
• FaderPro ($20–30/month): Real producer walkthroughs of actual tracks, focuses on electronic and pop, no feedback.
• MixWithTheMasters ($30–50/month): Legendary engineers deconstructing hit songs, advanced, expensive, no feedback.
• Berklee Online ($1,500–3,000 per course): University credit, rigorous, best for career changers.
• Point Blank Music School (online): Electronic music focus, certificates, industry connections.

Costs and Hidden Expenses

Subscription costs are straightforward. What surprises beginners is the cost of software. A DAW like Ableton Live Suite costs $749 (or $99 for Intro). FL Studio is $199–$499. Logic Pro is $199. Reaper is $60 for a discounted license. Most courses assume you already have a DAW. If you don’t, start with the free trial or the cheapest version. Also, many courses use third-party plugins (like Serum or Kontakt) that cost extra. Check the course description to see if it relies on paid plugins. If it does, you can often substitute free alternatives (Vital is a free Serum-like synth).

Safety and Accuracy: What to Watch Out For

Music production is safe – no physical hazards. But be careful with online advice. Some tutorials recommend extreme settings (like -6 dBFS headroom) that are outdated. Always cross-check mixing advice with a second source. Also, avoid pirated software and plugins. Cracked plugins often contain malware and can damage your computer. Stick to official trials and free versions. Legitimate free plugins are abundant (e.g., TDR Nova, OTT, Valhalla Supermassive).

Alternatives to Websites

Websites are not the only way to learn. Books like “Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio” by Mike Senior offer deep theory. Local community colleges often have audio engineering courses. Private tutors on platforms like Superprof or even Fiverr can give personalized feedback. Discord servers and Reddit’s r/WeAreTheMusicMakers provide free feedback on your tracks. The most effective approach is often a combination: a structured course for fundamentals, plus a community for feedback, plus regular practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to learn music production?

With 5 hours per week, most people can produce a decent track within 3–6 months. Mixing and mastering take longer – often 1–2 years to reach a professional level. Consistency matters more than talent.

Do I need to know music theory?

No, but it helps. Many producers work by ear and use MIDI grids. However, knowing basic scales and chords speeds up your workflow. Most courses teach minimal theory as needed.

Can I learn music production for free?

Yes. YouTube, free DAW trials, and free plugin bundles are enough to learn the basics. The main cost is your time. Paid courses mainly save you time by structuring the learning path.

What is the best DAW for beginners?

There is no single best. Ableton Live is popular for electronic music, FL Studio for hip-hop, Logic Pro for Mac users, and Reaper for budget-conscious beginners. Try the free trials and pick the one that feels intuitive.

Will I need expensive studio monitors?

Not at first. Good headphones (like the Sony MDR-7506 or Audio-Technica ATH-M50x) are enough. Learn how your headphones translate to other systems by comparing your mixes on phone speakers and car stereos.

How do I know if a course is good?

Read reviews on Reddit and trustpilot. Look for course previews – watch 10 minutes of the instructor. Check if the course was updated within the last year. Avoid courses that promise “overnight success” or “professional hits” – those are unrealistic.

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in t | Practice hours per week | hours | 5 | 1 | 40
in m | Months you can commit | months | 6 | 1 | 24
out total | Total practice hours | hours | t * m * 4.33 | 0
out weeks | Weeks in that period | weeks | m * 4.33 | 0