Producer Skills: Music Theory to MIDI is an 8 week short course presented by AIM faculty member, local producer and label founder Austin Benjamin aka Utility. This short course is designed for artists and producers of all levels to bridge the gap between production and music theory. Course material will introduce new composition techniques and basic theory / keyboard skills to help students take their work to a new level.
Course outcomes will involve submitting a single track developed by each student over the 8 week period using new techniques explored in classes. Students will receive detailed feedback throughout the process. Collaborative and workshop-based tutorials will also explore each student’s individual artistic goals, and achieve these through designing student-specific plans.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Music Theory: Scale harmony and chords
- Using and creating samples
- Production and mixing techniques (Rap / Hip-Hop / RnB / Pop / Electronic / Experimental)
- MIDI programming and drum patterns
- Integrating your unique style into your work through listening & sound selection
- Creative process and generating new work
ABOUT THE TEACHER – AUSTIN BENJAMIN (UTILITY)
Austin Benjamin, (known by his stage name Utility) is a Sydney-based music producer, artist & founder of local label Trackwork. He’s released projects through Room 40, Sumac, HellosQuare, and produced music for releases on labels including Universal NZ, AVTV, Warner & 66 Records.
He’s produced music for artists including HK x Rick, MA Rated, Clariyah, Gino October, Sky’High, and Lil Jaye & Eco$ystem’s ‘Block Hotter’ which featured on Apple Music Hip Hop playlist The New Australia and was performed on the Juice World Tour in 2019. In 2019 Utility and close collaborator T. Moritmoto released Nexus Destiny featuring a collection of 60 arpeggios made entirely with software synthesisers, released on Melbourne-based label Sumac.
Releases on Trackwork produced by Utility include T Breezy’s 2360, Sevy and Bayang’s notfromhere (with Sevy’s Ting nominated for an FBi SMAC Award), and Snoee Badman’s #3badman which received international airplay and a recent feature article in the Saturday Paper written by Mahmood Fazal. In collaboration with AVTV & animator Kyan Woodpower Trackwork produced and released a 3 part animated mini-series to celebrate the release of #3badman in 2020. Earlier this year Utility performed alongside T Breezy, Walkerboy, Sevy & Bayang at Sydney Opera House’s Barrbuwari event.
