This article is part II of reviewing one of the most practical and awe-inspiring MasterClass courses: Armin van Buuren Teaches Dance Music. For part one click here. In this review, we’re going to drill down to the details on how Armin composes and creates his fabulous music. Read on.

This post contains affiliate links meaning Y.M.Cinema Magazine earns a small commission if you sign up to MasterClass. However, it should be noted that this review represents our sole opinion after carefully and comprehensively examining this MasterClass specifically.

Part II of the review: Why?

Armin van Buuren Teaches Dance Music is a vast course full of details and inspiration. That’s the reason we’ve decided to divide our review into three parts. The first part is an introduction to the course, expectations, and general impressions. In part one, we’ve talked about the tools Armin utilizes in order to innovate sounds and creates music. Also, we covered the course structure and focused on the first 14 initial sections of the course that deal with an introduction to mixing and mastering. Besides, we explained why this course is so crucial in filmmaking. We demonstrated the extra creativity power of knowing how to compose a piece of music, in the filmmaking process as a whole. For reading the first part of the review, go to the article: MasterClass Review: Armin van Buuren Teaches Dance Music – Part I. This part (II) is focused on topics like cleaning, arranging, and further editing the track to tell the specific story you wanna tell. The relevant course sections are 15-24. The next part of the review (Part III) will be dedicated to all the rest, from approaching DJ set to business tips.

Click here for the course page.

Designing and shaping the story of sounds

If we look at modules 15-24 from bird’s-eye view, we can define them as methods Armin teaches you to design, sharpen and shape your soundtrack according to the story you’d like to tell to your crowd. Indeed, those modules deal with cleaning, mixing, organizing, and reviewing the track to allow the fits final shape to be established. This process which is demonstrated by Armin and his co-producer Benno, shows the live dilemmas need to be solved by music producers. That what makes this process transparent and unmasked, which contributes to the whole educational experience. However, be aware that you’ll need some basic experience with Apple Logic Pro since it’s the software being used by Armin in this Masterclass. Nevertheless, Apple offers Logic Pro X with three months of trial for a fully functional version, and thus it’s a good time to download and learn it on the fly parallel with this course. In other words, Armin van Buuren Teaches Dance Music is one of the best resources out there to learn Logic.

This process which is demonstrated by Armin and his co-producer Benno, shows the live dilemmas need to be solved by music producers

Click here for the course page.

Practical tips: Track design and development

Armin, together with Benno, teaching and instructing you how you can create a story with sounds by using plugins, ideas, and more importantly, the right approach to stitch the sound layers and glue things together precisely to deliver the correct emotion to the audience. These are the topics discussed and demonstrated by Armin and Benno:

• Manipulate the “feel” of the elements of the track
• Organizing the project in the mix
• How to generate a “journey” from tense and intriguing breakdowns to high-energy drops
• Dynamic storytelling as the main characters in dance music
• Melodic elements to enhance the dramatization
• Elevation of mix’s richness by adding fills and effects
• Building and sharpening the drop

Armin, together with Benno, teaching and instructing you how you can create a story with sounds by using plugins, ideas, and more importantly, the right approach to stitch the sound layers and glue things together precisely to deliver the correct emotion to the audience

Click here for the course page.

It’s all about the small details

It’s important to note that all of these are not just technical substitutes, but demand vast experience and expertise, and also a huge amount of talent. It’s not a constant formula. You need very high-experienced and delicate ears to details combined with a decent amount of knowledge about Logic Pro. Furthermore, you need to be super familiar regarding the plugins being used theoretically and practically. You should not trust your ears all the time. For instance, colorists should not trust their eyes when grading colors. In that case, colorists must utilize scopes. The same goes for music producers. Moreover, It’s all about the small details, and indeed you’ll notice that in the MasterClass when Armin and Benno are changing ideas and initiating discussions to make the track more precise.

You should not trust your ears all the time. For instance, colorists should not trust their eyes when grading colors. In that case, colorists must utilize scopes. The same goes for music producers.

Case study: “Be in the Moment”

One of the most awe-inspiring parts of the course is a case study of one of Armin’s greatest hits: “Be in the Moment”. It’s very absorbing to analyze a track that you are familiar with. It’s like surgery of a piece of music so you can explore what’s inside. This approach significantly contributes to the educational experience. Armin’s process creating “Be in the Moment” is a good example of the many decisions—how many layered tracks, automation, processing elements—that go into his tracks.

It’s very absorbing to analyze a track that you are familiar with. It’s like surgery of a piece of music so you can explore what’s inside.

Click here for the course page.

Lyrics and Vocals

This part emphasizes the importance of a human voice implemented in the dance music track because words (whether a sung melody or just a great vocal sample) can make your music catchier and more powerful. Armin shows you how to work with singers technically and humanistically in order to get the right sample to help to tell the story of the track. Armin demonstrates this concept by working with “Sunny Days” singer Josh Cumbee to show you how to track, edit, and manipulate live vocals. After that, Armin shows his step-by-step approach for turning pop songs into the dance floor–ready club mixes by utilization of the vocal portion of Josh Cumbee.

Armin shows you how to work with singers technically and humanistically in order to get the right sample to help to tell the story of the track.

Prices

The course costs $90. However, MasterClass offers 2 passes (with access to all courses) for $180 for a limited time. So you get two annual memberships for the price of one. Click here for more details.

Click here for the course page.

Final thoughts

As written and demonstrated above, Armin van Buuren Teaches Dance Music is an immersive piece of online education, that shows you the entire super challenging process of creating your music. The next part of the review will deal with the other modules dedicated to DJ-ing your track, business tips, and closing. Also, we’ll conclude our experience from taking this MasterClass. Stay tuned for the next part.