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How to Compose with MIDI and Virtual Instruments - Course sale - $240, was $475 (now available in individual volumes)

BenBotkin

BenBotkin

Active Member
Hey everyone! I recently launched an online education site called Forte Composer Academy, and as one of my initial releases I have launched an online course that teaches how to set up a composing workstation, control Virtual Instruments like a pro, and create realistic and compelling music on your computer. https://store.fortecomposeracademy.com/how-to-compose-with-midi-and-virtual-instruments



THINGS THAT ARE COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  • Basic Concepts and Definitions of Terms (MIDI, DAWs, Sample Libraries, Virtual Instruments, etc.)
  • What hardware you need to get started (Computers, Keyboards & Controllers, Headphones & Speakers, Audio Interfaces, etc)
  • What Software considerations you need to make to get started (Platform, DAWs, drivers, etc.)
  • How to wade through the plethora of great virtual instruments to get the best bang for your buck
  • Complete Workstation options for varying budgets
  • How to use basic DAW features and functions
  • How to use Virtual Instruments for maximum expression and realism potential
  • Virtual Orchestration basics, layering, performing, MIDI editing, composition techniques
  • Mixing and Mastering Basics
Also learn how I created this piece of music as I explain and demonstrate my composing/orchestrating/producing process from beginning to end, in (probably boring to many) detail.



This 28 lesson/15+ hour long video course course is intended primarily for beginner-to-intermediate VI-based composers, but I recently (as of Spring 2022) decided to offer the three parts of this course as individual volumes (and for a lower price) for those who are interested in only part of the instruction offered. For more info, you can visit my store: https://store.fortecomposeracademy.com/

HTC and volume explain.jpg

MAY 2022 UPDATE: This course is currently on sale for $240 (was $475). The sale will end on May 16th, at which point the course price will rise to it's new "normal" of $300. https://store.fortecomposeracademy.com/how-to-compose-with-midi-and-virtual-instruments

Thanks!

Ben (Forte Composer Academy)
Click to read more...
 
Last edited:
You should make it clear that you need to create an account to receive free MIDI tips before people submit an email address. You should also have an unsubscribe link in your emails.
 
JPComposer said:
You should make it clear that you need to create an account to receive free MIDI tips before people submit an email address. You should also have an unsubscribe link in your emails.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the comment, JP! I'll look into the easy unsubscribe option, but ever since the new EU rules came into effect, I can only send emails to people who actually opt into that. About a third of the people who have downloaded the 21 tips do not opt into the newsletter, so I literally cannot send them emails through my email provider.
 
Hello Ben, I am a huge fan of your music. Will you be doing some courses focused more on composing in a classical Hollywood style, cliches, favorite approaches, tricks etc done more for the ppl who not read scores like newspapers?
 
Thanks for your kind words, Handz!

I might make a course like that at some point in the future--I've had a couple requests for something similar recently. For the record, I don't actually read scores like newspapers myself either. :)

However, I do know that the late, great Peter Alexander has a course series called "Scoring Stages 1&2" that is kind of like what you are asking. I went partway through one of the courses a couple years ago and really enjoyed the material. Here is a link: https://www.alexanderpublishing.com...Something-From-Nothing__ScoringStages-02.aspx

I haven't taken any of Mike Verta's paid courses, but have seen a handful of his youtube videos, which are terrific. Looking at his site, he does have some smaller courses that appear to cover some film scoring techniques. Have you had a look at these? https://mikeverta.com/product-category/masterclasses/
 
First off, good luck with the course.

And, nice piece of music :)

But I have to tell you, I find it a little off putting that there is no price in the op, and also, there is no price on the page you linked to:

https://www.fortecomposeracademy.com/

Is there a reason you are not up front about how much it costs?
 
Hi Erica, thanks for your kind words! Maybe I should re-arrange my post a bit--I was hoping that most people would follow the link that goes directly to the product page, where the price is. But I guess it makes sense that a lot of people would follow the homepage link, since it comes first. I'll also put the price on the post.
 
Thanks, Dewdman! I've been using the joystick as a midi controller ever since '06 or '07. At the time my keyboard did not have a mod or pitch wheel and I couldn't afford a dedicated MIDI controller (the cheapest option was about $300 from what I recall). I did some reading around and figured out a way to send MIDI data with a regular gaming joystick and I've been using it as my MIDI controller ever since! I need to make sure that all the freeware that I'm using is still available online, but I am thinking that I will make a video/article about it at some point.
 
BenBotkin said:
Thanks for your kind words, Handz!

I might make a course like that at some point in the future--I've had a couple requests for something similar recently. For the record, I don't actually read scores like newspapers myself either. :)

However, I do know that the late, great Peter Alexander has a course series called "Scoring Stages 1&2" that is kind of like what you are asking. I went partway through one of the courses a couple years ago and really enjoyed the material. Here is a link: https://www.alexanderpublishing.com...Something-From-Nothing__ScoringStages-02.aspx

I haven't taken any of Mike Verta's paid courses, but have seen a handful of his youtube videos, which are terrific. Looking at his site, he does have some smaller courses that appear to cover some film scoring techniques. Have you had a look at these? https://mikeverta.com/product-category/masterclasses/
Click to expand...


thank you for the answer, Ben, I think such a course could be really popular, as many ppl nowadays who not have classical musical education like more "straightforward" approach based on real examples. Mikes masterclasses are indeed good, I was at a few of his live classes - tons of useful info. Will check out Peters course!
 
Just bumping this thread to let everyone know that the 20% coupon code expires at 11:59PM CDT tonight, May 25th.
 
Darn it! Missed it by a day.

Hopefully you’ll post here any new sales you have on this and I’ll grab it next time.
 
Hi Maestro,
Just a word of encouragement to thank you for the great demos (Embertone/Soaring...) You are doing a wonderful job as a composer. Refinement, melodies, themes, developments as I like them. Bravo !
Keep on enthusing us.
 
Paul Grymaud said:
Hi Maestro,
Just a word of encouragement to thank you for the great demos (Embertone/Soaring...) You are doing a wonderful job as a composer. Refinement, melodies, themes, developments as I like them. Bravo !
Keep on enthusing us.
Click to expand...

Aw, thanks Paul! Your words are a big encouragement to me! I will do my best. :)
 
Hey everyone! I'm bumping this thread to let you know that this course is currently on sale (until May 16th) for $240, down from $475. I recently updated the material to reflect some hardware and software developments/changes (and missc other updates), so now it clocks in at a nearly-obscene 15+ hours in length. https://store.fortecomposeracademy.com/how-to-compose-with-midi-and-virtual-instruments

But I have also decided to segment the course. For those of you that are not interested in the entire breadth of instruction, you can now buy ONLY the individual volumes.

Vol 1 - Everything you Need to Know to Set up a Music Workstation ($40 or FREE)
Vol 2 - Virtual Instrument and DAW Control 101 ($100)(will go up to $125 on May 17th)
Vol 3 - Composing a Piece from Beginning to End ($140)(will go up to $175 on May 17th)

HTC and volume explain.jpg

Thanks, everyone!

Ben
 
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