Coloso.

01. Welcome & Course Overview- Introduction to the instructor, course goals, and a preview of the final track - Core creative mindset: creativity as a practice and inspiration that follows action, and using “inside-the-box” methods to build confidence - How structure, references, and a professional mindset reduce overwhelm and support finishing songs effectively

02. Tools, Setup & How to Follow the Class- Essential tools for the course - Preparing a clean project session - Step-by-step workflow guidance to stay organized and avoid perfectionism during the learning process

03. Form & Structure: Understanding Emotional Flow in Songs- Analyzing existing songs to understand how form, repetition, contrast, and transitions shape emotional impact - Identifying how sections evolve through energy, texture, instrumentation, and intensity rather than just chords - Learning to recognize build-ups, drops, and emotional pacing as tools that guide listener attention and feeling

04. Musical Fundamentals: Rhythm, Harmony & Melody- Core rhythmic concepts including tempo, meter, time signatures, and groove - Essential harmonic ideas such as scales, intervals, chord types, and inversions - Melodic fundamentals focusing on contour, range, and tension and release

05. Song Vision & Planning: Choosing a Direction- Defining the emotional and visual tone that will guide all songwriting and production decisions - Translating musical ideas and references into a clear creative direction - Locking in a form template, tempo range, groove type, and harmonic mood

06. Setting Up the Session: Tempo, Key & Markers- Explaining why thinking inside the box first gives you freedom later - Applying the chosen tempo, key, and time signature to the DAW session - Creating markers based on the selected song form to define sections clearly - Preparing a clean, distraction-free workspace for fast songwriting decisions

07. Building the Harmonic Foundation- Laying out chord progressions across each song section using the planned structure - Adjusting voicings and inversions to create smooth movement and contrast - Establishing harmonic continuity that supports the emotional direction of the song

08. Establishing Groove & Rhythmic Feel- Creating a basic rhythmic foundation that defines the song’s energy and motion - Exploring groove, accents, and subdivision without focusing on final sound design - Aligning rhythm with song sections to support tension and release

09. Writing the Core Musical Idea (Hook or Motif)- Developing a central melodic or instrumental idea that represents the song’s identity - Using harmony and rhythm together to shape memorable musical phrases - Capturing ideas quickly without polishing to maintain creative momentum

10. First Full Demo Pass- Connecting all sections into a continuous rough demo of the song - Evaluating flow, energy, and emotional clarity across the full structure - Identifying areas to refine in later sections without over-editing early drafts

11. From Demo to Production Mindset- Understanding the shift from songwriting decisions to production decisions - Identifying which elements need enhancement, support, or removal - Defining a production goal based on the song’s emotional direction

12. Instrument Selection & Sonic Roles- Choosing instruments based on register, function, and emotional purpose - Assigning clear sonic roles to avoid frequency and arrangement clutter - Creating contrast between sections through instrumentation choices

13. Synths & Sound Design Essentials- Designing or selecting synth sounds that support the song’s identity - Shaping timbre using envelopes, filters, and modulation - Knowing when to customize presets versus starting from scratch

14. Textures, Samplers & Effects for Movement- Using samplers, textures, and ear candy to add movement and atmosphere - Creating transitions with risers, drops, reverses, and micro-elements - Applying effects creatively to shape depth, space, and emotional impact

15. Writing a Memorable Vocal Melody- Techniques for writing strong melodic hooks and emotional phrases - Refining melodic flow by singing or auditioning ideas over the finished instrumental - Using song sections to guide melody range, contour, and intensity

16. Writing Lyrics That Fit the Vision- Translating the song’s emotional concept into clear lyrical themes. - Matching syllable flow and phrasing to the vocal melody and song structure - Approaching lyrical storytelling in a style suited to Vocaloid and J-Pop music

17. Harmonies and Doubles- Writing harmonies, doubles, and supporting vocal layers - Creating a cohesive vocal harmony that supports the main melody without clutter - Deciding where vocal layering enhances impact and where simplicity works better

18. Vocaloid Production (Tuning & Expression)- Demonstrating a complete vocal tuning workflow using Vocaloid 6 or Synthesizer V - Shaping expression through pitch curves, vibrato, dynamics, and phoneme control - Developing an expressive vocal performance that fits the song’s identity

19. Balance First: Volume, Panning & Gain Staging- Establishing proper gain staging and initial volume balance across all elements - Using panning to create width, separation, and clarity before processing - Applying volume automation to control energy and improve musical flow

20. Shaping the Mix: EQ, Compression & Saturation- Using EQ to clean, shape, and separate elements within the mix - Applying compression to control dynamics and enhance consistency - Adding harmonic saturation to increase presence and character

21. Creating Space: Reverb & Delay- Using reverb and delay to create depth, width, and emotional space - Placing elements forward or backward without losing clarity - Treating time-based effects as part of the song’s storytelling

22. Movement, Modulation & Final Mix Polish- Using modulation effects such as chorus, flanger, and phaser tastefully - Adding subtle movement through automation and modulation - Final listening, correcting problem areas, and preparing the mix for mastering

23. Mastering Workflow for Your Finished Song- Understanding the role of mastering and how it differs from mixing - Applying a clean mastering chain using EQ, compression, saturation, and limiting - Preparing final audio files for streaming, sharing, or portfolio use

24. Final Review & Closing Thoughts- Reviewing the complete creative process from mindset to finished master - Reinforcing the importance of consistency, process, and finishing songs - Encouraging students to trust their taste, embrace imperfection, and keep creating