The mischievous, no-nonsense gear head opens up about his creative process and teaches you everything you need to know to get making electronic music as fast as possible.
- 6 hours of instructions
- 23 video lessons
- downloadable workbook
- Watch on any streaming device
You will most likely have heard of Deadmau5, or have seen his iconic mouse head command festival crowds across the globe. His wild EDM tunes are known to be filled with pumping energy and vitality that sends people into ecstatic frenzies.
However, the artist also has a subtler side to him, which becomes apparent in the course. Deep down he thinks of himself primarily as a melodic composer.
Joel Thomas Zimmerman has been involved in the music scene for around two decades and attained quite some prominence in that time.
Amongst his accomplishments are six Grammy Award nominations, a successful label named Mau5trap, discovering Skrillex, and a catalog of eight acclaimed albums.
It is fair to say that Deadmau5 is a polarizing character who sports an attitude that will split the crowd. He thinks of himself as barely socially capable, and a secluded geek at heart. He thrives on being a one-man operation, and his hermit-like approach prompted him to learn to do everything himself.
From production to branding, and mastering – he is the captain of his whole operation.
In the Deadmau5 Masterclass, he allows the world to step into his home studio. The class goes far deeper than just gear – he lets you see into his entire philosophy of creating music, the methodology behind it, the production software, what he thinks of the industry as a whole, crafting live shows, and a lot more.
Basically speaking, it is an entire guide on how to get going in EDM from scratch.
Let’s take a look at the 21 Deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production lessons one by one.
- 6 hours of instructions
- 23 video lessons
- downloadable workbook
- Watch on any streaming device
The Deadmau5 Masterclass lessons
As the Deadmau5 Masterclass course begins, we find Joel polishing his golden mouse head. What follows is an outline of the general topics the class aims to cover. Namely, how to distinguish what good sounds are, and how to use that knowledge to forge your own sonic landscape.
Instead of becoming a copycat, Deadmau5 makes it clear that his goal is to give you the tools to become an original creative yourself. Essentially, the intro covers his view on what it takes to become an authentic artist, and how to go about it systematically.
Joel makes a point that he is not about hoarding secrets, but open to sharing his knowledge with upcoming producers.
What is in the Deadmau5 Masterclass course:
Theory
The second Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson deals with a deeper look at Deadmau5’s theoretical approach to making music. He outlines how he uses sleep deprivation to shut off his critical judgment and chase euphoric states that foster creativity.
Other than that, he goes over his thoughts on what is most important in a track, how to form ideas, the importance of creating original sample libraries, and his philosophy on making innovative music. Imitation is a stepping stone to achieve that.
Amongst the main messages is how crucial of a factor playfulness and goofing around is. Apparently, 90% of Joel’s studio time is just chasing sonic rabbits, without any guarantee that the ideas will turn into a full song.
However, he states that studio time is never wasted – things usually come around full circle in one way or another.
Practice
In this part, Deadmau5 explains how he goes about putting his theory into practice. His process is centered around making up for his inability to play music, therefore he simply programs notes, click by click. It is somewhat ironic that this is his main approach in a studio filled with synths, but it works well for him.
He continues to shed light on how he figures out melodies, chord progressions, beats, and phrasing. This Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson shows Joel in his standard procedure of starting a track, and what tricks he uses to keep things as simple and straightforward as possible.
You will learn about how to create tracks without having to know pretty much anything about music theory, or production. Deadmau5 approaches it all from a programmer’s point of view – emotionally unattached, and mainly sitting in front of the screen.
Building Your Home Studio
In this segment of the Deadmau5 Masterclass, Deadmau5 advises on where to start with crafting your own creative space, and what tools you will need.
He goes over the absolute essentials and offers some examples of gear that he finds useful, as well as what will get the job done without busting your budget. You will get a detailed opinion on what to consider for room treatment, speakers, as well as DAC converters.
What one can take away is that all you need to make music these days is no more than a capable computer. The multitude of plugins that are out there can mimic a whole lot of outboard gear.
According to Deadmau5, the end listener will most likely not even distinguish between the sonic differences of high-end gear, versus in-the-box plugins.
Developing Melodic Structures
Joel is not a man to lure in muses and bank on inspirational visions. He makes his methodology clear in this Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson– it is just about grinding it out and experimenting with note placements.
That means dragging around clips until he likes what he hears, like solving a musical puzzle. Seeing Deadmau5 work in such a down-to-earth way is sure to give inspiration to those who are not very musically inclined, but have a desire to create it.
He goes deeper into how he knows what melodies work, using techniques such as drone notes to get ideas started, and how to keep things from being too loopy. His technique is very developmental, rather than focused on coming up with something.
At the end of the Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson he addresses the issue of producing tunes that please the crowd versus what pleases him, and his everlasting journey to craft something utterly unique.
Turning Melodies into Arrangements
In the sixth Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson, Deadmau5 outlines the basics of an EDM song structure, what formulas one can bank on, and the know-how one needs for getting a small loop to form into a wholesome dance tune.
In this Deadmau5 Masterclass you will learn about coming up with variations for your melodic ideas, countermelodies, as well as what to look out for if you want to avoid colliding frequencies and other necessary things to keep in mind.
Simple changes in the right places can make big impacts on the overall product, and Deadmau5 will show you how. Various tricks of the trade are revealed that will have you building melodies in no time.
Intro to Synthesization
What makes a noise sound the way it does? The process of sonic synthesis will give you the answers. Prepare to get down and nerdy with the mouse in this Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson.
The artist tells you why it is important to become acquainted with the topic, and how just the basics of knowing about things like waveforms, filters, envelopes, and resonance control will get you in the ballpark of knowing your way around any synth.
On top of showing you how sounds are built from the ground up, Deadmau5 explains how to make his signature pluck sound.
Other than that, the practical aspects of shaping stuff in-the-box versus analog gear are weighed, as well as how to pick the right creative battles for your purposes.
Experimenting with Modular Synths
If you are not familiar with modular synths, then the wall of blinking lights in Joel’s studio may strike you as something out of a sci-fi movie. In this Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson, he takes you through what his favorite toy, the Doepfer Eurorack is capable of.
You will get an insight on how to manipulate voltages, set up analog signal chains, and get to see him scratch the surface of what infinite sonic possibilities come with modular synths.
The Deadmau5 Masterclass demystifies his blinking beast and reveals the upsides and downsides of modular synthesis. It consists of very valuable info for those looking to get into the modular type of workflow.
Digital vs. Analog
In the audio community, the debate of analog versus digital gear has always been a heated one. Joel takes a practical standpoint by demonstrating the essential differences between them, thereby allowing newcomers to get a grasp of the commonly held viewpoints, and what notions they are based on.
This is a very insightful approach to understand the uses and limitations of virtual synths, as well as why people lust over pricey analog gear. For novices, the sonic differences may seem subtle and can require ear training to distinguish.
Getting a demonstration within this Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson is a very helpful starting point. In the end, you can make up your own mind as to whether justifying the analog price points makes sense to you.
Shaping Sound with Effects and Processing
This Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson goes into unveiling the cardinal sins of EDM and what pitfalls should be avoided at all costs. Deadmau5 also explains what he looks for when searching for new artists to sign, and how one can find original effects chains.
You will learn about why you should start collecting cheap guitar pedals, the intricacies of limiters, how to go about picking the right reverbs, and the ways of achieving a sonic depth to make your tracks more appealing.
Overall, it is a great primer on effect plugins, outboard gear, and where to put your money if you want to stand out from the competition.
Beats
The kick is the main driving horse of EDM, and Deadmau5 opens up about the subtleties of crafting the perfect one for your needs.
This Deadmau5 Masterclass goes into his philosophy on the rhythm tracks in dance tunes, what should always be done, and what he thinks of experimental approaches.
The engineering side of getting your drums right is shown, as well as why the devil is in the detail when it comes to sonic frequencies. A look at his drum track in his song Snowcone serves as a poignant example to illustrate his techniques.
Structuring Songs
How much space should the most prominent elements in your track take? What length should your song be? How do you make it favorable for DJ mixes? All of this and more is answered in Joel’s Deadmau5 Masterclass about how to approach structuring songs
You will learn how to use a simple trick to break out of loop haven and structure an immersive experience for the listener.
On another note, we get to see what Joel thinks of drops, and what the movie “Amadeus” has to do with it. You may be in for a surprising insight into the softer side of the outspoken rascal.
Remixes
Remixes can be great tools for learning tricks of the trade, and here you will learn why. The concept of reworking, instead of remixing, becomes a prominent theme in this part of the course.
In this Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson you will get to understand what elements lend themselves well for creating good remixes, as well as what Joel’s philosophy is on what a remix should strive to achieve.
Especially when it comes to crafting versions of songs for different purposes, be it original twists, subtleness, or festival bangers.
Mixing
If you want to be a one-man operation across the board, knowing your way around mixing is crucial. In this particular Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson you will find some great tips on how to earball your tracks as you go, and what to keep in mind for your final mix.
The importance of EQ, deciding upon the right sonic compromises, and keeping things full without cluttering up your mix – all is addressed in this lesson. You will learn how to make your bass growl and maintain character as you trim your tracks to work on a variety of playback systems.
Mastering
Mastering is considered to be an art in itself, and it can come across as quite elusive for many. After all, there is a reason why people pay good money for life-long engineers to get their tracks to be dance floor ready.
However, Deadmau5 stays true to the one-man-army approach and teaches the audience how to DIY your way through the process, without having to give up creative control. A wonderfully insightful Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson.
You will learn about the ins and outs of loudness, get an insight into his mastering chain, and hear about some real-life anecdotes that get his point across.
Mastering Case Study: Snowcone
In this Deadmau5 Masterclass , Joel takes you through his specific mastering chain on the track Snowcone. It covers the signal flow, the set parameters, and why he went about it in the way he did.
To show an alternative viewpoint, he erases the old chain and goes about crafting a new one, all while explaining the process. Limiting, parametric EQ, and signal flow are some of the things that are dissected in this Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson.
Starting Your Producing Career
According to the artist, the music industry is not out to help you. One has to machete the way through the jungle, and he tells you about his personal experiences. This lesson covers what qualities he looks for in new artists, how to network, the story of signing Skrillex, investing in your career, and a lot more.
Amongst other things in this Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson, he goes into detail about the importance of crafting your brand, how he achieved that for Deadmau5, and what marketing tricks are important to become memorable in people’s minds.
Understanding the Music Business
In this Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson, Deadmau5 outlines the good, the bad, and the ugly things he encountered in the music business. It will tell you why you need a team to take care of all kinds of paperwork, legal advisors, and how to pick the right members.
Music law, selling songs online, and how to test accountants are all covered, amongst other relevant anecdotes and insightful stories.
This Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson may shatter some conceptions you have about the industry, it may inspire you, and perhaps everything in between. Joel sure does not hold back to keep it polite.
On Stage: The Music
How does the production on live shows differ in a variety of contexts? What are the sonic differences, the complimenting technical chains, and how do you go about crafting your own show?
An insightful talk ensues in this Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson about his need to maintain a balance between a pre-recorded show, and the quest of keeping it playful enough so he doesn’t fall asleep on stage.
You will hear about what needs to be considered to make shows flow and how to hit the right spots to wow the audience.
On Stage: The Technical Side
This Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson goes into why you need to have different show sets, how to adapt to various technical settings in different venues, and the intricacies of how he arranges live programming.
You will get under the hood of Deadmau5’s whole technical setup, and get an insight into how things actually work during live performances. Midi data, mixer details, on-stage synths, light cues – all the good stuff is covered.
Real-life recommendations and anecdotes of sound systems stopping will let you in on some pretty fun stories to learn from.
On Stage: The Show
Dealing with nerves, not giving a damn about crowds, and why surviving the first minute of a show matters most – these are some covered topics that make for a whirlwind of insight into what goes on in the mind of Deadumau5 during performances. A fascinating Deadmau5 Masterclass lesson indeed.
It comes across like Joel is not quite eager to make friends in the world, but he stands behind it and owns what he is – authentic. Amongst the information on how to create a worthwhile live show, you will learn the real reason for his iconic mouse helmet.
Closing
The last part rounds up the Deadmau5 Masterclass, gives you practical takeaways, and urges you to get on your feet if you want to get started in the music industry. Spoiler alert – if you won’t try, you won’t know.
Final Thoughts on the Deadmau5 Masterclass
The Deadmau5 Masterclass is a fantastic primer for getting into the world of EDM. At almost six hours, the lessons cover a whole lot more than only production techniques. Rather, it is a field guide on how to navigate the industry from A to Z.
Joel’s personality is unapologetic, raw, and somewhat unhinged – all serving to keep the course as real as it gets. His edgy personality may split the crowd, but after all, it is an EDM class, not Sunday yoga.
It’s quite obvious that A LOT of people are really enjoying the Masterclass too, check it out…
If you are someone who looks to get into dance music production, the Deadmau5 Masterclass course will serve as a great, comprehensive overview of the essentials.
Those who are advanced will not find a whole lot of innovative production knowledge, but they may find the Deadmau5 Masterclass course interesting for peeking into Joel’s creative process as such.
Overall, the Deadmau5 Masterclass is a bountiful discovery on how down-to-earth an approach to making successful music can be. Joel has a very sober, and logical way of doing things. Just seeing that play out is a worthwhile perspective to attain, and perhaps adapt.
The course is definitely worth your time if you are looking to get into making EDM, and an absolute must-watch if you are a fan of Deadmau5.
And just to end on. If you are fascinated with the Deadmau5 Masterclass experience then we know you will love the Armin van Buuren Masterclass course. We also went under the hood of this course as well. Check out our Armin Van Buuren review here!
- 6 hours of instructions
- 23 video lessons
- downloadable workbook
- Watch on any streaming device
