Creating Sounds for Electronic Music

Loudon Stearns teaches sound design through a project that develops across several drafts. Learners create synthesizer patches, use them in a composition and revise the results. The course ties sound creation to musical use, so the objective is more specific than browsing presets or learning every feature of a production package.

What you will learn

• Create and document custom synthesizer patches
• Use designed sounds in a musical composition
• Revise a piece through successive drafts

Who this suits

The Intermediate course expects music-production basics and experience with a DAW supporting suitable plugins. A MIDI controller, DAW and the demonstrated Strobe2 synthesizer are among the stated requirements, so it is not a no-equipment introduction.

Before you enroll

The workload is approximately ten hours, including project work. The course describes a Strobe2 demo offer, and the manufacturer still provides a product and demo page; verify current access terms and operating-system compatibility before enrolling. A time-limited demo is different from a permanent software license. Keep original patch notes and audio renders so your work remains understandable if software access or versions change.

Coursera offers paid enrollment or subscription access. Check the enrollment screen for assessment and certificate terms, trials and any financial-aid options. Provider access terms can change; review them before paying.

Put it into practice

Design two contrasting patches and use both in a short original phrase. Record the main parameter choices, render an audio comparison, and revise one sound after explaining how it fits or conflicts with the arrangement.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on 12 October 2026. It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

View the curriculum and current access options at Coursera.

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Supporting provider sources

• fxpansion.com: supporting course information