Modernizing your Music Program on a Budget: What You Actually Need to Get Started
K-12 schools around the country are embracing technology in the classroom like never before. Robotics, coding, STEAM—tech is being taught everywhere. But music programs are often left with little funds or resources to take part in this renaissance. The good news? Modernizing your music program is easier and cheaper than you think.
There’s a misconception that modern music means expensive gear, high-tech computer labs, and recording studios. While all of that is great, it’s not the only way to go. Think about the cost of your average band or orchestra program. The instruments are delicate and often expensive—some costing thousands of dollars each. Then there’s the sheet music, the stands, the risers, the cases, the constant repairs. It all adds up. You can bring your music program into the 21st century with many of the tools and resources you already have access to. The money you invest in a music tech program will also support your overall music program. You can use the same microphone to record a rap mixtape, a student podcast, and the school orchestra. Your auditorium probably has a few mics gathering dust in it right now! It's time us music teachers join in on the tech renaissance!
This guide will help you modernize your music program on even the tightest of budgets.
Start with What You Have
All you need to get started with music technology are devices, software, speakers, headphones, and a projector—most of which are already available at your school. As of 2022, about 90% of all middle and high schools provide every student with a personal device. And with these 1:1 device policies came other tech like projectors and speakers for your classroom. Whether your students have Chromebooks, laptops, or iPads, these devices are powerful tools your students can use to create, record, and collaborate on music.
Find the Right Digital Audio Workstation
A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is a platform (software or web-based) for recording, arranging, and producing music and audio. You may recognize names like ProTools, Garageband, Logic, Ableton, or FL Studio which are used by musicians and engineers around the world. Many of these companies provide generous educational pricing and/or intro versions bundled with other gear purchases.
Through the Ableton for the Classroom initiative, K-12 schools can receive up to 60 seats of the industry-standard DAW Ableton Live for free, no questions asked! Yes, you’re reading that right: for free! All you need to do is fill out this application and they’ll get you set up within two weeks. It’s Ableton Live Intro, not the more comprehensive Live Standard or Suite, but this basic version of the software is more than enough for students’ first year or two of production. In many ways, the more stripped-down Live Intro is better for beginners. When students are ready to go deeper, Ableton offers massive discounts on the top-tier version of the software, Live Suite. Ableton for the Classroom also offers a wealth of resources including classroom projects, online interactive learning tools, IT support, and community support from other teachers. Starting your program in Ableton means your students will be able to take their journey from beginner to professional all in the same ecosystem.
Another great option is Soundtrap for Education. If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably already familiar with Soundtrap. For the uninitiated, Soundtrap is an easy to use online DAW that’s compatible with pretty much any device with internet access. It also integrates directly with Learning Management Systems like Schoology or Google Classroom. The Los Angeles Unified School District, for example, provides all of its students and teachers access to Soundtrap directly through Schoology. Pricing starts at $7.98 per seat per year, making it one of the most cost effective DAWs out there. Furthermore, Soundtrap is the only in-browser DAW that is COPPA and FERPA compliant, making it the only realistic choice for a school setting. Many teachers want to use BandLab because it is free, but BandLab monetizes student data. That’s a big no no!
Beyond the Basics
The Digital Audio Workstation acts as the primary instrument for a music production class. But without headphones for each student and a way to present to the class, you won’t be able to hear the amazing music that’s getting made. There are many other supplemental items you might be wondering about too - things like MIDI controllers, interfaces, microphones, synthesizers, etc. It can all get confusing and expensive quickly. That’s why we’ve broken down what we consider must-haves, and nice-to-haves.
Must Haves:
Headphones - a good classroom set of headphones will allow students to focus and have access to a high quality listening experience. They also alleviate access issues, making it so anyone can take your class whether they have headphones or not. Check if your school has testing headphones lying around and save yourself an expense! We recommend these Sony headphones. They sound good and their cheap enough to buy a few extra pairs without breaking the bank, because your students will break at least a few pairs.
Speakers - a nice loud pair of speakers are essential for lectures and for students to share their work with the class. Ideally, it’d be nice to have a great pair of studio monitors that allow you to really hear and feel the bass. We like the JBL 306P MkII’s. But you can get away with either your classroom’s built-in speakers or even a cheap bluetooth speaker.
Projector - Most likely your classroom already has a way for you to project your screen. This is essential in music production so your students can follow along as you explore the DAW together. Anything from a dusty old projector to Chromecast or Apple Airplay will do the trick.
Nice to Haves
Audio Interface - a basic 2 channel interface will allow your students to record audio from other sources such as microphones or line in instruments like electric guitar, bass, keyboards, and synths. If you’re able to purchase decent studio monitors as your class set of speakers, you’ll need an audio interface and some cables to connect them to your computer. The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a great option!
Microphone - a few mics can go a long way, allowing your students to record themselves singing, playing acoustic instruments, or even starting a podcast. They even have USB microphones that plug directly into a laptop if you don’t have an audio interface. We like the Shure SM58. It’s the most popular microphone on the planet and it’s so durable, you can literally use it as a hammer. For USB mics, the Apogee MiC Plus is our favorite.
Cables & Adapters - you can never have enough! Your setup will determine what exactly you’ll need, but here’s a general list of cables and adapters you might want to have handy:
MIDI cables with different connections (USB, USB-C, Thunderbolt, etc.)
XLR cables of varying lengths
¼ inch TRS & TS cables
¼ inch to ⅛ inch adapters
USB to USB-C adapters
the classic Apple “dongle” (3.5mm Aux to USB-C or Lightning)
What are MIDI Controllers and Do You Need Them?
MIDI Controllers are compact keyboards and drum pads that allow students to physically play virtual instruments in their DAW with the virtuosity of a real instrument. This is a fun choice for advanced classes that have built a strong foundation in their DAW of choice - especially with students who are familiar with piano, drums/percussion, or just enjoy a tactile approach. However, incorporating MIDI controllers into your class is entirely unnecessary and possibly even counterproductive for students that are just starting out. Our advice? Don’t spend your money on MIDI controllers when you’re starting your program. We have more thoughts on this, but we’ll save them for a future blog post.
YPG Is Here to Help You Get Started
Learning new technology is intimidating for students and teachers alike. For teachers that are serious about developing a music production program at their school, YPG curricula offer a complete pathway to take students from novices to industry-ready creatives. A great curriculum can take even the most modest tools and make them transformative for students. On the other hand, a state of the art studio that nobody knows how to use will quickly become very expensive furniture without quality curricula. Curriculum is the most important purchase a school can make for a music tech class and it’s often thought of last, if at all. Our curricula are CTE and F-Credit approved, and trusted by hundreds of teachers and thousands of students around the world - many of which are now working in the music industry. Two YPG alumni have even gone on to win GRAMMYs.
No matter where you’re at with your budget, YPG is here to help. Our free Soundtrap Teacher Certification Course has helped thousands of teachers hit the ground running with Soundtrap in their classrooms. The free trials of our curricula let you get started with YPG resources for free. Reach out to contact@youngproducersgroup.com to get access. Finally, we’ll be offering free, accredited professional development workshops later this semester. Stay tuned!
Also, curriculum purchases don’t always need to come out of music budgets. Music production falls squarely under STEAM and CTE, opening up lots more options for funding your program. Connecting with district-level Visual and Performing Arts coordinators opens up new pots of money. Click here to schedule a time with a YPG team member to strategize on how to tap into school and district budgets, like hundreds of other teachers already have.
Start Small, Dream Big
Modernizing your music program doesn’t mean you need to buy the most expensive gear. Start small and use the resources available to you wisely. Collaborate with other teachers, departments, and your district to source what you need. Tiny shifts in your curriculum can mean a world of difference to your students. And while devices, DAWs, and curricula will help you get started, your own creativity and resourcefulness will make the biggest impact. And if you need help along the way, we’re here for you.
