Produce Like A Pro is not just a course platform, it is a community of producers, engineers, musicians and songwriters who learn together by working on real music. Every week our members join sessions with working artists and producers, ask questions, download multitracks and share mixes with a community that genuinely cares. You are never learning alone, you are learning alongside people who are on the same journey.
This breakdown of Unburdened by Steve Maggiora is a free glimpse into what we do inside the PLAP Academy. You can watch the full video and download the multitracks at no cost. Inside the Academy there are hundreds more songs, breakdowns and multitracks, all included when you join for the special price of $99 a year.
The heart of Produce Like A Pro
Inside the membership you get
• Weekly sessions with artists, mixers and producers walking through real projects
• Multitracks and session files so you can follow along
• A community of producers, engineers, musicians and songwriters who support and encourage each other
• A growing library of masterclasses, breakdowns and technical deep dives
This free Unburdened session shows exactly how it all works.
Steve Maggiora, from the stage to your DAW
Steve Maggiora, known for his work with Toto and Robert Jon and The Wreck, opens up one of his own productions and shows you every decision he made along the way.
This is not a demonstration track created for teaching, it is a real record broken down in front of you. That is the foundation of the PLAP Academy.
The story behind Unburdened
Unburdened began as a co write between Steve and his friend Ryan Smith. Ryan brought in the instrumental, Steve created the topline and the two of them built out a full production with live horns, drums, guitars, bass, keys and vocals.
You get that full Logic session completely free, including
• Raw multitracks
• Printed stems
• A consolidated mix session
• The complete video walkthrough
It is a true look at what PLAP Academy members experience every week.
Inside the Unburdened mix session
In the free breakdown Steve goes through every part of the production.
- Keys and space: Sample based keys printed to audio, CLA 2A compression for glue, EQ to tidy boominess and a widening intro that narrows when the verse arrives.
- Hammond and texture: A beautiful Hammond performance from Bob, subtly shaped and widened, plus a small overdub Steve added during mixing.
- Guitars with attitude: Ryan’s guitars enhanced with archetype amp sims, CLA compression, widening and automated fuzz layers that bring the choruses alive.
- Percussion layers: Shakers, tambourines, bongos and loops arranged to create movement without harshness.
- Vocals: A straightforward yet powerful chain of CLA Vocals, Rvox, EQ and saturation, with backing vocals shaped into a smooth halo around the lead.
- Horns: The 504 Horns, lightly processed but heavily automated to deliver a dynamic and emotional finale.
- Bass choice: A valuable real world moment where Steve explains why some great live bass parts were muted in favour of a tighter MIDI bass to serve the final arrangement.
- Drums and mix bus: Slate VMR on drums, added snare sample, room compression, trash mic grit and a mix bus chain that makes the song feel big and modern.
- This entire breakdown is yours for free.
What you get as a member
The Unburdened session is a free example, however inside the PLAP Academy you get
• Hundreds of multitrack sessions across many genres
• Dozens of full video breakdowns
• Weekly new sessions with producers, mixers and artists
• Full courses and masterclasses
• A supportive community of producers, engineers, musicians and songwriters
Every session, every multitrack and every course is included for the special price of $99 a year.
Join Produce Like A Pro for the special price of $99 a year
For a limited time you can join the PLAP Academy for the special price of $99 a year.
You get access to
• Weekly breakdowns just like this one
• Hundreds of multitrack sessions
• Complete mix tutorials and walkthroughs
• A positive and active community
• New sessions added every week
If you enjoyed this free session with Steve Maggiora, you will love what is waiting inside.
Join us, explore the full library and have a marvellous time recording and mixing.