Certificate in Sound Engineering and Music Production

Overview
Located at Rory Gallagher Corner and the Temple Bar Music Centre (The Button Factory), the Sound Training College has been setting standards in audio education for over 30 years. A variety of full and part time courses to suit all learners are offered in Music Production, Sound Engineering, Live Sound, Lighting and Festival Management.

Sound Engineering and Music Production is a focused programme, designed for learners seeking hands-on learning in their area of interest. All crucial elements of the discipline are covered in an accelerated learning environment. Students are provided with the essential knowledge, real-world industry experience and opportunities required to succeed in the music industry. This includes Sound Training Productions, a recording and production company led by graduates and students. This programme is delivered in collaboration with our partners Sound Training College.

Key themes include:

• Studio and Recording Techniques
• Digital Audio Workstations
• Electronic Music Production
• Client based Music Production
• Acoustics and Psychoacoustics
• Project management
• Practical Electronics

The busy part-time student can look forward to prioritised access to studio facilities, both in class time and on project work, as well as real-world project experience, examples of which can be seen on our Sound Training Productions website. Software used on the course includes Pro Tools, Logic and Ableton. Visit our facilities web page to find out more about the hardware and studio equipment we use.

To find out more about the portfolio requirements or to visit STC for a tour of the facilities head over to their Contact Page.

Online Access: Enrolled students will receive access to Sound Training Online resources.

Aims

The aims of the part-time Studio Engineering and Music Production course are to:

• Provide learners with a practical learning environment where theory and knowledge are used in context, and to provide an opportunity for learners to work with equipment and situations commonly found in a music production setting.
• Develop learners’ understanding of the role of the studio, engineer, producer, and preparatory works (preproduction), when working with a client and other creatives (of a similar level to their skillset) in a production setting.
• Develop learners’ practical and technical skills, working with industry standard hardware and software, and their understanding and practical integration of these within the production process.
• Develop learners’ understanding of the compositional process, and the role of composer, and composition in production, with a focus on electronic music.
• Develop learners’ soft and transferrable skills, preparing learners to work effectively and collaboratively with others.
• Develop learners’ understanding and application of business concepts, project management and marketing in music production.
• Facilitate the development of applied skills by the learner that are directly complimentary and relevant to both the workplace and in a production setting.
• Provide learners with a comprehensive platform for career development, innovation and further study.

Course Content

Year 1

• Studio techniques
• Critical Listening and DAW Skills
• Electronic Music Production and Composition

Year 2

• Studio Production and Client Project Management
• Acoustics and Psychoacoustics for Production
• Practical Electronics
• Marketing essentials and Business planning

Structure

This is a two-year part-time programme. Students can exit the course after 1 year of study with a statement of credits achieved.

Career Opportunities

Sound Engineering and Music Production graduates will be able to pursue a career as a sound engineer, editor or music producer in the audio industry.

Graduates can apply for progression onto advanced years of a degree programme; a number of STC graduates have successfully progressed to further academic qualifications in this manner.

Fees

The fees for the Certificate in Sound Engineering and Music Production are €3,000 per annum for EU students.

For a full list of part-time undergraduate (arts) degree fees click here.

Next Steps

Apply directly to DBS. You will then be contacted to arrange an interview. Prospective students will be guided through a brief, straightforward portfolio process (designed to demonstrate your current interest in the area). For more details on the interview and portfolio requirements contact [email protected].