Higher Certificate in Sound Engineering and Music Production - Full-time

  • Overview
  • Course Content
  • Structure
  • Career Opportunities
  • Fees
  • Next Steps

Overview

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Sound Engineering

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.

Our Sound Engineering and Music Production course is focused on providing students with the essential knowledge, industry experience, contacts and opportunities required to succeed in the music industry. This includes Sound Training Productions, a recording and production company led by graduates and students, which offers unrivalled, unique opportunities and links with key contacts in the music industry. This programme is delivered in collaboration with our partners Sound Training College.

Key themes include:

  • Studio and Recording Techniques

  • Music Technology and Digital audio workstations

  • Electronic Music Production

  • Client based Music Production

  • Acoustics and Psychoacoustics

  • Pre-production, Artist Development and all aspects of Client Work

  • Composition

  • Music Business

  • Project management

  • Practical Electronics

Content is complemented by a vast array of seminars from Industry Professionals, all contributing to the creative and technical development of the student.

Students can look forward to abundant 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. See our facilities for hardware and studio equipment.

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Develop learners' understanding of the compositional process, and the role of composer, and composition in production, with a focus on electronic music.

  5. Develop learners' soft and transferrable skills, preparing learners to work effectively and collaboratively with others.

  6. Develop learners’ understanding and application of business concepts, project management and marketing in music production.

  7. Facilitate the development of applied skills by the learner that are directly complimentary and relevant to both the workplace and in a production setting.

  8. Provide learners with a comprehensive platform for career development, innovation and further study.

Delivery

All learners are expected to attend in person in class.

Course Content

 

The Sound Engineering and Music Production course has the following content:


Year 1

 

  • Introduction to Critical Listening

  • Introduction to Preproduction and Studio Engineering

  • Introduction to Musical Instrument Set Up

  • Introduction to Sound and Audio Recording Software

  • Learning to Learn

  • Introduction to Electronic Music Composition

  • Introduction to Business for Music Professionals

     

Year 2


  • Critical Listening and Fundamental Mixing Skills

  • Studio Recording Principles and Techniques

  • Electronic Music Composition and Production

  • Fundamental Acoustics and Psychoacoustics for Production

  • Marketing Essentials and Business Planning

  • Introduction to Studio Production and Client Project Management

  • Practical Electronics


 


Assessment Methods

Course work is broken down into the following components for some of which are used in each module:

• Lectures

• Hands-on small group tutorials

• Group Discussion

• Practical analysis and evaluative exercises

• Case Study

• Practical skills sessions

Structure

This is a two year full-time programme.

Students can look forward to abundant 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. See our facilities for hardware and studio equipment. 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

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.

Our alumni continue to lead the field in the audio industry. You can hear some of their stories here : https://youtu.be/3e1HGx21nWg

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 Sound Engineering and Music Production* are €5,995 per annum for EU students.

Click here to view international fees.  

Click here to view EU fees.

You can also contact our admissions team who will also be able to advise on the payment options available to you.

Fees quoted cover the annual cost of tuition, registration and examinations and are EU fees only.Non-EU students please refer to the International section of the website.Please note also that tax relief is available on fees for Irish income tax payers at the standard rate of 20% on all fees exceeding €3,000 and up to €7,000.

All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration offered by Dublin Business School (DBS) are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) (b) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby in the event that DBS ceases to provide the programme, for any reason, after learners have started on that programme, Kaplan Inc., as guarantor, will refund the moneys most recently paid by or for the learner.   More details are included in the terms and conditions of learner admission to DBS https://www.dbs.ie/terms-and-conditions and on programme handbooks provided at induction.

Next Steps

Before making an application please ensure you are aware of all our entry requirements.

School Leaver Applicants

Application for first year full-time programmes in the college is through the CAO System. The CAO system applies only to applications for first year admissions to undergraduate full-time day programmes described in the prospectus, which have a CAO Course code www.cao.ie.  Application forms and the CAO Handbook are both supplied by the Central Applications Office (CAO), Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway or from your Career Guidance Counsellor.

Mature Applicants

If you are over 23 years of age on the 1st of January on the year of admission and do not meet the minimum entry requirements, you may apply as a Mature Student. Mature students should apply directly to the Admissions Office at Dublin Business School. Mature students are assessed on the basis of age, work experience, general education standard, motivation and commitment to the programme for which they are applying. Please forward documentation such as any relevant transcripts, a CV or any other related documentation to the Admissions Office. Proof of age such as a copy of driver’s licence or passport must also be submitted.

Transfer Students

Applicants with suitable experience may be eligible for direct entry into the second year of the Studio Engineering & Music Production programme. Contact us for more details. Transfer applications to the second year full-time programmes are to be made directly to the college. Students should send copies of their examination transcripts and other relevant documentation along with their application form (available from the School / College) to the Admissions Office at Dublin Business School. 

EU Citizens

A European (EU) Application is one made by a person:

 

(a) who is permanently a resident in one of the member states of the European Union and/or

(b) who will have received full-time second level education, for three of the five years immediately before the date of proposed admission, in member states.

Non-EU Applicants

Non - EU applicants should contact directly the International Admissions Office at Dublin Business School.

Application fee to CAO

Early applicants to CAO can benefit from a reduced fee of €30 for early online applications. There is a standard application fee of €45 made payable to CAO on submitting your CAO application form or online application to www.cao.ie before the normal closing date. Late applicants will be charged €90 for paper applications and €60 for online applications.

 

 

 

 

Categories:
  • International
  • Full-time Degrees/ Certificates
  • Full-Time
  • Arts
  • 6

Course overview

Awarding Body:
Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
QQI AWARD LOGO (1)
Award: Higher Certificate
NFQ Level: Level 6
Title of Award:
Higher Certificate in Sound Engineering and Music Production
Award Type: Major
Duration: 2 Years
CAO Code: DB534
Next Intake: September 2024

Contact Us

We are now accepting applications for programmes taking place in 2024. Contact our admissions team for more information

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01 417 7500
Opening times:
Monday to Friday
8:45am to 5:15pm