BA in Music and Audio Production

CAO Code: DK768

A new programme for 2011, the BA in Music and Audio Production aims to provide the highest standard of education in music production, audio engineering and recording technologies. As a student on this programme you can expect to develop your critical and artistic judgement and strengthen your understanding and awareness of a wide range of aspects of music production. This programme will be delivered through a suite of carefully developed modules covering production, technology, theory, craft, musicianship and personal development.

Duration: 3 years full time (level 7)

Contact: Patrick McCaul: patrick.mccaul@dkit.ie

 

Course Outline

Bachelor of Arts (L7) in Music and Audio Production.

Course Code: DK768

Level: 7

Duration: 3 years full time

Number of Places: 20

Programme Summary

The course is designed to continuingly strengthen the student’s understanding and awareness of a wide range of aspects of Music Production. This is achieved through the delivery of a suite of carefully developed modules covering Production, Technology, Theory, Craft, Musicianship and Personal Development.

About this programme

All Music Production modules throughout the course are flanked by supporting modules in for example, recording techniques and technologies, general music appreciation etc. There are also ample opportunities to gain valuable practical experience working with musicians in recording studio environments. This is paramount to learning, and developing, the necessary skill-sets required of the modern music producer.

Through the delivery of a series of modules on musicianship, musical understanding is augmented and deepened with each successive semester allowing the student to more effectively interact and communicate ideas with performing artists and musicians.

Other important areas covered broaden the student’s general educational experience. These include Internet and multimedia skills, an insight into self-employment and small business practices and the significance of music from a cultural perspective.

The student will develop faculties of critical, technical and artistic judgment, both in applying his/her own skills and knowledge, and in judging the physical and intellectual products of others.

Because of the practical nature of this course less emphasis will be placed on written examinations. The course features a significant workshop and teamwork element that is assignment-based and continuously assessed.

What subjects will I study?

Stage 1 Semester 1

Music Production Content Analysis

The Record/Playback Chain

Introduction to Acoustics

Musicianship 1 for producers

Learning to Learn

Maths

Stage 1 Semester 2

Demo to Production Directive

DAW for Music Production

An Introduction to Audio Signal Processing

Musicianship 2 for the Music Producer

Multimedia Project Management

Introduction to Information

Stage 2 Semester 3

The Studio Environment

Recording Electric and Acoustic Instruments

Music Production Project 1

Applied Acoustics

Studio electronic principles

Communications and popular music

Stage 2 Semester 4

Recording Drums

Vocal Production

MIDI

Music Production Project 2

The Elements of Popular Music

The Music Industry for Producers

Stage 3 Semester 5

Production Development

Audio Signal Processing Applications

Music Production Project 3

Electronic Music Production

Legal and Ethical issues

Stage 3 Semester 6

Mix production

Sound Design for Music Production

Music Production for Project 4

Culture, Society and Popular Music

Production Genres

Entry Requirements

Six passes in the Leaving Certificate, including Mathematics and either English or Irish, and either one Grade C3 in a Higher Level paper, or an overall points total of 200.

Entry Requirements (NI/UK)

Two A levels and 4 GCSEs including English (or Irish) and Mathematics, and either 200 points overall, or a Grade C in one A level. Entry is determined by demand, using the points system based on A level and GCSE results.

Dundalk Institute of Technology actively encourages applications on mature grounds. Applications by mature candidates must be made to the CAO by the 1st February deadline and will subsequently be called for interview at which relevant work experience, prior study/qualifications etc. will be assessed

Career Options

The Music and Audio Production programme develops individuals who are creative, considered, independent and disciplined. As such they are capable of entering a wide range of graduate careers. Graduates will be comprehensively equipped to progress directly into jobs in the industry such as record producers, recording studio engineers, sound designers, radio broadcast assistants and studio managers.

With additional appropriate experience, career opportunities exist in other related areas. Positions include radio producers, promotional and advertising managers, education, publishing, retail, music related journalism.

Further Information

Patrick.mccaul@dkit.ie