Music Production Diploma

This is exciting and innovative course for people wishing to embark on a career in the music industry. It's an intense 6 month course which can be taken on an individual one to one basis or in small groups of 3 students. It is a practical course that follows the hands on approach enabling the student to get involved in production process from the outset which an essential ingredient of our all our courses.

You will learn about all aspects of music production and creation, mixing, recording and engineering. Past students who have successfully completed the course have gained employment in recording studios, production companies and live sound. You will also study the business side of music where you will learn about subjects such as record company formation, digital downloads and royalties, copyright and publishing which will aid you if you intend to release your songs. music-production diploma

You will be exposed to the "real world" experiences of a recording environment where you will record, produce and remix artists on course projects and assignments. You will have also have access to the recording facilities to work on your personal projects where you are able to bring in your own musicians, vocalists and dj's. We have excellent recording facilities which are totally free to use by students saving them £1000's in studio time, which is another good reason to study with us

The course requires no previous experience of the music industry, recording studios or music production software. Course tutors are extremely talented and experienced producers and engineers whose background include working with record labels and artists, recording studios as well as releasing their own singles and albums.

If you decide to enroll on a one to one course the structure and timetable is flexible where you are able to study during the daytime, evening and weekends. You can attend the course for two half days or one long day per week, it is also possible to accelerate and complete the course in just 6 weeks. Please contact the office and speak with an advisor for more details on how we can structure the course to suit your schedule.

Snapshot of what you will learn during the course

Sound principles/signal flow
- Learn about frequencies, how sound travels, cables, connectors and patchbays
Soundcards and MIDI
- how to optimize soundcards, integrate midi instruments and midi automation
Audio/sound editing
- learn to trim and edit loops, samples, vocals and how to create radio edits
Remixing techniques
– understand how to remix other artists material and how remixes and bootlegs are produced
Sequencing
– learn to effectively operate Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton and Reason music software packages
Sampling
– using Halion, EXS24, Guru and Kontact to compile sound libraries and creative use of filters and time stretching
Music structure
– learn to structure songs successfully by understanding tempo, beats, bars, verses and choruses
Song analysis
– learn bar by bar how songs are arranged and produced from the initial idea to the final recording
Music production
– tips and tricks on how to successfully write drum parts, basslines, melodies and hooks
Synthesis
– learn about filters, lfo’s and envelopes, learn to manipulate sounds by use of additive/subtractive synthesis
Mixing desks
– learn about digital and analogue mixing desks including routing, monitoring, groups and buses
Recording techniques
– mic up a drum kit, record guitars and vocals using digital and analogue mixers and soundcards
Musician psychology
– the best ways of obtaining a good performance or take from musicians and vocalists
Mixing
– using eq, compressors, gates, reverb, flange and delays to obtain professional sounding mixes
Mastering techniques
– learn to master and fine tune final mixes using both software packages and hardware
Music business
– learn about recording and publishing contracts, royalties, copyright and setting up a record label

This course is currently only available on a one to one basis.

How long does the course last? for one to one courses the timetable is determined by the student where he/she picks the days/weeks that suits their lifestyle. For example if you were to complete the course over the usual schedule it would take 24 weeks. but if you wanted to fast track the course it could be completed in as little as 6 weeks.

How many days? this is the students decision guided by our tutors (one to one course only). For example, most people attend the course for 2 days per week for 8 weeks but some people prefer to study for 1 long day per week for 8 weeks. Others prefer 2 long days for 4 weeks. Timetables are flexible and you are in control.

What time of the day do I attend the course? it your decision, we have morning, afternoon and evening slots in our timetable, we are open 10am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 12-5pm on weekends.

Can I change the content of the course? yes you can, the outline above is simply a guide. It's your course and you decide what subjects you want to learn with expert guidance from our experienced tutors.