Comprehensive Guide to Music Production Diplomas and Certificates
The music industry is a vibrant and ever-evolving field, and for those passionate about the technical and creative aspects of music creation, a diploma or certificate in music production can be a crucial stepping stone. These programs offer focused training in audio recording, sound design, and music production. This article explores the curriculum, benefits, and career opportunities associated with music production diplomas and certificates.
What is a Music Production Certificate?
The Certificate in Music Production is designed to provide students with focused training in music production and technology at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This certificate is ideal for students in music, theater, journalism, and related fields, as well as those from other disciplines who want to develop technical and creative audio production skills. The Music Production Certificate provides a strong foundation for students interested in audio recording, sound design, and music production, preparing them for careers in the creative and technical aspects of the music and media industries.
Key Features
The program emphasizes hands-on learning, offering students opportunities to work with industry-standard tools such as digital audio workstations, microphones, and mixing consoles. Core courses cover music technology, audio recording techniques, production and mixing, and live sound reinforcement, while elective options allow for exploration of electronic music, sound design, and arts entrepreneurship.
Career Paths
Graduates are well-prepared for entry-level roles in music production, live sound, broadcast, and media industries, as well as entrepreneurial opportunities in creative arts.
Requirements
A certificate consists of at least 12 credits; at least 12 credits must be taken in MU course work. Students must meet the minimum GPA requirements for a certificate, which in no case can be lower than 2.0. In addition, a student cannot receive a grade lower than a C- in any course applied towards a certificate in the College.
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Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship
This certificate provides an excellent foundation for those who want to become working artists, musicians, actors, designers, and those who want to work in arts management in businesses and non-profit organizations. It provides each student with the unique opportunity to explore their creative process and their ability to collaborate with others. The Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship is meant to extend the study of an individual arts discipline. Students across the disciplines of Music, Theatre, and Visual Studies (Art, Art History, Design, Digital Storytelling, and Film), benefit from the business, marketing, and organizational skills offered by certificate courses to develop the skills needed to build a thriving career in the many arts industries.
Who Should Consider This?
Aimed primarily at degree-seeking students in the School of Music, Department of Theatre, and School of Visual Studies, this certificate is also available to students in other departments as an add-on to a degree or as a stand-alone certificate.
Certificate in Jazz Studies
This program is designed for undergraduate music majors or graduate students who have already completed a degree in music. This certificate is designed to deepen the student’s preparation for a career in jazz performance or further study in jazz.
Graduate Certificate in Jazz Studies
The Graduate Certificate in Jazz Studies is a one-year program that provides opportunities for continued development of skills in jazz-specific areas, such as improvisation, pedagogy, and arranging. The certificate is available to degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students alike, non-music as well as music majors, and is designed as an intensive introduction to jazz performance. The program will deepen the student’s preparation for a career in jazz performance or prepare the student for further study in jazz.
Entrance Requirements
Entrance into the Graduate Certificate program requires a live audition, although video-recorded auditions will be acceptable in rare cases, by permission of the Director of Jazz Studies. Entrance into the program also requires completion of a Bachelor of Music degree (or demonstrated equivalent), with a GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours.
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Audition Preparation
Prepare one jazz standard and one blues in the key of your choice, improvising on each piece. Prepare one medium up-tempo jazz standard and one ballad, no more than one chorus of each.
Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering
The Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering is an intensive one-year program, taught across 48 weeks. The course is divided into three terms, each building on the knowledge and skills you learnt in the previous term.
Progressive Learning Method
Using our progressive continuous learning method, each module will cover historical and theoretical content alongside practical and technical skills, allowing you to develop a rounded knowledge and skill set within each area.
Breadth of Knowledge
The breadth of the course means that in addition to learning what equipment, techniques, and microphones to use, you also learn why you use them. This will help you develop your expertise and understanding of how to create different sounds and effects.
Subject Areas Covered
- Acoustics
- Computer
- Copyright and Legal issues
- Digital Audio Technology
- Electronics and Analog Equipment
- General Business (Publishing and marketing)
- Management Skills
- Mastering
- Microphones
- Mixing and Critical Listening
- Music Theory and Production
- Production
- Recording
- Sound Theory
- Studio Equipment and Signal Processing
- Studio Etiquette and Musicianship
Term-by-Term Breakdown
Term One
Term One covers the following subject areas:
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- Production and Music Theory:
- Introduction
- History of Production / Abbey Road
- Production Techniques - EQ / Dynamics
- Production Techniques - Effects
- Session Planning / Procedures
- Audio Engineering Principles:
- Sound Theory
- Decibels
- Metering
- Basic Electronics
- Audio Engineering Tools:
- The Music Production Studio
- EQ
- Dynamic Range Processing
- Effects Processing
- Cabling and Wiring
- Mixing Consoles
- Digital Audio Workstations:
- Pro Tools
- Logic Pro
Detailed Term One Syllabus
- PMT 001 - History of Production (36 Clock Hours)
- AEP 002 - Sound Theory (44 Clock Hours)
- FOL 003 - Ear Training (42 Clock Hours)
- AET 004 - Production Tools (48 Clock Hours)
- AET 005 - Consoles (8 Clock Hours)
- AED 006 - Pro Tools (28 Clock Hours)
- AED 007 - Logic Pro (28 Clock Hours)
- PMT 008 - Production Techniques (24 Clock Hours)
- AEP 009 - Electronics (16 Clock Hours)
- FOL 019 - Songwriting and Production (28 Clock Hours)
- MBM 027 - Music Business (4 Clock Hours)
- FOL 028 - Studio Production, Recording and Mixing (84 Clock Hours)
Assessment for Term One
- Progressive in-class Pro Tools practical assignment (20% weighting)
- Progressive in-class Logic Pro practical assignment (20% weighting)
- Practical Pro Tools Production Practical Exam (20% weighting)
- Practical Logic Production Practical Exam (20% weighting)
- Theoretical Multiple-Choice Exam (20% weighting)
Specializations in Sound and Music Technology
Sound Production Technology A.S.
The Audio and Music Business Management specialization prepares students for careers in the Music Business, such as Managers for artist, venues, music facilities, music stores, recording studios, small labels, and other Music-related businesses. The Sound & Music Entrepreneurship specialization required courses can be taken mostly online. This specialization prepares students for careers as entrepreneurs, by focusing on the design, setup, and operation of small project and/or home studios configured for the student’s career goals in sound, be it Music, Podcasting, Audio Book Production, and other small-studio ventures.
College Credit Opportunities
Graduates of specific programs at Orange Technical College and Osceola Technical College, as well as other institutions may be eligible to receive college credit for courses in this program. You may also be eligible to receive credit toward this degree if you have earned one of the approved Gold Standard industry certifications or Career Pathways credit.
College Credit Certificate Programs
The Sound and Music A.S. degree also offers the following college credit certificate programs. These certificates can put you on the fast-track to reaching your career goals. They are designed to equip you with a specialized skill set for entry-level employment or to upgrade your skills for job advancement. Most can be completed in one year or less, and all of the courses in the certificates are embedded in the A.S. degree. You can earn the certificates as you progress through your A.S. Degree or as a separate, stand-alone credential.
Foundation Courses
Degree-seeking students enrolling at Valencia for the first time will have a limited range of courses from which to choose for their first 18 college-level credits. Within the first 18 college credit hours, you will be required to take ENC1101 (3 credits), and if applicable, SLS 1122 (3 credits) and a mathematics course appropriate to your selected meta-major (3 credits). The remaining courses will be chosen from the General Education Core Courses in humanities (3 credits), science (3 credits), or social science (3 credits), and/or the introductory courses within the A.S. degree programs.
Audio Engineering Technology Specialization
(Articulated to Valencia's Bachelors Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology)
Program Outcomes
- Configure and use computers for professional audio applications in accordance with professional audio industry standards and practices.
- Configure and use professional audio equipment for sound reinforcement, recording and reproduction in accordance with industry standards and practices.
- Apply principles of music theory in professional music and sound applications.
- Apply the MIDI protocol for professional music production and equipment synchronization applications in accordance with Sound Industry standards and practices.
Advanced Courses
- MUM 2666CSOUND RECORDING II
- MUM 2602LSOUND RECORDING LAB II
- PHY 2053CGENERAL PHYSICS I
- MUM 2678CMIXING TECHNIQUES
- MUM 2640CSOUNDTRACK RERECORDING MIXING - CAPSTONE
- CET 2123CFUNDAMENTALS OF MICROPROCESSORS
- EET 2141CSEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AND CIRCUITS
- Audio and Electronics Engineering Elective or Sound & Music Technology Elective(s)
Electives
- EGN 2045ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY CALCULUS I
- ETS 2542CPROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLERS or ETS 2210C PRINCIPLES OF PHOTONICS
- EET 2325CRF COMMUNICATION
Audio and Music Business Specialization
Program Outcomes
- Configure and use computers for professional audio applications in accordance with professional audio industry standards and practices.
- Apply principles of music theory in professional music and sound applications.
- Apply the MIDI protocol for professional music production and equipment synchronization applications in accordance with Sound Industry standards and practices.
- Apply principles and standards of Business Management in an Audio and/or Music business setting including legal and marketing strategies.
- Produce Audio Masters.
- Produce Soundtracks.
Foundation Courses
- MUM 1002CFUNDAMENTALS OF SOUND
- MUT 1011CINTRODUCTION TO MUSIC THEORY
- ENC 1101FRESHMAN COMPOSITION I
- MUM 1620CPSYCHOACOUSTICS AND CRITICAL LISTENING SKILLS
- GEB 1011INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS
- GEB 2112ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- APA 1111CCOLLEGE ACCOUNTING
- MUM 1648CFOLEY AND SOUND DESIGN
Advanced Courses
- MUM 2666CSOUND RECORDING II
- MUM 2602LSOUND RECORDING LAB II
- SBM 1000SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
- MAR 2011PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING
- MUM 2721BUSINESS OF MUSIC II: ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FREELANCING
- MUM 2640CSOUNDTRACK RERECORDING MIXING - CAPSTONE
- MUM 2790LMUSIC PRODUCTION - CAPSTONE
- MUM 2678CMIXING TECHNIQUES
Music Production Specialization
Program Outcomes
- Configure and use computers for professional audio applications in accordance with professional audio industry standards and practices.
- Configure and use professional audio equipment for sound reinforcement, recording and reproduction in accordance with industry standards and practices.
- Apply principles of music theory in professional music and sound applications.
- Apply the MIDI protocol for professional music production and equipment synchronization applications in accordance with Sound Industry standards and practices.
Advanced Courses
- MUM 2666CSOUND RECORDING II
- MUM 2602LSOUND RECORDING LAB II
- MUM 2624CMIDI AND ELECTRONIC MUSIC II
- MUM 2678CMIXING TECHNIQUES
- MUM 2790LMUSIC PRODUCTION - CAPSTONE (Take twice)
- MUT 2117MUSIC THEORY IV
- MUT 2247CSIGHT SINGING AND EAR TRAINING IV
Sound Production Specialization
Program Outcomes
- Configure and use computers for professional audio applications in accordance with professional audio industry standards and practices.
- Configure and use professional audio equipment for sound reinforcement, recording and reproduction in accordance with industry standards and practices.
- Apply principles of music theory in professional music and sound applications.
- Apply the MIDI protocol for professional music production and equipment synchronization applications in accordance with Sound Industry standards and practices.
- Apply principles of acoustics and electricity in professional audio applications.
- Produce audio masters.
- Produce soundtracks.
- Produce Sound deliverables according to AES, ITU, EBU and AMPTE standards.
Foundation Courses
- MUM 1002CFUNDAMENTALS OF SOUND
- MUT 1011CINTRODUCTION TO MUSIC THEORY
- ENC 1101FRESHMAN COMPOSITION I
- MUM 1620CPSYCHOACOUSTICS AND CRITICAL LISTENING SKILLS
- MUM 1648CFOLEY AND SOUND DESIGN
- MUM 1646CDIALOGUE EDITING AND VOICE PROCESSING
- DIG 2282CVISUAL MEDIA ESSENTIALS
- MUM 1662CLIVE SOUND TECHNIQUES
- MUM 2632CAUDIO SYSTEMS DESIGN
Advanced Courses
- MUM 2666CSOUND RECORDING II
- MUM 2602LSOUND RECORDING LAB II
- MUM 2637CINTRODUCTION TO VIDEOGAME AND VR SOUND
- MUM 2678CMIXING TECHNIQUES
- MUM 2645CMASTERING TECHNIQUES
- MUM 2640CSOUNDTRACK RERECORDING MIXING - CAPSTONE
- MUM 2790LMUSIC PRODUCTION - CAPSTONE
Electives
- DIG 2282CVISUAL MEDIA ESSENTIALS
- FIL 1420INTRODUCTION TO THE FILM PROCESS
- MUM 2942INTERNSHIP IN SOUND AND MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
- MUO 2001OPERA AND MUSIC THEATRE WORKSHOP
- TPA 1380SURVEY OF ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY
- TPA 2252CINTRODUCTION TO AUDIO VISUAL TECHNOLOGY
- Any course(s), excluding MUM 2630C and MUM 2670C, with a MUM, MUN or MV_ prefix not already used to satisfy program requirements in any of the specializations, and for which student satisfies prerequisites and/or corequisites.
Technical Certificates
Digital Music Production Technical Certificate
This program prepares students for employment in music production occupations or provides supplemental professional training for persons previously or currently employed in this field. The content includes, but is not limited to, instruction that prepares individuals for positions such as music directors, singers, composers, and MIDI music sequencers.
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate set-up and configuration of a computer for audio applications.
- Demonstrate employability skills.
Coursework
- TPA 1380SURVEY OF ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY or SLS 1122 NEW STUDENT EXPERIENCE
- MUT 1011C Introduction to Music Theory or MUT 1111 Music Theory I And MUT 1241C Sightsinging and Ear Training !4
- MUM 2623C MIDI ELECTRONIC MUSIC I
- MUM 1620PSYCHOACOUSTICS & CRITICAL LISTENING SKILLS
- Choose a one credit course from the approved electives in the A.S. Audio Technology
Sound Production - Audiovisual Production Technical Certificate
This program prepares students for careers in the field of professional audiovisual production by providing students with theoretical and classroom experience that closely parallels on-the-job activities. The program provides a technical understanding of acoustics, audio devices, optics and projectors, as well as hands-on experience in the design, setup, and operation of technical systems in the areas of live sound and audiovisual presentations.
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate setup and configuration of a computer for audio applications.
- Use principles of acoustics and electricity in professional audio applications.
- Demonstrate Employability skills
Coursework
- TPA 1380SURVEY OF ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY or SLS 1122 NEW STUDENT EXPERIENCE
- MUT 1011CINTRODUCTION TO MUSIC THEORY Or MUT 1111& MUT 1241CMUSIC THEORY Iand SIGHT SINGING AND EAR TRAINING I4
- MUM 2623C MIDI ELECTRONIC MUSIC I
- MUM 1620PSYCHOACOUSTICS & CRITICAL LISTENING SKILLS
- MUM 1002CFUNDAMENTALS OF SOUND
- Choose any one credit course from the approved electives for the A.S. in Sound and Music Technology
Core Skills Developed
Regardless of the specific program, students can expect to develop the following core skills:
- Technical Proficiency: Configuring and using computers for professional audio applications, sound reinforcement, recording, and reproduction.
- Theoretical Knowledge: Applying principles of music theory, acoustics, and electricity in professional audio applications.
- MIDI Expertise: Utilizing the MIDI protocol for music production and equipment synchronization.
- Business Acumen: Understanding business management principles, legal strategies, and marketing in the music industry.
- Production Capabilities: Producing audio masters, soundtracks, and sound deliverables according to industry standards (AES, ITU, EBU, and AMPTE).
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