Diploma in Music Production & Engineering Central Area, Central

Course details

This course consists of 12 modules with a total of 220 contact hours and 200 project/assignment hours.

Course Outline

Audio Editing

An introduction to the principles and fundamentals of sound. Through a series of lecture sessions and in-class demonstration, students will be taught topics such as frequency response, bit depth and sample rate, understanding different audio file formats and basic signal flow. This module will also focus on principles of signal processing: equalization, compression, reverb, delay and other effects.

• Assessment Breakdown:
• Written examination: 60%
• Project work: 30%
• Tutorial participation: 10%

Musicianship & Ear Training

A study of contemporary music theory to instill a foundation in recognising pitch, rhythm, notation, forming chords, and understanding Major and minor keys, all with the goal of achieving better musicality in students. Through audio ear training drills, students will also be trained to recognise and identify all the 10 octave bands in the frequency spectrum, which will subsequently develop critical listening skills for them to be successful in recording and mixing sessions.

• Assessment Breakdown:
• Musicianship written examination: 50%
• Audio Ear Training practical examination: 50%

Pro Tools 101

Pro Tools has become the industry standard for recording and digital audio production. It provides a powerful environment for audio recording, sequencing, editing and mixing. This module will cover a comprehensive range of basic and advanced tools which will cover recording to editing and finally mixing within Pro Tools. Through weekly assignments and 2 major projects, students will be trained to use Pro Tools effectively and efficiently, an essential skill in today’s music industry.

• Assessment Breakdown:
• Weekly assignments: 20%
• Editing project: 20%
• Music project: 30%
• Practical examination: 30%

MIDI Systems for Music Technology

This module explores the industry standard Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) specification and its application in music production. Through in-class demonstration and hands-on exercises done at inpidual computer-based workstations, students will learn how to set up and troubleshoot a MIDI workstation and use sequencing as well as loops to create a music arrangement.

• Assessment Breakdown:
• Project work: 60%
• Weekly assignments: 40%

Recording Techniques

This module focuses on multitrack recording in the studio. Students will be taught in-depth recording principles including an understanding of the console and studio signal flow, different types of microphones and their polar patterns, miking techniques and placement, good recording practices, and finally the ability to make technical decisions in various recording situations. Through various in-class recording sessions as well as out-of-class recording projects, students will be tasked to set up and engineer recording sessions efficiently, both with and without instructor guidance respectively.

• Assessment Breakdown:
• Practical examination: 30%
• Project 1: 30%
• Project 2: 30%
• Tutorial participation: 10%

Advanced Pro Tools

A continuation of Pro Tools 101, with an emphasis on MIDI sequencing and synchronization with video. Through in-class demonstration and hands-on exercises in the studio, students will be taught advanced recording techniques, proper synchronization techniques and timing, sequencing in Pro Tools, a wider array of shortcuts and learn how to troubleshoot within Pro Tools.

• Assessment Breakdown:
• Project work: 50%
• Practical examination: 40%
• Tutorial participation: 10%

Studio Maintenance

This module aims to teach students basic studio maintenance by combining lectures with hands-on activities. Electronic basics such as voltage, alternating and direct current, resistance and impedance, capacitance and electromagnetism are introduced. Practical activities on how to care and repair important studio gear, soldering cables and maintaining microphones are also taught, allowing students to ensure that their equipment in the studio is in top notch condition to prevent unnecessary interruptions during recording sessions.

• Assessment Breakdown:
• Practical examination: 40%
• Written examination: 30%
• Tutorial participation: 30%

Principles of Acoustics

A study of the physics of sound and how it affects our listening environments, particularly in recording studios and performance venues. Students will be taught how sound propagates and interacts with different materials and densities, vibration isolation, room acoustics and the various considerations involved in designing a studio. The objective of this module is for students to learn how to design and build their very own home studio.

• Assessment Breakdown:
• Project work: 50%
• Written examination: 40%
• Tutorial Participation: 10%

Music Production Techniques

Understanding the important role and responsibilities of a Music Producer. This module deals with the creative and technical aspects of music production, equipping students with the skills to get the most out of musicians, artistes and recording sessions. Through in-class recording sessions and a final group project, students will be taught how to manage all the fundamental steps of any music production project from rehearsal to recording and finally to mixdown.

• Assessment Breakdown:
• Project content: 70%
• Project presentation: 20%
• Tutorial participation: 10%

Mixing Techniques

This module covers essential techniques and concepts during mixdown in a digital audio workstation environment. Students will be taught both the technical concepts and the practical usages of digital signal processing (plug-ins) such as EQ, compression, gating, reverb and delay. Through mixing assignments and a final project, students will learn how to build up a solid mix for different musical styles.

• Assessment Breakdown:
• Weekly assignments: 30%
• Project 1 work: 30%
• Project 2 work: 30%
• Tutorial participation: 10%

Live Sound Reinforcement

An introduction to the principles of live sound reinforcement. Students will be taught how to set up, manage, run and tear-down for a live concert situation. Topics include systems integration of live sound reinforcement, microphone choice and placement, understanding loudspeakers and finally live mixing considerations. In addition to the in-class lectures, students will also take part in excursions to tour live performance venues and run practical hands-on sessions with live musicians to apply what they have learnt.

• Assessment Breakdown:
• Practical examination: 40%
• Live session: 40%
• Essay: 20%

Directed Study in Audio Engineering

Students will be given inpidual instruction and guidance as they prepare and progress through their final portfolio of a 3-song production album.

Instructor to Student Ratio

The instructor to student ratio is 1 instructor to 10 students.

Entry Requirements

Candidates should possess a minimum of 3 ‘O’ levels or equivalent and must be at least 17 years of age. Other qualifications and relevant experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Candidates who have attained a NITEC or Higher NITEC certificate will have to complete and pass our Certificate course in ‘Songwriting and Production Analysis’ in order to be eligible for admission to the Diploma Courses.

Graduation Requirements

Students need to complete and pass every module in order to graduate.

Attendance Policy

Students are required to meet a minimum of 80% attendance for each module in order to complete the course.