A degree in sound design can be an entree into TV, film, video, theatre or the recording industry. Coursework in recording, studio maintenance, music production history, and the business of media may be required. The curriculum includes experience and instruction on state-of-the-art equipment, such as HD ProTools, MIDI, as well as sampling and synthesis equipment. Students may participate in sound design and engineering for fellow students' film, digital media and theatrical projects. Some institutions also insist that students learn basic analog technology. Hands-on experience in mixing, mastering, recording and DVD authoring is emphasized. Entrance requirements vary by school. Completion of general education coursework may also be required. Tuition for a degree in sound design can run from $20,000 to $30,000 or more, depending upon the institution. Financial aid is often available.
In 2006, Coventry University in Coventry, England, designed the first degree program in eMusic. The program involves not only the technical aspects of sound production, but also the e-commerce aspects of the music business. The curriculum includes hands-on experience and instruction in recording, mixing and mastering technologies. The degree also includes "the exploration of the theoretical principles behind typical recording technology as well as extensive practical work in various recording environments," according to the school website. Among the offered courses are Fundamentals of Sound, Composition Projects, Media Streaming and Networks, and Digital Audio. On the business side is instruction in e-commerce, and music industry business and legal practices. To be admitted, English students must have demonstrated an "A-level tariff of 280 points" and Grade-5 music equivalency. International students must consult the school relative to academic prerequisites. An in-person interview is also required. Annual tuition for English students in 2010 is around $4,700; international students must pay a sum closer to $13,000. Financial aid and scholarships may be available.
Coventry University
Priory Street
Coventry CV1 5FB
England
+44 (0)24 7688 7688
coventry.ac.uk
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) offers a master's degree in music technology. The program offers no instruction in sound design or recording techniques. Rather, it allows the graduate student to focus on "creative application of multimedia technology to video, audio and graphic production of arts and educational materials," according to the school's website. Core coursework related to multimedia design and production is combined with electives in such areas as music, education, computer science, business, communications, fine arts or liberal arts. Application to the program requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, evidence of "substantial music instruction," live or taped audition, recommendation letters, an interview and an application fee. Per-credit cost for the 30-credit-hour program in 2010 is about $272 for Indiana residents and about $820 for others. Financial aid may be available.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Music and Arts Technology
535 W. Michigan St., IT 352
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-274-4000
music.iupui.edu