COURSE OVERVIEW

This one-year CertHE course equips you with the foundation skills to begin working in a professional recording studio as a music producer or audio engineer.

Through the use of key theoretical concepts, cutting-edge specialist technology and studio equipment, this course will build up your confidence as well as your skillset. You’ll move a step closer towards your music production ambition of working with artists to produce outstanding recordings in professional studio environments.

Though the course is highly practical in nature, you’ll explore the theory of music production and audio engineering, drilling down into acoustics, psychoacoustics and musical language. These concepts underpin more operative aspects of the industry, including audio signal processing, mixing techniques, digital audio workstations, studio design, and microphone technology and application.

You’ll become familiar with ICMP’s industry-standard recording studios and Mac labs during your year of study. Using our top-of-the-range production equipment and kit, you’ll come to understand fundamentals such as spacial and multichannel mixing, ambisonics, binaural recording, Dolby Atmos and ADR and dialogue audio editing.

All teaching spaces and rehearsal rooms are equally equipped with exceptional gear, including the very best instruments, controllers, PAs, microphones, vocal processors, effects pedals, loop stations and more. You can book to use these without charge, seven days a week, outside of class hours.

Collaboration is integral to this course, and you’ll benefit from frequent opportunities to create with fellow students studying this programme, and across other disciplines too. In addition, ICMP’s renowned calendar of real-life events is available to you, including gigs, masterclasses, guest lectures, songwriting circles, careers days, industry conferences and more.

You’ll complete this course with a strong foundation in audio engineering and production, readying you to investigate employment options in professional recording studios. Completing the course will also give you the opportunity to continue your studies in the second year of the BA (Hons) Audio Engineering and Production programme.

FEES & FUNDING

Studying music at ICMP in London is great value, as well as great fun, with fees for our music courses the same as those at many traditional universities.

2021/22 Course Fees: UK & EU Students | EU/EEA/International Students

Please visit our Fees pages for information on access to Student Loans, students eligible for loans are able to borrow the full course fee for ICMP programmes.

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Successful completion of programme Cert HE Audio Engineering and Production at ICMP leads to the award of Certificate of Higher Education by the University of East London*.

*This course is subject to validation. For quality assurance and enhancement purposes, our courses go through a rigorous approval stage, known as validation. Validation is not guaranteed and should the course be significantly amended we will contact you and provide assistance to find a suitable alternative.

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UCAS CODES

  • Course Code: CHEP
  • Institution Code: i25

Key facts

  • One-year course with the opportunity to enter a BA programme in the second year.
  • Employment-focused to progress you towards a career as an audio engineer or music producer in the music industry.
  • Learn in a professional music production environment using world-class industry-standard equipment and facilities.
  • Teaches advanced technical skills so you’ll be confident operating in professional recording studios.
  • Opportunities to help at ICMP’s in-house studios across recording sessions.
  • Regular creative collaboration with fellow student musicians from ICMP’s impressive talent pool.
  • Acquire business, entrepreneurial and networking skills, learning how to promote and market your music.
  • London setting presents chances to embrace the music scene and show your music production talents at top global music events.
  • Contact with the London music business makes it easy to build a notable network of industry professionals.

COURSE DETAILS

COURSE MODULES

Across the Cert HE, you’ll explore the basics of music production and audio engineering – both from a practical and theoretical point of view. You’ll investigate concepts like critical listening and signal processing while exploring hands-on techniques used in the recording studio such as audio editing, sequencing and microphone technology. After your year with us, you’ll have a strong idea of the music production and audio engineering career options you’re keen to pursue, and a knowledge of the music industry to help you achieve your employment ambitions.

THEORY OF SOUND AND AUDIO SIGNAL PROCESSING

Introducing you to the central principles of audio theory and its behaviour across this module you’ll begin to understand audio signals and how humans comprehend sound. You’ll learn to manipulate and process audio using a number of different effects and audio signal processors. By the end, you’ll be able to operate key recording studio equipment confidently in a professional audio environment.

  • Using the recording console
  • Amplitude
  • Sample rates
  • Evolution of recording equipment
  • Bit depth
  • Frequency
  • Decibels
  • Signal chain
  • AD/DA conversion

MICROPHONE TECHNOLOGY AND RECORDING TECHNIQUES

This module introduces you to the physics behind microphone technology, and the skills you’ll need to use professional equipment in a recording studio environment. Operating industry-standard software and hardware, you’ll record a selection of sound sources and gain practical knowledge of how assorted microphone types behave. You’ll explore dynamic, ribbon and condenser microphones, and the advantages and disadvantages of each variety. You’ll also cover single and multitrack recording, audio capture and critical listening skills. By the end of the module, you’ll have a strong understanding of how the decisions you make can affect the aesthetic of your recordings.

  • Polar patterns
  • Phasing
  • Basic piano recording techniques
  • Basic bass and guitar recording techniques
  • Basic vocal recording techniques
  • Basic drum recording techniques
  • Organising a session
  • Being a recording assistant
  • Microphone types
  • Frequency responses
  • Signal flow
  • Headphone mixes for musicians
  • Fault finding

MIXING TECHNIQUES

This module will teach you the skills you need to be a proficient mixing engineer and a range of creative mixing techniques to help you create your sonic signature. You’ll confidently use professional industry-standard software and hardware, such as a variety of plug-ins which can help you structure your sound and mixes in an expert way.

  • Stereo placement
  • Low end mixing
  • Mid-range placement
  • Mixing highs
  • Compression overview
  • Understanding EQ
  • Side chaining
  • Spatial FX
  • Submixing
  • Using send/returns
  • Automation
  • Summing
  • Integrating digital sounds with live instrumentation

MUSICAL LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND PRACTICE

This module gives you the skills and tools you need as a well-rounded music producer to communicate with musicians in a recording studio. By analysing key modern music genres, you’ll study topics including harmony, melody and arranging. You’ll also progress your critical listening skills, compositional ability and research capabilities. By the end, you’ll have developed the base skills you need to become a well-rounded music producer and sound engineer.

  • Basics of music theory
  • Toplining
  • Collaboration
  • Production tasks
  • Songwriting tasks
  • Producer etiquette
  • Performer direction
  • Creating instrumentals

DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATIONS (DAW)

During this module, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the technologies and equipment used in computer-based music production. Covering topics including audio effects, EQ, compression, sampling, sequencing, side-chaining, audio editing, synthesis and other digital audio techniques, you’ll develop a solid knowledge of the industry-standard software used in professional recording studios. You’ll also learn to use digital notation software across your creative projects.

  • Recording processes
  • Pro Tools overview
  • Logic Pro overview
  • Audio editing
  • Midi and stock instruments
  • Track states
  • Mixing techniques
  • Using EQ
  • Automation
  • Submixing
  • Send and return FX
  • Signal chain
  • Using compression

MUSIC BUSINESS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Highly relevant to your future music career, this insightful module will help you gain a useful understanding of the music industry as you begin to plan your preferred path into it. From revenue streams, copyright and music industry roles, to royalties, distribution and entrepreneurial opportunities, you’ll explore a host of music industry concepts that will stand you in good stead. You’ll also develop your research capabilities while you add many new crucial industry skills to your repertoire – ready to launch a successful music business portfolio career.

  • How to make money from your music now
  • Understanding PPL
  • Understanding PRS
  • Monetising your music
  • Syncs
  • Online profile and portfolio
  • Streaming vs sales
  • Record deals vs publishing deals
  • Labels
  • Music publishing
  • Writing credits
  • Networking guides
  • Rates of pay
  • Management
  • Music lawyers
  • Producer points
  • Music distribution

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants will typically have A Levels, BTEC Diploma or Extended Diploma, or International Baccalaureate equivalent to 48 UCAS points, or an ICMP Higher Diploma.

In addition, you should hold a GCSE Grade C or 4 or above in English, or suitable equivalent, such as Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Adult Literacy/Numeracy.

International students will typically hold a relevant equivalent qualification – please check your qualification with our Admissions Team. In addition, you should hold a relevant English language qualification equivalent to CEFR Level B2.

We also welcome applications from mature applicants who may have no formal qualifications but can demonstrate their suitability for study through appropriate skills and experience.

All applicants will be invited to audition.

UCAS code CHEPUni code i25

HOW TO APPLY

 Please apply via the "APPLY NOW" link below.

At any time during the application process if you need help or further advice just contact our Admissions team who will be happy to assist you. 



By phone:
020 7328 0222

By email:
enquiries@icmp.ac.uk

or

Apply now