Music Production Schools and Degrees

Music production specialists work behind the scenes and behind the music, as recording engineers and live sound technicians, in studio production, sound mixing and other capacities. There are many facets to a career in music production and numerous paths to attaining success, from sound engineering to audio technology and beyond. This step-by-step guide examines different educational programs and offers useful advice from a professional in the field.

Music is everywhere — in films and television, on the radio and the Internet, and, of course, in clubs, theaters and concert halls. This isn’t even counting the “muzak” in elevators and dentists’ offices. Much of that music might never be heard if not for a special class of creatively minded, technically skilled professionals. Music production specialists in different disciplines capture, compose, amplify and ultimately shape the soundtrack of our world.

The term “music production” encompasses a remarkably wide range of activities: from installing and maintaining sophisticated audio components and systems to working behind digital mixing consoles in recording studios or concert venues. Specialties include touring with bands, symphony orchestras and theater productions, not to mention facilitating live and recorded audio portions of television, radio and Internet broadcasts. Job descriptions also include designing and overseeing sound systems for schools, hotels, office buildings, community facilities and an array of other settings.

A March 19, 2015 report in the Wall Street Journal detailed changes in the music industry. The oft-overlooked army of sound engineers, once called “roadies,” are now regarded as skilled “concert technicians.” This group of professionals also shows increasing diversity in the workforce makeup. The article notes the growing clout of technical positions such as DJs and sound mixers at shows, festivals and other live venues.

Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.

The rapid rate of technological advances has only heightened the need for professionals who are trained in the elements of audio science, up-to-date on the latest digital hardware and software developments, and capable of a finely tuned aesthetic sensibility. Targeted programs from music production schools offer ways to learn the tools of the trade and art of the craft. There are many to choose from, including programs for certificates, associate and bachelor’s degrees, or for those looking to move into the top echelons of the field, master’s degrees.

Options for music production studies include community colleges, technical and vocational schools, four-year universities, and more specialized art institutes and music schools. There are also an increasing number of online opportunities. The curriculum depends on the school and specialization, but generally focuses on three basic areas: the science and technology of audio recording, the aesthetic elements of sound engineering and the business side of the field.

Music students have a number of options to consider when choosing a program. Whether their interests lie in composing, conducting or performance, they must choose a school that not only offers training toward their preferred career paths, but that will help them develop within the genre they specialize in, be it classical, soundtrack or electronic music. Taking into consideration factors like the number of programs, cost, and student-teacher-ratio, we’ve identified the top online and on-campus music programs in the country to help students begin narrowing down their choices. The following schools rose to the top of the pack as the best in music production programs. Find the list and begin your search below.

Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.

The job market for broadcast and sound engineering technicians should grow by 9% in the 2012-2022 time frame.Growth comes from updates to audio and video infrastructure and capabilities for clients ranging from corporations to radio and TV stations.Academic institutions are upgrading equipment with features such as interactive whiteboards and video equipment for multimedia presentations.The Wall Street Journal describes strong job opportunities for music production techs in live music venues, more so than in the traditional recording industry.

When choosing a music production program, important considerations include institutional quality standards, fieldwork opportunities and access to the actual gear used in this industry.

The science of audio recording was developed in research universities, laboratories, and technology and communications companies. This knowledge was refined, often by trial and error, by the producers and engineers who put the new technologies to work. Real experience is still a major component in learning about music production. It’s true that digital software enables recording and mixing in a virtual space-but actual musicians and instruments, with the knobs and wires that go along with them, are very much a part of music production on a day-to-day basis.

So, what exactly is required to earn a degree or a certificate in music production? This can and does differ somewhat from program to program. But here’s a baseline of what to expect at the various levels of study in music production, from one-year certificates up through full bachelor’s degrees and the master’s degree programs that can follow.

A music production certificate is not subject to any academic standards and is essentially a proof-of-study stamp of approval from an institution. Certificates can be used as stepping stones in building a professional resume and as a means of staying current in the field through continuing education. Certificates come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. For example, a general certificate from a community college or vocational school will likely indicate that the holder has spent a certain number of hours in the classroom and in the studio learning the basics of music production.

Music schools and art institutes often offer an array of certificates in specialty areas, which might include a specific platform like Pro Tools or Logic Pro, or a particular professional capacity like live sound or film/video audio engineering. Specializations could range from recording orchestras to guitars to electronic music production. Examples of courses in certificate programs are shown below.

A typical associate degree in music production-usually Associate in Science- entails between 45 and 60 credit hours of coursework, which many students can complete in about two years. The associate degree is considered the baseline qualification for many jobs in music production, such as working in radio, television or in an institutional setting where a full-time audio specialist is needed.

Certain programs may have different choices for concentrations, but most associate degree programs are aimed at giving students a broad introduction to the various environments and capacities in which audio engineers and music production specialists work. While there can be elective courses open to students who have particular interests, the main goal is to impart the knowledge and skills necessary in any number of areas of music production.

While some colleges and universities do offer Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in this field, Bachelor of Science degrees are far more common. BS degrees are intended to take four years of full-time studies, with at least 120 credit hours of coursework. Music production is the major, or primary focus, in a course of study that also includes general education requirements in areas such as the humanities, behavioral sciences and physical sciences. A baccalaureate program also offers students the opportunity to select a minor, or create a secondary focus in a discipline that might be helpful in professional life. However, the core coursework is in the area of music production and engineering, as well as music history and other related disciplines.

Master of Science degrees related to music production usually take the form of upper-level music technology credentials, and there are also Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs available in sound design and engineering. These programs can require two years of additional study beyond the bachelor’s degree, a good deal of which is dedicated toward projects such as a master’s thesis. An MS or MFA degree in music technology and/or sound design may be a prerequisite for academic work in the field or advanced professional roles, although it’s not usually necessary to work in the realm of music production.

No doctoral degree programs are dedicated to music production per se, but PhDs are available in areas related to music technology. These programs are rare, and they tend to focus on the most advanced theories and practices of signal processing in digital media, film scoring and multimedia production as well as interactive audio system technologies.

Diverse career paths in music production can accommodate more than one personality type and skill set, but there are some basic strengths and foundational knowledge students should aim to cultivate.

Music production specialists may work on a team tasked with installing and running the sound equipment at a festival concert or handling the maintenance and day-to-day operations of a public address (PA) system in a sports arena. Or, the audio specialist may work largely alone, performing the involved technical task of mixing multi-tracked digital audio files for clients, some of whom might have volatile artistic temperaments. A solid training in fundamentals can serve in these jobs and others.

Specialization is often a part of moving forward in music production careers. That might mean working in a particular area of sound engineering, like multi-track mixing or live studio recording. Or, it can entail going into a particular sector of the field, like the concert business, sports broadcasting or video production. Here are some other areas of emphasis:

Working in the video game industry is probably a childhood dream for many people, and there are many different sound and music-related careers one can pursue. Audio workers, such as sound engineers, develop, record and process every sound within the game – music, dialogue and all the small unique sound effects that bring the game to life.

While much music is still created the old fashioned way — by real live people playing instruments and singing — digital technology has evolved to a point where entire tracks can be conceived, created, mixed and mastered in a virtual workspace. This technology, and its many applications, are gaining interest as an area of specialization.

The final step in music production is called mastering, and it has been seen as a mysterious hidden realm. It involves a comprehensive knowledge of sound mixing and editing processes, as well as a finely tuned ear, because it rests on creating a final cut of an audio track that is ready for duplication and mass distribution.

Jeff Wagoner graduated from Full Sail University with an Associate of Science degree in 2004 and now works as the full-time technical director of the Academy of Fine Arts in Lynchburg, VA. This regional performing arts and education center has a wide range of programming: from an opera company in residence, to a rock, pop and folk concert series, to community and family oriented events.

A certificate or degree from a music production school can open doors to many occupations in different settings, which makes it difficult to neatly encapsulate a typical trajectory.

If you prefer a mobile lifestyle on the road, traveling from venue to venue with a performer or a group, then live sound engineering is a viable choice. For the stability of a day job that incorporates the creativity of a music career, consider positions for studio engineers or sound system specialists at colleges, universities, large companies and institutions that rely on complex audio gear. Other options span the domains of broadcast media, multimedia online publishing, sports broadcasting, video game production and webcasting.

Finally, there’s the entrepreneurial route, which could mean designing and installing advanced components or recording audio for commercial purposes. Also possible are engineering sessions- for musicians, film or advertising projects-or even commercial voice-overs. Whatever the career decision, these fields are technologically driven and always changing, so music production schools offer a way to stay current with the latest developments.

Broadcast and Sound Engineers: operate, adjust, monitor, set up and take down audio equipment for broadcasts, live events, recording and more. Troubleshoot and resolve problems with complicated electronic equipment. Convert audio and visual files from one format to another.

Audio and Video Equipment Technicians: Work with computer sound or visual files, including compressing, digitizing, duplicating and storing. Perform repairs on equipment. Design layout of equipment, and move equipment around. Monitor feeds for sound and visual.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who’s looking into applying
to a music production school?

A: At a technical school, you want to look up what some of their alumni are doing. You want to figure out where they are and what they’re doing. A lot of schools will mention their high-profile graduates, but not everyone is going to go out there and win a Grammy or a Tony Award. And, you might not get a job in the biggest cities. Which is fine. If there are graduates who are working in the field, at venues or on tours, then that’s a good sign. So, you want to look past the huge success stories, and figure out what it’s really like to work in the field.

Q: How about advice for those who are seriously considering a career in
music production?

A: It’s the same advice I give to anyone going into anything. If you think you know what you want to do in the field, then that’s where you should focus. But, if you’re not sure, then you need to find a way to continue your education while you’re getting out there and doing it. So, if you’re interested in doing sound engineering, find a local band or a local artist and volunteer to do a couple of bar gigs for them. If you’re good with coiling cable at two in the morning with a bunch of drunk people around you, then get a degree in live sound engineering. Or, find someone who’s willing to give you an internship. Music production schools are expensive because the people they have there know what they’re doing, and the gear they have is top notch. So, you’re going to get the education. But, it’s really important before you take that step to make sure that it’s really something that you want to do.