Foundation Diploma in Music and Audio Production
A 1-year part-time diploma
This BIMM Music Institute Dublin Diploma will serve as a fundamental introduction to Music and Audio Production, providing students with the core knowledge, technical and creative skills required for a range of creative industries.
Having completed the course, students will be equipped for entry-level employment in areas as diverse as music production, audio engineering, audio for games, broadcast, post-production, corporate audio, pro-audio sales and audio system installation.
The programme will be delivered in the context of the vibrant and diverse BIMM Music Institute Dublin student community. This provides unique opportunities for collaborative student learning. You will also have direct connectivity to the Industry to enhance future career prospects.
The facilities at BIMM Music Institute Dublin have been specifically designed to accommodate a course of this nature, with some of the key features being a state-of-the-art in-house recording studio and Mac labs that will both feature heavily in your learning experience.
As an integral part of the BIMM Music Institute Dublin community, Music and Audio Production students will be given the opportunity to assist in the regular recording output of BIMM Music Institute Dublin performance students. You’ll also gain ‘real world’ practical experience as stage technicians at auditions and performances in the purpose-built Live rooms.
An extensive range of pastoral and career tutorials, Masterclasses and industry workshops will also be available. These ensure that students are fully supported in taking the first steps in their Music and Audio career.
The course is fully validated by BIMM University and successful completion will gain you 60 CATS credits at Level 4 in the National Framework of Qualifications for England & Northern Ireland. This is the equivalent to 30 ECTS credits at Level 6 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
It’s a great gateway to taking your first steps in a music industry career.
Course specification
Mode of attendance: Part-time
Length of course: 1 year
Awarding institution: BIMM University
Campus delivery: Dublin
Language of study: English
Final award and exit awards: 60 CATS Credits (Equivalent to 30 ECTS Credits)
Admissions Criteria: Successful completion of one module at Level 5. This is equivalent to one O6 (formerly one Ordinary Level D3) in any subject at Leaving Cert.
Minimum requirements
The minimum entry requirement is the successful completion of one module at Level 5. This is equivalent to one O6 (formerly one Ordinary Level D3) in any subject at Leaving Cert.
Applicants must be 17 on 1st January in the year of entry. All applicants are made directly to BIMM Music Institute Dublin. All applicants must also attend an interview to determine their eligibility for the course.
Mature students are welcomed and must be 23 on 1st January in the year of application in order to be classified as such.
Overseas students where English is not their native language must meet a minimum English language requirement of IELTS 6.0. We require a minimum of 5.5 to be achieved in each band.
Progression
Graduates can progress directly to a career in the music industry as a Music Producer or Audio Engineer.
Course fees
Because we’re Europe’s largest and most prestigious music institute, we’re uniquely positioned to offer outstanding value and quality to all our students.
Module names and structure may be subject to change.
Semester One:
The skills needed to capture a great recording are essential to any music producer or creative musician. This module will explore the fundamental principles of multi-track recording techniques covering aspects such as audio quality and microphone technique. Understanding the technical constraints imposed by a recording system can allow students to achieve the maximum results from the system.
Semester One:
This module aims to provide the student with a solid grasp of the fundamentals of Music and Audio Production. Students will explore core techniques and standards within the music and creative industries and develop their ability to communicate creative and artistic ideas as well as technical specification.
Students will develop critical listening skills that are essential to all areas of Music and Audio Production. Relevant current technologies will be used as a teaching tool, with each student having access to a workstation equipped with the latest industry-standard hardware and software.
Semester Two:
This module will explore the wide range of career paths available to the audio professional, along with the core technical skills required to succeed in the audio industry. Covering subject areas such as Music Production, Audio for Games, Foley, Location Recording, Sound Design, Broadcast and Audio Post-Production for Film and TV, a broad awareness of the realities of interpersonal working skills needed across the industry will be achieved.
Armed with this knowledge, students will then choose a field of interest to focus on for the remainder of the module. By developing and assembling a project related to their chosen field, students will be in a good position to decide on an appropriate direction for further study or an entry route into the workplace.
Over the course of this module, students will develop approaches that reflect common workflows in the music production industry; including strategies for project conception and management, the use of digital and analogue audio-based processes, critical listening skills and techniques used to enhance creativity in an audio project.
Semester Two:
This module will require you to explore the art and techniques of mixing multiple sources of audio, acoustic recorded or electronically generated/synthesised, into one cohesive sounding ‘mix’. The skills developed in this module will allow you to mix multi-track recorded compositions, multi-mic’d live performances and soundtracks for visual media.
You will identify areas of the original audio that require improvement, such as sonic quality, arrangement or performance. You will consider the tools and techniques related to level balance, spatial image and frequency balance, and the application of creativity within the norms of your chosen field of work.
Any questions?
For any questions regarding our courses or if you’d like more information on how to apply to BIMM Music Institute, please contact our Admissions Team on +353 1 5133 666 or email [email protected].
