MA
Postgraduate - Level 7

Music Production & Sound Engineering

Online
Subject to validation
A dBs Manchester student mixing using the SSL Matrix² δelta mixing desk
dBs tutor Kris Burton demonstrating some mixing techniques using the SSL Duality Delta
A drummer sits behind a drumkit in the dBs Manchester live room

Establish yourself as a music production and sound engineering specialist with this multi-dimensional, professionally-targeted, postgraduate course.

Key Information
  • Where can I study?
    Bristol / Manchester
  • Start Date
    September 2024
  • Study Modes
    Full-Time
  • Course Length
    1 Year (FT)
  • UK/Home Fees (Per Year)
    £8500 (FT)
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Key Information
Key Information
Music Production & Sound Engineering

Course Overview

This course caters for a wide audience, including recent graduates from music production and technology bachelor’s degrees, those in the early stages of their careers in music production and sound engineering (with suitable experience) and those who wish to develop and diversify their professional skill set from other areas of the sound and music industry.

You will gain a highly sophisticated understanding of the mixing and mastering process and build a framework for monetising your specialist skills. You will also become a master of key industry-relevant tools, ensuring that you are able to prepare material for a range of industry purposes and commercial enterprises.

This course is taught by the dBs Institute and awarded by Access Creative College

If you’re based in or hoping to study in London, this course is available to study with Access Creative London.

This course is taught by the dBs Institute and awarded by Falmouth University

Course Details

You will study a total of 5 modules, including a final major research project. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes.

Wide shot of Neve Genies mixing desk

Year Overview

Year 1

Module Breakdown

The course takes place over three trimesters, covering 45 or 90 weeks, depending on whether you choose to study one year full-time or two years part-time (online only). In that time, you’ll refine your craft as a music producer/sound engineer, become adept in the use of multiple industry-standard DAWs, generate a passive income through conceptualisation and development of a product, deepen your understanding of setting up your own business and deliver a final major project.

How You'll Learn

While furthering your understanding and application of key creative techniques in the recording, mixing and mastering of music, you will hone in on an area within music production that resonates with you; developing it into a full-scale project intended for commercial release. Alongside this, you’ll develop entrepreneurial skills that will help shape you professionally, enhance your practical skills through practice-based workshops, and learn to evaluate and improve your work through group and individual tutorials. Regular learning will come from lectures, seminars and our Virtual Learning Environment. In addition your learning will be supported by:

  • Lectures and practical workshops
  • Masterclasses and guest lectures
  • Group and 1-2-1 tutorials
  • Access to extensive studio facilities and bookable equipment
  • Use of library resources and study spaces
  • Access to our Virtual Learning Environment
  • Access to supporting online resources including videos, reading and interactive activities

Assessments are 100% coursework, submitted in an electronic format to our virtual learning environment, and designed to reflect professional practice.

On average you should allow for between 40 hours per week for your studies of which approximately 15% will be taught (c.6-8 hours) and 85% will be self-study.

Why Choose dBs

Here at dBs Institute, we pride ourselves on creating a learning environment that reflects the industry that you want to work in. Our state-of-the-art facilities ensure that you are working on professional-grade equipment; our course leaders have years of industry experience to draw from and we foster a community of students and staff that inspires and encourages collaboration. Throughout your studies and beyond, we will also provide you with career support and guidance to reach your future goals.

Facilities

Our 8.1 Spatial Audio Lab
Bristol
Our 8.1 Spatial Audio Lab
Inside our Dolby Atmos suite
Bristol
Inside our Dolby Atmos suite
Our Solid State Logic Duality Delta mixing desk
Bristol
Our Solid State Logic Duality Delta mixing desk
Mic'ing up drums in the Studio 6 live room
Bristol
Mic'ing up drums in the Studio 6 live room
Hands-on with our Trident 68 mixing desk
Manchester
Hands-on with our Trident 68 mixing desk
The live room for our Neve Genesys suite
Plymouth
The live room for our Neve Genesys suite
Our Neve Genesys mixing desk
Plymouth
Our Neve Genesys mixing desk
The live room for our Neve Genesys Black pro suite
Manchester
The live room for our Neve Genesys Black pro suite
Inside the Neve Genesys Black pro suite
Manchester
Inside the Neve Genesys Black pro suite
Students making music in the production suite
Bristol
Students making music in the production suite
Our SSL AWS924 Delta mixing console
Plymouth
Our SSL AWS924 Delta mixing console
Our API 1608 mixing console
Bristol
Our API 1608 mixing console
The live room for the Neve pro suite
Manchester
The live room for the Neve pro suite
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    Why Choose a Online
    Degree at dBs

    Our online master's degrees offers a high-quality, immersive, and community-driven learning experience, led by industry experts who are passionate about their craft. With 24/7 access to course materials and resources, you can learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. Plus, our hands-on projects will equip you with practical skills necessary for a successful career in the music industry.
    A female student works on her laptop

    Flexible study

    Enjoy the freedom to fit your learning around you. For online students, course content – other than one-to-one sessions – will be available to access whenever suits you. Video materials that have been created for online students will also be made available to students that select to study on-site.

    dBs Online tutor kris burton sits in front of our API desk at dBs

    Learn from the pros

    You will learn from tutors whose expertise extends across production, composition, sound design, sound engineering, label management, marketing and promotion.

    You’ll also have access to our extensive guest lecture programme, giving you the chance to meet leading industry professionals – ranging from respected producers and performers to specialist technical staff from world-class audio companies.

    Student working on a project at dBs Pro

    Industry Connections

    As a student of this course, you will be encouraged to apply for placements and opportunities with dBs Pro, our in-house creative audio company.
    This will allow you to further your experience and apply the skills you have been honing, as well as showcase your skills to clients and develop your creative own links in the industry.

    What our students say

    Who better to tell you about our course than students already doing the course? In this video, some of our latest cohort talk about their experience of the dBs online masters degrees.

    Tutors

    Chris Page

    Chris Page

    Online Module Leader
    Renowned for his work in DC Breaks, Chris has performed across the globe, produced music for video games, and is a wizard when it comes to sound design.
    Jacopo Chiari

    Jacopo Chiari

    BA (Hons) Music and Sound for Film & TV Module Leader
    With a keen interest in Hip Hop, Reggae and sound system culture, Jacopo loves to use forgotten techniques to inform his own work.
    Liam O'Mullane

    Liam O'Mullane

    BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production Module Leader
    Liam is one of our Ableton Live Certified Trainers, whose passion for all things music takes him down countless creative ‘rabbit-holes’.
    Martin Peacock

    Martin Peacock

    FdA Sound & Music Technology Course Leader
    Cutting his teeth for over 15 years as a reputable Dubstep artist, Martin loves spending time on sound design, synthesis and building his own instruments.
    Nick Lawson

    Nick Lawson

    Postgraduate Course Leader and Online Degree Coordinator
    Along with 15+ years teaching music tech, Nick has released music on multiple labels, performed internationally and owns some of techno’s rarest vinyl releases.
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      Opportunities

      Engaging with our industry

      In our 20+ year history, we’ve built a strong network of contacts across the creative industries, that include AMS Neve, Solid State Logic, Avid and many more.

      Career support

      We strive to equip our students with the skills and opportunities to secure roles across the creative industries, and this goal underpins the student experience at dBs Institute.

      dBs Pro

      dBs Pro is a creative audio company with a difference - it’s dedicated to providing our students with real-world experience alongside their studies.

      Your Future Prospects

      This postgraduate course pushes students into unexplored territory and as a result, can lead to a myriad of professional pathways. With such a strong industry focus, many students will pursue entrepreneurial careers, be that a record label, audio plugin developer or freelance producer. The potential is not limited to those fields though, and depending on the project, students may venture into music therapy, sound art or game audio.

      Here are just a few of the roles linked to this course:

      Carreers

      Endlessly creative and incredibly malleable, Composers for Screen provide visual media its emotional core.

      Carreers

      Foley Artists and dubbing mixers bring film and television to life through the recording, editing and mixing of real world sounds, dialogue and sound effects to create an immersive viewing experience.

      Carreers

      Meet the business-savvy, big picture thinkers who guide musical releases from early planning stages into the marketplace.

      Carreers

      Storytellers, thinkers and pioneers of social change, Sound Artists use non-conventional methods of composition to create thought-provoking art that often exists in the physical world alongside the sonic realm.

      Carreers

      Commanders of the control room, Studio Engineers help transform musical moments into timeless masterpieces by facilitating the production of music and sound.

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        How to Apply

        Applying for this course is easy! Simply click the "Apply" button below to submit your application directly through our website.
        A member of our Admissions Team will then be in touch to discuss your suitability for the course, your interests and to arrange an interview.

        Applications for undergraduate degrees are made through the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You can apply online through the UCAS website.

        Please note that the UCAS 'on-time' application deadline for equal consideration is 31st January 2024.

        UCAS Codes
        Campus
        Course Code
        Campus Code
        Institution Code
        Manchester
        Bristol

        If you would like to make an application for this course, fill in your details below and a member of our admissions team will be in touch to advise you through the application process.

        For detailed information on how to apply please take a look at our guide to making an application.

        Further Study

        Register your interest

        If you’d like to find out more about our postgraduate courses, please fill in the form below. Once submitted, a member of our admissions team will be in touch to discuss our postgraduate course offerings and the next steps of the application process.

        Please note, if you currently live outside of the UK and require a Tier 4 VISA to study in the United Kingdom, we are unable to accept your application for our on campus full-time or part-time postgraduate degree programmes. If this is the case, please apply for one of our online postgraduate courses instead.

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