Digital Audio Workstations
The Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering is an intensive one-year programme that is taught across 48 weeks. The course is divided into three terms, each building on the knowledge and skills you learnt in the previous term.
Using our progressive continuous learning method, each module will cover historical and theoretical content alongside practical and technical skills, allowing you to develop a rounded knowledge and skill set within each area.
The breadth of the course means that in addition to learning what equipment, techniques, and microphones to use, you also learn why you use them. This will help you develop your expertise and understanding of how to create different sounds and effects.
Subject Areas
Within the diploma, we cover all of the following subject areas: Acoustics, Computer, Copyright and Legal issues, Digital Audio Technology, Electronics and Analog Equipment, General Business (Publishing and marketing), Management Skills, Mastering, Microphones, Mixing and Critical Listening, Music Theory and Production, Production, Recording, Sound Theory, Studio Equipment and Signal Processing, Studio Etiquette and Musicianship.
Below, you can browse through the three terms and see the breakdown of modules for each term.
Digital Audio Workstations
These are the learning outcomes for this subject area.
You will be able to:
• Understand the principles of digital audio workstation-based sound editing
• Understand the process of recording signals using digital audio workstations
• Understand the process of creating MIDI tracks using digital audio workstations
• Select the most efficient DAW editing mode for specific applications
• Remove extraneous, non-musical content from recordings
• Create composites from distinct audio materials
• Optimise an audio signal chain for recording
• Create a multi-track project and record content into it
• Use DAW-based virtual instruments
• Program basic MIDI tracks
• Level balance DAW tracks
• Pan signals to achieve spatial balance
• Set-up and use signal processing plugins
The curriculum is fantastic, extremely comprehensive, contemporary and relevant to today’s industry.
Andrea Mastroiacovo, Graduate
There is some real visionary foresight in Abbey Road Institute being established to preserve the cultural legacy of Abbey Road.
Youth (Paul McCartney, The Verve, Killing Joke)
The course taught me what it means to be a producer and engineer in the industry, I learned things I couldn’t have learned anywhere else.
Marta Di Nozzi, Graduate
It’s a unique experience in so many ways, the location, the calibre of guest lecturers and access to Abbey Road Studios for classes is pretty amazing. There aren't many places you get to record a full orchestra!
Jason O’Bryan, Lecturer
Come with an open mind and a voracious appetite to soak up the magic! Be prepared to work hard - you’ll get out what you put in.