Sound Engineering and Production – Level 5 QQI Award

Duration:
This is a Full time one year course, which runs from September to May. Exact details of the timetable will be given out to students during the induction process prior to class commencement in September.

Overview:

This course provides a combination of practical and theoretical tuition in all aspects of sound engineering and music production and is delivered by staff who are working producers, musicians and DJs.

There are 3 streams: this one is especially suited for students who want to focus on music production or sound engineering.

Gain all the knowledge and skills you need to progress in the industry. Learn to record musicians and performers in our industry-standard recording studio, and create mixes and edits in our all iMac digital sound production facility, fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. This course features a high level of training in a wide range of industry-standard music production software including Pro Tools, Ableton Live and Adobe Audition. You will also gain practical experience setting up and running sound for live performances, radio and podcast production and location recording.

Entry Requirements:

One of the following:

• Leaving Certificate (LC Established, LCVP, LCA) or equivalent
• A Full Level 4 QQI Award (or equivalent)
• For Mature applicants (aged 21 or over) – appropriate experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications. Note: Mature applicants may be entitled to VTOS funding. For details about VTOS, please contact the college.
• Applicants whose first language is not English require level B2 competency on the CEFR language framework. Applicants may be required to undergo English language testing to establish their language competency.

Course Modules:

• Sound Engineering and Production
• Music Technology
• Ethnomusicology
• Event Production
• Radio Programme Production
• Desktop Multimedia Audio Production
• Work Experience
• Communications

Certification:
Level 5 Award Sound Production 5M2149

Special Features:

As well as learning about in-studio recording, students will get the opportunity to gain invaluable experience organising gigs, setting up sound facilities for live performances and doing on location recording.

This course is supported by FIT, which offers students the opportunity to acquire essential skills to gain employment. Students are given training in job interview techniques and CV preparation.

Specialist resources include:

Industry-Standard Sound Production Studio with Audient ASP8024HE Heritage Edition console, full set of instruments and assorted hardware effects.

iMac Digital Sound Studio.  Our new iMac Lab replicates real-life industry experience

DJ Room equipped with the most up to date industry-standard Pioneer DJ equipment including CDJ 3000s and DJM A9, as well as XDJs, and vinyl turntables.

Digital Radio Studio with Adobe Audition

Internal live venue with stage and sound booth

Free Full Suit of Adobe Creative Cloud Software for all students on this course for one year to facilitate assessment work.

All DFEi students are provided with an M365 account, which gives them access to the tools and resources needed to deliver assessment work while attending their course. M365 Apps include Word, PowerPoint, Excel, outlook and OneDrive.

Work Experience:
Students will be required to undertake a period work placement in an organisation connected to their vocational area during the academic year. Work Experience is mandatory for all of our full-time Level 5 courses. Students are required to source their own work placement but will be assisted in this by the work experience teacher. The work placement is usually for a period of 10 days or a minimum of 60 hours. Students usually find the work experience element of the course to be invaluable and should bear in mind that a successful work placement can sometimes lead to further opportunities.

Additional Information:
Assessment:

Assessment techniques will be used to assess the knowledge and skills that students will have achieved on successful completion of modules:

• Student Record
• Portfolio/Collection of Work
• Assignments
• Examination – Written or Practical
• Project
• Skills Demonstration

A full major award is granted on passing the relevant eight components. On successful completion of each component, you will be awarded a pass, a merit or a distinction grade. See www.qqi.ie for more details

Progression Opportunities:
DFEi: Graduates may progress to the Level 6 QQI Advanced Certificate in Television and Digital Film or the Sound Engineering/Sound Production Level 6 at DFEi.

Elsewhere: Graduates are eligible to apply through the CAO and/or the Higher Education Links Scheme for entry to year one of a range of higher certificate and degree programmes, at Universities, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities using their full QQI Level 5 major award. Places are not guaranteed in these Institutes and are subject to students meeting certain criteria. It is the students’ responsibility to consult with the relevant HEI for information on the admissions process and any specific entry requirements. Students may also refer to the individual HEI prospectus or may also refer to the QQI FET section of the CAO website. www.cao.ie

Examples of CAO progression opportunities are listed below.

Progression Examples:

BA Arts (DN520)

BA Humanities (DN530)

University College Dublin – www.ucd.ie

BA Commercial Modern Music (BIMM assessment/audition) (TU961

Bachelor of Music (audition) (TU963)

BA Media Production and Digital Arts (TU982)

BA Creative Digital Media (TU981)

Technological University Dublin – www.tud.ie

Higher Certificate Music and Instrument Technology (AL605)

BEng Music and Sound Engineering (AL718)

Athlone Institute of Technology – www.ait.ie

BSc Music Technology (LC270)

Limerick Institute of Technology – www.lit.ie

BA Creative Music Production (DL838)  There is an option to do QQI Level 5 Mathematics module if a student does not have the LCE Mathematics requirement.

IADT, Dún Laoghaire – www.iadt.ie

BA Music (audition) (DK860)

BA Audio and Music Production (DK865)

Dundalk Institute of Technology – www.dkit.ie

BA in Music Technology (MH101). There is an option to do QQI Level 5 Mathematics module if a student does not have the LCE Mathematics requirement.

BA Arts (MH101)

BA Media Studies (MH109)

BA Psychology (MH106)

Maynooth University – www.nuimaynooth.ie

Career Paths:
Career prospects would include: Recording Engineer, Live Sound Engineer, Music Producer, DJ, Sound Designer, Artist Manager, A&R, Label Owner, Promotor, Music Publicist, Studio Manager, Radio Producer, Podcast Producer, Mastering Engineer, Singer/Songwriter, Session Musician.