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Music (Sound Production)

Write and perform songs. Collaborate on music. Organise shows. Practice and perform in a solo and group environment by taking part in the Certificate III in Music Performance. This two-year course will help you to being to establish your personal brand as a musician. Learn the music language and performance skills to develop your stagecraft, promotions and song writing.

The music industry and production trade is in high demand nationwide. Recent years have seen a growth in industry demand for sound engineers, producers, mixers and Foley artists skilled in digital technology. Beyond the music industry, employment is also possible across film, television, gaming and digital device sectors. The course strongly focuses on providing students with a broad skill set that will enable them a wide range of employment opportunities within the music industry.

Students are able to record using some of the finest equipment that you would normally only find in professional recording studios. This includes:

Music recital room with a Kawai grand piano.

Ten music rehearsal rooms.

Two computer labs, each equipped with twenty-five music workstations comprising Arturia keyboards, Arrow audio interfaces, Apple iMacs with Pro Tools, Ableton Live and other audio & music programs installed.

Two purpose built dance studios with sprung floors.

Purpose built Theatre Studies room with sprung floor and theatre lighting.

Music (Sound Production) enables you to:

Collaborate with like-minded people.

Develop yourself as a musical artist.

Better understand the current music industry landscape.

Perform and produce a range of music in a range of contexts.

The College consults with industry and government reference groups to ensure our curriculum remains consistent with emerging trends. Purpose-built facilities demonstrate sustainable practices, furnished with a fully equipped recording studio, digital audio workstations and multimedia labs.

TestimonialsPeter Myers (Head of Department, Music)

“The equipment we've got is industry standard. We've got a recording studio that is as good as any commercial recording studio that you would find.”

TestimonialsMonique Hirschfeld (Music Student)

“You can do Sound Production here, which is what I did. It really opened up a new world to me, being able to be my own producer.”

TestimonialsBianca Hirschfeld (Music Student)

“They also have really great MIDI keyboards which can enable you to play around with digital music software."

TestimonialsZac Lister (Sound Production Teacher)

“I see us as the first level, where they need to be gaining the skills that they will need to step into some part of the industry.”

(1 / 5)

Course

Level(s)

Qualification(s)

Music (Sound Production)

Tertiary

Qualification(s):

CUA40920 Certificate IV in Music (Sound Production)

Course Structure

The Certificate IV in Music Industry (Sound Production) includes studies in live audio operations, sound reinforcement, audio mixing and editing using Pro Tools, making a demo recording, ear training, and music performance skills as part of a group. The course is designed to produce well-rounded, knowledgeable, industry-ready musicians and culminates in a professional performance tour of the Victorian Surf Coast region in October of each year. Student have access to the college’s state-of-the art auditorium, recording studios, rehearsal rooms, sound editing software and music facility.

You can read more about our Online Service Standards, relating to the Online and Remote Delivery of Training and Assessment.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Activities & Tasks

Certificate in Music - Sound Production students study audio theory and apply their knowledge in practical and diverse learning environments working closely with colleagues as clients. They gain practical experience in live sound production, become familiar with microphone types and use them in a variety of recording contexts. Sound Production students develop recording plans and run recording sessions in the recording studios using current technologies and software. They record, edit and produce multitrack recordings to a professional standard using Pro Tools. Sound Production students also develop their skills as performers and are given opportunities to perform and record their own songs and contribute to, and record those of their colleagues.

Furthermore, students acquire knowledge and skills designed to assist them in developing careers by researching careers in sound production and music, studying music marketing concepts, developing a business identity, producing business plans and developing an online presence for the dissemination of their work; and they develop a presentation folio for self-promotion to prospective employers, agencies and tertiary institutions.

Assessment

Most assessment tasks are project based and culminate in the production of folios of work. Sound Production students produce a folio of recordings and sound editing projects. They are assessed by observation of practical applications of their skills, and they participate in a number of public performances and a performance tour. The assessment of students’ overall competence will be undertaken by qualified assessors. Students’ competence will be judged using a set of nationally determined criteria. The assessment process will be fair and will include the option of re-sits.

Eligibility & Prerequisites

To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must have completed a VCE, VCAL Senior or Year 12 equivalent. A Certificate III in Music Industry would be an advantage. Entry into this course is by audition and interview. Applicants are asked to prepare two contrasting works for audition. The use of backing tracks in auditions is encouraged.

Fees

You can read more about our Fees

Back

Music (Sound Production)

Write and perform songs. Collaborate on music. Organise shows. Practice and perform in a solo and group environment by taking part in the Certificate III in Music Performance. This two-year course will help you to being to establish your personal brand as a musician. Learn the music language and performance skills to develop your stagecraft, promotions and song writing.

The music industry and sound production trade is in high demand nationwide. Recent years have seen a growth in industry demand for sound engineers, producers, mixers and Foley artists skilled in digital technology. Beyond the music industry, employment is also possible across film, television, gaming and digital device sectors. The course strongly focuses on providing students with a broad skill set that will enable them a wide range of employment opportunities within the music industry.

Students are able to record using some of the finest equipment that you would normally only find in professional recording studios. This includes:

Music recital room with a Kawai grand piano.

Ten music rehearsal rooms.

Two computer labs, each equipped with twenty-five music workstations comprising Arturia keyboards, Arrow audio interfaces, Apple iMacs with Pro Tools, Ableton Live and other audio & music programs installed.

Two purpose built dance studios with sprung floors.

Purpose built Theatre Studies room with sprung floor and theatre lighting.

Music (Sound Production) enables you to:

Collaborate with like-minded people.

Develop yourself as a musical artist.

Better understand the current music industry landscape.

Perform and produce a range of music in a range of contexts.

NCAT music trainers work in and consult with industry. Trainers participate in reference groups to ensure our curriculum remains consistent with emerging trends. Purpose-built facilities demonstrate sustainable practices, furnished with a fully equipped recording studio, digital audio workstations and multimedia labs.

TestimonialsPeter Myers (Former Head of Department, Music)

“The equipment we've got is industry standard. We've got a recording studio that is as good as any commercial recording studio that you would find.”

TestimonialsMonique Hirschfeld (Music Student)

“You can do Sound Production here, which is what I did. It really opened up a new world to me, being able to be my own producer.”

TestimonialsBianca Hirschfeld (Music Student)

“They also have really great MIDI keyboards which can enable you to play around with digital music software."

TestimonialsZac Lister (Head of Music and Sound Production Teacher)

“I see us as the first level, where they need to be gaining the skills that they will need to step into some part of the industry.”

(1 / 5)

Course

Level(s)

Qualification(s)

Music (Sound Production)

VET

Qualification(s):

CUA30920 Certificate III in Music (Sound Production)
CUA40920 Certificate IV in Music (Sound Production)

Course Structure

Recording and mixing live sound are the major focus areas of the course. Students are given multiple opportunities to set up and operate live audio for concerts and other events. Multiple digital audio workstations are available for students to develop skills in recording programs. Students gain skills required to work creatively and effectively in the music industry. This course has a scored assessment for ATAR purposes at units 3 & 4 level.

Activities & Tasks

Students complete a broad range of activities including but not limited to: setting up and operating live sound equipment and mixing for events such as the annual music festival and school musical; setting up, recording and mixing music in an industry standard recording studio; recording, mixing, mastering and producing for a range of bands and artists; installing and programming of lighting systems; investigating methods and techniques used in recording bands and artists; planning, preparing and promoting music and other events.

Assessment

Units of competency are assessed using a variety of methods including practical observation, written and research tasks and case studies.

Students will be given a fair and adequate assessment process that includes multiple opportunities to demonstrate competency.

Eligibility & Prerequisites

If you have any individual needs, please contact NCAT to discuss these needs.