The Academy may not be even a year old, but already we’re introducing an exciting new course to complement our very popular vocal, guitar, bass, drum kit and keyboard lessons.
Tell me more!
For now we’re calling it Music Tech…
OK – so what’s that about?
It’s about creating and controlling sound using the latest technology – an introduction to the skills involved in sound engineering, studio work, or sound and sound effects for television, film, gaming or phone apps.
Who’s the tutor?
The tutor for this course is Academy keyboard tutor, Sebastian Schneider. Besides his performing and teaching skills as an instrumentalist, he’s an expert with the other kinds of keyboard too! He has an extensive education background in music performance, composition and theory (B.Mus, MA) and in computer science (B.Sc), which has led to work as an audio editor, sound designer, composer and programmer for media projects in a range of disciplines from web design to film and gaming.
What will the course look like?
Well, it’s early days, but here are some of the components we expect to cover:
Studio:
- setting up studio and recording equipment
- how to operate a mixing desk – properly!
- recording with various kinds of equipment and in varying locations
Audio:
- the principles of audio and what to look and listen out for
- how to edit audio (an introduction to the basic tools)
- how to manipulate audio files (eq, plugins, filters…)
Sound:
- Sound FX basics
- an introduction to Foley
MIDI and Music Creation:
- understanding MIDI
- using MIDI instruments
- how to operate a digital audio workstation
- music composition in various genres using MIDI
Interactive Media:
- exploring interactive media with the focus on audio (games, apps, web content…)
- sound and music creation – scoring projects for a group
- a basic introduction to current middleware tools (as used in the industry)
Audio Scripting / Programming:
- an introduction to simple scripting with user-friendly interface systems
- using script to manipulate audio
- sound and music implementation via coding
- creating interactive media as a group project
Wow – when does the course start?
Along with the Academy’s other one-term preliminary courses, the Music Tech course is expected to start in January 2012.
Do I need to play an instrument, or take an instrumental course too?
It will certainly help if you play an instrument, and you’ll be taking music theory classes along with our instrumental students. The Tech option would make a very good fit with our instrumental courses.
How do I sell this to my parents?
The skills we’ll be teaching are very much in demand, because devices that reproduce or use music and sound – from mobile phones to games consoles to television – are very popular(!) and not going to go away any time soon. The quality of live or studio sound can make or break an artist, so we’re preparing you for one of the most responsible and varied jobs in global entertainment. The programming component of the course would be the ideal accompaniment for students taking the technology option at Leaving Cert., and help set you up as one of the multi-media IT specialists that Ireland has plenty of great jobs for. Sounds good to me.
What are the admission requirements?
We’re beginning at the beginning on this course, so we’re not expecting previous experience. Of course you’ll need to be interested in the sound engineering side of things, and you’ll need access to some sort of computer at home – but that’s about it.
How do I register?
Just head over to the registration page of the Academy website and fill in the form. Put ‘Music Tech’ in the ‘Instrument’ box.
If you hurry, you might be in time to organize a trip to the RDS in Dublin this weekend for one of the highlights on the national musical calendar – The Music Show. There’s a live stage with a long line-up of acts including Bell X1, Bressie, Jerry Fish, Lisa Hannigan and Whipping Boy, with more names to be added; a huge exhibition of instruments, equipment and technological gadgets; and seminars, workshops and public interviews.