Sound Production with DJ Skills

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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

Whether you're an absolute beginner or looking to hone your skills, if you want to become a better DJ and music producer then this course is for you. Avail of one-to-one sessions in our dedicated DJ room and play out in our live venue.

Beyond DJing, gain all the knowledge and skills you need for a career in the music industry. This course provides a combination of practical and theoretical tuition in all aspects of sound engineering and music production and is delivered by teachers who are working DJs, producers and musicians. Learn to record performers and musicians in our industry-standard recording studio, and create your own tracks in an 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 sound facilities for live performances 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

Desktop Multimedia Audio Production
Music Performance (DJ Skills)
Music Technology
Sound Engineering and Production
Ethnomusicology
Event Production
Communications
Work Experience
Radio Programme Production

Module Information

Level 5 QQI Award: Sound Production (5M2149)

Course Content (Module Names and Codes)

Radio Programme Production (5N1379)

Radio Programme Production: Working individually and in programme teams, you will produce a range of items for radio including jingles, studio interviews, location reports and magazine programmes – all in a fully-digital recording, editing and broadcasting environment.

Assessment: Assignment (30%); Portfolio/Collection of Work (50%); Exam (20%).

Sound Engineering and Production (5N1900)

Gain the knowledge, skill and competence to work independently and under supervision in a typical recording studio environment. Learn how to work effectively in a live sound or location recording scenario.

Assessment: Skills Demonstration (60%), Examination - Theory (40%).

Event Production (5N1374)

This module equips the learner with the knowledge and skills necessary to plan and stage an event covering areas such as understanding a client brief, roles of responsibility, scheduling, risk assessment, budgeting, logistics, promotions and communicating effectively as part of a team. Having completed this module the learner will be able to project manage events of different scales and types including live music concerts.

Assessment: Project (40%), Skills Demonstration (30%), Learner Record (30%).

Communications (5N0690)

Gain the relevant knowledge, skill and competence to communicate verbally and non-verbally in standard everyday tasks and work-related situations, operating independently and under general supervision.

Assessment: Collection of Work (50%) and Skills Demonstration (50%).

Work Experience (5N1356)

You will prepare for work placement in a relevant vocational area through an evaluation of your skills set, the development of a CV, and an understanding of current workplace legislation. An integral part of this component is developing the skills required for a successful job search; therefore is it your responsibility to secure your placement. On completion of your Work Placement of at least 10 days (or 60 hours), you will reflect, review and consider your future career options.

Assessment: Collection of Work (60%) and Skills Demonstration (40%).

Music Performance (DJ Skills) (5N1301)

The purpose of this module is to equip the student with the knowledge, skills and competence to perform as a DJ in a variety of contexts, learning techniques such as beatmatching, cueing, effects and looping. The module is predominantly practical based and is delivered on Pioneer DJ equipment.

This module is suitable for those with an interest in electronic music and/or hip hop.

Assessment: Skills Demonstration (60%), Learner Record (30%), Assignment (10%).

Music Technology (5N1640)

Learn how to make music using a range of different methods and technologies. Using a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) learners will develop the practical skills and theoretical knowledge associated with sequencing and audio recording. They will also develop the skills required to create musical compositions using modern technology.

Assessments: Project (60%), Examination - Theory (40%).

Ethnomusicology (5N1443)

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to appreciate the musical diversity of ethnic groups, enhance their awareness of the socio-cultural and historical growth of music and use field studies as a form of research in ethnomusicology.

Assessment: Assignment (50%), Project (50%).

Desktop Multimedia Audio Production (5N2148)

This module aims to equip learners with the skills and knowledge required to work in an electronic music environment using modern technology. The practical aspects of the program will be delivered using Ableton Live software along with a range of hardware MIDI controllers. Learn to program beats, control synthesizers, edit audio and manipulate samples within the software.

Assessment: Project (40%), Skills Demonstration (30%), Examination - Theory (30%).

Certification

Level 5 QQI Award Sound Production (5M2149)

Special Features

As well as learning about DJing and sound recording, students will get the opportunity to gain valuable experience organising gigs, setting up sound facilities for live performances and doing 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 with full Pioneer DJ setups, including club-standard Pioneer CDJs, XDJs, Mixers and vinyl turntables.
Digital Radio Studio with Adobe Audition.
Live venue with stage and sound booth.
Free Full Suite 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 of 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
Examinations - 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 QQI Advanced Certificate in Sound Engineering/Sound Production Level 6 or the QQI Advanced Certificate in TV and Digital Film 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 section of the CAO website. www.cao.ie

Examples of CAO progression opportunities are listed below.

Progression Examples

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 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 in Media Studies (MH109)

BA Psychology (MH106)

Maynooth University - www.nuimaynooth.ie

BA Arts (DN520)

BA Humanities (DN530)

University College Dublin - www.ucd.ie

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

Bachelor of Music (audition) (TU982)

BA Creative Digital Media (TU981)

BA Media Production and Digital Arts (TU982)

Technological University Dublin (City) - www.tud.ie

BA Music (audition) (DK860)

BA Audio and Music Production (DK865)

Dundalk Institute of Technology - www.dkit.ie

Higher Certificate Music and Instrument Technology (US600) Level 6

BEng Music and Sound Engineering (US704) Level 7

Technical University of the Shannon (Athlone Campus) - www.tus.ie

BSc Music Production and Technology (US703) Level 7

BSc Music Production and Technology (US808) Level 8

Technical University of the Shannon (Limerick Campus) - www.tus.ie

Career Paths

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