Advanced Certificate in Sound Engineering and Production
Level 6 QQI Award - Media Production 6M5130
Duration
This is a Full-time One Year course which runs from Sept. 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 new one-year Level 6 course gives students the opportunity to further develop and enhance their skills in music and sound production. It is an ideal add-on for our Level 5 students, for students from other Level 5 courses, and for mature applicants (over 21) with relevant experience. Taught by professionals working in the industry, this course will prepare students for both further academic progression, and careers in the media, entertainment and music fields. Students will work with performers and musicians in a purpose built industry standard professional recording studio. Editing, mixing and production take place in a state-of-the-art all iMac digital sound production facility. All workstations are equipped with software including Pro Tools, Ableton Live and Logic Pro.
Entry Requirements
One of the following:
- Relevant QQI Level 5 Award such as Sound Production 5M2149
- 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 B1 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 Music Technology
- Studio and Location Sound Production
- Media Ethics and Legal Framework
- Media Industry Awareness
- Multimedia Sound
- Communications
- Personal and Professional Development
- Arts Event Management
- Musicianship
Module Information
Sound Engineering/Sound Production
Level 6 QQI Award: Media Production (6M5130)
Course Content (Module Names and Codes)
Sound Engineering and Music Technology (6N4981)
This module aims to give the students experience and skills in creating electronic music, as well as developing their ability to create soundtracks for film and TV. Learn the skills of audio post-production including scoring, foley sound and the use of sound libraries. Learn how to program beats, control synthesizers, edit audio and manipulate samples within software.
Assessment: Project (60%), Assignments (x2) (40%).
Studio and Location Sound Production (6N4981)
This module covers various aspects of sound recording, both in the studio and on location. Gain the knowledge, skill and competence to record and mix a song using the college's recording studio. In addition, students will learn how to record sound on location.
Assessment: Skills Demonstration (30%), Project (50%), Examination - Theory (20%).
Arts Event Management (6N3451)
This module equips the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to plan and stage an event, covering areas such as planning, arts organisation management, branding, marketing, audience development, sustainability, risk assessment, budgeting, logistics and documenting the event. Having completed this module the student will be able to project manage events of different scales and types including live music concerts.
Assessment: Skills Demonstration (60%). Collection of Work (40%).
Media Ethics and Legal Framework (6N5453)
The aim of this module is to equip the learner with an in-depth understanding of the ethical guidelines and legislation which apply to print, broadcast and online media industries.
Assessment: Project (60%), Examination - Theory (40%.
Multimedia Sound (6N4514)
In this module, learn how to produce podcasts and soundscapes. Students will gain an understanding of scientific theory underpinning room acoustics and sound transmission, as well as practical skills of audio recording, editing and mixing.
Assessment: Project (60%), Collection of Work (40%).
Media Industry Awareness (6N5505)
This programme module aims to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to evaluate old and new media formats to include production and post-production values, audience theory and the regulation of new media.
Assessment: Assignment (2) (60%). Examination - Theory (40%).
Communications (6N1950)
Level 6 Communications builds on the knowledge and skills gained in level 5 Communications. The learner is facilitated to gain the knowledge and skills to exercise personal autonomy in communicating verbally and nonverbally. There is an emphasis on understanding the requirements of the workplace and using excellent communication skills to maximise participation in personal and vocational life.
Assessment: Portfolio/Collection of Work (50%), Skills Demonstration (50%).
Personal and Professional Development (6N1949)
This is not life coaching! However it is an opportunity to take stock and to evaluate your personal and professional goals. Through humorous workshops, lively group discussions and practical exercises we will shine a light on the following techniques: Stress Management, Conflict Management, Managing Change, Decision Making, Goal Setting, Delegation and Team Working.
Assessment: Portfolio/Collection of Work (50%), Skills Demonstration (50%).
Musicianship (5N4845)
This module is all about developing a deeper understanding of music. Through listening to a wide range of songs and styles, you will learn how to identify and describe key musical elements such as rhythm, pitch, key, harmony, timbre and tonality. You’ll also learn how to apply this knowledge to your own compositions and productions.
Assessment: Assignment (20%), Examination – Theory (50%), Aural Examination (30%).
Certification
- Level 6 QQI Award Media Production (6M5130)
Special Features
This is a highly practical course and students will get hands-on experience of a wide range of industry-specific skills including: studio recording; location sound recording; electronic music composition and production; audio post-production for film and tv; organising and running live events; and podcast production.
Specialist resources include:
Industry-Standard Sound Production Studio with Audient ASP8024HE 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.
Internal 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 a 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.
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
All assignments are submitted electronically. Therefore all students need access to a device such as a computer/laptop.
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
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 and Level 6 major award. Places are not guaranteed 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, especially if a student is looking for advanced entry into third level 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
Progression Examples
BA Arts (DN520)
BA Humanities (DN530)
University College Dublin - www.ucd.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 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
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
Higher Certificate Music and Instrument Technology (AL605)
BEng Music and Sound Engineering (AL718)
Athlone Institute of Technology - www.ait.ie
BSc Music Technology and Production (LC270)
Limerick Institute of Technology - www.lit.ie
Career Paths
Most graduates will opt to advance to further studies, while others will be able to progress to work in recording studios, live sound, conference services, broadcasters, film and TV companies and web content related employment.
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Aidan Hall
Class of 2018
Now Working as a Senior Audio Visual Technician
I started in DFEi straight after my leaving cert wanting to learn about sound with no knowledge in the field. After even just my first year I had learned many techniques of…
Read More ”Aidan Hall
Class of 2018
Now Working as a Senior Audio Visual Technician
I started in DFEi straight after my leaving cert wanting to learn about sound with no knowledge in the field. After even just my first year I had learned many techniques of recording, mixing and live sound mixing.
After 2 years in the college completing Sound Engineering and Music Production I had become very confident in my abilities behind the mixing desk.
The opportunities of being able to conduct many recording sessions in the onsite studio and mix sound live at gigs in the college, in venues in the city for college events and working at the music festival Vantastival managing our own stage, was incredibly valuable experience for my career.
I am now working in the live events industry as a Senior Audio Visual Technician working on large events across the country.
The incredible teaching and opportunities I had while at DEFi were a valuable aspect of progressing into further education in BIMM Dublin and building my career.