Music Audio Production and Engineering Program Overview (M.A.P.E)

 

Four Quarter Cohort Program

40 Week Program

80 Hours of Instructional Time

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

        M.A.P.E. is a trade and career based instructional coarse constructed around Music & Audio Production and Recording Engineering. The objective for this program is to train students on the technical jobs available in the entertainment industry. Music Production and Recording Engineering are used in every arena of the entertainment industry: TV, Film, Live Shows, Public Speaking, etc. The opportunities in these fields are endless. The advancement in technology doubling in the last five years is proof of the potential growth in careers within these fields. Professional musicians, music producers and trained audio engineers will educate the students on creative expression, songwriting, beat making, performance techniques and recording technology. This program is designed to encourage youth to take interest in formal studies and to pursue their education in technical feilds such as recording engineering, communications, sound design and music production. 

 

 

Program Components:

 

Music Production: Innovation, Direction, Song Formatting and Technique

 

The music production industry is competitive by nature and the gigs go to people with proven reputations. To excel, a persons needs relationships and access to the proper equipment—and it helps to show employers and clients the basic knowledge and professional experience to get the job done. The first step is to gain an understanding of how music production has evolved over the decades.  Then students assemble a toolbox of techniques, sounds, and styles to use in his or her own work. In Music Production, participants will study the work of great producers like Quincy Jones, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and Dr. Dre, with the goal of understanding the crucial elements that go into making a great record. They will learn the difference between producing and engineering by training their ears to hear like a good producer, and creating their own sample tracks that draw on the lessons they have learned in the classroom. The coursework ends with a final presentation of their works. That can be a song and/or CD or a scored scene in a film or product commercial. Students will explore the tools and techniques necessary to complete a full audio post-production project; from a history of post-production to an in-depth look at modern technology and techniques.

 

Recording/Audio Engineering: Acoustic Awareness, Controlling the Boards, Managing Software, Technical Procedures

 

This portion of the program also requires fully equipped production studio stations, but equipment alone does not make an educated student. To fully understand how all of these tools are used to create art requires deep knowledge, a commitment to ongoing personal education, and most importantly, the desires to share that knowledge with others. Understanding the difference between a bad mix and a good mix is very important. In this program students will train their ear to comprehend the difference. They will understand the intimate relationship between the producer, engineer and artist. Each one of these roles need each other to be creatively successful. This special quality will give them a competitive advantage in this industry. These tools and skills can be used in multiple areas of the industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M.A.P.E. COURSE OUTLINE

 

INTRO-101: Careers, Possibilities and Goals (8.0 hrs)

 

For the first week of the program students will be introduced to the fundamentals of music production and recording engineering. We plan to establish all expectations of the program, and provide students with the platform to express and exercise their creative and entrepreneurial knowledge. Basic elements of song making, software introduction, terminology, studio etiquette and career options will be discussed.

 

 

 

201 EMPLOYMENT VS. ENTREPRENEURSHIP (8.0 hrs)

Professional development, defining purpose and respecting the art of patience and adaptation 

 

Becoming successful in this industry begins with character and work ethics. Being a great engineer or music producer begins with having effortless dedication and passion for the craft as a whole. In this portion of the curriculum we will discuss the difference of being an employee versus being the “boss.” Due to the perception delivered by the internet and media, a great deal today's youth  are programmed to believe that success is a overnight process. After this course students are expected to grasp the concept of being great followers to potentially become great leaders. The music industry is built to entertain and make money, but it's the business of professionals behind the scenes who are responsible for the success of these entertainers.

 

 

 

301 FUNDAMENTALS OF RECORDING (16 hrs)

Understanding Audio, Building the Studio, The Business Of Engineering

 

 In these two weeks students are introduced to the world of recording arts. Understanding the importance of a sound engineer includes comprehending their role in multiple professional environments and applying their knowledge at the end of this course to a live recording session with a featured recording artist. Utilizing pro tools recording software, students will have hands-on experience in a real world scenario. In this portion of the course students gain knowledge in multiple arenas of the recording engineering field. MIDI, Recording programs, Microphones, The mix and signal flow theories will all be covered.

  

 

 

302 STUDIO RECORDING (8hrs)

In Studio Recording 302 students learn basic Recording set-ups and concepts with a single microphone, microphone selection and placement, file formats and file management. Recording simple sound effects and narration / voice-over using Pro Tools Recording Software. Students will furthermore assist their classmates in recording the sounds needed for their film or music project

 

 

 

303 EDITING AND MIXING (8hrs)

This course is an introduction to editing basics and concepts using Pro Tools. The class will cover timeline set-up, file / track import and export, first editing steps, organizing effects, editing effects and background / ambience. Students will learn basic mixing techniques, as well as effects such as reverb, compressors, and equalizers. Students learn the differences between mixing music and mixing dialogue and sound effects. 

 

 

 

401 FUNDAMENTALS OF MUSIC PRODUCTION (16 hrs)

Programing, Musical Arrangement, Songwriting , and Business/Law

 

Music producers and composers often are credited 50% of the final record. This percentage speaks volume when it comes to the importance of their role in the entertainment industry and creative process. Within these two weeks the objective will be to develop skill sets that will later be used to create the final musical product. Students get opportunity to learn from currently active and successful producers in the music industry. This real life interaction and instruction is key to   . Learning the art of song making and studying the great legends that came before us will have a tremendous effect on their approach to creating original music.

 

 

 

501 FRESHMEN PROJECT (16hrs)

Audio Workstations, Collaborative project, Soundtrack or Song Creating

 

Freshmen Project provides the context for students to engage in a capstone project. Students develop either individual or collaborative work that demonstrates their cumulative skill-sets and interests. These interest usually range from the following; Music Production (Creating original instrumentation), Recording Engineering (Mixing down a clients song or trouble shooting technical issues), Musical Score (Developing music for a TV commercial or film) and Commercial Song Writing (Producing material that is commercially acceptable that meets industry standards). This Final project will be measured based on their performance; attention to technical details, originality, dedication, work ethics and marketability. Successfully completing this project will be a requirement to complete the course.

 

 

           

PROGRAM COMPLETION

 

             At the completion of the program all students will walk away with not only new skill sets but experience and intermediate expertise in music production and recording engineering. With 15 years of individual work history and professional experience in the music industry and educational fields our network has become resources for all alumni youth. This is a very competitive industry where most opportunities are relationship based. With the proper connections in addition to experience and training in the field, the possibilities of our alumni will increase by a large margin.

 

           Growth and Achievement will be measured by testing done throughout the course. Testing will include them servicing a guest client, trouble shooting a technical issue and creating original material for a music, film or TV project. By demonstrating the ability to show professionalism and good business ethics, students will be rewarded with a certificate of completion that will make them eligible for an internship at one of our partnered recording studios or radio broadcast stations in the DMV/ Baltimore area.