School of Media & Design

Our Program

This Ontario College Diploma program prepares students to work as producers and engineers in today's music industry. Students produce multi-track recordings demonstrating a full range of audio engineering and music production skills. Strong emphasis is placed on the study of the music industry as a whole and the business skills involved. Legal contracts, copyright issues, royalties, and music publishing are all explored. Curriculum delivery emphasizes applied learning in professional studio settings.

This is a mobile learning program which will engage students in a collaborative, mlearning environment which will help them become skilled, confident users of the technology they can expect to use in the workplace. Students are required to use a Macintosh laptop computer that meets minimum hardware and software specifications as outlined at http://mlearning.algonquincollege.com . Computers and supplies can be purchased directly from Algonquin's New Technology Store at educational discounted rates.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who have:

• A broad background in music.
• Knowledge and appreciation for all types of music.
• An interest in the recording industry and its role in today's entertainment field.
• Experience with computer and/or synthesizer/MIDI applications.

Back to Top

Your Career

Graduates may find employment as audio engineers, producers, personal
managers, music publishers, disc jockeys and concert promoters. Opportunities may also exist for graduates wishing to start their own production companies.
Back to Top

Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with online learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.

Level: 01		Hours
ENL1813M	Communications I Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments.	45.0
MSC2000	Midi Basics MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) messages contain individual instructions for playing each individual note of each individual instrument. Using MIDI it's possible to change a single note within a song, or arrange an entire song with different instruments. This course combines MIDI theory with labs on the practical use of MIDI on individual Digital Audio Workstations (DAW).	60.0
MSC2001	The Music Industry I The record label, distributor, publisher, manager, producer, concert promoter, radio programmer, etc. all come together to form the music industry. This course demonstrates the integration of all roles within the industry and outlines various career options.	60.0
MSC2002	Music Theory I This course is a refresher for experienced students or an introduction to music notation for students with less music theory knowledge. It uses a back-to-basics approach to rhythm, intervals and chording. Students learn different time signatures and rhythmic patterns, as well as major/minor scales and their relation to song writing.	30.0
MSC2003	Recording Engineering Production I In this introduction to music production and recording techniques, students learn the science of how sound waves work and travel from a sound source to the human brain. They examine the equipment used in a recording studio environment including recording consoles. They study the principles of signal processing, as well as microphone and loudspeaker technology. Audio recording, different signal flow and microphone placement techniques are all applied to create a final master recording.	150.0
MSC2018	Trends and Popular Culture Music is a medium of trends and popular culture. This course examines the historical roots of current popular culture and its effect on the media. As well, the course looks at the art of predicting trends and analyzes their impact on mass communication.	45.0
PSY2000	Psychology in Society This course introduces students to the investigation of behaviour and mental processes and explores how this information can be used in the music industry. Students interact with the theories of the discipline of psychology and relate them to social and work contexts. Additionally, students examine the theory of group dynamics to enhance personal and group performance.	45.0

Level: 02		Hours
ENL2010	Personal Presentation Skills This course provides students with the opportunity to analyze and critique their own personal oral communication skills. By analyzing communications, micro-skills; for example, eye contact, body language, facial expression and hand gestures, students gain insight into their personal presentation style. Students experience a variety of presentation activities including an informative talk, a persuasive talk, a group presentation and an interview.	45.0
MSC2004	Midi Lab This course provides more hands-on lab time detailing the use of MIDI in digital and analogue studio situations. Students explore the adaptation of MIDI as a consumer format and produce a MIDI file, a portable useable musical format and a production tool. Prerequisites: MSC2000	45.0
MSC2005	The Music Industry II This course delves deeper into the roles and relationships within the music industry. Roles of the personal manager, music publisher and record label are dissected and discussed, proving their stature as the most powerful positions in the Industry. Personal management, music publishing and a record label contract are outlined and discussed. Prerequisites: MSC2001	60.0
MSC2006	Music Theory II The importance of having a finely tuned ear is crucial to producing, mixing and creating a quality recording. This course furthurs ear training exercises in preparation for a career in music production. Students learn the tools to identify intervals, chords, rhythms and other basic elements of music. Prerequisites: MSC2002	30.0
MSC2007	Recording Engineering Production II In this course, students explore how sound travels through a microphone to a recording medium, how signal processing equipment works and their application to modern day recording. Emphasis is put on principles of editing and mixing techniques for a multi-track recording. More recording, editing, and mixing techniques are practised and a more in-depth look at equipment is covered in this course. Prerequisites: MSC2003	150.0
MSC2010	Production Theory I Emphasis is placed on the creative and artistic techniques of music production. Topics include song choice, song analysis, lyrics analysis, artist development and creative vision, scheduling and budgeting. Students learn to compromise and be flexible with regard to a producer's vision while working with the artist and the record company's requirements.	30.0
MSC2011	Music in the Digital Age Students examine the music industry in modern day and how technology has been both a positive tool and detrimental device. Students learn how the advancement of the Internet and MP3s has caused a major stir within the music industry, causing major record labels to lose revenue due to lost record sales. Students examine how these advancements have assisted artists to share their music with new fans more easily and quickly than previously possible, which in turn, has created a new generation of artists.	45.0

Level: 03		Hours
MSC2008	Music Business and Law In this course, students look at contracts, agreements and negotiation in the music industry, from recording and management contracts, producer agreements to publishing and song writing contracts. This course highlights the areas where music and business intersect, the development of business-related knowledge and skills necessary to effectively maintain a professional career in the music industry.	60.0
MSC2012	Recording Engineering Production III This course continues the hands-on learning of audio engineering and production in a professional studio setting. Students work with analogue equipment and 2" magnetic tape as a recording medium. Prerequisites: MSC2007	150.0
MSC2013	Audio for VIdeo Recording audio for any type of video application is quite different than simply recording audio on its own. The synchronization of the audio and video is crucial, and the assistance of certain time code technologies makes this possible. Students practise audio/video sync, foley, voiceovers and add other sound effects to video.	90.0
MSC2015	Industry Preparation This course prepares students to work in a professional music industry environment or start their own business. Communication and business skills are taught including basic accounting and writing for a variety of business-related audiences. As part of the curriculum, students isolate a certain area within the music industry and study it in depth.	45.0
MSC2016	Production Theory II Many professionals argue that sound quality is warmer using analogue tape as a recording medium, but the ease of mixing and portability of modern digital technology can't be overlooked. In this course, students continue to learn the use of modern digital recording techniques and equipment in conjunction with analogue equipment. Prerequisites: MSC2010	30.0

Choose one from equivalencies:		Hours
GED1405	General Education Elective Students choose one course, from a group of general education electives, which meets one of the following five theme requirements: Arts in Society, Civic Life, Social and Cultural Understanding, Personal Understanding, and Science and Technology. Equivalencies: ARC9001 or DSN2001 or ENL7643 or ENV0002 or FAM1218 or FIN2300 or GED1896 or GED5002 or GED5004 or GED5005 or GED5006 or GED5009 or GED5200 or GED5300 or GED6022 or GEN1001 or GEN1957 or GEN2000 or GEN2003 or GEN2007 or GEN2009 or HIS0001 or HIS2000 or HOS2228 or LIB1982 or MGT7330 or MVM8800 or PSI0003 or PSI1702 or SOC2003	45.0

Back to Top

Fees & Expenses

Approximate Program Costs

Tuition Fees: $ 8,627
Books/Supplies: $ 3,500
Incidental Fees: $ 3,375
Total: $15,502



Tuition Fees listed are in effect for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Tuition Fees: $2,387.47 per term.

Information Technology Fee: $62 per term. *

Incidental Fees: $1,125 in Levels 01, 02 and 03.

Mobile Computing Fee: $150 per term.**

Student Activity/Sports Fee: $190.50 per term.

Student Centre Building Fee: $17.50 per term.

Health Service Fee: $10 per term.

Health Plan Fee: $114.50 paid once annually. ***

A $35 graduation fee is payable in the final term.

A $25 transcript fee is payable in the first term a student attends Algonquin College.

International Students pay all relevant Canadian fees plus an International Premium of $4,400 per term.

* Students paying the Information Technology fee are provided with a network account, an email address, and Internet access. For more information please visit our website at www.algonquincollege.com/its/services/it_fee.htm

** The Mobile Computing Fee covers the costs associated with providing various services to students registered in a mandatory laptop program.
*** Students who have coverage with another plan can request a refund by supplying the Students' Association with documentation supporting the
request. This request will have to be made annually.

Books and supplies cost approximately $3,500 in total. Students must purchase their own Macintosh laptop computer and software. Computers and supplies can be purchased directly from Algonquin's New Technology Store at educational discounted rates.

Back to Top

Admission Requirements  2012/20132011/2012

Back to Top

Application Information

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should contact their Guidance Office to apply. For all other applicants, applications are available online at ontariocolleges.ca. A $95 fee applies.

Applications for Fall Term, Winter Term and Spring Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the
International Student Application Form at
https://xweb.algonquincollege.com/FormIE/index.aspx or by contacting the Registrar's Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar's Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave, Room C150
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Email: askalgonquin@algonquincollege.com

Back to Top

Additional Information

For more information, please contact Colin Mills, Program Coordinator, at 613-727-4723 ext. 2297 or colin.mills@algonquincollege.com.

Back to Top