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If you are aiming for success in the competitive worlds of Sound Production, Sound Reinforcement and Sound Post Production, this multi-faceted programme will enhance your technical knowledge, your creative skills and your professional competence, enabling you to be operationally effective in a range of employment situations.
Through technical instruction, lectures, workshops and self-study, you will develop proficiency in the Sound industry's standard applications and equipment, with the option to undertake Digidesign's in-demand ProTools qualifications as part of the course. With opportunities for orchestral and group recording, film sound synchronisation, post production and live sound mixing, the programme is a potent mix of challenging activities and high-level learning experiences.
From the start of the programme you will build on prior learning and experience to develop advanced knowledge and understanding of the technology, skills, theory, context and issues that are central to success in the professional arenas of sound capture and manipulation.
You will develop skills and techniques in recording, including orchestral instruments, editing and mixing, with extensive use of Digidesign's Pro Tools application. You will study Post Production for film and TV, learning about synchronisation formats, codecs and sound design. You will gain experience of live sound mixing for corporate events and theatre.
A core aspect of the programme is the acquisition of some of the key technical skills that are required by the professions, such as fault finding, cable construction and soldering, patchbays, signal paths and Apple's Mac OS.
This course is studied full-time over 1 year; a part-time option is also available. You will learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars, demonstrations, screenings and through independent study.
The first trimester is designed to give you a broad experience of the various techniques involved in studio practice, screen sound and live/event sound, enabling you to make an informed decision about potential areas of specialisation. The following three modules are compulsory:
* Studio Sound 1
* Screen Sound 1
* Live and Events Sound 1
During the second trimester you undertake an Audio Soft-and Hardware unit that covers fault finding, soldering, integrated circuits, software installation and other practicalities that are a "real life" necessity for any engineer or technician. You also specialise in two different areas of sound production, with further opportunity to develop practical and academic skills:
* Compulsory module: Audio Hardware and Software
Choose two of the following, depending on your area of interest:
* Studio Sound 1
* Screen Sound 1
* Live and Events Sound 1
* Sound Design and Synthesis
The third trimester involves more work experience as you undertake a final project in your chosen specialist field. Edinburgh's reputation as one of Europe's leading cultural and artistic capitals has led to the university establishing links with theatres, performance venues, studios and sound reinforcement/corporate communications companies with the opportunity for placements and other project work.
The Popular Music Industries department also has links with Toronto's prestigious Harris Institute, where five work placements are available for Napier MA students as a final project option. All placements are competitive and are dependent on module results and an interview process.
Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.
- ✔️ Flexible study schedule
- ✔️ Experienced teachers
- ✔️ Certificate upon completion
📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.
We have a selection of funding opportunities available such as the UK postgraduate tuition fee loan (Scottish & EU) and specific scholarships aimed at student from India and across Africa