Audio Engineering Principles
The Advanced Programme in Music Production and Sound Engineering is an intensive one year programme which is taught across 48 weeks. The course is then divided into three terms, with each term building on the knowledge and skills you learnt in the previous term.
Using our progressive continuous learning method each module will cover historical and theoretical content alongside practical and technical skills so you develop a rounded knowledge and skill set within each area.
The breadth of the course means that alongside learning what equipment, techniques and microphones to use you also learn why you use them. This will help you develop your own expertise and understanding of how to create different sounds and effects.
Subject Areas
Within the course we cover all of the following subject areas: Acoustics, Computer, Copyright and Legal issues, Digital Audio Technology, Electronics and Analogue Equipment, General Business (Publishing & Marketing), Management Skills, Mastering, Microphones, Mixing and Critical Listening, Music Theory and Production, Production, Recording, Sound Theory, Studio Equipment and Signal Processing, Studio Etiquette and Musicianship.
Below you can browse through the three terms and see the breakdown of modules for each term.
Audio Engineering Principles
These are the learning outcomes for this subject area.
You will be able to:
• Understand the fundamentals of studio equipment interconnection
• Understand the contrasting principles of analogue and digital sound recording, storage and reproduction
• Understand the fundamental principles of sound synthesis
• Understand the basic concepts of sound sampling
• Understand the elemental principles of acoustics
• Appraise the audio equipment interconnection strategies of small music production environments
• Evaluate the calibration requirements of small music production setups
• Utilise analogue devices commonly found in music production studios’ signal chains
• Utilise digital audio devices that are commonly used in music production
• Manipulate parameters that affect the quality of digital audio recordings
• Generate and utilise different types of digital audio files during recording, editing and mixing
• Discuss the basic principles of digital audio data compression
• Utilise virtual (DAW-based) additive, subtractive, FM, wavetable, vector and granular synthesisers for music production
• Synthesise instruments using subtractive synthesis techniques
• Synthesise instruments using physical modelling tools
• Operate virtual (DAW-based) samplers
• Define standing waves
• Calculate simple room modes
• Describe how the volume and the absorption coefficient of the materials covering the surfaces of a room affect the latter’s reverberation time
• Calculate the RT60 of different environments
• Select devices to improve the acoustic qualities of recording spaces
• Appraise the acoustic qualities of materials
• Appraise the acoustic qualities of recording studios and other music production environments
The curriculum is fantastic, extremely comprehensive, contemporary and relevant to today’s industry.
Andrea Mastroiacovo, Graduate 2018
Applying for the diploma was the best thing I could have done for my career. I'm really amazed at how much I learnt in one year.
Lizzie Arnold, Graduate 2019
There is some real visionary foresight in Abbey Road Institute being established to preserve the cultural legacy of Abbey Road.
Youth (Paul McCartney, The Verve, Killing Joke)
I had an incredible experience. The staff have so much to offer and cover so many different areas of music.
Luke Glazewski, Graduate 2019
The course taught me what it means to be a producer and engineer in the industry, I learned things I couldn’t have learned anywhere else.
Marta Di Nozzi, Graduate 2019
It’s a unique experience in so many ways, the location, the calibre of guest lecturers and access to Abbey Road Studios for classes is pretty amazing. There aren't many places you get to record a full orchestra!