Sound Recording and Engineering Course

Program Overview

This two-year Sound Recording and Engineering program, jointly offered by ACM and Metropolis Studios, combines hands-on training, expert mentorship, and practical experience in professional studios. Students develop technical and "soft" industry skills, preparing them for careers in sound and audio engineering within the vibrant music industry. The condensed format allows for full-time study without increased weekly workload or reduced holidays.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

ACM and Metropolis Studios in London offer a groundbreaking Sound Recording and Engineering course. Developed by Metropolis Studios' award-winning engineers and incorporating ACM's 25 years of teaching excellence, the course blends the science of sound, recording technology, and sound manipulation/enhancement techniques. Students learn in ACM's facilities and the Metropolis Studios environment. The program aims to equip students with both the technical skills and the "soft skills" needed to excel in the professional music industry, differentiating a "good engineer" from an "exceptional Metropolis Studio engineer." The course is considered the most comprehensive and practical sound and audio engineering program in the UK. The program leads to a BA / BSc (Hons) Creative Industries Futures degree awarded by Middlesex University. It's offered as a full-time, two-year accelerated program.

Outline:

The curriculum covers:

• Capturing vocals, classical, acoustic, and full band live performances in professional studios.
• Acoustic techniques and environment building to enhance sound.
• Groundbreaking techniques in Atmos Recording.
• Sound installation design and studio building techniques.
• Electronics repair, hacking, and hardware creation.
• Recording, mixing, and mastering taught by award-winning engineers.
• Creative realization of an artist's aesthetic vision through studio techniques.

Teaching:

The program uses a blend of expert tutoring, professional mentorship, and 100 industry-developed modules. It includes personalized 1-to-1 tutorials and practical experiences. Faculty includes:

• Marwan Elbergamy: Multi-platinum producer/songwriter with experience across various genres and work with artists like Jessie J and Ella Henderson.
He heads Artist Development at Metropolis Blue Rooms.
• Richard Connell: CEO of Metropolis Studios, with nearly 30 years of experience in record labels (including Sony Music and Epic Records), working with artists such as Beyoncé and Bob Dylan.
• Paul Norris: Over 15 years of experience working with artists including Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, and Little Mix.

Careers:

The program prepares students for careers in sound recording and audio engineering. The specific career paths and opportunities are not explicitly detailed, but the emphasis on both technical and soft skills suggests a wide range of possibilities within the music industry.

Other:

The accelerated degree program condenses a three-year degree into two years by adding an extra term during the summer. This doesn't increase the intensity of weekly study but utilizes time normally spent on holiday. Students still receive seven weeks of holiday per year. ACM's industry connections provide opportunities for students to work while studying, even earning academic credits for their work.