<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I really love music, but I feel that maths and sciences are the only way I can break into the industry. The idea of being a Music/Audio/Sound engineer sounds awesome. I was wondering though if any colleges offer programs and degrees in Audio Engineering. I couldn't find anything for Penn. Any help would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Audio Engineering is a bit of a misnomer and more a marketing gimmick for basically Music Production. It’s usually colleges like SAI that offer Audio Engineering but the only place they give an actual bachelor DEGREE in it is Australia and/or maybe London. Actual Audio Engineers are scientists who study sound and create hearing aids and stuff like that. Don’t let the name ‘Audio Engineering’ confuse you either which way, just look at the classes. IMO, it is better to go to a recognized state school then a private/art school.</p>
<p>In California (and west coast) the best public CSU who offers a very sought after and competitive Audio (production and business) BA degree is Chico State. It is called B.A. in Music Industry and Technology and you pick your concentration option in either ‘Music Industry’ or ‘Recording Arts’. </p>
<p>Prerequisite coursework includes MUSC 101 – Theory I, MUSC 102 – Theory II, MUSC 109 –
Introduction to Music Technology, EECE 110 – Basic Electricity</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.csuchico.edu/mus/ra/program_files/page2_1.pdf[/url]”>http://www.csuchico.edu/mus/ra/program_files/page2_1.pdf</a></p>
<p>The west coast University with the best music/computer/visual arts degree is UCSD ICAM.</p>
<p>check out the University of Miami, they have a great audio engineering. There is also music engineering which is a dual program through the Frost School of Music and the Electrical Engineering Department, you have to audition and be accepted to both. Audio engineering is just a branch of the EE department but I think you still take classes in the music school.</p>
<p>[Music</a> Engineering - University of Miami](<a href=“http://mue.music.miami.edu/]Music”>http://mue.music.miami.edu/)</p>
<p>[Electrical</a>, Computer & Information Technology Engineering - Undergraduate](<a href=“http://www6.miami.edu/umbulletin/und/eng/elec.htm#audio]Electrical”>http://www6.miami.edu/umbulletin/und/eng/elec.htm#audio)</p>
<p>You could specialize in acoustics as an aerospace engineer… it’s kinda like music…</p>
<p>Hmmm. Florida and Cali are too far for me. I’m looking East Coast and hopefully Ivy or of that calibre. I was hoping Penn, Columbia, NYU, or maybe Cooper (though I doubt that) might be known to have something of the sort.</p>
<p>There are lots of programs that offer courses in audio engineering, etc. These tend to be for-profit degree mills which leave their students in lots of debt with fewer job options than they thought they’d have— do your research when you’re considering a program, and ignore the marketing claims. </p>
<p>I had a similar interest to you at one point, but I decided to go to a liberal arts college. My work-study job ended up being working a sound-booth, and from that experience I got a paid internship at a recording studio. I could have pursued things further, but I ended up liking my subject (computer science) a lot more, and that has been a much more rewarding path for me.</p>
<p>I would suggest you consider a more traditional college/university (even an EE major if you’re ambitious), and that you check out if there are options for students to work sound in the music department / theater / etc.</p>
<p>edit: Given the universities you’ve listed, I seriously doubt you’d find a typical audio engineering program at any of those places, although you might find a few courses at NYU. The theory behind audio production can fit into a book or two (acoustics, etc), and the other 90% is all practice.</p>
<p>Audio engineering programs are completely different at different schools. On one end some have emphasis on studio recording/production (it’s an art) and on the other end some have emphasis on acoustic theory/engineering.</p>
<p>[The</a> Best Colleges for Audio Engineering | eHow.com](<a href=“http://www.ehow.com/list_6587668_colleges-audio-engineering.html]The”>http://www.ehow.com/list_6587668_colleges-audio-engineering.html)</p>
<p>The Hampton University looks like the best cheapest (16k!!!) east coast (Virginia) LAC for a mix of music, LA, and EE. They also have a cert in Cinema Studies if want to do music for film! NYU is good of course but that is 40k a year now and HU is a great school for mix of LA and Tech stuff.</p>
<p>B.S. Music Engineering Technology</p>
<p>The Music Engineering Technology program is designed for students who desire a career in audio engineering, music recording, audio equipment design, sound reinforcement, broadcasting, audio sales, or studio maintenance. Students completing the four-and-a-half year degree program earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Music with the equivalent of a minor in Electrical Engineering. The combining of electrical engineering with music ensures that graduates are proficient audio engineers as well as accomplished musicians.
Course Title Hours
Major Ensemble, Band/Choir/Orchestra, (4 years, first two consecutive years must be in related ensembles) 8
Major Performance 107-407 14
Minor Performance PIA or VOI* 103/105 and PIA or VOI 104/106 2
Music 119-120, 121-122, 204, 211-212 w/lab, 305-306, 401, 407, 408 12
Computer Science 120 3
Engineering 101, 213, 218, 220 9
Mass Media Arts 310, 314 6
Music Engineering Technology 225-226, 325-326,327,425-426,427-429 21
English 6
Health Education 200 2
History 108, 106 & 105 or 107 6
Humanities 201-202 6
Mathematics 109-110 8
Physical Education 2
Science Selected from SOC 205, PSY 203, POL 201 9
Social Sciences 103 6
Speech 101 3
University 101 1</p>
<p>Total Credit Hours 140</p>
<p>IMO, in such a sought after job as sound engineer, no matter what college you go to you should focus on work experience. </p>
<p>Most of the people I have ever met who are involved with music production/movie production/tv production got their job not through any sort of degree program but who knows who and who had the right skills.</p>
<p>One can always go to an apprentice school or start off interning a local cable station I guess. Even though I only took 2 music classes it still has taken me well over 15 years of of playing instruments while studying acoustics, sound conditioning, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, soldering, wiring etc. never mind knowing hardware and software! It may have taken 1/3 to 1/2 the time if went to school for it but that alone is a lot to learn if want to know your craft and get a job. If you don’t have any experience a CC comes in handy since you get credit while utilizing the resources towards your personal portfolio.</p>
For those still wondering, University of Rochester probably has the only undergraduate Audio and Music Engineering program.