Audio Production & Engineering Program

Occupational AAS Degree in Audio Production & Engineering 

THIS PROGRAM IS NO LONGER ACTIVELY ENROLLING

The audio production and engineering program offers a degree designed to train producer engineers who are entrepreneurs, musically and technically creative, and proficient in modern recording technology and technique. Audio production and engineering degree program  students learn the fundamentals: acoustics, audio signal flow, recording, technology, audio production,  music theory, digital audio workstations, MIDI sequencing, and music and entertainment business essentials.

Throughout the audio production and engineering degree program, college students are involved in hands-on exercises and real-world studio projects that enable them to apply their knowledge and refine their audio production and engineering skills. After mastering the core concepts, audio production and engineering degree program students learn artistic and technical skills: microphone technique, mixing, critical listening, session management, studio etiquette, people skills, and basic song composition and programming. Audio production and engineering degree program students are introduced to many facets of the audio production industry — from traditional studio work to live sound, post production, sound design, composition, A&R, marketing and distribution.

In our school’s advanced classes, audio production and engineering students hone their creative and technical skills while working with advanced recording, editing technology, mixing and mastering techniques, song arrangement, chord structure and harmony. At the end of the audio production and engineering degree program, each college student presents a portfolio — a selection of his or her best work to date. This serves as a demo reel for potential employers and clients — an audio resume with professional content that highlights the college graduate’s talent and skill.

Careers in Audio Production & Engineering

Audio and Video Equipment Technicians– Set up, or set up and operate audio and video equipment including microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, recording equipment, audio technology, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, and related electronic equipment for concerts, sports events, meetings and conventions, presentations, and news conferences. May also set up and operate associated spotlights and other custom lighting systems. Excludes “Sound Engineering Technicians

Sound Engineering Technicians– Operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects in sporting arenas, theater productions, recording studios, or movie and video productions.

VIEW BUREAU OF LABOR AND STATISTICS

Audio production & engineering college students at work in studio at IPR.

Words really can’t describe the Institute of Production and Recording experience

Can we suggest a school visit? Want to know more about media, audio, video, sound, music and live show production programs? If you are interested in a career in audio production and engineering, you should tour our Minneapolis music college, see the labs and meet our school staff. Call 612-351-0631 or contact admissions to make arrangements.

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Lindsey Kappa audio production & engineering testimonial

Lindsey Kappa

"If there’s one thing that I’ve kept with me since attending IPR its fake it ‘til you make it. Kevin Bowe taught me this early in my program and it has helped me so much in my professional experiences... I ended up learning the duties on the spot. I went with the flow, kept a calm face, and ended up gaining experience."

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Careers in Audio Production & Engineering
Audio Production & Engineering Courses
College students are required to earn all credits from the following list of courses:

Class Name

  • Studio Audio Engineering I
  • Studio Audio Engineering II
  • Music Fundamentals I
  • Desktop Production I
  • Desktop Production II
  • Music Fundamentals II
  • Audio Production for Visual Media I
  • Computer and Web Fluency
  • The Media Industry Landscape
  • Business Management for Media Professionals
  • Principles of Design I
  • Law and Economics of Intellectual Property
  • Career Planning for the Creative Professional

Elective Classes

Eight credits, as approved by the school’s dean of students and program chair.

See the full course list for options.

Capstone Classes

Select four credits from the following:

  • Studio Audio Engineering III
  • Music Production Techniques

Select four credits from the following:

  • Studio Audio Engineering Portfolio I
  • Music Production Portfolio
A minimum of 30 credits, at least three credits from each category:

Communications Classes

  • Speech Communications
  • Composition (required)
  • Intercultural Communications
  • Creative Writing
  • Art of Persuasion
  • Mass Communication

Humanities Classes

  • Introduction to Humanities
  • Film in Society
  • World Music
  • Spanish I
  • Introduction to Literature
  • Art in the Modern World

Natural Science & Mathematics Classes

  • Biology
  • Environmental Issues
  • College Algebra I (required)*
  • Earth Science
  • College Algebra II

Students must complete either NS116.

Social Science Classes

  • Global Citizenship (required)
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • History of American Music
  • Interpersonal Relations (required)
  • Sociology
  • Developmental Psychology

 

Total core minimum requirement: 67 credits

Total general education minimum requirement: 30 credits

Total minimum requirement to complete degree: 97 credits

Based on competency exam scores, an audio production and engineering degree program student may be required to take one or more of the following preparatory classes: AP050 Elements of Music  and CL051 Foundations of Computing.