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about music production schools in chicago

You remember school, right? Go to class for an hour, wait for a bell, and then shuffle to the next class. Different teachers, different subjects, doing what you needed to make sure you checked all of the graduation requirements. And then it’s four more years of the same thing at a university to learn the recording arts – at a considerably higher price tag!

Chicago Audio Engineering and Music Production School

You remember school, right? Go to class for an hour, wait for a bell, and then shuffle to the next class. Different teachers, different subjects, doing what you needed to make sure you checked all of the graduation requirements. And then it’s four more years of the same thing at a university to learn the recording arts – at a considerably higher price tag!

The Recording Connection MUSIC ENGINEERING SCHOOLS IN CHICAGO break that cycle. Instead of four more years of shuffling from prerequisites to labs, we put you in the middle of music recording studios from day one. Working with professional audio engineers, music producers, and beat makers, you’ll learn the business from the INSIDE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.

Chicago Area Digital Audio Production Schools

In the Chicago area, there are just two schools that offer degree programs related to digital audio production. One is right in the city, and the other is a 37-minute drive away. This article also offers information through a table that compares types of schools, enrollment figures, admission percentages and graduation rates.

• Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, about 30 miles from downtown Chicago, offers an associate’s degree program in music production. This 2-year school labels this as a computer-assisted music production program and states that graduates are prepared to work as composers, producers, interactive website designers, sound producers or in a related position.
• Columbia College – Chicago, situated less than a mile from the city center, offers a bachelor’s degree program in audio design and production.

What Are The Best Audio Engineering Schools for 2023?

Our watchlist is a mix of certificate, diploma, and degree programs as we understand (from our review of job postings) that certificate programs can be just as impactful as a BSc. 

3 Audio Engineering School Certificate Programs to Consider:

Fanshawe College 

Location: London, Ontario
Program Length: 1 year
Degree: Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Audio Post-Production
Tuition: $7,226 CAD

Overview: Fanshawe College’s Audio Post-Production program is a highly specialized, advanced program in the theory and practice of all phases of producing creative sound for film, television, gaming, web animations, live audio, video, and all new media forms. Concept building is emphasized through various means: audio production and surround sound design and mixing, field recording, ADR, Foley, live sound, and game sound techniques. (Source: Fanshawe College)

Sample Curriculum: Multi-leveled courses that cover Audio Post-Production Theory, Practical, and Lab.

Famous Alumni: Musicians Les Stroud, Emm Gryner, William Peter Randall, Trevor Morris, and radio hosts Ted Roop and Greg Brady all attended Fanshawe College. 

Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music 

Location: Los Angeles, California
Program Length: 1 year
Degree: Certificate in Audio Engineering
Tuition: $16,350 USD

Overview: As an MI Audio Engineering major, you’ll learn how to function in today’s professional audio production environments – recording studios, venues, post production houses and/or film houses, a valuable experience provided by our audio engineering school. (Source: MI College of Contemporary Music)

MI also offers non-certificate programs that bolster students’ experience with more granular focuses on particular areas of interest within the recording industry.

Sample Curriculum: Recording Techniques, Recording Theory, The Business of Audio, Musicianship for Audio Engineers, Mixing Essentials, Vocal Production

Famous Alumni: Anderson .Paak, Bishop Briggs, and Mark MacKay—to name a few. Explore more MI College of Contemporary Music success stories here.

University of Washington 

Location: Seattle, Washington
Program Length: 8 months
Degree: Certificate in Audio Production Techniques
Tuition: $5,787 USD

Overview: In the University of Washington’s three-course certificate program, students explore the technical principles and creative skills required to complete professional sound projects. You’ll study the basics of editing, mixing, storage media, and the mastering process. You’ll get experience with acoustics, microphones, and analog and digital recording, and you’ll apply your knowledge to create a pro-quality audio project for music or film. (Source: University of Washington)

Sample Curriculum: Principles of Audio Production, Audio Production Project: Music, Audio Production Project: Video

Famous Alumni: Watch a University of Washington alum recount his experience in the Audio Production program here.

4 Audio Engineering Schools With Diploma Programs We Recommend:

Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology (OIART)

Location: London, Ontario
Program Length: 11 months 
Degree: Diploma in Audio Recording Technology
Tuition: $32,950 CAD

Overview: The Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology’s program is the only program of its kind that prepares students to enter any field in the audio industry. With only one program and one start date per year, OIART provides an intensive educational experience consisting of 650+ hours of hands-on training and 650+ hours of in-studio class time. The school is known for its high completion rate. (Source: OIART)

Sample Curriculum: The school offers distinct creative paths that lead to careers in Music Production, Live Sound & Event Production, and Audio for Visual Media. There are courses that span almost every aspect of the audio production and music industries, including Music Production, Music Theory, Audio for Video Games, Sound Design, Lighting Design, Acoustics, Modern Recording Techniques, and more. 

Famous Alumni: Audio engineers who are graduates include Dan Brodbeck (known for working with Dolores O’Riordan and The Cranberries), Rob Nokes (founder of Sounddogs.com), Matty Green (LA-based recording engineer and mixer who has worked with Ed Sheeran), Ryan Castle (known for work with Sheryl Crow), Wayne Lemmer (sound designer with credits on Kung Fu Panda and Transformers), and Voices Founder and CEO David Ciccarelli. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=tXiJ5sDEN9A%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Vancouver Film School

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Program Length: 1 year
Degree: Diploma in Sound Design for Visual Media
Tuition: $28,950 CAD

Overview: Discover professional-level sound design techniques in a demanding production environment that closely echoes the industry. Grads of Vancouver Film School’s Diploma in Sound Design for Visual Media program are some of the most successful and sought-after professionals in the entire Sound Design industry. (Vancouver Film School)

This school also provides access to pathways for further education overseas in Germany and the UK to achieve Bachelor degrees in screen and digital productions and Masters degrees in audio visual production.

Sample Curriculum: Production Sound Mixing, Game Collab. Project, Intro to Professional Skills

Famous Alumni: Graduates from Vancouver Film School’s Sound Design for Visual Media program have worked on a number of recent high-profile movies and video games, including Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, Dead Rising 4, and League of Legends.

Recording Arts Canada

Location: Montreal, Quebec or Toronto, Ontario
Program Length: 1 year
Degree: Sound & Music Production 
Tuition: $18,455 CAD

Overview: Guided by a Grammy-winning producer, Recording Arts Canada offers sound and music production training in world-class facilities. Their Sound and Music Production program combines essential theory, vital hands-on training, and career support so students can start landing professional opportunities within a year. (Recording Arts Canada)

The most unique offering coming from this school is their 880+ hours of specialized training during this one-year course. According to them, this number is double that seen in other equivalent diploma programs. 

Sample Curriculum: Audio Consoles, Electronics & Technology, Aesthetics of Music, Studio Production Techniques

Famous Alumni: Recording Arts Canada alumni have worked with Drake, Shawn Mendes, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber. Check out the stories of alumni working in the industry here. 

Metalworks Institute

Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Program Length: 1 year
Degree: Diploma in Audio Production & Engineering
Tuition: For information on tuition, email admissions@metalworksinstitute.com.

Overview: The Audio Production & Engineering Diploma program incorporates the progressive recording and production skill-sets required to succeed in today’s high-tech audio recording environments. From music creation to music production, this program has been designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the evolving world of recording, including both large-format recording and ‘in the box’ technologies. (Metalworks Institute)

Metalworks also offers pathways to a Bachelor of Creative Arts from Yorkville University in New Brunswick, Canada that results in obtaining an additional diploma in Mixing and Mastering on top of the initial diploma and BA degree.

Sample Curriculum: Musical Styles & Genres, Principles of Electricity & Electronics, Songwriting Analysis

Famous Alumni: Metalworks alumni have gone on to work at Entertainment One, Bell Media, Sony Music, Corus Entertainment, and OVO Sound. Read up on Metalworks alumni here. 

Is There a High Demand for Audio Engineers? 

Despite the Covid 19 pandemic hampering live events,  many audio engineers are talking at length about how the pandemic has created the busiest year of work for them yet! 

Michael Elliott from the Dark Horse Institute writes: 

“With no shows on the books, artists have had an entire year to create. With many artists writing and producing more songs than ever, audio engineers have been busier than ever. Many of my peers who are audio engineers around the Nashville area have had one of their busiest years since they’ve entered the business.”

Haley Zaremba, writer for Majoring in Music, writes:

“Covid has not changed the art of audio production. Instead, it has accelerated a process that has already been in place for years. In this sense, COVID-19 is not necessarily a tragic disruption of the audio school curriculum, but rather an essential and overdue opportunity to reshape the way we teach and learn audio production for a modern world that requires flexibility over all else.”

Beyond the conversations buzzing on the ground floor, the American Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a 21% projected increase between 2020 and 2030 in the production industries including audio engineering, broadcast, and video production. 

These first hand reports contain a collective sigh of relief for existing audio engineers, and the BLS data acts as a beacon of hope for future audio enthusiasts looking to pursue a career in this industry. It means that, yes, these jobs are in high demand. 

How Do I Become an Audio Engineer?

Above all else, experience means the most. Becoming an audio engineer, then, means gaining experience with as many components of the production process as you can.

To help yourself understand how best to become an audio engineer, spend some time reviewing as many job postings as possible to get a feel for what proficiencies are expected of audio engineers. 

We reviewed over 100 job postings and learned there is something unique about career paths in audio engineering.

Employers from the USA and Canada tend to be very descriptive about the programs and skills they wish to find in their audio engineering employees. But when it comes to education, many job postings speak very broadly about it, especially at the entry to mid-seniority level. The majority state that “equivalent experience” will satisfy the job requirements without any formal or specific post secondary education. 

Of course, there are more advanced positions that do require traditional education credentials. Those job listings often ask for ‘formal education in sound or related fields,’ allowing for ample wiggle room to make any traditional education in audio engineering applicable to these job opportunities. Examples would be audio mix engineers or audio mastering engineers. Good news, yes?

One thing many positions have in common is the need for other certifications with or without a traditional post secondary education. These certificates can include:

• PSAV technician certificates (very commonly requested, and employers often provide grace periods to complete trainings after employment has started)
• ‘Working at heights’ certifications (related to live event audio set-ups, but we still saw this request and requests for scissor lift certifications as well)
• Valid Driver’s licences 

Why Go to Audio Engineering School?

While you can get in the door with the right mix of experience and knowledge of programs without any post secondary education, it’s difficult to find that knowledge outside of that education. 

At the heart of what these certificate, diploma, and degree programs offer you is a chance to gain that experience and build portfolios along with connections for a successful future upon graduation. 

How Long is Audio Engineering School?

As you’ll see below, each program has its own duration. Of course, the longer programs are likely to result in degree-level credentials. As we mentioned above, very often, the credential itself isn’t what matters, it’s the experience you get with the technology, equipment, and people that will make you a stellar candidate for audio engineering positions after graduation. 

Notice that tuition ranges drastically from one program to another. While we’ve stressed the reality that any credential will be more than enough to get you into the jobs you want, the programs below truly provide a learning experience and environment that will become an invaluable asset for your future career growth. Get your notepad ready…

Bachelors in Audio Engineering Quick Facts

Here is a brief snapshot of what to expect and look forward to with a bachelor’s degree in audio engineering.

Quick Facts
Common Pre-Enrollment Requirements:	High School Diploma or GED (associate’s degree is optional)
Common Core Subjects Covered:	Audio Editing, Mixing, Sound Design, Recording, Post Production
Non-Classwork Required:	None (Internship is strongly recommended)
Expected Time to Complete Bachelor’s Degree:	4 years
Common Next Steps:	Entry-Level Position, Master’s Degree
Most Common Career Fields:	Sound/Audio Engineering, Sound Design, Musical Composing, Recording, Producing, Audio Equipment Design

Exploring Degree Types and Accreditation

A Bachelor of Arts is the most common degree in audio engineering, and some may argue, the most versatile. However, you’ll also find degree options in audio engineering and its related fields references as follows:

• Bachelor of Music (BM) – designed for students with a strong passion and interest in the performance arts with specialization options to suit talents and career goals
• Bachelor of Science (BS) – designed to provide a stronger scientific and mathematical background for those interested in taking more computer and technology courses
• Bachelor of Engineering (BE, B.Eng) – the least common and only offered by a few schools, a BE provides a solid foundation in one of the many areas of engineering including audio

Accreditation is important for all degrees, ensuring you receive a qualified education. The accrediting bodies featured in our list are:

• CIHE – Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
• DEAC – Distance Education Accrediting Commission
• HLC – Higher Learning Commission
• MSA – Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• MSCHE – Middle States Commission on Higher Education

• NEASC – New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• NCA – North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
• NWCCU – Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• SACS – Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• WSCUC – WASC Senior College and University Commission

Starting Fall 2012 the interdisciplinary major and minor of International Film and Media Studies will be housed in the School of Communication.

Total Credit Hours: 39

Foundation Courses (9 credit hours)

• IFMS 201 Media Theory and Criticism
• COMM 274 Intro to Cinema
• COMM 135 Intro to Video OR
• COMM 232 Digital Cinema Production

Required Production Courses (9 credit hours)

• FNAR 115 Photography
• COMM 130 Intro to Audio Production
• COMM 326 Screenwriting 

Elective Production Courses (12* credit hours)

*6 hours must be at the 300 level 

• COMM 135 Intro to Video Production (if not taken above)
• COMM 202 Story for Film and TV
• COMM 207 Photojournalism
• COMM 232 Digital Cinema Production (if not taken above)
• COMM 257 Radio/TV Writing
• COMM 275 Web Design & Usability
• COMM 338 Narrative Production
• COMM 339 Documentary Production
• COMM 359 Advanced Post Production
• COMM 384 Film Practicum
• FNAR 219 Digital Photography
• FNAR 233 Computer Graphics I
• FNAR 333 Computer Graphics II
• FNAR 383 Design for the Web
• IFMS 263 Intermediate Topics in Production
• IFMS 363 Advanced Topics in Production
• IFMS 399 Internship in Production
• MUSC 201Intro to Music Technology
• THTR 204 Playwriting/Storytelling
• THTR 252 Intro to Design
• THTR 253 Crafts for the Stage
• THTR 261 Beginning Acting
• THTR 328 Stage Lighting: Theory & Tech I

International Cinema History (3 credit hours)

• COMM 203 Cinema History
• COMM 302 Discovering China Through Film
• FNAR 365 History of Photography
• GERM 370 German Cinema
• IFMS 262 Intermediate Topics in Int’l Cinema History
• IFMS 362 Advanced Topics in Int’l Cinema History
• LITR 204 European Film
• LITR 214 Indian Film
• LITR  219 African Film
• LITR 244 Indian Film
• LITR 267 Italian Film History
• LITR 284 International Film

Media and Society or Theory, Genre & Movements (3 credit hours)

Media and Society

• ANTH 210 Visual Representation of Culture
• ANTH 308 Media and Cultural Change
• COMM 200 Communication & New Media
• COMM 258 Game Studies
• COMM 383 Global Media
• COMM 322 Guerilla media
• COMM 232 Remixing Culture
• COMM 357 Archiving & Curating (Topics)
• COMM 361 New Media Design and Criticism
• FNAR 199 Art and Visual Culture
• HIST 393 Amer. Culture & Society on Film
• IFMS 265Intermediate Topics in Media & Society
• IFMS 360 Advanced Topics in Media and Society
• SOCL 123 Mass Media and Pop Culture T

Theory, Genre & Movements

• COMM 324 Film Genre (repeatable twice with different topics)
• FNAR 390 Seminar in Art and Ideas
• IFMS 261 Intermediate Topics in Theory & Genre
• IFMS 361 Advanced Topics in Theory and Genre
• LITR  264 Italian Film Genre

Capstone Experience (3 credit hours)

• COMM 338 Narrative Production
• COMM 339 Documentary Video Production
• IFMS 394 Capstone Project (Production) OR 
• IFMS Program Director’s permission for a course equivalent