Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production)
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 1 year -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 5.5
Duration
Full-time 1 year Location
Melbourne City Fees
AU$20,500 (2019 annual)
Next intake
February
Overview
This practical, hands-on program provides you with studio, lab and live venue based training, through state-of-the-art facilities and industry-connected instructors.
The sound production program suite is made up of two years of study, with each year being an individual, nationally recognised qualification.
You will start your journey in the Diploma and, upon successful completion, continue in the Advanced Diploma. In the Diploma, you will be provided with the foundation skills and knowledge required for further study and a career in audio technology.
In the Advanced Diploma stage of the program, you will build on the core skills and knowledge attained in the Diploma year, and implement them on large-scale projects. Projects include live event productions at commercial venues, live sound reinforcement, and event recording and surround sound mixing. These projects will allow you to work directly with practicing industry professionals on award winning projects.
The Advanced Diploma will develop your skills and knowledge in sound design, post-production, broadcast audio and audio networking protocols, expanding your range of audio production skills to better prepare you for the range of industries available in sound production.
Details
The learning and teaching environment is made up of audiovisual classrooms, and recording and mixing sound studios. Audio computer labs for software training and assessment are available to students, as well as online support. Outside of the classroom, live performance venues are also used in order for students to gain experience in the working environment.
All programs are delivered in English.
You can access online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
Studio and equipment details:
STUDIO 1: NEVE Genesys Console (1st in the Southern Hemisphere).
- Protools HDX-3 system version 12.7 (Mac)
- Logic X (latest version)
- HARRISON MixBus 32C v4
- Education Partnership with McDSP digital signal processing offering full HD collection.
- UAD-2 High End Plug-ins and extensive range by AVID, WAVES and many others.
- Extensive range of analogue outboard processing.
- MCI 500 series 2" 24track analogue recorder.
- Stereo Studio monitoring by Dynaudio, Genelec and Yamaha.
STUDIO 2: AVID C|24 Control Surface
- Protools HDX-3 system version 12.7 (Mac)
- Logic X (latest version)
- HARRISON MixBus 32C v4
- Education Partnership with McDSP digital signal processing offering full HD collection.
- UAD-2 High End Plug-ins and extensive range by AVID, WAVES and many others.
- Extensive range of analogue outboard processing.
- 5.1 Surround Studio monitoring by Genelec.
- Stereo Studio monitoring by Dynaudio.
STUDIO 3: SSL AWS924 Console (with Delta software integration)
- Protools HDX-3 system version 12.7 (Mac)
- Logic X (latest version)
- HARRISON MixBus 32C v4
- Education Partnership with McDSP digital signal processing offering full HD collection.
In each year of the program, you'll do 40 hours of supervised work-integrated learning in your chosen industry area, gaining industry experience and contacts.
This program has been developed with the ongoing consultation of strong industry networks including:
- Soundfirm
- Sing Sing Recording Studios
- Music and Effects Studios
- Risk Sound
- Bakehouse Studios
- Newmarket Studios
- ABC Network
- Network 7
- Network 10
- E-Audio/Metropolis Audio
- McDSP has a continuing education partnership with RMIT Sound Production since 2009.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
Diploma: 1 year full-time
Advanced Diploma: 1 year full-time
International student visa holders can only study full-time.
Diploma: 1 year full-time
Advanced Diploma: 1 year full-time
Please note: You will be admitted to the diploma level of the training package and upon successful completion you can apply to study the next qualification, the Advanced Diploma.
This program suite runs over 2 years (4 semesters), consisting of the Diploma (year 1) and the Advanced Diploma (year 2). Its focus is the recording, mixing and live production of music, branching out to other applications such as post-production in the second year.
The first year of the program suite, the Diploma, covers professional knowledge and skills using industry standard hardware and software, and will teach you to operate in a variety of professional audio production environments.
In the second year, the Advanced Diploma, students move into areas such as sound for film, television and online/multimedia productions, as well as learning advanced mixing concepts such as surround sound technology.
Music recording and mixing principles covered in the first year are expanded on in advanced mixing concepts and mastering.
The practical component for this year includes staging and recording a number of live performances, including and covering front of house, monitors and outside broadcast van recording.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production) | City Campus |
1 year- Full-time
|
1 year- Full-time
|
C5378 | 096330K |
Choose a program structure
Program code: C5378
National curriculum code: CUA50815
Career
Sound technicians operate audio equipment to amplify, enhance, record, mix or reproduce sound in many contexts, including:
- studio recording
- pre-production
- live sound
- sound and music reinforcement in television, radio, film and multimedia
- broadcast
The career options for audio and sound engineers are dynamic and ever-changing. Despite the worlds of media, broadcast and event/concert production continuing to evolve, employment opportunities for skilled media technicians will always be part of this evolution.
This program will provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work as an audio engineer in the following areas:
- music recording studios
- post-production facilities
- television production
- radio broadcast
- film production
- live sound reinforcement
- concert production
- event production
- media production
- sound production
Admissions
There are no minimum academic requirements.
You will be invited to attend an interview.
All applications must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- Early round (Non year 12 only): 27 September 2018
- Main round (All applicants): 30 November 2018
- All subsequent rounds (if places are available): 7 February 2019
Direct applicants, including RMIT current or recent students, please submit your application by 15 February 2019. Please note applications will be assessed until this date unless places are filled prior.
Interviews will be held in October (VTAC Early round) and November/December (VTAC main round).
For all subsequent rounds and direct applicants, interviews will be arranged after you have submitted your application. Interstate or oveaseas applicants may be interviewed via telephone or video call. Advisory letters will be sent in late October (Early round) and late December (Main round).
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 50% average (check calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
Entry requirements
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 5.5 (with no individual band below 5.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 530 (TWE 3.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 50 (with minimum of 5 in Reading, 5 in Listening, 14 in Speaking and 15 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 42 (with no communication band less than 36)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 162 with no less than 154 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Upper Intermediate Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Successful completion of the Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production) guarantees entry into the Advanced Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production). The Advanced Diploma is offered as an additional year of full-time study.
You may be eligible to begin your studies at the Advanced Diploma level if you already hold a Certificate IV in Music Industry (Sound Production) or Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production) or have the relevant knowledge and skills. You must still apply for the Diploma and will be assessed for entry into the Advanced Diploma.
Graduates of the Advanced Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production) can continue their studies in the Bachelor of Arts (Music Industry), Bachelor of Design (Digital Media) or the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art). If successful in gaining entry, they may be eligible for some credits.
When you successfully complete the Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production), you are guaranteed entry into the Advanced Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production).
When you successfully complete the Advanced Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production), you may be eligible for entry into a range of other RMIT programs. The grades you achieve, plus any other program requirements, determine which programs you can enter and the credit awarded:
- You are guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Design (Digital Media) with 3 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 144 credit points).
- If you achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 (out of 4.0), you are guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Arts (Music Industry) with 3 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 144 credit points).
If you achieve below the minimum grade, you may still apply. Applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and credit is not guaranteed. - You may be eligible for entry into the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) with 2 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 96 credit points). Submission of a folio is required and credit is not guaranteed.
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry to other RMIT vocational study or undergraduate programs.
Fees
The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place.
To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at ‘How to check if you are eligible’**.
2019 Fees
- 2019 government subsidised place: AU$6,250* per annum
- 2019 full-fee place: AU$14,000* per annum
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.
The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide. Learn more about fees for vocational study.
- 2018 full-fee place: AU$13750* per annum
- Maximum VET Student Loan for program: AU$5000**
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
**The maximum loan amount for a program is indexed annually on 1 January, and the maximum loan amount denoted above is correct at the time of publication.
Eligibility criteria waver
**The Victorian Government is currently waiving two (2) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and already have a qualification, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility.
VET Student Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme (VSL), which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.
How does a VET Student Loan work?
If your VSL application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.
If your program is eligible for the VSL scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference once you exceed the cap.
Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt. You will start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.