Courses

MTI-524, 3 credit(s), required course

This master's level audio recording engineering course will give students an overview of the methods and strategies that make up the professional practice of studio audio engineering, preparing them to apply these techniques to their music production work. This course explores the hybrid nature of modern recording techniques and strategies. The curriculum thoroughly studies the simultaneous integration of advanced large format consoles, cutting-edge digital audio workstation capabilities, as well as advanced, creative acoustic recording methods. The traditional console recording paradigm will be expanded by seamlessly merging it with powerful digital audio workstation signal processing using plug-ins. The course aims at innovating and streamlining the technological aspects of the recording process as a means to ultimately facilitate the creative endeavor of capturing music and emotion through sound.

MTI-525, 3 credit(s), required course

This advanced, master's level audio recording engineering course will give students a comprehensive review of the methods and strategies that make up the professional practice of studio and post production audio engineering. This course explores the hybrid nature of modern recording techniques and stratagems. The curriculum thoroughly studies the simultaneous integration of advanced large-format consoles, cutting-edge digital audio workstation capabilities, as well as advanced creative acoustic recording methods. The traditional console recording paradigm will be expanded by seamlessly merging it with powerful digital audio workstation signal processing, plug-ins, customized signal flow architectures, and the ongoing research of alternative acoustic soundscapes. The course aims at innovating and streamlining the technological aspects of the recording process as a means to ultimately facilitate the creative endeavor of capturing music and emotion through sound.

MTI-531, 2 credit(s), required course

This course presents the techniques and standard practices of professional music production for the independent, freelance music producer. Students will learn to adapt these practices to the changing environment of modern music production, learning to develop a unique production style. The course will encourage students to develop working strategies from an awareness of their own skills and limitations to better understand and serve the needs of their artists and the needs of the changing music industry. Students will lead their own productions in the studios.

MTI-632, 2 credit(s), required course

A continuation of MTI-531, this course presents the techniques and standard practices of professional music production for the independent, freelance music producer. Students will learn to adapt these practices to the changing environment of modern music production, learning to develop a unique production style. The course will encourage students to develop working strategies from an awareness of their skills and limitations to better understand and serve the needs of their artists and the changing music industry. Students will lead their own productions in the studios and will include in-class production and evaluation by the faculty.

MTI-523, 3 credit(s), required course

This course explores topics in electronic production and live performance techniques related to modern electronic dance music production, sound design, arrangement, and performance. Students generate content and create their own music while learning how to use Ableton Live Suite. Students learn to analyze electronic music and explore techniques for remixing, performing, and creating electronic music.

MTI-542, 3 credit(s), required course

In this course, students explore a variety of multimedia software, hardware, tools and strategies useful in creating compelling VJ performances, video and multimedia installations and video mapped projects, especially using “guerilla” techniques (self- produced, low budget projects). The goal is to put more visual performance tools in the hands of musicians, to enable them to expand their musical performances into multimedia and visual realms. Students learn Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Canon SLR cameras, and work in-depth with Resolume Arena, Sketchup and physical object modeling for video mapping. Throughout most of the course, students acquire new skills as they complete a variety of small hands on training projects. Students also enhance their software/hardware/skills learned by creating a visual performance or installation project that is ready for the audiences outside of Berklee and serves to directly support the students’ creative vision.

MTI-543, 3 credit(s), required course

In this course, students learn a variety of multimedia software, hardware, tools and strategies useful in creating compelling graphic design, posters, music videos and other visual media, especially using “guerilla” techniques (self-produced, low budget projects). The goal is to put more visual tools in the hands of musicians, to enable them to take control of their own visual brand and visual promotion, and to help students synthesize a variety of visual design and editing skills in order to increase their ability to express themselves artistically. Students focus all of their newly learned skills to produce a final project of their choice with guidance from the course instructor.

MTI-521, 3 credit(s), required course

As our daily interactions in the social, cultural, and commercial spheres are increasingly digitally mediated—resulting in systems that are open to user input or that persist for an indeterminate amount of time—conventional notions of sequential narrative lose their efficacy, and a new type of system-based problem solving is required. In this course, students learn about the network of emerging practices that are springing up in such fields as sound art, interactive multimedia art, and audiovisual performance. Students gain the technical and theoretical skills to navigate this new ecology of multiple digital media. Using the graphical programming language Max, students develop projects that examine precedents for non-linear structure across boundaries of discipline, culture, and aesthetics.

MTI-501, 0 credit(s), required course

Avid’s Pro Tools software has become the undisputed recording and mixing industry standard for digital audio production. It provides a comprehensive and powerful environment for audio recording, MIDI sequencing, editing, and “in-the-box” mixing. This introduction will jumpstart your Pro Tools engineering and music production chops, covering a full range of basic as well as advanced tools and techniques in a single semester. The course will prepare you for the Pro Tools Proficiency Exam, and will arm you with a high-value skill-set that is essential in the music industry. Prior experience with Pro Tools or another DAW is highly recommended, but not required. Students will have a chance to test out of the course by taking the proficiency exam at the beginning of the fall semester (optional). Students will be provided with a list of resources in order to better prepare for the exam prior to their arrival on campus.

MTI-502, 0 credit(s), required course

Although many professionals are switching to an in-the-box recording, mixing or live setups, there are still many stages in the music production and performance process that depend on analog equipment. Musicians and studios around the world still heavily rely on analog gear, and it is critical that graduates of the music production, technology, and innovation program are able to effectively work in an analog audio environment. This course will prepare students for the analog audio proficiency exam, and will provide them with a high-value skill-set that is essential in the music industry. Prior experience with studio analog gear and/or electronics is highly recommended, but not required. Students will have a chance to test out of the course by taking an optional proficiency exam at the beginning of the fall semester.

GS-503, 1 credit(s), required course

Students participate in a diverse array of professional development experiences to facilitate their career success. These experiences may occur throughout the school year as well as during the Professional Development Week at the beginning of spring semester. These experiences assist students in refining their career goals and focus and in developing a career plan. Students also assess their professional skills, remediate gaps, enhance their professional profile, and sharpen their job search skills. More importantly, students strengthen their skills in career exploration and career resilience.

MTI-515, 2 credit(s), required course

This course explores innovation and the integration of technology in modern music production. Students develop artistic and technical communication skills and practice collaboration. They will also explore relevant brain science and effective approaches to exploration, idea generation, evaluation, and implementation, with an eye towards adapting the most applicable practices to their field of specialization. Common characteristics and practices of trailblazing individuals will be considered, and students will prepare media-rich presentations about their favorites. This course will also function as a forum to integrate the skills and techniques students are learning in their other courses, as well as helping students focus and define their culminating experience thesis projects. The final project in the course will be a detailed definition and action plan for each student’s culminating experience.

MTI-616, 2 credit(s), required course

Innovation Seminar 2 continues the topics and work of MTI-515 Music Technology Innovation Seminar 1 providing the platform for students in the music technology innovation master's program to launch the execution phase of their culminating experience project, while providing an environment where the whole cohort can interact with visiting artists. This course provides a forum for the exploration of innovation and the integration of technology in modern music production. In this course, students learn a thematic and practical exploration of research and innovation in music, arts, and technology. Students will refine and exercise their presentation skills through the milestones for this course: three prototype presentations, during which they will present their works-in-progress, and field feedback from faculty and peers. Thematically, the course will focus on two areas: 1) A practical exploration of research and innovation in music, arts and technology, and 2) The preparation of the student for a career in the music business. Included in this area, will be a discussion of the effects that diversity and inclusion in music production environments can have on innovation and successful outcomes.

GS-500, 0 credit(s), required course

Students work closely with their faculty advisor to conceive and develop their culminating experience—a practical, creative, or research project enabling the student to make a contribution to his/her field of study and to develop their academic and career goals. Meetings between the student and advisor begin during the first week of the first semester (or during orientation) and continue until the final week of the program. Students present ideas, receive feedback, advice, support, suggestions, guidance and more from their advisors as they design and execute their culminating experiences and plan their academic and professional careers. Advisors guide students in meeting the various deadlines and milestones required as students complete their culminating experience, prepare for graduation and prepare for their careers.

GS-500, 0 credit(s), required course

Students work closely with their faculty advisor to conceive and develop their culminating experience—a practical, creative, or research project enabling the student to make a contribution to his/her field of study and to develop their academic and career goals. Meetings between the student and advisor begin during the first week of the first semester (or during orientation) and continue until the final week of the program. Students present ideas, receive feedback, advice, support, suggestions, guidance and more from their advisors as they design and execute their culminating experiences and plan their academic and professional careers. Advisors guide students in meeting the various deadlines and milestones required as students complete their culminating experience, prepare for graduation and prepare for their careers.

GS-500, 0 credit(s), required course

Students work closely with their faculty advisor to conceive and develop their culminating experience—a practical, creative, or research project enabling the student to make a contribution to his/her field of study and to develop their academic and career goals. Meetings between the student and advisor begin during the first week of the first semester (or during orientation) and continue until the final week of the program. Students present ideas, receive feedback, advice, support, suggestions, guidance and more from their advisors as they design and execute their culminating experiences and plan their academic and professional careers. Advisors guide students in meeting the various deadlines and milestones required as students complete their culminating experience, prepare for graduation and prepare for their careers.

MTI-695, 6 credit(s), required course

Music technology innovation students are required to complete a culminating experience project. This creative, artistic or research project enables the student to make a contribution to the music industry. The student will work in consultation with his/her faculty advisor and/or program director to develop his/her unique project. The goal is to complete original work at a professional level. A faculty committee composed of the advisor and one to two other faculty will evaluate the final project that results from the culminating experience. This team will serve as the examining committee.