Sound Recording (Tonmeister)
Factfile
| Typical Entry Requirements | A level grades AAB (340 points) |
|---|---|
| Required Subjects | Mathematics, Music and Physics to A level or equivalent are required. This may be evidenced by gaining appropriate qualifications or by passing written tests at interview. Music Technology A level together with ABRSM Music Theory Grade 5 is acceptable in place of Music A level. Musical performance proficiency equivalent to ABRSM Grade 7 is desirable. |
| English Language Requirements | An IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent for non-native-English-speaking applicants. |
| Other Suitable Qualifications | International Baccalaureate - 36 points A wide range of other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis such as HND, Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish qualifications, Access Diplomas and Foundation courses. Appropriate subjects are required. |
|---|---|
| Planned Intake | 36 |
| Selection Process | Offers are made in terms of grades. We do not include General Studies in our offers. Potentially suitable applicants will be interviewed before offers are made. During the visit to the University, the candidate can find out more about the programme and meet staff and students. |
The Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) programme aims to equip you with the breadth of knowledge required for a successful career in any area of professional audio. By balancing a rigorous study of music and the technical and scientific aspects of sound recording with the operational and practical aspects of each, we have formed a blend of music and sound recording which, we believe, makes the Tonmeister programme unique in the UK university system.
A combination of the broad knowledge base provided by the programme, the professional nature of the teaching and facilities, and the reputation of the programme within the industry means that the employment prospects for graduates are excellent.
Further information
Degree Programme
BMus (Tonmeister) (Hons) Degrees
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| BMus (Tonmeister) (Hons) Music and Sound Recording | J931 | 4* years |
Our Degree
The Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) programme is well established and highly regarded in the industry. It is aimed at those who are primarily interested in the theory and practice of sound recording and audio engineering.
The programme comprises three areas of study: technical understanding of audio, practical experience of recording, and musical theory and practice. We believe that all of these components are essential for an audio engineer to be able to cope with the wide variety of tasks that the role entails.
The technical aspects of the programme cover the components that contribute to modern sound recording and reproduction, such as acoustics, electroacoustics, electronics, computer audio systems, sound synthesis and signal processing. The practical elements of the programme provide you with tuition in recording techniques and critical listening, as well as allowing you to apply the technical theory to making recordings of a wide range of music. The musical components of the programme will develop your analytical skills, and provide the opportunity for detailed study of creative disciplines such as performance and composition.
The Tonmeister programme will prepare you for a career in the professional audio industry. However, your career choice is not restricted to being a recording engineer. The breadth of experience gained in the programme equips graduates with numerous practical skills and an invaluable initiative and adaptability.
Programme Overview
Level 1 of the Tonmeister programme will provide you with a foundation in technical and musical skills. The technical modules cover the fundamentals of how audio equipment operates, so that you can understand how sound is generated, captured, stored, modified and reproduced. The musical modules cover a range of topics, including the thorough grounding necessary for you to act as a producer in musical recording sessions.
The technical modules at Level 2 will provide you with a more detailed understanding of audio engineering processes and allow your knowledge to be applied to practical recording. A wide range of recording experience is included and you will be required to make and submit several recordings in a range of styles. There is a broad range of music modules to choose from, so you can specialise in your area of interest, such as performance, composition, pop music, jazz, film music, music history and analysis.
The main components of Level 3 are the technical project and the portfolio of recordings. Each of these allows you to specialise in whichever you consider the most interesting or useful. In addition the video engineering module will provide you with an understanding of video technology used in film and television, including issues such as sychronisation of audio and video. The music options in this final year cover a similar range of topics to Level 2.
Programme Structure
Level 1
Modules include:
- Acoustics
- Audio Engineering
- Audio Signal Processing
- Electronics
- Operational Practicals
- Recording Techniques
- Harmony
- Knowledge of Instruments
- Score Studies
- Understanding Music 1
Plus two optional music modules
Level 2
Modules include:
- Audio Engineering
- Audio Laboratory
- Computer Audio Systems
- Electroacoustics
- Recording Techniques
- Sound Synthesis Techniques
Plus up to four optional music modules
Level P
- Professional training year
Level 3
Modules include:
- Audio Engineering
- Audio Research Seminars
- Portfolio of Recordings
- Technical Project
- Recording Techniques Seminars
- Video Engineering
Plus up to three optional music modules
Professional Training
The integrated professional training year will provide you with first-hand experience of working in professional audio and will help you to gain important contacts in the industry. You will gain valuable experience by working for a year in a commercial company, such as a recording studio, a broadcasting company, an audio consultancy, an audio manufacturer, a computer games developer or a post-production facility.
We will maintain contact with you through formal visits by professional training tutors and other informal means. In recent years students have obtained placements in top London studios such as Abbey Road, Strongroom and Air Lyndhurst; classical recording companies such as Chandos and Floating Earth; and audio equipment manufacturers such as Harman-Becker, Dolby, and Bang and Olufsen. You can expect to be employed in a variety of responsible tasks, often as part of a relatively small team, tackling work ranging from music recording and editing through technical maintenance to product support.
Ten reasons to study Sound Recording (Tonmeister) at Surrey
- A unique combination of music, engineering and practice
- An excellent reputation in the industry
- A professional training year which is an ideal opportunity to experience the audio workplace and make essential contacts
- Facilities of the highest professional standard - unmatched in UK universities
- A flexible programme to meet your interests and career aspirations
- Excellent employment prospects across the whole of the audio industry
- Enthusiastic, experienced, friendly and knowledgeable staff
- Teaching rated as excellent by external auditors
- A well-established and continually developing programme
- A limited intake of students, allowing ample studio time and providing a strong sense of community
Top for Jobs
Graduates in 2008 entered employment in roles such as:
- Abbey Road Studios – Assistant Engineer
- Air Lyndhurst Studios - Assistant Engineer
- BBC – Audio Supervisor
- HHB Audio - Engineer
- Mayflower Studios - Recording Engineer
- Optilam UK - Programmer
- Red Bee Media - Technician
- SoSound - Audio Designer
- The Canvas Room - Music Producer
Career Opportunities
The broad range of subjects covered in the Tonmeister programme will prepare you for work in any area of the audio industry, from musical roles through practical audio engineering to development of new audio technologies. Our graduates have gone on to a wide range of careers, including:
- Audio engineering for pop music, classical music, film, post-production, mastering and broadcast
- Audio editing for film, television, radio, classical music and pop music
- Specification, installation, operation or maintenance of live sound systems for music and theatre
- Technical support for the recording industry – undertaking studio maintenance, equipment rental and technical installations
- Manufacture of all types of professional and consumer audio equipment – research and development, technical support, product management, marketing and sales
- Creative music roles, such as composition for film and television, freelance performing or sound design for computer games
In fact, given the large number of students that have graduated from the programme, each sector of the audio industry that you can think of probably employs at least one of our graduates.
Teaching
The teaching methods that we use encompass a mixture of lectures, seminars, in-depth projects and practical work. At Levels 2 and 3, you will spend a significant part of your time managing your own recording sessions, and at Level 1 you will learn by assisting other students. We encourage all of our students to participate in the many practical opportunities which are afforded by the Department. These include a wide range of ensembles, recording sessions and performance/composition workshops. Your final-year project gives you the chance to specialise in an area that is either of interest or of use in your chosen career – for this you will be supervised individually by a member of the academic staff.
Facilities
The Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) programme benefits from a range of facilities that are of the highest professional standards and are unmatched in the UK university sector. The majority of the facilities are housed in the Performing Arts and Technology Studios (PATS) building, which was built to stringent acoustical specifications and fitted with equipment to match the best professional studios.
As a student on the Tonmeister programme, you will have access to three recording studios. Studio 1 has a live area large enough to record a full orchestra and choir, a control room containing a 48-channel Sony digital console, a Pyramix multi-channel recording and editing system and a range of analogue and digital recorders. Studio 2 has a smaller live area which is less reverberant and a control room containing a 56-channel SSL 9000K series console, a 24-track 2” analogue multi-track tape, Apple Logic, a 48-channel Pro Tools HD 2 system and a 48-track hard disk-based recorder. Studio 3 has a small overdub booth and a control room containing a 96-channel Sony OXF-R3 digital console, a 24-track 2” analogue multi-track tape machine, 48-channel Apple Logic system and surround sound monitoring.
You will also have access to four edit suites, containing a range of analogue and digital recorders, MIDI equipment and digital audio workstations, including Pro Tools HD, Apple Logic Pro, Pyramix and SADiE.
In addition to these facilities, you will be able to use our extensive range of over 100 microphones, our ITU BS-1116 standard listening room, 16 Apple Mac G5 workstations, mobile recording vans and an assortment of measurement and test equipment.
More information about our facilities can be found at: www.tonmeister.co.uk.
[quote]
"Students have a fantastic opportunity here...in the world only two other universities have a facility like this"
George Massenburg, GRAMMY award winning engineer and producer
Assessment
Degree results are based on examinations during Levels 2 and 3, continuous assessment of coursework, and credits awarded during the professional training year. Level 1 results will not count towards your degree classification; however, they provide the foundation of knowledge on which the remainder of the programme is built, and will determine whether you are able to proceed to Level 2.
Your Level 3 technical project (a substantial piece of written work, including a practical investigation of a topic chosen by you, subject to departmental approval) and your portfolio of recordings (a selection of recordings which you have made during your undergraduate career) together will account for over 40 per cent of the Level 3 mark.
Contact Details
T: 0800 980 3200 or +44 (0)1483 681681
What our students say
Graduate Profile: Robert Yorke
BMus Music and Sound Recording
The Tonmeister programme alone was enough to make me want to come to Surrey. It has an excellent balance of theoretical and hands-on training and a professional training year that integrates well with time spent at the University. Much of the practical training is done yourself by running recording sessions; first-year students learn by assisting second- and final-year students on such projects.
All the studios, editing suites and audio equipment are of industry standard. The lecturing is second to none and aimed at professional audio systems, so that a Tonmeister learns ‘why’ as well as ‘how’.
The professional training year offers you the opportunity to gain experience within the real world of pro-audio. I worked as a technical engineer for Strongroom Studios in London, employed to maintain their six studios and give support to clients and other staff. With this responsibility I was expected to know every wire, plug and socket in the building – something I never had to worry about at Surrey since the studios are all maintained for you.
Although studying music only makes up part of the course, it was one of the attractions for me. As a Tonmeister you will get a lot of choice between music modules, and can choose those that suit you.
Graduate Profile: Dave Rowell
BMus Music and Sound Recording
Surrey was the only UK institution that ran the precise course that I wanted to do. The placement year was a real draw; it meant the opportunity to have experience of working in the real world whilst still training and being able to make contacts.
The campus is convenient as everything is so close together, especially in the first year when becoming acquainted with both lectures and the student way of life. It gives a real sense of community for people in all years.
The course gives great scope to specialise in so many different areas of the audio industry. Tuition on microphone selection and placement was extremely beneficial as it proved invaluable for my professional training year.
My placement involved recording and editing classical music on location. I did freelance work for a number of prominent engineers in London including Simon Eadon and John Dunkerley. Through working with so many engineers and being given immense amounts of freedom with editing, I learnt a great deal about microphone selection and the editing process. Since finishing my placement I have continued to do freelance work for almost all the companies I worked for.
