The Industry

The expertise of a sound engineer is required for a diverse range of projects including the recording and reproduction of music and sound, sound effects and dialoguing. All of these skills are required in the fields of film, television, radio, theatre, corporate functions, promotions and of course in music.

As consumer demands for better quality audio products increase and the number of recordings being made outside the professional recording studio grows, the opportunity for students to find employment in this field is expansive.

One of the most significant changes to affect the audio industry has been the move from analogue to digital technology, requiring audio engineers to increasingly deal on multi-faceted levels. Whilst analogue technology still plays a major role in the industry, many studios and learning institutions have either replaced their large format consoles and expensive tape machines with digital systems, or have added a digital system to complement their analogue console.

Despite the aforementioned changes to the industry, the JMC Academy continues to deliberately incorporate both analogue and digital technologies into its teaching methods, as there are significant advantages to be gained from learning on both systems.

 

Want to be an Audio Engineering and Sound Production Student?

In 1991, the JMC Academy became Australia's first institution to offer accredited courses in Audio Engineering. Today, as a higher education accredited programme, it continues to evolve in line with industry standards and expectations to ensure that you remain well prepared to enter into and succeed in this field.

As a student at the JMC Academy, you will gain in-depth knowledge into the operational and technical aspects of the audio production industry, with particular emphasis on production, editing, recording and mixing. During your course, you will also undertake studies in analogue and digital recording, studio operation, live PA, post production for television and video, acoustic design, electronics, music editing for picture, and midi sequencing.

In addition to the audio specific units, you will also cover the business fundamentals of the industry. Studies in copyright law, music literacy, communication, and music publishing ensure that you are up to speed with the business principles required in the real world.

Why is this Course Unique?

• An enviable reputation! The JMC Academy has been delivering courses in Audio Engineering for over 25 years, responding to changes in the industry with vigour, a comprehensive and well structured curriculum and incomparable facility upgrades. Over this time, the JMC Academy has earned the respect of industry leaders such as Yamaha, Shure Microphones, JVC, and Jands enabling our students to train in the highest quality of audio equipment.
   
• The JMC Academy’s audio courses are seriously production based and will position you for a solid career path in the international audio industry. As a graduate of the JMC Academy's Audio Engineering and Sound Production course, you will have the optimum advantage of being able to work in a diverse range of environments and "hit the ground running" with any challenge, project or piece of equipment faced in your career future. This has been the consistent feedback from employers and Alumni students alike.
   
• By combining teaching in fundamental business principles with practical application and training on a range of equipment styles, both traditional and leading edge, JMC Academy students graduate with a unique ability to succeed in any project they undertake within the industry.
   
• The practical application of integrating student knowledge and advanced audio technology into other disciplines within the JMC Academy, ensures students graduate with an enviable and competitive ability to approach the industry with unique ideas and a fresh approach.

What Career will this Course prepare me for?

As a result of the introduction and wide acceptance of wave form digital recording and editing systems such as ProTools, the Audio Industry has become increasingly specialised. The implication for those students embarking on a career in the industry requires that they have a broad understanding of varied operational styles, combined with as much practical operating experience as possible.

To enhance employment prospects further, knowledge and experience in communication techniques – as taught at the JMC Academy – will position graduates at the forefront of this industry.

Essentially, work may be found within:
 

• Recording studios
• Film and television production houses
• Radio stations
• Convention centres
• Live sound theatres.

Specific roles may include:

• music producer
• production coordinator
• recording engineer
• dialogue editor
• recording mixer
• studio manager/owner
• sound effects editor
• programmer
• ProTools operator
• music editor
• location sound engineer
• sound designer
• mastering engineer.

Audio Engineering and Sound Production Courses

• Diploma of Audio Engineering and Sound Production
• Associate Degree of Audio Engineering and Sound Production
• Bachelor of Creative Technology (Audio Engineering and Sound Production)

Course Structure

All units of study for the Diploma, Associate Degree and Degree programmes are delivered on JMC Academy premises and are attainable at the following levels:

Diploma

• Based on full time status, students complete the programme in 2 semesters or 1 Academic Year (36 weeks).

Associate Degree

• Based on full time status, students complete the programme in 4 semesters or 2 Academic Years (72 weeks).

Bachelor Degree

• Based on full time status, students complete the programme in 6 semesters or 3 Academic Years (104 weeks).
   

Digidesign Certification

After a rigorous review of the JMC Academy’s facilities and superior technology used in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane’s Audio courses, the JMC Academy is also now a Certified Digidesign Training location.

This recognition allows the JMC Academy to offer 100 and 200 level courses in ProTools for introductory and formal ProTools certification.

This certification makes the JMC Academy the only provider in Australia to offer 200 level courses in more than one state.