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Dance Music Production
(6-months)

All course details are included below. For easy navigation, use the links in the following list:

> Course details
> What does it cost?
> What qualification will i receive?
> Am i eligible to apply?
> How do i register?
> Which facilities are available to me?

Course Details
It is now possible to produce music at home using an average computer (PC or Mac), along with a small selection of inexpensive software, and in fact there is a growing trend amongst producers towards using a single computer as a complete virtual studio. The quality of the production is not compromised in any way, and the creative process is actually speeded up as a result of using this technology.

The Dance Music Production course covers all the latest, most popular software used within the music industry, such as Steinberg Cubase SX3 & Wavelab, and Propellerhead Reason & Recycle, as well as a variety of softsynths and plugins. Some previous knowledge of computers and/or music production is helpful, but by no means essential.

The course has been designed to appeal to anyone with a love of dance music, from DJs who want to start producing their own tracks, to people with no previous experience of production but with a burning desire to express themselves musically. Traditional producers who want to learn new audio techniques and technology are encouraged to join, as well as musicians who are scrapping the portastudio in favour of something far more innovative.

Whatever genre of dance music you are into, SSR will give you the opportunity to develop your style. From UK Garage, Progressive House, Hard House, Drum and Bass to Techno, Trance and Chillout, you are fully free to explore new directions, and SSR's massive sample library and carefully selected soft-synths and effects plugins will get you up and running in no time at all...

You don't have to be a musician to enroll on the course. Dance music tracks are generally built around samples and synthesisers, so anyone with determination and a keen ear can create something new.

Attendance is 10 hours per week over 6 months. Time is split into 4 categories - lectures, workshops practical sessions and studio time. By the end of the course, the student will have aquired the skills needed to produce any chosen style of dance music to a releasable standard and to master their product to CD.

The School of Sound Recording is one of the UK's premiere Steinberg Training Centres, and as such enjoys full endorsement by Steinberg. In addition the course is accredited by the NOCN (National Open College Network), and successful graduates will be awarded an Advanced Diploma in Music and Music Technology.

Training includes the following topics:

* Principles of Sound
* Critical Listening
* Midi Sequencing
* Editing and Arrangement
* Audio Sequencing
* Wave Editing
* Synthesis Techniques
* Sampling
* Mixdown
* Mastering
* CD Burning
* Studio Environment

What does it cost?
The Dance Music Producion course is 6 months long and can be joined in either our March or September semesters. Payment can be made weekly, monthly or in one lump sum before the start of the course.

Payment Method A (Single Payment): 1 x 1944 (save £216)
Payment Method B (Quarterly Payments): 2 x £1080
Payment Method C (Monthly Payments): 6 x £360
Payment Method D (Weekly Payments): 24 x £90
A £100 registration fee is payable upon application for the course.

Are there any other ways to pay?
Yes, you could apply for a Career Development Loan (CDL). This is a deferred repayment bank loan to help you pay for your course.

CDLs are available through a partnership arrangement between the Department of Education and Skills (DfES) and four high-street banks - Barclays, Clydesdale, The Co-Operative and The Royal Bank of Scotland.

For more information on Career Development Loans visit the website www.lifelonglearning.dfes.gov.uk/cdl

What qualification will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the course you will be awarded an Advanced Diploma in Music Technology, issued by the National Open College Network (NOCN).

You will also receive an Official Steinberg Training Centre Certificate of Attendance.