SOUND ENGINEERING AND ELECTRONIC MUSIC
FOUNDATION COURSE
Pre-academic Course in Voice and Electronic Music.
The Pre-Academic Course in Voice and Electronic Music is a year-long, full-immersion program designed to prepare students for admission to the bachelor’s degree programs in Electronic Music and Sound Engineering at Saint Louis College of Music.
The course is designed for those who wish to acquire a solid foundation in sound production and management, developing practical skills and a working methodology applicable to various professional contexts: from the recording studio to post-production, and on to audio projects for digital and multimedia content.
The professional roles addressed by this program are now central to contemporary audio production processes, with career opportunities that include recording studios, radio and television, video and documentary production, as well as numerous applications in the technologies and languages of the multimedia world.
Duration 1 year
Attendance 16/18 hours per week concentrated in 2-4 days*
Where Milan and Rome, Saint Louis College of Music
Language Italian and English
Admission Requirements: No entrance exam
*The pre-academic course in sound design and electronic music also offers an online option; however, there will be one week of in-person classes in February, and exams will be held on campus in June.
The Pre-Academic Course in Sound Design and Electronic Music is a year-long, full-immersion program that provides foundational technical and musical training in the main areas of audio production, electronic music, and sound engineering.
The course does not require an entrance exam and, upon completion— provided students pass the end-of-year exams— allowsdirect admission to the bachelor’s degree programs in Electronic Music and Sound Engineering.
During the pre-academic course in sound and electronic music, students acquire skills in the following areas:
- MIDI and digital audio, sampling, noise and audio modulation, the MIDI protocol, using sequencing software, virtual instruments, modular and compact synthesizers.
- Audio, use and setup of mixing consoles, preamplification and equalization, audio signal processing, dynamic and ambient processors, modulation and delay effects.
- Piano theory and practice, fundamentals of music theory and harmony, and the study of the piano as a professional instrument applied to music production and computer-based music creation.
- Live electronics: an introduction to using software for creating electroacoustic music, including Ableton Live, Reaktor, Cycling ’74 Max/MSP, and Max for Live.
- Technical English, focused on understanding and using terminology specific to music technology
Upon completion of the pre-academic course in Voice and Electronic Music, students can make an informed choice regarding the bachelor’s degree program that best aligns with the skills they have developed during the year, selecting from the following programs at the Saint Louis College of Music:
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Bachelor’s Degree Program in Electronic Music
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Bachelor’s Degree Program in Sound Engineering
The three-year bachelor’s degree programs allow students to deepen their technical, musical, and design skills related to audio production, electronic music, and sound engineering in professional settings.
Career Opportunities for Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Completing the three-year bachelor’s degree programs in Sound Engineering and Electronic Music opens the door to a variety of career opportunities, including:
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Sound engineer for recording studios, live performances, music productions, and audio post-production.
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Audio technician in the radio, television, audiovisual, and multimedia fields.
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Sound designer for audiovisual projects, sound installations, digital media, and interactive content.
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A musician and electronic music producer dedicated to creating, producing, and performing original projects.
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Audio technician for video productions, documentaries, and multimedia content, with cross-disciplinary expertise in sound and technology.
There are no entrance exams for admission to the pre-academic course in Voice and Electronic Music, and students may enroll without any specific technical background.
The course has a limited enrollment of 96 students. Registration opens in May and remains open until all available spots are filled.
