BECOME A
PROFESSIONAL
AUDIO ENGINEER

Audio Engineering & Production

I WANT ANSWERS!

Overview

You’ve always had an ear for good music, and you know that the proper score or soundscape can become a character of its own. You recognize that sound creates the environment, and the perfect song or sound effect can change the mood of a scene in an instant. Are you ready to set the tone for your future? In just 18 months, as a graduate of the Audio Engineering & Production program, you could be at the helm of the soundboard for a worldwide concert tour, or recording sound effects for the next big video game. Some of the careers held by our graduates include:

  • Recording Engineer
  • Music Producer
  • Post-Production Engineer
  • Sound Designer
  • Sound Studio Assistant
  • Location Audio Engineer
  • Foley Artist

KELOWNA AUDIO ENGINEERING TRAINING

Graduates of this program make significant waves in the audio and music industry, from producing radio commercials, to mixing the scores for blockbuster movies. We pride ourselves on hiring the best instructors in the business—people who have spent years developing their skills and working with top talent. These audio experts will pass on their practical knowledge to give you a head start over the competition. Not only do we hire the best, we make sure you learn using only the very latest software and equipment. At Centre for Arts and Technology, you’ll tackle real-world audio engineering projects in our custom-built recording studios. This is an intensive program teaching foundational skills that will set you up for success in any audio environment. You’ll learn: Music Theory—Music Composition—Scoring for Film Soundtracks—Pro Tools HD—Analog/Digital Studio Operations—Recording and Mixing in Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound—Music Production—Editing and Sound Design—Film Set Location Recording—Recording and Mixing ADR, SFX for TV and Film.

Campuses

Kelowna

Program Length

18 months

Application Deadline

September 6th

Course Flow

  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • Semester 3
  • Semester 4
  • Semester 5
  • Semester 6

In this quarter, you will learn the fundamental technical and theoretical skills necessary to work in the audio industry. You will study the basics of music theory, microphones and basic recording, as well as DAW functionality in industry standard software’s Pro Tools and Ableton Live. This knowledge will become the basis for the remainder of the program.

In your second quarter, you will continue to learn intermediate microphone and recording techniques, by conducting your own recording sessions under supervision from your instructors. You will explore practical audio editing skills that are used for performance correction and enhancement, as well as advancing your ability to create simple song arrangements and productions. This quarter also branches out in the world of synthetic sound design and track creation.

In your third quarter, you will develop your understanding of the professional skills, work habits, and attitudes expected by the commercial recording industry. This will include client interaction, working in teams, and delivering high quality work on a tight deadline. Live sound reinforcement is introduced with practical setup and teardown of complete sound systems. The quarter rounds out with a focus on song arrangement and song writing within a DAW, including analysis of popular songs and song writing trends.

In your fourth quarter, you will use various techniques learned in your previous quarters and apply them to more advanced recording sessions, as well as analog and digital mixing. Building upon your music theory and song writing skills from previous quarters, you will learn the process of writing music for TV and Film, as well as the basics of creating audio for the video game industry. This quarter also includes career management and music industry classes that help students understand the business side of making and marketing music.

In quarter five, you will learn the practical skills related to the roles involved in film and TV post-production audio, including ADR, foley, sound design, as well as 5.1 mixing. Students will also learn about on set location audio, and working with film crews and actors. Studio construction and design will also be a focus of this quarter, with students creating and planning their own recording space, taking into consideration proper acoustics.

In the final quarter, students use all of the skills learned thus far to produce recordings for local artists and fine tune their ability to work in a team to create a final product. Advanced recording and mixing classes will help the students to craft radio ready productions, and work towards building a sonic palette unique to themselves.

Faculty

CHRIS HOLMES | DEPARTMENT HEAD

Chris Holmes started his career working alongside The Matrix, a production and song writing team based in Los Angeles. Over the course of 4+ years, he sharpened his engineering and production skills while working on numerous A-List artists, including Katy Perry, Ricky Martin, Korn, Vanessa Carlton, Mandy Moore, Ashley Tisdale and many more. After relocating to Vancouver, Chris took over the position of Chief Engineer at Greenhouse Studios, where he worked with dozens of independent and major label artists. With over 15+ years’ experience, Chris is now an independent engineer and producer, dividing his time between Vancouver and Kelowna.  Chris is excited to bring his knowledge and experience to the audio students at the Centre for Arts and Technology.

To learn more about the Audio Engineering Industry, you can listen to our PODCAST with Chris on our Soundcloud Stream. 

TAYLIN SIMMONDS | LEAD INSTRUCTOR

Taylin Simmonds became interested in the art of Electronic Music Production from a young age. This passion led him to take online music workshops while still in high school and eventually become a graduate of the Electronic Music Production Program here at CAT. Upon graduation Taylin signed his first record deal with independent record label Blue Label Records. While at Blue Labe Records, Taylin released multiple tracks that charted in the I-Tunes top 100 Dance Charts, co-produced/ co-wrote songs for independent artists and assisted artists in preparing DJ performances for headlining festival slots. After working with Blue Label Records and major PR Agencies such as Music Promo Today and Dotted Music, Taylin decided to take his career in to his own hands by becoming an independent artist. Taylin is now the instructor for the Electronic Music Production Program and is excited to bring his expertise and industry insights to the Centre for Arts and Technology team.

TONY GORT | INSTRUCTOR

Tony started his career in audio post production in Vancouver, where he continues to work as an award winning senior sound supervisor, sound designer and re-recording mixer.  Tony’s award-winning feature credits include: Nightwatching, a British-Dutch-Canada co-production for renowned filmmaker, Peter Greenaway (The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover; The Pillow Book); Its All Gone Pete Tong, a British-Canada co-production for Canadian director, Michael Dowse (FUBAR); and Partition, an India-Canada co-production for Canadian director, Vic Sarin (Love On The Side, A Shine of Rainbows). Among his home entertainment and television credits are sequels 3, 4 and 5 in the Dr. Dolittle series for Fox Home Entertainment and the first two seasons of The L Word for Showtime Television.  He is currently finishing the TV movie adaptations of Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place.

LORA WENTWORTH | INSTRUCTOR

A classically trained performer, Lora is embedded in the local music scene.  Lora started her formal education with a diploma in Music Performance and another in Music Composition from Selkirk College.  Her additional accreditation includes being a licensed Kindermusik instructor, a certificate in Advanced Theory RCM, and a Licentiate in Music Education .LRSL from Rockschool.  In addition to being a freelance pianist and solo performing artist, Lora has been a private music instructor at the Wentworth Music Education Center for the last nineteen years.  Lora brings a wealth of knowledge to the Centre and a passion for music to match.

MIKE BAXTER | INSTRUCTOR

As a graduate of the Centre in Audio Engineering and Production, Mike brings five years’ experience in a variety of audio industry jobs.  Upon graduation, Mike went to work with Idevcore Media Inc., creating sound effects and composing scores for video games.  He also spent time tracking, editing and mixing for Media Button.  Beyond those roles, Mike’s true passion has been in live sound, as he worked as the Live Sound Engineer for Wentworth Music, engineering for musicians such as Biff Naked, Aaron Pritchett, April Wine and Big Sugar.  Mike also spent seven years as the Head Sound Engineer for the Sky High Blues Festival, and has produced and engineered albums for numerous artists.

Graduate Success

Corey Sewell

"I was always fascinated at how sound and music can heighten your perceptual experience. The Audio Engineering & Production instructors did an excellent job of preparing me for my career. I now live in Vancouver and record location dialogue for film and television productions." - Corey Sewell