Music Production Bachelor's Degree - Berklee College of Music

The music production and engineering (MP&E) experience at Berklee prepares you to enter the current music production field as an effective professional in any number of roles within a landscape of rapidly evolving tools and techniques. Your experience will prepare you to appropriately adapt to the changing demands of the recording industry.

Program Details

Full Description

Through in-studio classroom experience, hands-on project work, and exposure to resident and visiting industry professionals, you will:

develop an informed and critical aesthetic vision;
gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of complex technical systems;
learn to collaborate effectively with others in numerous musical settings through participation as an engineer and producer;
learn to define quality using both musical and technical criteria, and to apply those criteria to your work and to the work of others; and
refine your communication and time-management skills in the context of multidisciplinary productions.

Please review these frequently asked questions to learn more about applying to the MP&E major. Prospective students indicating preference for this major will be sent detailed information by the Office of Admissions.

What Will I Learn?

Upon completion of a major in music production and engineering, students will:

multitrack record, overdub, edit, and mix both live ensemble and electronically produced sources;
multitrack record, overdub, edit, and mix using complex analog and digital audio systems;
lead a creative project from idea inception to final delivery;
develop business plans;
adapt to diverse and changing technology environments;
apply knowledge of complex analog and digital audio systems; and
evaluate audio program material, and make technical and aesthetic decisions based upon those observations.

Entrance Requirements

Due to the rigor and popularity of the program, admission to the MP&E major is by application only. Acceptance is competitive, and decisions are based on musicianship, prior academic record, and demonstrated passion for the craft.

Applications are accepted online at the beginning of fall and spring semesters, and students typically apply after their first or second semester.

Application Process

The application is a two-step process that includes:

Submission of an online application; and
Taking part in a twenty-minute interview with the department chair or full-time faculty.

Following the completion of this process, a decision will be reached by the MP&E selections committee.

Prerequisites

Prior to applying, potential applicants must hold one semester of Berklee grades or a minimum of 12 transfer credits.

For detailed information on the application process, please see the answers to frequently asked questions.

Curriculum and Courses

There are 30 credits required for this major. To view the full program of study, which includes core music, liberal arts, and general electives, see the sample curriculum for the bachelor's degree.

30 credits specific to the major:

MP-211: Audio Technology 1 (2 credits)
MP-214: Critical Listening Lab (1 credit)
MP-215: Production Analysis Lab (1 credit)
MP-225: Audio and MIDI Systems for Music Production (2 credits)
MP-226: Hybrid Recording and Mixing (2 credits)
MP-212: Audio Technology 2 (2 credits)
MP-241: Mix Techniques Lab (2 credits)
MP-318: Creative Production Skills (2 credits)
MP-340: Multitrack Recording Techniques (2 credits)
MP-341: Mix Techniques 2 (2 credits)
MP-320: Music Production for Records (2 credits)
MP-385: Advanced Production Techniques (2 credits)
MP-247: The Business of Music Production (2 credits)
MP-461: Advanced Production Projects (2 credits)
Major electives: 4 credits (see grids for more information; select any MP elective level 200 or above or MTEC elective level 300 or above)

Updated for catalogue year fall 2020

Sample Curriculum by Semester

Music Production and Engineering Bachelor's Degree

Music Production and Engineering Diploma

WATCH

Real World Studios Recording Session

Music Production and Engineering students visit Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in Wiltshire, England, and assist in a recording session with the artist Robert Vincent.

The student engineers are Wadhams Production Scholars and have the opportunity to record in world-class studios with some of the industry's top producers and engineers.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Learn about financial aid, scholarships, and others ways of paying for your Berklee education.

Alumni Story

Kenzie B.M. '99

Global hit-maker and alumna Kenzie B.M. '99 has composed for some of the biggest names in K-Pop, including Girls' Generation, f(x), KangTa, BoA, and Super Junior. Her glittering, electro-dance music has captured the attention of audiences throughout her native Seoul and across the globe.

Student Spotlight

Music Production and Engineering Student Federico Masetti Pushes toward Dreams

Federico Masetti, president of the Berklee chapter of the Audio Engineering Society, founds the nonprofit MusicXChange Ghana.

Main Site

Campuses and Schools

Music Production and Engineering Bachelor's Degree

Undergraduate Programs

Program Details

Full Description

What Will I Learn?

Entrance Requirements

Application Process

Prerequisites

Curriculum and Courses

Sample Curriculum by Semester

Real World Studios Recording Session

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Kenzie B.M. '99

Music Production and Engineering Student Federico Masetti Pushes toward Dreams

Get More Information

Thank you for requesting information.

Main Site

Campuses and Schools

Music Production and Engineering Bachelor's Degree

Program Details

Full Description

What Will I Learn?

Entrance Requirements

Application Process

Prerequisites

Curriculum and Courses

Sample Curriculum by Semester

Real World Studios Recording Session

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Kenzie B.M. '99

Music Production and Engineering Student Federico Masetti Pushes toward Dreams

Related Programs

Get More Information

Thank you for requesting information.