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Sound & Music Recording

Your dream, your career.

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Welcome to the world of sound and music

If you want to work with sound and music so badly that you can taste it, Recording Arts Canada (RAC) is the place where it all begins. RAC’s colleges in Toronto and Montréal provide an inspired learning experience for those who are meant to be creative. Students from around the world come to RAC for the opportunity to learn how to create sensational sounds and musical landscapes. RAC students keep up with the most innovative sounds and techniques on the planet.

At RAC, creativity is fostered through inspiration, skilled guidance, and first-class facilities. Our Sound & Music Recording program of study has been designed with the help of leading technology companies, industry professionals, and artists.

For close to 30 years, RAC has helped creative individuals turn dreams into careers.

Are you ready ?

Sound and music express our individual emotions and our collective experiences.

Sound and music is in all of us. From our first cry to our last gasp, it seems everything we hear, say, and sing expresses who and what we are. Sonic vibrations are the harmony and rhythm of life itself. Sounds are the beat of our culture. Music is the link to our past and the path to our future.

The time to launch your career is now. re

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At RAC, we teach concepts and transferable skills.

RAC colleges are located in the heart of Toronto and Montréal : two of Canada’s most vibrant cities and hot spots for international film, music, recording, and digital media in-dustries. RAC students are exposed to these creative arts industries. RAC’s instructional team is composed of accomplished industry professionals.

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Advanced training

Both RAC campuses have sophisticated audio computer labs fitted with industry standard Mac computers that host Pro Tools, Digital Performer, and Reason software. Both campuses also have multiple large format control rooms, live recording studios, small and large format digit-al mixing consoles, and analog consoles. RAC’s facilities also include 5.1 surround sound systems, Foley facilities, and lecture theatres.

RAC’s facilities are impressive and so is the ratio of hands-on training that ensures professional competency for RAC graduates. At RAC, we teach concepts. We help our students build professional skills. These concepts and skills are fully transferable across every digital, virtual or analog produc-tion platform. RAC graduates are versatile and ready to work in a variety of environments.

RAC students participate in a tremendous amount of hands-on training while working in cutting edge studios and labs.

Recording Arts Canada (RAC) has been com-mitted to providing the most advanced train-ing in sound and music recording for almost 30 years. Highly motivated and creative indi-viduals from around the world study at RAC because of our reputation for developing employable entry level professionals for the sound and music recording industry.

Cutting edge

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Examples of jobs held by RAC graduates

Audio Recording Engineer Computer Music ProgrammerMixer / Sound Designer for Film Music ProducerSound Effects Designer for Video Games ComposerMulti-media Sound Technician Broadcast Engineer (Radio, Television, Internet)

Live Sound Mixer Sound Effects EditorLocation Film Sound Recordist Mastering Engineer Music Editor Foley Artist Dialogue Editor Post-Production Audio Engineer Audio Software Developer

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Careers in sound and music recording

The audio and music production industry has been at the forefront of new technologies and is evolving as a vital part of many expanding media platforms. As a result, diverse employment opportunities in the field of audio exist for those with the right skill sets.

At RAC, our primary responsibility is to help shape an am-bitious person into a skilled professional who understands the requirements and realities of the industry he or she seeks to enter.

RAC’s students and staff proudly embody the attributes of this unique learning culture.

N.B. The term “audio recording engineer” is used world-wide as the title of the professional designation by virtually every major constituent in the sound and music industry, including the Audio Engineering Society (AES). In Québec, the term used for this professional designation is “technician”, and, as such, is implied for all readers of this document in the province of Québec.

RAC’s professional and academic culture is very focused, disciplined, and creative.

RAC has helped many creative individuals turn dreams into careers.

Work you’ll love.

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(551-A04-IE)

SignAl PRoCeSSing An audio recording engineer is playing back a recorded vocal track. Despite being well recorded, the track does not have any sense of space or character, and it is not distinct enough to stand out in the mix from the other instruments in the recording. Equalization is applied to the vocals to give the track more presence. The loudest words are com-pressed, allowing the overall track to be raised in volume. The softest words be-come audible without the loudest words jumping out of the mix. The audio record-ing engineer selects a delay and rever-beration program. The voice now sounds as if it was recorded from a stage in a concert hall – it has depth and a sense of its own space.

Signal processing devices are an es-sential part of every studio and audio workplace. The Digital Audio Work-station (DAW) and outboard devices pro-vide the audio recording engineer with the tools to shape the sound as desired. RAC students develop an understanding of both hardware and software based tools, and the ability to incorporate them effectively into the audio chain.

(551-A05-IE)

ReCoRding TeChniqueS This course provides a complete study of the recording studio environment. As a result of learning the essentials of digital, virtual, and analog recording platforms, RAC students are able to per-form all the tasks required to engineer a complete recording session. Session management, recording, overdubbing, mixing, and mastering techniques and concepts are taught in this course.

Reinforced by extensive practical and theoretical studies of digital, vir-tual, and analog realms, students gain a firm understanding of the advan-tages and challenges associated with each medium. Students also learn the appropriate studio protocol in dealing with various employers, collaborators, and clients.

(551-A06-IE)

inTRoduCTion To eleCTRo-TeChniqueS The audio recording engineer is working on a project and realizes the equipment is no longer functioning adequately. Through a basic understanding of elec-tronics and electricity, the audio record-ing engineer is able to troubleshoot and assess the technical situation. From there, he or she can decide whether to make minor repairs or call technical sup-port for further assistance.

Either you control the components and devices used in the studio or live venue or they control you ! This course teaches you how to control your work environment.

(551-A01-IE)

ACouSTiCS What is sound ? How do we hear sound ? How is sound created ? How does sound move through the air, walls, floors, and ceilings to reach our ears and our micro-phones ? Why do we hear sound the way we do and how much can we shape the sound to create precisely what we wish to hear ? In Acoustics, students learn how sounds are created, measured, and manipulated.

An understanding of proven and ef-fective acoustic principles allows us to modify the perception of the human voice, the characteristics of musical in-struments as well as the environmental sounds that occur around us. A guitar amplified in a gymnasium will sound sig-nificantly different from a guitar played in a studio. Audio recording engineers utilize their knowledge of acoustics in many aspects of recording in order to mechanically, electronically, and artistic-ally control the elements of sound.

(551-A02-IE)

Audio ConSoleS The console is the nerve centre that con-nects all the wiring, processors, record-ing devices, speakers, and workstations. The console hosts and controls various studio tools used to bring the creative vision to life. RAC students learn to work on various digital, virtual, and analog consoles. Signal routing, equalization, monitoring, automation, effects control, and operation of DSP Cards and Plug-ins are studied.

(551-A03-IE)

CoMPuTeRS And MuSiC This course provides a comprehensive study of the use of computers and soft-ware in audio production. Production systems are very powerful and must be managed competently. Musical Instru-ment Digital Interface (MIDI) is a digital serial language that enables a student to produce a complete arrangement single-handedly. Students learn how controllers, devices, software, virtual instruments, and computers communi-cate with each other and behave as one powerful integrated system managed by a single person. Audio professionals use these flexible and impressive record-ing tools everyday. This course is de-signed to help students master the use of these tools.

Course descriptions

Classes and labs

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551-A08-IE

PoST-PRoduCTion A chase ensues between a police car and a truck. Screeching around a corner, the truck, skidding on two wheels, de-molishes a fruit stand, rolls over, and ex-plodes upon impact with a factory wall. Sucked right into the action, you can’t believe your eyes and ears. Ducking the burning debris, the explosion still ringing in your ears, you completely forget it is just a movie.

The members of the recording team are responsible for producing every sonic detail in audio post-production for film, television, gaming, and interactive media. RAC’s Post-Production course teaches students how these projects are created and puts students right in the centre of the action. Working with industry professionals, students are guided through the entire process of post-production audio and sound design for film and television. Students learn how the decisions, methods, and tools used influence the audience’s experi-ence. Students also become more famil-iar with the professional opportunities in post-production markets.

551-A09-IE

MuSiC induSTRy What does a musician, artist, produ-cer or mixer do when a project is com-pleted ? Ideally, he or she releases the project and is compensated appropri-ately for the work. This course teaches the laws and industry practices that apply to the creation, protection, and distribution of the final product. Licens-ing and representation agreements are also covered. Students learn the profes-sional standards applied in the relation-ships between artists, managers, labels, producers, publishers, and distributors.

551-A12-IE

STudio PRoduCTion TeChniqueSThis course helps students acquire a comprehensive knowledge of studio pro-duction concepts and methods, prepar-ing students to competently and safely operate all the components found in a recording studio or live venue. Study-ing digital, virtual, and analog platforms, RAC students learn the different func-tions and uses of the studio console, and the fundamentals of automated mixing techniques.

This course also explores the func-tions of and relationships between the mixing console, the Digital Audio Work-station (DAW), and other recording tools. Students also learn how different micro-phones, signal processors, and other technologies are used in a variety of pro-fessional situations. In this course, RAC students are provided with an opportun-ity to work on a project from start to fin-ish, utilizing all the technologies and pro-cedures they have learned.

551-A10-IE

AeSTheTiCS of MuSiCThis course is a valuable study of the aesthetics of sound and music. Why do some sounds and projects succeed while others fail ? Although no formula exists for good sound or music, certain sonic combinations are pleasing to our ears while others are not. Sometimes what sounds great to one person may sound horrible to the next person.

Developing your hearing is similar to learning how to play a musical instru-ment. At RAC, the student’s auditory sense as a musician, engineer, and art-ist is continually trained through critical and analytical listening sessions. This training includes helping the student develop an understanding of how music is woven together via orchestration, ar-rangement, and harmonic detail.

This course addresses the standards that are expected when a recording project is released in markets such as music, broadcast, advertising, film or interactive games. A good audio record-ing engineer has the ability to be unique and creative within the parameters and constraints of each market.

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Sound deSign A sound designer is placing the sound of a jet whooshing by in the film he or she is working on. The sound can occur earlier or later in time with a click of the mouse. Processing — like delays and reverber-ation — can then be applied by using software tools to shape the sound. With incredible speed, accuracy, and effect-iveness, the sound designer can experi-ment and save the new sounds without fear of ruining the original recordings —a process called non-destructive editing.

Computers and software have for-ever changed how sound is designed. A fundamental understanding of the com-puter operating system and hardware, and the ability to effectively operate in-dustry standard software, are important parts of the sound designer’s skill set.

551-A07-IE

Sound ReinfoRCeMenTHow do you choose the best microphone when recording a particular instrument ? How do you calibrate a live room in order to get better results ?

Loudspeaker design, transducers, crossover networks, balanced and un-balanced lines, real time spectrum ana-lyzers, and various electro-acoustic devices are all tools used in live sound reinforcement. Understanding and mas-tering these tools help an audio record-ing engineer make the best possible de-cisions in several challenging situations.

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How to apply The pursuit of creative genius

If you are ready to begin your journey, RAC is ready to help you every step of the way. Please contact RAC or consult the Admissions section of our website to view a complete list of the Entrance Requirements:

recordingarts.com  / admissions  / entrance-requirements

If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, please contact RAC or consult the Admissions section of our website to view a complete list of Entrance Requirements for International Students:

recordingarts.com  / admissions / entrance-requirements  / entrance-requirements-for-international-students

or contact RAC.

Once your application is received, the RAC Admissions Counselors will contact you to review your file and arrange for a personal interview.

RAC is the place where it all begins. Just like you, RAC students work hard at explor-ing their passion for sound and music re-cording every single day.RAC’s dynamic curriculum and program will give you the edge you need to begin your career in sound and music recording.

Program details

Diploma • Sound & Music Recording RAC Toronto

• Sound & Music Recording (NNC.0B) RAC Montréal

Start dates Fall / Winter / Summer

Overview

TORONTO MONTRÉAL

DURATION 40 weeks 47 weeks

SEMESTERS 3 3

COURSES 12 12

TERM 1 Acoustics Audio consoles Computers and musicSignal processing

TERM 2 Recording techniques introduction to electro-techniques Aesthetics of music Sound design

TERM 3 Sound reinforcement Post-production Music industry Studio production techniques

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houSingRAC offers a housing / apartment list that is updated on a regular basis. Please contact your Admissions Coun-selor to discuss your housing arrange-ments or needs.

ToRonTo life And CulTuReToronto is the most multicultural city in the world, filled with people from over 120 countries. The Greater Toronto Area has a population of over five mil-lion people.

Torontonians accept and embrace all cultures and ideas. This is reflected in the city’s wonderful variety from Chinatown to Greektown to Little Italy to many more great neighbourhoods.

Toronto is a beautiful waterfront city located on Lake Ontario. It is home to major attractions such as the CN Tower, the Rogers Centre, and the Air Canada Centre. It is a city of the arts and home to numerous theatres, gal-leries, the Toronto International Film Festival, and so much more. There is al-ways something happening in Toronto! The city is well known for its free con-cert series at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre, various music festivals such as Canadian Music Week, North by Northeast, Taste of the Danforth or the Beaches Jazz Festival, and, of course, its famous nightlife.

RAC’s Toronto campus is located in the heart of Toronto’s vibrant entertain-ment district, just a short walk from the University subway line, and the Spadina and Queen Street Streetcar.

MonTRéAl life And CulTuReMontréal is Canada’s second largest city and is also known as Canada’s cul-tural capital. Acknowledged by several respected publications such as The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and SPIN Magazine, Montréal has gained recogni-

tion as a great city for aspiring musical talent. Numerous television production, film, gaming, theatre, and broadcast centres are based in Montréal. When it comes to entertainment, diversity is celebrated in Montréal. This celebration has resulted in an influx of new Can-adians from all over the world, spread-ing the “joie de vivre” that Montréalers are famous for.

RAC’s Montréal campus is located in “Old Montréal”, which is in walking dis-tance to many of Montréal’s great at-tractions such as the underground city, La Place des Arts, the Old Port, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Bell Centre, and Montréal’s vibrant nightlife. Follow-ing in a tradition established by ma-jor international events such as the 1967 World Fair and the 1976 Olym-pic Games, Montréal now hosts over 40 large sporting and cultural events. Stu-dents studying at RAC’s Montréal cam-pus may gain valuable industry experi-ence by volunteering for world-renowned music and cultural festivals such as the International Jazz Festival, the Just for Laughs Festival, Les Francofolies, the Montreal World Film Festival, the POP Montreal International Music Festival, the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, etc. As well as studying in the home city of some of the most creative and dynamic cultural or-ganizations such as Le Cirque du Soleil, Ubisoft, EA Montréal, and CBC, RAC stu-dents will be exposed to many interesting and diverse career opportunities.

Montréal is a vibrant city rich in cul-ture and entertainment. Students who attend RAC’s Montréal campus will benefit from what this city has to of-fer and enjoy a wonderful experience as a result. RAC’s Montréal campus is located in the heart of “Old Montréal”, just two blocks from the Square Victoria metro station (Orange line).

THE COMPETITIVE EDGERAC’s facilities and resources are cut-ting edge. Our dynamic curriculum has been crafted for nearly three decades by accomplished sound and music recording professionals to reflect the latest in concepts, technology, and techniques.

RAC’s instructors and guest lectur-ers are active industry professionals working in a wide variety of disciplines. Students are plugged into a great wealth of experience via these industry professionals. Guest lecturers include successful studio owners, creative directors, production managers, pro-ducers, engineers, and artists. RAC’s Sound and Music Recording program designers, teachers, and guests con-tinue to make us proud by recording, mixing, and producing projects that have won Grammy, Juno, Golden Globe, and Gemini Awards. These profession-als have worked with artists such as Sting, David Bowie, Sheryl Crow, Sha-nia Twain, and Le Cirque du Soleil, to name a few.

“The staff members are all qualified industry professionals, giving you ‘real world’ insights and contacts. In my own case, a lecturer ended up being my first employer in the industry.”

Dave FritzEngineer – Technicolour Creative Services RAC Graduate

STUDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE finAnCiAl AidRAC is registered with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in Ontario as a private career college under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005, and with the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport in Québec. Financial

assistance may be available to those who qualify. RAC students can apply for various forms of financial assist-ance, including Canada Student Loans, Provincial Student Loans, Québec Loans & Grants, CSST, Second Careers, Employment Insurance, Student Bank Loans, and Human Resources Development Canada, among others. Tuition fees are tax deductible.

Please contact our Registrar for more information about how to apply for finan-cial assistance.

inTeRnShiP PRogRAMDuring the program of study, RAC stu-dents build portfolios as they complete a variety of assignments and projects. RAC students also begin the networking process by interacting with and learning from an instructional team composed of accomplished industry profession-als. Throughout their academic career at RAC and upon graduation, students and graduates are encouraged to take ownership of their professional careers by seeking employment opportunities and internships.

The allocation of internships to RAC graduates is contingent upon the de-mand of the industry and is awarded only to graduates who meet the follow-ing requirements:

· Must attain a minimum 80% grade average;

· Must successfully complete all twelve courses;

· Have an attendance record of 95% or higher;

· Possess the personal attributes re-quired to work/volunteer in a profes-sional setting, as determined by the College.

Please note that internship opportunities are deter-mined by requests from the industry and that RAC cannot guarantee an internship placement.

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Why Should u.S. And inTeRnATionAl STudenTS ChooSe A CAnAdiAn College ? Canada is a land of exceptional beauty and opportunity. There are many reasons you might want to study in Canada. Here are just a few :

· The United Nations has ranked Canada “the best country to live in the world” many times.

· Canada enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world, a safe environment, and a modern health care system with equal access for all.

· Canada is one of the world’s best-educated nations with a broad network of public and pri-vate schools.

· In 1971, Canada was the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy, affirming the value and dignity of all Canadian citizens re-gardless of their racial or ethnic origins, their language or their re-ligious affiliations.

Why Should u.S. And inTeRnATionAl STudenTS ChooSe RAC ? Founded in 1984, RAC’s campuses in Toronto and Montréal have trained professionals from around the world in our cutting edge facilities. RAC is inviting and friendly, and offers a place where bright minds can pursue their creativity with ambition and enthusiasm. RAC is one of the finest and most progressive audio schools; as a result, our graduates have a competitive edge. It is important to stand out and to distinguish yourself from the rest of the pack. A RAC edu-cation will help you achieve that goal.

hoW do i START My APPliCATion To RAC ? Please ask to speak to a RAC Admis-sions Counselor about submitting your application. You can also submit your application online by going to : recordingarts.com / admissions / application-form

RAC TORONTOStudent Services and Admissions Tel.: 416 977.5074 Toll Free : 888 662.2664 Fax : 416 977.8945Email : toronto@recordingarts.com

RAC MONTRÉALStudent Services and Admissions Tel. : 514 286.4336 Toll Free : 877 224.8366 Fax : 514 286.0650Email : montreal@recordingarts.com

frequently Asked questions

Will i be Able To WoRk PART-TiMe ?You can work part-time if you are a domestic student. Many of our students have part-time jobs while studying at RAC.

When CAn i viSiT RAC ?RAC offers personalized tours every weekday. Please contact our Admis-sions Counselors to book a tour or email us :toronto@recordingarts.com or montreal@recordingarts.com

WhAT Will My SChedule be While ATTending RAC ? There are three start dates through-out the year, allowing each student to choose between morning, afternoon or evening classes for the duration of the program. Students receive their schedules upon enrollment. RAC’s schedule also ensures an excellent student-to-teacher ratio.

WhAT CAn you Tell Me AbouT RAC’S inSTRuCTionAl TeAM ? RAC’s instructors and program developers are amongst the finest audio professionals and educators around, and boast impressive indus-try credentials. A number of them have worked with Grammy Award and Juno Award-winning artists. These professionals are part of the RAC Team and are a big part of RAC’s reputation as a highly progressive Digital Arts College.

CAn i TRAnSfeR RAC ACAdeMiC CRediTS To oTheR CollegeS ? RAC Montréal credits are transfer-able within Québec’s public colleges network. Many factors determine the transfer of credits to other institutions, including curriculum outlines, academic standing, and attendance record. RAC will provide, upon request and your consent, aca-demic information to the institution you are applying to.

FAQs

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RAC Toronto 111 Peter Street, Suite 708 Toronto, ontario M5v 2h1 Canada

Telephone 416 977-5074 Toll-free 888 662-2664 fax 416 977-8945email toronto@recordingarts.com

RAC Montréal 390 notre-dame West, Suite 320 Montréal, québec h2y 1T9 Canada

Telephone 514 286-4336 Toll-free 877 224-8366 fax 514 286-0650email montreal@recordingarts.com

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