Music Production and Recording Arts

Bachelor of Science
  • 120 Credits
  • School of Liberal Arts
  • Westchester
  1. Academics
  2. Programs & Degrees
  3. Music Production and Recording Arts
Students learning Music Production & Recording in Studio A.

Music Production and Recording Arts Overview

The Bachelor’s of Science program is designed to prepare students for careers in Music Production and Recording Arts, with transferable audio skills applicable to Film, Television, Radio, Gaming, Theatre and Multi-Media professions.

The program is is housed in a dedicated multi-studio complex on our Dobbs Ferry campus. 

Students are able to specialize in topics including: music recording and production; music mixing & mastering; sound for gaming and animation; remote recording and more. 

Students will learn from a faculty of industry professionals bringing "real world" experience to the classroom. Through a "hands-on" curriculum and project based learning, students develop practical skills while acquiring the critical theoretical knowledge needed to adapt to future technologies. 

 

A recording session in Studio A.

Career Opportunities

Representative career opportunities include:

  • Recording engineer for Music
  • Mix engineer and sound editor for Radio/Film/Television
  • Concert sound mixer
  • Location recording engineer
  • Sound design for theater
  • Sound system design and installation
  • Sound engineer/editor for gaming and animation
  • Mastering & manufacturing engineer
  • Audio and music retail sales
  • Equipment and software manufacturing companies
  • Audio/Music trade magazines
  • Music software and systems engineer
  • Corporate teleconferencing and AV support
  • MIDI & Synthesis programmer and technician
  • Composer
  • Producer
  • Record company executive
  • Concert promoter
  • Agent
  • Personal manager
  • Multimedia development
Mercy's music production Studio A.

The Mercy Advantage

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Active, hands-on and project-based learning to prepare you to get started in the industry right away. 

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Skills to produce clear and effective oral communication

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Technical skills to work with current technology and adapt to new technology

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Learn how to create and present professional quality music and audio recordings.

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Facilities

Gain hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art recording facilities

Recording Studio with large control room with 5.1 Surround-Sound, performance space live room, drum booth and vocal both. Digidesign “Icon D Command” control surface, Avid Pro Tools HD, Apple Logic, Propellerhead Reason, Ableton Live recording systems with Waves Mercury, Sound Toys, Native Instruments, iZotope, Slate Digital, Melodyne, Antares plugins. 

A state of the art assortment of boutique analog and digital processors by Avalon, API, Dangerous Music, A Designs, Chandler LTD, Alesis, Hear Technologies, Vintech, Universal Audio, Focusrite, Dynaudio, JBL and more! Pearl Drums Zildjian Cymbals. Roland Keyboards. Ampeg, SWR, Eden, Marshall and Peavey instrument amplifiers and a large selection of microphones by Neumann, Shure, Royer, Sennheiser, AKG, Audio-Technica, Electro Voice and Rode.

Mixing & overdub Studio with large 12’x14’ isolation booth. Avid C24 control surface. Avid Pro Tools HD, Apple Logic, Propellerhead Reason, Ableton Live recording systems with Waves Mercury, Sound Toys, Native Instruments, iZotope, Slate Digital, Melodyne, Antares plugins. 

A state of the art assortment of boutique analog and digital processors by Avalon, API, Dangerous Music, A Designs, Chandler LTD, Alesis, Hear Technologies, Vintech, Universal Audio, Focusrite, Dynaudio and more! Yamaha Drums, Zildjian Cymbals.  Yamaha 88-key synthesizer, Roland V-drums and assorted synthesis sound modules.

Mixing & overdub Studio. 

Avid Artist Mix control surface.  Avid Pro Tools HD, Apple Logic, Propellerhead Reason, Ableton Live recording systems with Waves Mercury, Sound Toys, Native Instruments, iZotope, Slate Digital, Melodyne, Antares plugins. 

A state of the art assortment of boutique analog and digital processors by Avalon, Hear Technologies, TLAudio, Dynaudio, M-Audio and Presonus.

Three labs, each with multiple networked Apple Macintosh computers each with M-Audio controllers, Avid M-box (3rd Gen) audio interfaces, and an array of production software including Avid Pro Tools, Apple Logic, Propellerhead Reason and Ableton Live.  Plugins by Native Instruments, Slate Digital.

Multiple Analog and Digital Live Sound Reinforcement Mixers from Mackie  and Behringer (X32).  Mobile Avid Pro Tools HD Native with A state of the art assortment of boutique analog and digital processors by Hear Technologies, Vintech, Focusrite, Presonus, Lexicon, JBL, Alesis, Crown, and more!

Explore Music Production and Recording Arts at Mercy

Mercy University Recording Studio Tour

Take a tour of our Recording Studio

Studio Technology: Hear Back PRO

See how Mercy University uses the Hear Back PRO

Recorded at Mercy: Wide Waters

New performance video for "And Into the Forest I Go, To Lose My Mind and Find My Soul" by Wide Waters.

Mercy College students

Center for Digital Arts

The Center for Digital Arts serves both Mercy University students and the community by hosting performances, lectures, multi-media screenings, and musical performances

Frequently Asked Questions

Students have access to all labs and studios for personal projects assuming the student has appropriate skills and is self-sufficient in a particular facility. Students are assigned their own personal studio time in conjunction with a particular course and may also reserve the studios for additional projects using an online booking procedure. Outside guests are welcome accompanied by the student.

The Bachelor's program has 60 credits (20 courses) in a sequence spread over four years in conjunction with Liberal Arts requirements. It is recommended that students complete 9 credits (three courses) in the major per semester beginning the freshman year. A transfer student that already has completed most liberal arts requirements can generally complete the program in five semesters (2 & 1/2 years).

Applicants should have some experience with an instrument or singing and/or music production. Students with limited instrumental ability must have evidence of substantial experience with production and technology. All musical styles are welcomed. Applicants may be required to proved a recording as evidence of musical skills.

The program houses a database of career related resources. A dedicated member of the program faculty provides assistance to students with preparing resumes, cover letters, portfolios and personal web sites used for pursuing employment. Career related topics and preparation for entering the industry are discussed in the Music Business courses.

Students have the opportunity to perform at open mics, festivals, concerts, as well as in studio seminars on songwriting and performance throughout the year.

Depending on placement exam results, students may enroll in three major courses their first fall semester (Audio Production I, Electronic Music I, Music Theory).

Program Details & Curriculum

General Liberal Arts and Sciences

General Education Requirements: 60 Credits

Major Concentration: 60 Credits
 

Total: 120 Credits

For a full curriculum listing visit our catalog.

 

  • Students must demonstrate a fundamental understanding of music notation, or complete MUSI 101 Elements of Music before enrolling in the required MUSI 103 Theory & Musicianship I.
  • Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 in all attempted and completed major courses. If the GPA in the major is less than 2.5, the student will be subject to a formal assessment of his/ her aptitude for the subject matter and standing in the program may be dismissed from the major.
  • Students may be required to repeat or take additional courses to achieve the required GPA.
  • Students must pass a final comprehensive department proficiency exam, and complete an approved portfolio to be eligible for graduation.
  • There is a 24-credit residency requirement for the concentration in Music Production + Recording Arts. In addition, a minimum of 9 credits in 300-level program electives must be taken at the Dobbs Ferry campus.
  • Students should enroll in MUSI 101, MTEC 101 & MTEC 110, their first fall semester.

In addition to the Mercy University application, students interested in the Music Production & Recording Arts major must complete a separate application for formal acceptance to the program.

The application should include a portfolio of three items:

  1. A short cellphone video (1-minute long is ideal) showing the applicant making music—such as playing an instrument, deejaying, singing, or writing music at the computer. All styles and skill levels welcome!
  2. An MP3 of a finished song (or other recording) that demonstrates the applicant's musical and/or production abilities using whatever software or hardware tools they have.
  3. A detailed written description of the specific tools and techniques the applicant used in creating that song or recording

Please note: These portfolio items are not audition materials. The program accepts students with all levels of musical skill and interests. The materials are used to demonstrate that prospective students in the program will be comfortable using software and hardware tools to create recordings and have a basic level of musicianship so they can apply what they learn about music theory and production to their own projects. 

Please contact Admissions at 1.877.MERCY.GO or admissions@mercy.edu for more information about applying to the program and uploading portfolio materials.

  1. Students will demonstrate their conceptual and applied knowledge by identifying, expressing, and applying theoretical concepts in a locally-developed written and oral exams.

     

    Students will analyze music and sound recordings, and present sophisticated judgments orally, via papers, and on exams.

     

  2. Students will demonstrate technical proficiency with production tools (equipment & software) and associated techniques via proficiency exams, and by completing culminating projects in the recording studios and labs.

     

  3. Students will create, produce and present professional-quality music recordings and sound design projects.

     

  4. Students will conduct self-directed learning by completing research projects pertaining to Music Business, Music Production, and Music Technology, and will present their observations and conclusions through written and oral presentation.

     

  5. At the completion of the program, students demonstrate readiness for career via an ePortfolio that presents a significant capstone project, representative samples of audio and written project work from prior courses, and a reflective essay that reflects upon their growth while in the program.

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