Music Production

The  Music Production degree option offers two tracks, one in Recording and another in Composition.  Both tracks share a common core curriculum in music, while each adds a collection of specialized courses combined with one-to-one individual applied studies in different aspects of music and audio production.  Students in both tracks also meet weekly to share and critique work, discuss specialized topics, and build community.  No instrumental or vocal audition is required. This option prepares students for professional outcomes as creative producers, engineers, and composers.

Students in the recording track study music recording and production, audio for post-production, foley, sound design for media, and audio mixing and mastering in stereo and immersive audio formats including Dolby Atmos and Ambisonics.   The curriculum emphasizes strong foundations in multiple areas, such as acoustics, critical listening, microphone technique, studio and location recording, audio mixing and mastering, and includes a pathway for Avid Pro Tools User Certification. This track provides a comprehensive foundation through hands-on experiential learning, self-discovery, and the flexibility to meet specific and unique academic interests and potential career goals.

Classes in this track are held in a 4,500 square-foot music recording and production studio facility designed to provide hands-on experience in multitrack recording, audio mixing and mastering, ADR/dialog and Foley recording, audio for post, sound design, music arranging and composition, and more. It is equipped with a 32-channel Solid State Logic (SSL) Origin large-format analog console combined with the Metric Halo 3d ULN-8 MkIV audio platform, Aviom headphone distribution, and a 7.1.4 Genelec Smart Active Monitoring system for recording and mixing in stereo, surround, Dolby Atmos, MPEG-H, Ambisonics, and other immersive audio formats.  Additional smaller studios are available for audio recording and mixing, music composition, dialog and Foley recording, video editing, and post-production. 

Create music for today’s media and production environments. In the composition track, students produce tracks, make beats, compose for film and video games, and design audio for immersive and interactive art.  In the classes and lessons, students work in a variety of genres, including electronic music, hip-hop, pop, rock, metal, jazz, folk, and cinematic styles. In and out of class, students collaborate on projects with other musicians, theatre and film directors, video game developers, installation artists, and creative coders.

Classes in this track are held in the Music Production and Audio Research Lab (MPARL), where students produce projects on the 19 computer workstations, in the 24.2 Genelec spatial audio system. Each workstation has an iMac computer, running Logic, REAPER, ocenaudio, Audacity, Max, Pd, SuperCollider, CsoundQt, Blue, Dorico, and MuseScore software and a catalog of virtual instruments and audio effect plugins, an M-Audio Oxygen 61 keyboard controller, and a Yeti Blue microphone.

Students also work in the two-room Music Production Suite, each with an iMac computer, running Logic Pro, ProTools, Ableton Live Suite, FL Studio Pro, REAPER, ocenaudio, Audacity, Dorico, and MuseScore software and a catalog of virtual instruments and audio effect plugins, a Focusrite Scarlet 18i20 audio interface, a Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 keyboard controller, an Ableton Push 2 controller, an Avid Artist Mix controller, an AKG C1000S condenser microphone, and stereo Genelec speakers.

Program Requirements

How to Apply

In addition to a university application, all Music Production applicants must submit a portfolio.

Portfolio Information

Want a more STEM-focused option?

Are you interested in career paths in audio hardware development, acoustics, and advanced music software engineering? Explore the details of our Music Engineering Technology program.

Looking for Composition?

While Music Production focuses on creating and producing music in recording studios, digital audio workstations, and media environments, some students are primarily interested in developing their craft as composers. If you are passionate about writing original music for ensembles, concert performance, film, video games, and other creative projects, consider our Composition degree. Composition students work closely with faculty mentors, collaborate with performers and artists across campus, and develop a distinctive artistic voice through individualized study and creative exploration.

Accelerated Graduate Degrees

Music Production pairs well with several of our accelerated master's degree options. Learn more about how to complete both degrees in as little as 4 years.

A Close Community at a Big School

Virginia Tech music students enjoy the advantages of being at a major research university while studying in a department that is a close-knit community with student-centered faculty. Students will find faculty and staff who push them to succeed, support their learning, and advocate for them throughout their careers.