Music Tech.

YungJoshy

So how's the college? I'm thinking of going.

Aiming for 420 for Music Technology (long shot).

Anyone on here do that course? Would love to get some feedback on it.

Squaw Crow

Hey i have been doing the course for two years and i have decided to change. To be completely honest it is run really badly. You don't actually get that much time at all in the studio. I wanted to do the course since i was 15, but now i can't wait till the day when i never have to do another thing for it. Sorry to be so negative, but i wish knew this going into it.

Squaw Crow

The college is absolutely fantastic though - lovely people, a nice atmosphere

YungJoshy

aww man are you serious?

That's so dissapointing to hear. Is this only your view or a few others in your class? What do they think?

Squaw Crow

Well i was class rep - which is the person who students go to if they want to bring up problems with staff- in first year. Its heavily based on music theory and some were unable to cope with it and dropped out. Most of the people I know are unhappy with the way things are and are planning on doing a postgrad in another subject. It all depends on what you want to do you know.

YungJoshy

Yeah, well I'm heavily interested in music. Mostly music production. I havn't one bit of music theory in me. Is it a good choice?

Would it be wise to do a evening course? As in a PLC course.

ScissorPaperRock

Hey I'm in final year Music Tech at the moment. On the whole I enjoyed the course. As I've mentioned to a few people who have asked about the course here, it's not focused on using a studio, and recording and mixing techniques etc.

It's much more broad than that, and therefore as a degree it's much more useful. In first year there's a music theory module. I did not know music theory, but found that module to be a good intro to it. There was a computer music module, and an acoustics module and I think a discrete structure module. I know people didn't like discrete structure, but it's just logic, and is ok once you get the hang of it.

In second year there was a programming module. There was a mixed response to this, some people loved it, some hated it. I personally am very glad it was there, as I really enjoyed it, and it opens a whole new career path. There were also computer-based composition modules which focused on sort of experimental composition - you could pretty much just have fun creating weird sounds.

In third year then the modules are much more flexible. You can focus on recording, on composition, or on the computer science element, or choose a mix between them.

I think if you're looking for a lot of hands on studio time, this isn't the course for you. There are other courses that are much more studio-based than this. But if you're looking for a course that opens up several avenues within the music, sound and computer science industries then it might be what you're looking for.

Hope that helps.

YungJoshy

Helps alot man thanks. Appreciated.

Anima

Pretty much what ScissorPaperRoc said. I'm doing the MA in Computer Music but its basically just an extension of the undergrad course.

Great course for the technology side of things, if you're interested. If you just want to record bands and stuff like that, might be worth looking elsewhere.

YungJoshy

Basically I'm mad into music production via software like Fruity Loops. If someone like me who's into hip hop were to take this course would it be useful etc. ?

YungJoshy

Points for this are currently 420. I forgot to ask, is there much interest in this course? Being a student there already I think some people would have some insight into the amount of people doing it. Do you think the points will rise or drop this year?

Thanks.

Leeway5555

Considering this for next year, worried about career prospects though, what if any are there?

banquo

Music Tech is great, cos you have these labs where you can leave yourself logged in, and anyone can take advantage, except funky penguin, as he's cool and would never do anything like that. It was Rozabeez, I swear.

Norrdeth

Hahaha!

Norrdeth

Leeway5555 wrote: »

Considering this for next year, worried about career prospects though, what if any are there?

Of course there are career prospects, you just have to be creative. Arts careers and not normally open or easily accessible to everyone because you need special skills to apply and do well.

Thwip!

YungJoshy wrote: »

Yeah, well I'm heavily interested in music. Mostly music production. I havn't one bit of music theory in me. Is it a good choice?

Would it be wise to do a evening course? As in a PLC course.

buy these, they're less than a tenner each and both are amazing for learning theory in my opinion

masherella88

Heya!

Just completed the music tech course last week *sniff*

I think why a lot of people are dissatisfied with this course is because they aren't quite sure what it entails. It is not a course that will qualify you to be a recording engineer/mixing engineer/mastering engineer/live sound producer/producer etc, etc. It is a course for people that have an interest in music technology. So you get to do a little bit of everything. In my opinion, I think this is a good thing if you want to get into the music industry but aren't sure which area you would like to go into-whether it be programming, recording/mixing or composing.

Every course will have elements that you really like or really hate. That's the nature of the game. I wasn't the greatest fan of the programming modules but at the same time they aren't that difficult, there's a lot of support if you need it (the lecturers are very helpful) and if you study the stuff, it's a good way to bring your over all mark up-you can only be right or wrong really, no subjectivity in programming really!

I found the lecturers in the music tech to be very helpful. John Lato (the technician) is a legend!

As to whether there are many jobs or job opportunities to be had out of this degree-well I believe that at the end of the day, whether you get a job or not is down to you. I don't think that in this area of work that many people, if any, get into them based on their qualifications. It's one of the few careers left where you can work your way up!

I think this course gives you a lot of transferable skills that will look super on your CV. Also in 3rd year you have to either (a) produce/record/mix/master an album of music or (b) make a composition of about 15 mins (usually electroacousitc music but i'm not sure if this is what it HAS to be) or (c) music programming (synthesisng/modelling instruments or making simple music programs). I chose the recording option and now have a lovely 8 track album of one of my mate's bands to listen to and keep forever to remind me of college!

I can thoroughly say I enjoyed this course. I really did. I didn't have music theory nor did I really play any instruments when I began college, I hadn't taken music as a leaving cert subject-all I had was a passion and a deep interest in music. The people in my course are all lovely (you get to know them quite well as the class size is quite small)-they're all a bit mad but I think that's to be expected! Everyone's a little mad really (it makes things a lot more fun).

So yeah, I think this is a good, broad course to help you to decide where exactly you'd like to go. It does not focus on any one area, nor does it claim to. Look at the prospectus and/or here : http://music.nuim.ie/courses/undergraduate/bamusictechnology

Or email the lecturers- Victor.Lazzarini@nuim.ie or gordon.delap@nuim.ie

I really liked the course but I think it's because I wasn't expecting anything specific from it. I know some people that didn't particularly like the course but to be honest, I don't think they really had their heart in it or put an awful lot of effort into it. You reap what you sow and all that

Hope that helps somewhat

masherella88

Actually, if anyone wants to listen to what my three years of music tech allowed me to do-here's the result! The band are called Ardiff and most of them go to college here-they're much better live I think but this is my recording of them

http://soundcloud.com/masherella88/sets

(I'm quite excited to have been able to upload something to soundcloud instead of just favourite-ing stuff for a change! haha)

ScissorPaperRock

Sounds really good masherella88!

masherella88

Thanks very much! But it's all down to the band really! They do all the hardwork

ScissorPaperRock

masherella88 wrote: »

Thanks very much! But it's all down to the band really! They do all the hardwork

Ah dunno about that. Recording and mixing is stressful, and time consuming! At least for me it was anyway! Not that I've done any in a while.

Anyway, well done!

masherella88

Yeah it does become something you live instead of just do. But I really liked it, got really into it! I didn't like deadlines so much but then who does! Thanks again

masherella88

ScissorPaperRoc...I've just realised...you must've been in my class...I wonder who you are...hmmm

Cotsy

I'll echo what has been said by the 2 Music Tech students. Don't think of this course as working in the recording studio all week. In 1st year you probably won't be anywhere near the studio, and yeah you'll be doing other classes like music theory, computer music and acoustics. The theory isn't so bad, and I think it's only right that you have basic music theory knowledge if you want to work in the music industry. As you move into 2nd year the studio side of things comes into play. Looking back over my time in Maynooth I really didn't take advantage of studio access, but if you are serious about working in a studio then it's there for you to book.

One important thing to remember that I don't think my classmates mentioned in their threads is that Mus Tech is part of a B.A. degree, so you will be doing another subject (2 others in first year) so this further widens your education and career prospects. Personally I'm very glad I have my other subject, French, which also enabled me to spend a year studying a similar degree in France.

banquo

The Songwriting Technique of The Beatles is unbelievably amazing for learning music theory.

Seriously.

ThatNewGuy

So I'm thinking of changing my CAO and putting the BA in Music Technology course down as my first choice.

Could someone tell me what exactly you do in the course and what kinda jobs you could get afterwards?

Thanks

ScissorPaperRock

Here are a few threads on the Music Tech course

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055870674

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055476320

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055384948

funky penguin

Merge-o-matic.

banquo

banquo wrote: »

Music Tech is great, cos you have these labs where you can leave yourself logged in, and anyone can take advantage, except funky penguin, as he's cool and would never do anything like that. It was Rozabeez, I swear.

Just saw this now. Damn it Ro!

/stupid

UglyFuc

i like music and music technology, Eg recording, mixing, all the stuff associated. I have reason and ableton and keyboards and stuff but not much experience in anything to do with it just basics

I dont want to do music technology as a course because i wouldn fancy a career in it, and i wouldnt get the points anyway

Is there any way of doing this sorta music in maynooth apart for the degree?.. i duno like a club of some sort or an "elective" whatever that is or somthing?

masherella88

As far as I am aware there was an electronic music society...you could check that out if it's still in operation! save that, there's the alt music society (that's alternative to the music society, not alternative music society by the by) and I'd say you would meet people there into the same things as yourself!