This is a detailed guide on the best audio engineering schools in Canada.
If you have a good musical ear, and you would like to generate sounds, reproduce, mix and manipulate the equalizer and electronic effect of sounds, then you should consider becoming an audio engineer.
Audio engineering is a great career path filled with endless opportunities.
Audio engineers are very much in demand
To become a successful audio engineer, you must be well vested in the area by undergoing formal training.
In this article, we have listed the best audio engineering schools in Canada you can attend to make your dream of becoming a sound engineer a reality.
What Is Audio Engineering
Audio engineering is the act of producing a sound recording of any kind.
It is a vocation where musical instruments and technology are used to generate, mix, reproduce, and manipulate sound for music, video games, film, radio, and television.
Sound engineering has to do with creativity; a high level of creativity is needed to thrive as a sound engineer.
Duties Of Sound Engineers
Sound engineers and audio engineers are often used interchangeably to refer to a person who generates sounds of any kind for music, film, radio, video game, etc. Sound engineers are different from producers, writers, or artists because they deal totally with the technical and mechanical aspects of sound.
Sound engineers play important parts in the entertainment industry.
Below are the different functions perform by sound engineers.
1. A sound engineer develops and regulates sound levels and output.
2. Responsible for maintaining the sound equipment such as amplifiers, and microphones.
3. Balance and adjust sound sources using equalizations, dynamics processing, audio effects, mixing reproduction, and reinforcement of sounds.
4. They set up, soundcheck, and do live sound mixing using a mixing console and a sound support system for a music concert, corporate events, theatre, sports games, etc.
5. They often assist record producers and musicians to give their work the sound they envisaged
6. They use their groomed musical ears and knowledge of acoustic to produce the best sound quality for various events
Types Of Audio Engineers
Below are the different types of audio engineers with specific functions and specializations.
1. Monitor Sound Engineers
A monitor engineer mixes the sound the musicians listen to onstage during a concert. They are also responsible for maintaining and repair of the monitor system and microphones.
Moreover, they often pay apt attention to the musicians during a performance and maintain communication.
2. System Engineer
System engineers set up amplifiers, complex PA systems, and speakers for bands, and the other sound engineers.
3. Studio Sound Engineers
Studio sound engineers work in studios to make and enhance high-quality recordings of music, speech, and sound effects.
4. Research and development audio engineers
Research and development audio engineers discover new technologies, audio software, equipment, and techniques to improve the process and art of audio engineering.
5. Wireless microphone engineers
This set of audio engineers are responsible for wireless microphones during theatre productions, sports events, and corporate events.
6. Game audio designer engineers
Game audio designer engineers generate sounds for videos and computer game development.
Why Audio Engineering Is A Good Career Choice
The Advancement in technology is paving the way to numerous opportunities for audio engineers.
Moreover, sound plays a significant role in the entertainment industry, as musical compositions and audio effects are widely used in movies, TV shows, video games, and online media.
The numerous live events that take place daily are indications that audio engineering is a worthwhile career and the demand for professionals in this field is tremendous.
In Canada, Sound Engineers generate substantial revenues. Statistic Canada data shows that
- Canada’s video game industry (which requires audio production) contributes $3.7 billion to the nation’s GDP each year.
- The Canadian sound recording industry generates $1.1 billion in total operating revenues, of which recording studios account for $139.5 million.
- The film, TV, and video creation sector accounts for $8.3 billion in operating revenues.
12 Best Audio Engineering Schools In Canada
If you would like to study Audio Engineering in Canada, below are the 12 best Audio Engineering schools in Canada you can choose from.
1. OIART (Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology )
OIART is one of the best audio engineering schools in Canada.
The school was established in 1983 and is still very active and competitive to date.
Their audio engineering curriculum is relevant, comprehensive, and ever-changing to reflect new technologies and emerging software.
Their graduates possess skills that are currently in demand and they excel in their different fields of endeavor.
Moreover, to ensure their students are well tutored, they limit their enrolment to only 68 students per year.
They offer courses that span almost every aspect of the audio production and music industries, including Music Production, Music Theory, Audio for Video Games, Sound Design, Lighting Design, Acoustics, Modern Recording Techniques, etc.
Their program runs for eleven months, and they offer a diploma in Audio Recording Technology.
Their tuition fee is $32,950, and there are no extra fees. The fees include studio headphones, hard drives, and custom-fit hearing protection.
Additionally, OIART has the highest employment rate, More than 70% of their graduates have jobs within 6 months.
2. Metalworks Institute
Metalworks Institute is located in Mississauga, Ontario, and it is one of the best audio engineering schools in Canada.
It is an audio engineering school that runs its program for one year and award a Diploma in Audio Production and Engineering.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with a detailed understanding of the changing world of recording, including both large-format recording and ‘in the box’ technologies.
Their program includes the progressive recording and production skill-sets required to succeed in today’s high-tech audio recording environments.
For information on tuition, contact an Admissions Counsellor at 905-279-4000, toll-free at 1-866-783-2200, or via e-mail at admissions@metalworksinstitute.com.
3. Recording Arts Canada
Recording Arts is the collage of sound and music production committed to nurturing creativity and preparing students for dynamic careers in less than a year.
Their sound and music production program combines important theory, vital hands-on training, and career support so you can start getting professional opportunities within a year.
Their program consists of over 880 hours of specialized training.
Their program is available online too, and they provide four hours of live, guided training every single day.
4. Fanshawe College
Fanshawe College is an audio engineering school located in London, Ontario.
Their program runs for 30 weeks and they award their graduates Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Audio Post-Production.
Fanshawe College offers you world-class training and specialized skills in all aspects of the creative and technical process of post-production.
You will learn digital audio, digital video, and multimedia theory and receive hands-on training with advanced equipment.
Moreover, your time will be greatly spent in a state-of-the-art post-production studio where you will complete projects alone and in collaboration with other students.
You will learn surround sound design and mixing field recording, ADR, Foley, and game sound techniques.
5. Audio Engineering School, Toronto.
Audio Engineering school offers a one-on-one mentorship program both physically and online.
instead of limiting you to a classroom, Audio Engineering School exposes you to a real-world recording studio environment where you will work one-on-one with professional music producers.
The school’s curriculum is crafted for you based on what you need as well as what the music industry needs presently.
Audio engineering school provides unique, mentor-based programs that are affordable, so you can stay in control of your finances.
Their fully staffed Career Services Department ensures students and graduates get hired, from helping them build an awesome resume, to handling and planning their job interviews, and to finding job opportunities in their areas.
Audio Engineering School Website
6. SAE Institute Of Audio Engineering and Music Production
SAE Audio Engineering and Music Production diploma program which offers 720 hours of combined theory and real-world studio practical that can be completed in 9 months, is one of the best audio engineering schools in Canada.
You will learn the key skills and fundamental components of audio engineering and music production; understand the music industry, and get practical industry-standard training including Professional Tools and certification.
The institution awards its graduates Diploma in Audio Engineering and Music Production, and their program has been assessed and approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch.
7. Harris Institute
Harris Institute is an internationally recognized college in audio and music industry education.
The Audio Production Program is a twelve-month Diploma program featuring 61 courses in the art, technology, and business of audio production taught by award-winning enthusiastic industry leaders.
8. Trebas Institute
Trebas Institute is one of the best engineering schools in Canada. At Trebas institute, you learn to generate professional sound for a variety of different applications — live concert mixing, film production, radio, videogame production, corporate events, digital media, and theatre.
You will also learn how to use the relevant software in their on-campus labs, audio studios, and in their external commercial studio. And their diploma program runs for twelve months.
Moreover, their team is trained in state-of-the-art recording and editing appliances to help you succeed in any aspect of today’s modern recording industry.
Additionally, their graduates follow successful careers in the following roles:
- Installation technician
- Music session player
- Recording engineer
- Studio assistant/manager
- Audio content creator (radio)
- Audiovisual technician
- Boom operator/location sound
- DJ
- Foley artist
- Live recording mixer
- Live sound technician, etc.
9. Harbourside Institute of Technology (HIT)
This institute is one of Canada’s premier Audio Engineering and Music Production schools.
They offer technically advanced audio training with Certificate and Diploma programs in Audio Engineering and Music Production.
The Audio Engineering and Music Production Diploma program runs for 9-months
All the HIT teachers are successful professionals currently active in the recording, game audio, post audio, and film industries.
Students earn a great deal of personal attention in this school due to the small class sizes.
The school is located at 998 Harbourside Drive #122, North Vancouver, V7P 3T2, Vancouver, BC, Canada, and definitely one of the best engineering schools in Canada.
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10. Douglass College
Douglas College is also one of the best audio engineering schools in Canada.
Douglas College, located in Metro Vancouver, offers a full-time two-year diploma in audio engineering
Students in Douglass College learn how to set up and operate recording equipment.
Throughout the courses, students gain hands-on experience through thorough teaching of methods that can lead to a career as a music producer and/or audio engineer.
11. Vancouver Film school
Vancouver Film School awards a Diploma in Sound Design for Visual Media, and the program runs for 12 months.
Graduates of the Vancouver Film School Diploma in Sound Design for Visual Media program are some of the most successful and sought-after professionals in the entire Sound Design industry.
12. LaSalle College Vancouver
LaSalle College located in Vancouver, British Columbia offers a diploma in Professional Recording Arts, and the program runs for 6 quarters.
Students in the Diploma in Professional Recording Arts program strive to develop the technical skills and aesthetic sensibilities needed to become professional engineers, technicians, and producers through a thorough study of theoretical concepts, industry practices, and hands-on production techniques.
LaSalle College Vancouver’s Audio Production program teaches students how to record, edit, mix, and master digital audio using industry-standard professional recording studio technology, including polished Solid State Logic recording consoles.
No doubt, LaSalle College Vancouver is one of the best audio engineering schools in Canada
LaSalle College Vancouver Website
That is all on the best audio engineering schools in Canada.