Int'l Sound Engineering Masters in France

Blaise Pascal University -UBP- in Clermont-Ferrand (France) and Studios 160 signed a partnership that led to the opening of a state of the art recording studio in the physics department of the Science & Technology Department. Over  1.2 million euros were invested in order to bring the project to life.

 

The studio holds an 850ft² tracking room, a smaller 160ft² booth suited to record vocals and solo instruments and a large 5.1 control room hosting a 48 channel SSL Duality along with a selection of outboard gear and microphones.

 

Partially funded by the region and local partners, the University built the facility whereas Studios 160 equipped it with high end recording gear.

 

Initiator and co-founder of the engineering program with UBP, Thierry Migeotte, also founder of Blue Turtle Productions in Los Angeles, is a professional sound engineer who worked with famous artists worldwide. Steve McHeever calls him “an engineering and mixing savant” in 2009 while commenting the making of “Jill Scott Live In Paris”. In April 2009, Thierry appears “Presidential” in the Music Connection magazine as he had just mixed and mastered « Yes We Can » and « Change Is Now » for Barack Obama. He also worked with artists such as Patti Labelle and Stevie Wonder.
His expertise in sound engineering brought him back to Europe in Clermont-Ferrand where he will once again engineer and share his experience. He is expecting to work again soon with renowned national and international artists at Studios 160. He will also work as an instructor in the engineering Master’s program habilitated by the French Ministry of Education at Blaise Pascal University.

 

Through a contractual agreement, the recording studio will be used as a learning platform for students enrolled in Blaise Pascal’s sound engineering master’s program as well as a private professional recording facility where Thierry Migeotte, manager of Studios 160, will bring artists, engineers and producers.

 

The two to six semester Master’s program will deliver two diplomas. After completion of the first two semesters (prior to enrolling the four semester master’s program) students will be given a Bachelor’s degree in sound editing habilitated by the French Ministry Of Education. After completion of the following 4 semesters graduating students will be given a Master’s degree in sound engineering also habilitated by the French Ministry Of Education.

 

“This program is unique” says Candace Stewart, East West Studio manager and technical advisor for 5 universities specializing in sound engineering programs in the United States.

All courses will be taught in English whether they are theoretical courses taught by teachers from the physics department of the UBP or training courses taught by the regional, national and international professional staff. Professionals such as Ryan Hewitt, John Paterno, Mike Clink, Carmen Rizzo and Al Schmitt who won 21 Grammies throughout his career (holding the record of Grammies won in one night in 2004 with 5 Grammies for « Genius Loves Company » by Ray Charles) will be there.

 

Courses will cover every aspects of the recording business from sound recording, editing, mixing in stereo and surround, mastering, post production, sound design, special effects and dubbing to music production for television, movies and video games. Students will attend intensive courses in physics and electronics. After completion of those courses, they will be capable of installing, maintaining and repairing audio equipment.

 

The program will start in September 2012.

 

More details: www.univ-bpclermont.fr/rubrique126.html