About Audio Production & Post-Production

Find your way to an awesome career in the audio industry. Learn how to record and mix music to become an audio professional.

Find satisfying work in your own home studio business, in a production house, or in any number of companies that have a media department. We have a hands-on Sound Recording Certificate program that will teach you all the needed skills.

Sound Design: If you have ever wondered how sound works in your favorite TV show, film, video game, or podcast, join us in our Sound Design Certificate Program. Learn how to use professional audio recording equipment, and state of the art software to create, design, manipulate, and mix sound effects, music, and dialog in post-production.

Live Sound: Gain all the skills needed to become a live sound engineer in our Live Sound Certificate program. You will quickly be wiring up sound systems in class, using a digital live-sound console, and mastering the networking systems used to put them all together. Our state of the art gear teaches the newest technical skills needed to mix high quality sound in any venue. Earn a Live Sound Certificate and get your dream job! Make music come alive on stage for an audience, while enjoying concerts.

Audio Visual Technologist: Be the wizard behind the scenes who wows the crowd at big events like your favorite concert or sports team. Use your skills to earn a good income in high paying, and even union jobs. AV Techs work just about everywhere: in AV Integration Companies, Manufacturing Companies, Tech Companies, Educational Institutions, and in Hospitals and Hospitality!

Students new to college and media studies should earn the Foundations in Broadcast Electronic Media Certificate alongside the video options. This gives the student a complete base of understanding of the industry.

Explore Potential Careers

Student works in sound recording class

Studying Sound Recording Arts can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Audio production for television
  • Multimedia and video production
  • Live sound mixing and engineering for theater, music, and other performing arts
  • Entrepreneurial projects
  • Technology and corporate media departments
  • Sound Recordist
  • Dialogue Editor
  • Foley Editor
  • Sound Mixer
  • Sound Engineer
  • Music Recording Engineer
  • Sound Editor
  • Sound Designer
  • Music Supervisor

Program Options 

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish. 

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals. 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
BCST 120 Audio Production 4  
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4 - 6  
CSU GE Area A1 Oral Communication  
BCST 100 or BCST 110 or CINE 21 Introduction to Electronic Media or Introduction to Writing for Electronic Media or Introduction to Film Studies 3  

Total Units: 14 - 16 

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
BCST 140 or BCST 141 or CINE 24 Studio Video Production or Field Video Production Basic Film Production 3  
BCST 100 or BCST 110 or CINE 21 Introduction to Electronic Media or Introduction to Writing for Electronic Media or Introduction to Film Studies 3  
CSU GE Area B4 Math / Quantitative Reasoning 3 - 8  
CSU GE Area A3 Critical Thinking 3 - 4  
CSU GE Area E Lifelong Learning and Self-Development 3  

Total Units: 15 - 21 

Semester 3

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
Major Requirement - Area 1 See Counselor 3 - 4  
CSU GE Area B1 Physical Science 3 - 6  
CSU GE Area C1 Arts 3  
CSU GE Area C2 Humanities 3 - 5  
POLS 1 U.S. Government 3  

Total Units: 15 - 21

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
Major Requirement - Area 2 See Counselor 3  
CSU GE Area B2 Life Science 3 - 6  
CSU GE Area B3 Lab Activity (To Be Taken with Course from B1 or B2) 1  
Additional Area C1 or C2 See Counselor 3 - 5  
CSU GE Area D Social Sciences 3  
CSU GE Area D Social Sciences 3  

Total Units: 16 - 21

View Requirements in College Catalog

Required courses:

(Prerequisites may apply)

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
BCST 120 Audio Production 3  
BCST 124A Pro Tools Editing Essentials 2  
BCST 124B Pro Tools Mixing with Plugins 2  
BCST 125A Music Recording Studio 2  
BCST 125B Music Mixing Studio 2  

Total Units: 11

Choose 2 courses from the following:

For a live sound emphasis, choose BCST 127B and BCST 128. For a sound design emphasis, choose BCST 127A and CINE 61. (prerequisites may apply)

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
BCST 127B Interconnected Audio Systems 1  
and
BCST 128 Sound Reinforcement 3  
or
BCST 127A Surround and Immersive Sound Mixing 1  
and
CINE 61 Sound for Motion Pictures II 3  

Total Units: 4 

Choose 2 units from the following:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
BCST 160 College Internship 1 - 2  
BCST 165 Industry Internship 1 - 2  

Total Units: 2

Overall Total Units: 17

View Requirements in College Catalog

Required courses which are available at City College

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
BCST 120 Audio Production* 4  
BCST 127B Interconnected Audio Systems 1  
BCST 128 Sound Reinforcement  
BCST 140 Studio Video Production** 3  
BCST 141 Field Video Production*** 3  
BCST 165 Industry Internship 2  

* Students may substitute Media 111-Basic Audio Production (3-Units), at Laney College for BCST 120.

** Students may substitute Media 108-Studio Production (3-Units), at Laney College for BCST 140.

*** Students may substitute Media 104-Beginning Digital Video Production (3-Units) at Laney College for BCST 141.

Total Units: 16

The following REQUIRED courses are available at Laney College

Laney College Course: Media 165 - AV Essentials I for AV installation technicians Signal flow, rack installation of audio, video, and IT components, cable construction, basic low voltage electrical systems and requirements. 3
Laney College Course: Media 166 - AV Essentials II - Essentials for AV installation technicians Continuation of signal flow, rack installation of audio, video, and IT components, cable construction, basic low voltage electrical systems and requirements; troubleshooting, IP connectivity and customer relations. 3

Total Units: 6 

Recommended additional coursework:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CNIT 106 Introduction to Networks 3  
MABS 202 PowerPoint Presentations 3  

Total Units: 0

Overall Total Units: 22

View Requirements in College Catalog

Required courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
BCST 110 Introduction to Writing for Electronic Media 3  
BCST 119 Digital Media Skills 3  
BCST 120  Audio Production  
BCST 159 Digital Media Portfolio 1  

Total Units: 11

Choose one of the following media studies options:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
BCST 100 Introduction to Electronic Media 3  
BCST 103 Mass Media and Society 3  

Total Units: 3 

Choose one of the following video production courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
BCST 140 Studio Video Production 3  
BCST 141 Field Video Production 3  

Total Units: 3

Overall Total Units: 17

Transfer Options

The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. Start planning your transfer by exploring Sound Recording Arts programs at the following institutions: 

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.