The department and the degree requires at least one three credit internship. We assist students, within reason, in securing these internships. There exist clear guidelines which must be followed and there is absolutely no guarantee of job placement after graduation. Students, this is a real-life business experience, and specifically, a music business experience. Jobs are obtained based on many factors, including knowledge, ability, people skills, personal connections, work ethic, flexibility, creativity, desire, and luck. MDC will help music business students acquire the knowledge, skills, business acumen, musical ability, and work ethics needed to succeed in the music business. In some instances, internships are key components towards establishing business contacts and opportunities. Succes in the music business is ultimately the responsibility of each and every individual.

A high school diploma or the completion of a GED is
required to enter MDC. How long it will take an individual student to complete the AS degree depends on many factors including test scores on the CPT (college placement test in English, Reading, Math); how many credits the student registers for each semester; the flexibility of the student's schedule in terms of times, days and course locations; musical training; proficiency; and other intangibles such as personal motivation and family or work related responsibilities.

Many of these programs require a strong foundation in basic music, such as theory, ear-training, piano, applied instrumental skills, and ensembles in addition to some music history. Each program is different. As an interested student, you must contact each school individually and discuss your objectives and their programs with the specific program representative regarding the program's requirements. This includes what courses they will and will not accept from MDC. This is the best way to know what classes completed at MDC will count towards other degrees.

Students should enroll in the MUM 2700 - 2704 sequentially. MUM 1949 and 2949 are internships available upon completion of MUM 2700-2704. Students should complete basic theory and keyboard (MVK 1111) prior to taking MUM 2623c (MIDI 1). Graduates of MUM 2623c (MIDI 1) should complete MUM 2624c (MIDI 2). Students interested in enrolling in MUM 2600 (Sound Recording 1) should first complete MUM 2623c (MIDI 1). Students interested in enrolling in the Commercial Music Ensemble must contact Dr. Calle. When in doubt, ask a music business advisor.
Students may register for MUM 2700 and MUM 2703 concurrently. The same is true of MUM 2702 and MUM 2704. Similarly, MUM 2623c and MUM 2600 are complimentary as are MUM 2624c and MUM 2601. If you like doubling the workload and the information, taking these courses in tandom may prove to be a fast-track to graduation and entry into the music industry.

YES. MDC offers Sound Recording 1, Sound Recording 2 and mixdown courses. In some instances, sound recording classes meet simultaneously with the Commercial Music Ensemble at Studio-M in order to afford sound recording students hands-on experience recording vocalists and instrumentalists in a real-world setting.

MDC offers exceptional education and is very affordable. The same courses required for the completion of an A.A. degree at a Florida state college such as F.I.U., U.C.F., F.S.U. or U.F., cost significantly more than they do at MDC. University of Miami students pay in excess of $1,100 per credit. For example, the Music Business 1 course at the University of Miami costs slightly more than $3,300. The same Music Business 1 course at MDC costs approximately $180. Locally, F.I.U. does not offer music business courses or a music business program.

We want everyone visiting this site to understand that we at MDC have tremendous respect for all of the schools mentioned and their programs. Professors Calle, Quinzi, Roitstein and Dr. Rose as well as department chair Mr. Kreitner are all University of Miami alumni.

MDC students can rest assured that MDC is an exceptional State of Florida institution of higher education and will strive in every way possible to prepare you for succesful transitions to other 4-year programs.

The choice is absolutely up to you. Both the PC and Macintosh platforms offer students the opportunity to use software such as Pro Tools, Sibelius, Finale and a host of MIDI software. Professor Calle and Professor Roitstein use the Macintosh platform at the college and in their home studios. Mr. Kreitner and Dr. Rose uses both platforms at the college and at home. At the Kendall campus, Studio M, the MIDI and Pro Tools labs all feature Macintosh computers. The Pro Tools lab at the North campus features PCs by Dell. The Miami-Dade College Music Business Program encourages the learning and usage of all computer platforms and software.

Students:
The goal of the MDC music business and production staff is to empower you to pen, produce, protect, promote, persevere and profit from your talents, education and efforts. The focus should always remainn on the product instead of the tools.

I am an international student. How should I begin my registration process?

Kendall campus international students should contact international student services director Floris Giol (telephone: 305-237-2330; e-mail: fgiol@mdc.edu) or assistant Myriam Lopez (telephone: 305-237-2363; e-mail: mlopez1@mdc.edu) in room 3334. Please note that international students are bound to U.S. immigration laws and pay higher tuition for classes. Therefore, it is in your best interest to enroll in the appropriate courses. In order to minimize expenses, international students should complete courses satisfactorily on their first attempt.
North, Wolfson, Medical Center, Homestead and InterAmerican campus students should click on the provided links to visit their respective campus websites in order to locate their individual international student services departments.

Required textbooks:
Baskerville, D. (2005). Music Business Handbook and Career Guide (8th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
ISBN: 0-1412-90438-2

Passman, D. (2003). All You Need To Know About The Music Business (5th ed.). New York, NY: Simon and Schuster. ISBN: 0-7432-4637-3

Huber, D. M., & Runstein, R.E. (2005). Modern Recording Techniques (6th Edition). Burlington, MA: Focal Press.
ISBN: 0-240-80625-5

Roback, S. (2003). Pro Tools 6 for Macintosh & Windows. Berkely, CA: Peachpit Press. ISBN: 0-321-21315-7

Suggested readings:
Franz, D. (2000). Producing in the Home Studio with Pro Tools. Boston, MA: Berklee Press. ISBN: 0-634-03221-6

Baragary, R. (1996). The Billboard Guide to Home Recording (Revised ed.). North Hollywood, CA: Billboard Books.
ISBN: 0-8230-8300-4

Strong, J. (2002). Home Recording for Musicians for Dummies. Indianapolis, IN: For Dummies.
ISBN: 0-7645-1634-5

McIan, P., & Wichman, L. (1994). The Musician’s Guide to Home Recording. USA: Amsco Music. ISBN: 0-8256-1378-7

Students interested in designing a home studio compatible with the facilities and technologies used at MDC and a majority of music industry professionals have numerous options. The most flexible and inexpensive setup involves the purchase of the following equipment. (Links to manufacturers or retailers are included.)

1. A Macintosh or PC computer or laptop with a minimum 500 megahertz processor and at least 1-gigabyte of internal RAM.

2. A 7200 rpm internal SCSI or external Firewire drive. Due to disk fragmentation caused by digital audio recording, it is advisable to refrain from recording on the hard drive housing the operating system and purchase a large, fast and reliable external Firewire 7200 rpm drive containing the Oxford 922 chip and an 8 megabyte buffer. These Firewire drives are highly portable and affordable.

3. A Pro Tools M-Box. The M-Box contains the Pro Tools LE software, 2 microphone preamps, phantom power (+48v) and RTS connectors capable of accomodating microphone (XLR) and guitar (1/4") cables.The M-Box 2 also contains MIDI in and out ports.

4. A single or pair of professional quality microphones. These microphones range in quality, type and application. Microphone prices from $79 to $2,000 per microphone. Dynamic microphones tend to be less expensive, more rugged and better suited for recording instruments capable of producing high sound pressure levels (SPL). Condenser and ribbon microphones tend to be more expensive, fragile and better suited for certain high-end applications. See the MUM 2600 webpage for more information regardign microphone applicationns.

5. A pair of powered monitors for reference listening. M-Audio manufacturers an outstanding selection of affordably priced powered monitors and MIDI gear. Yamaha, Roland, Genelec, Tannoy and a host of other companies also produce and sell great monitors. Genelec studio monitors and Yamaha NS-10 speakers are standards in professional recording studios around the world.

6. A set of headphones. Better quality headphones are more efficient when reproducing audio due to extended audio range and power. In other words, good headphones tend to sound better, louder and usually cost more money than lower quality headphones. Sony, AKG and Alessandro all design and manufacture professional quality headphones. Retailers such as Guitar Center, Audio-One, Harris Audio and Sam Ash all sell a wide variety of professional quality headphones.

7. A pair of microphone (XLR) and guitar/instrument (1/4") cables.

8. For those interested in MIDI capability, you will need a MIDI keyboard. AKAI, M-Audio, Korg, Roland, Tascam, Yamaha and many other companies manufacturer mind-boggling varieties and spectacular MIDI keyoards, processors, mixers and professional music products. Keyboards, synthesizers and MIDI controllers range in type, size, weight, price and functionality. Wind players have access to both the AKAI EWI and the Yamaha wind controllers. Guitarists and percussionists have access to a wide range of MIDI controllers for their particular instruments and needs.

9. Digidesign's original M-Box does not contain a MIDI interface. Students can purchase a MIDI keyboard with a built in USB or Firewire MIDI port or purchase an inexpensive MIDI interface.

10. Students interested in techno-music production and powerful MIDI production software with a large library of internal sounds should look to purchase Reason software. Reason is very affordable, powerful and is used extensively in MDC production classes and throughout the music industry.

11. Students interested in producing sophisticated, professional quality mixes and masters may want to explore an array of plugins designed for use with Pro Tools and most other Digital Audio Software and workstations such as the Waves bundles, Sony Oxford or Focusrite plugins.

Please note that the Pro Tools M-Box will serve as the audio interface for other digital audio and MIDI software such as Digital Performer, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic, Reason, SampleTank and many others.