At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    BM

Gain expertise in music, media and technology to excel in today's technology-based production industry.

Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Sound Recording Technology

Musician recording in studio

With UMass Lowell’s Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Sound Recording Technology (SRT), you’ll join a program that has launched successful audio careers for more than 40 years.

Graduates of the program have achieved top-tier success across a wide range of audio careers, including music production and recording; film, television and game audio; live and broadcast sound; system and acoustic design; audio software and hardware development; education and consumer audio.

You’ll gain both creative and technical expertise through immersive recording courses, supported by studies in physics, electrical engineering, computer science, advanced mathematics and traditional music. Small class sizes ensure you’ll work directly with faculty members throughout the program.  

Prestigious scholars and practitioners, including Matthew Azevedo, Lanier Sammons, Ph.D., and Brandon Vaccaro, D.M.A., are among the SRT permanent faculty.

Please note: An audition is required for all majors in the Music Department.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Sound Recording Technology?

UMass Lowell's B.M. with an emphasis in Sound Recording Technology produces musically sophisticated professionals who possess the technical expertise to excel in today's rapidly evolving audio-related industries.

Hands composing music on an iPad.

What Our Graduates Do

  • Music production and recording
  • Audio for visual and interactive media (film, television and video games)
  • Event audio/live sound
  • Broadcast audio
  • Audio system design
  • Acoustic consultation and design
  • Audio software and hardware design
  • Audio education
  • Consumer audio

    Courses You'll Take

    Sample course topics include:

    • Introduction to Music Technology
    • Audio in Practice and Theory
    • Music Production with Lab
    • Mixing and Mastering Audio
    • Multitrack Production
    • Critical Listening
    • Acoustics and Psychoacoustics
    • View All Music Courses

    Year-by-Year Course Plan

    Check out our degree pathways, which offer sample plans for completing your degree in four years.

    For students who entered fall 2022 and beyond.

    Freshman Year

    Fall Semester

    Course NumberCourse NameCredits
    ENGL.1010 /
    HONR.1100    		College Writing /
    First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)    		3
    MATH.1310Calculus I (MATH)4
    MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
    MUTH.1080Musicianship and Analysis 14
    MUHI.1040Musical Practices 11
    MUSR.1100Intro to Music Technology2
    MUSR.1150SRT Colloquium0
    MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 12
    MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
    Total18

    Spring Semester

    Course NumberCourse NameCredits
    MATH.1320Calculus II (STEM)4
    MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
    MUTH.1090Musicianship and Analysis 24
    MUTH.1200Musicianship and Analysis Keyboard Lab2
    MUHI.1050Musical Practices 2 (DCA)1
    MUSR.1600Audio Practicum1
    MUSR.1150SRT Colloquium0
    MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 22
    MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
    Total16

    Sophomore Year

    Fall Semester

    Course NumberCourse NameCredits
    ENGL.1020College Writing 23
    MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
    MUSR.2100Audio in Practice and Theory2
    MUTH.2080Musicianship and Analysis 34
    MUHI.2610Music History 1 (AH)3
    MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 32
    MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
    Total16

    Spring Semester

    Course NumberCourse NameCredits
    PHYS.1010Introductory Physics (SCL)3
    PHYS.1010LIntroductory Experimental Physics1
    MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
    MUTH.2090Musicianship and Analysis 44
    MUHI.2620Music History 2 (AH), (WOC)3
    MUSR.2600Music Production with Lab (CTPS)3
    MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 42
    MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
    Total18

    Junior Year

    Fall Semester

    Course NumberCourse NameCredits
    ECON.2010Principles of Microeconomics (SS), (QL)3
    MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
    MUSR.3200Mixing and Mastering Audio2
    MUSR.3600Critical Listening3
    MUSR.3900Acoustics and Psychoacoustics (IL)3
    MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 52
    MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
    Total15

    Spring Semester

    Course NumberCourse NameCredits
    EECE.2140Fundamentals of Sound Recording (SCL)3
    MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
    MUSR.4130Advanced Audio Theory with Lab2
    MUSR.4400Multitrack Production3
    MUSR.4550Careers in Audio (SRE)2
    MUAP.xxxxApplied Music 62
    MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
    xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
    Total17

    Senior Year

    Fall Semester

    Course NumberCourse NameCredits
    MUAP.1000Recital Attendance0
    MUPF.2330Conducting 12
    MUEN.xxxxEnsembles2
    MUSR.xxxxSound Recording Technology Elective3
    xxxx.xxxxUpper Level Music /
    Sound Recording Technology Elective    		3
    xxxx.xxxxUpper Level Music /
    Sound Recording Technology Elective    		3
    xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
    Total16

    Spring Semester

    Course NumberCourse NameCredits
    MUSR.4930Internship in SRT1 (AIL)6
    MUSR.xxxxSound Recording Technology Elective3
    xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
    Total12

    Total Minimum Credits = 128.

    1MUSR.4940 SRT Senior Project may be substituted for MUSR.4930 with permission of SRT Coordinator.

    No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty adviser to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

    Please see advisor or contact the Music Department for more specific requirements pertaining to Freshman Chorus, Recital Attendance, Applied Music, Ensembles and Internships.

    Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your adviser.

    Restriction on off-campus study:

    Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.

    See the catalog policy for details.

    Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

    • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
    • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
    • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6 credits
    • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
    • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
    • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

    Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

    Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

    • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
    • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
    • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
    • IL - Information Literacy
    • QL - Quantitative Literacy
    • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
    • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

    Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

    Why Study Sound Recording Technology at UMass Lowell?

    Mike Testa Performs Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Mood

    Student Organizations

    Put your learning into practice by joining student-run clubs and organizations, including:

    A side view of a soundboard in a studio of the Sound Recording Technology program.

    Internships & Research

    You’ll begin with a Careers in Audio course and receive individualized support from the SRT coordinator throughout your internship search, helping you secure the best-fit opportunity and confidently prepare for future careers in audio.

    A female and male student playing instruments in the studio and recording music.

    Advanced Facilities

    Learn how to use equipment and technologies in our recording, editing, critical listening, video, testing, synthesis and multimedia studio laboratories. Moloney Performing Arts Center contains:

    • 1,200-seat concert hall
    • 225-seat recital hall
    • 30 rehearsal suites
    • 6 sound recording technology studios (including world-class tracking and mixing spaces)
    • Music technology laboratory (containing state-of-the-art Apple workstations with MIDI keyboards)
    Sound Recording Technology Professor William Moylan at a soundboard

    Expert Faculty

    Work with our faculty, who are skilled educators and active industry professionals from high-technology, broadcasting, recording and production talent in the greater Boston area, as well as the region's cultural and artistic communities.

    Hands composing music on an iPad.

    Career Connected Experience: The UMass Lowell Guarantee

    Every first-time, first-year UMass Lowell student will have the opportunity to pursue at least one Career Connected Experience (internships, co-ops, clinical placements, service learning, study abroad and more) during their undergraduate career — earning pay, credits or both before they graduate.

    Meet Our Students

    Ryan Katz working on a laptop outdoors
    Ryan Katz '23
    Sound Recording Technology

    Ryan Katz invented a musical instrument that “plays” the weather.

    I wanted an intersection between what we’ve created and what the environment creates.
    Sean Patterson in a studeio at Play Station
    Sean Patterson
    Sound Recording Technology

    For this sound recording technology grad, it’s all between the ears.

    My experience in the Sound Recording Technology program taught me how to get better and – importantly – how to ask for help. I definitely learned to learn.
    Joe Paquin surrounded by a group of singers.
    Joe Paquin '25
    Sound Recording Technology and Music Studies

    An aspiring audio engineer and music teacher, Joe Paquin composed his first choral piece, “Barter,” which was performed at UML’s annual New Music Concert.

    I’m so grateful for everyone here. All the faculty are super-supportive and kind.

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