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

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.
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.
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.

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