About
The Multimedia Arts Technology Program is centered around five pillars:
- Audio engineering
- Music production
- Live-sound reinforcement
- Digital video production
- Computer programming
Students also complete a year-long Capstone project with direct faculty oversight. The projects created during our classes and during the student's capstone project reflect their own focus, interests and goals.
The overwhelming majority of cultural projects created today rely on digital media at all stages of production and presentation. Digital media facilitates immersive, multimedia experiences that inform, enrich and transform our lives. The Multimedia Arts Technology program at Western Michigan University provides training in digital media concepts and the skills necessary for the production of popular music, the operation of technology at concert venues, the creation experimental art projects, and the development of software. Students also study the basics of video production as well as the generation of audio and music for film, television, and video games.
Students have the flexibility in the curriculum to focus on their own goals and interests. Classes are style-neutral, and students are encouraged to produce the art that is most meaningful to them. Students also receive training in basic music theory, performance skills on piano and/or guitar, and the designing digital instruments in a laptop orchestra.
Our facilities include a state-of the art recording studio - Western Sound Studios - which operates as the primary recording facility for the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music. Western Sound Studios (WSS) operates as a business; therefore, students in upper level audio engineering classes are essentially interns who assist with professional recording projects. Beyond WSS, there are six individual workstations available for student use which includes a non-professional recording studio. Each station contains a full array of software, plugins, effects, sample libraries, and hardware to produce audiovisual media of the highest quality.Students also have access to a portable live-sound reinforcement system that has the capacity for eight-channel surround sound and real-time effects processing. There is also a general computer lab consisting of 18 stations that have basic audio and video software.
The Multimedia Arts Technology program faculty are dedicated teachers who are committed to the development and success of our students. The faculty members have diverse skill sets and backgrounds, and they work collaboratively to assist students in achieving their goals. Our faculty work to create a challenging, inspiring and playful learning environment that facilitates student learning and growth, while helping them to enjoy their education.