BS in Digital Audio Technology

Master the art and science of sound. At USV, you’ll learn recording, mixing, composition, and sound design — building a portfolio that proves you can create for music, film, and games.

A close-up of a powerful speaker surrounded by dynamic water droplets, capturing the energy of sound waves with a vibrant bokeh effect in the background.
A close-up of a powerful speaker surrounded by dynamic water droplets, capturing the energy of sound waves with a vibrant bokeh effect in the background.
A close-up of a powerful speaker surrounded by dynamic water droplets, capturing the energy of sound waves with a vibrant bokeh effect in the background.

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Program Overview

The Digital Audio Technology program equips you with the skills to create and shape sound for a variety of professional applications. With a strong focus on audio production and interactive audio, you’ll gain hands-on experience in recording, editing, mixing, and mastering sound for music, media, and immersive environments. The program also emphasizes interactive audio design and audio implementation for interactive media production, preparing you to work in areas such as video games, virtual reality, and other dynamic media experiences.

What you'll learn:

Recording, mixing, and mastering

Digital audio workstations and production tools

Sound design for film, games, and interactive media

Music composition and scoring

Collaborative production workflows

A person wearing a cap and graphic t-shirt intensely focuses on playing a keyboard in a modern music studio, with digital audio workstation software displayed on two computer monitors in the background, surrounded by audio equipment and speakers.
A person wearing a cap and graphic t-shirt intensely focuses on playing a keyboard in a modern music studio, with digital audio workstation software displayed on two computer monitors in the background, surrounded by audio equipment and speakers.
A person wearing a cap and graphic t-shirt intensely focuses on playing a keyboard in a modern music studio, with digital audio workstation software displayed on two computer monitors in the background, surrounded by audio equipment and speakers.
A mesmerizing, futuristic digital landscape features wave-like structures illuminated with a vibrant red glow amidst a field of shimmering, multicolored particles, creating a cosmic and ethereal atmosphere.
A futuristic, abstract landscape with glowing red and white undulating waves and scattered sparkling particles against a dark background, evoking a sense of cosmic energy and digital innovation.
A vibrant, abstract wave pattern with glowing neon red edges and shimmering, multicolored particles set against a dark background, creating a futuristic and dynamic visual appeal.
A futuristic, abstract landscape with glowing red and white undulating waves and scattered sparkling particles against a dark background, evoking a sense of cosmic energy and digital innovation.
A futuristic, abstract landscape with glowing red and white undulating waves and scattered sparkling particles against a dark background, evoking a sense of cosmic energy and digital innovation.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the BS in Digital Audio Technology will be able to:

Articulate and demonstrate audio production principles and best practices through the development of effective audio content.

Execute engaging and impactful individual audio works from concept to delivery according to an original concept or established aesthetic.

Demonstrate technical skill and efficiency in a range of audio production techniques aligned with current industry standards.

Collaborate effectively as part of multidisciplinary projects and demonstrate professionalism in diverse team environments.

Demonstrate a career-ready understanding of audio production through a published portfolio and completed projects showcasing technical and creative skills.

Digital Audio Technology Course Highlights

A person with large headphones sits in a dimly lit music studio, facing a computer screen displaying audio waves and surrounded by high-quality speakers, creating an immersive sound editing environment.
A person wearing large headphones is sitting at a desk, immersed in audio production, with sound wave graphics displayed on a computer screen in a dimly lit studio.
A person wearing headphones is seated at a computer in a music studio, surrounded by audio equipment and speakers, with sound wave visualizations displayed on the screen and a blue ambient glow in the background.
A person wearing large headphones is sitting at a desk, immersed in audio production, with sound wave graphics displayed on a computer screen in a dimly lit studio.
A person wearing large headphones is sitting at a desk, immersed in audio production, with sound wave graphics displayed on a computer screen in a dimly lit studio.

Recording & Mixing

Build professional audio tracks from start to finish, learning the workflows used in studios worldwide.

A futuristic cityscape illuminated by vibrant neon lights, featuring tall skyscrapers and a digital waveform cascading through the skyline, highlighting the intersection of urban architecture and advanced technology.
Futuristic cityscape with towering, illuminated skyscrapers resembling sound waves against a dark, moody sky, highlighting urban technology and innovation.
A futuristic cityscape features towering digital waveforms and glowing skyscrapers, resembling an advanced, technological metropolis under a dark sky.
A futuristic cityscape illuminated by vibrant neon lights, featuring tall skyscrapers and a digital waveform cascading through the skyline, highlighting the intersection of urban architecture and advanced technology.
A futuristic cityscape illuminated by vibrant neon lights, featuring tall skyscrapers and a digital waveform cascading through the skyline, highlighting the intersection of urban architecture and advanced technology.

Sound Design for Games & Film

Design immersive soundscapes, sound effects, and scores for interactive and cinematic experiences.

Close-up of a professional audio mixing console with numerous knobs, faders, and buttons, highlighting the complex controls used in sound engineering.
A close-up of a professional audio mixing console in a recording studio, showcasing numerous knobs, faders, and switches, creating a complex and dynamic interface for sound engineering.
A close-up shot of a professional audio mixing console with numerous buttons, knobs, and sliders, illuminated by ambient lighting, showcasing intricate sound engineering equipment in a recording studio.
A close-up of a professional audio mixing console in a recording studio, showcasing numerous knobs, faders, and switches, creating a complex and dynamic interface for sound engineering.
A close-up of a professional audio mixing console in a recording studio, showcasing numerous knobs, faders, and switches, creating a complex and dynamic interface for sound engineering.

Music Production & Composition

Compose, arrange, and produce original music using industry-standard software and techniques.

Hear from a USV Graduate

Alumni Testimonial

The USV Difference

USV students take 3 courses per term instead of the traditional 4. That means:

Deeper learning

You’ll dive deeper into each subject, with more time to absorb concepts, apply them in projects, and build lasting mastery that goes beyond memorization.

Better Balance

Fewer concurrent courses means less stress and more focus. You’ll have room to manage school, work, and life — without sacrificing academic performance.

Higher Success

With improved retention and a healthier pace, students are more likely to graduate on time and enter the job market prepared with real skills and strong portfolios.

Flexible Learning

Earn your degree on-campus in Silicon Valley or 100% online. No matter where you learn, you’ll join collaborative teams, ship real projects, and build a professional portfolio.

A person wearing headphones is seated in a music studio, surrounded by audio equipment, with colorful LED lights illuminating the room in red and blue hues.
A person wearing headphones sits in a dimly lit recording studio, illuminated by vibrant red and blue LED lights, working at a computer surrounded by high-quality audio equipment and large speakers.
A person with headphones sits at a desk in a dimly lit music studio, surrounded by sound equipment, large speakers, and LED lights in blue and orange hues.
A person with headphones sits at a desk in a dimly lit music studio, surrounded by sound equipment, large speakers, and LED lights in blue and orange hues.
A person with headphones sits at a desk in a dimly lit music studio, surrounded by sound equipment, large speakers, and LED lights in blue and orange hues.

Faculty Spotlight

Black and white portrait of a USV professor.
A person gazes intently at the camera, resting their arms on a surface, wearing a dark shirt and a watch, with a soft-focus background adding depth to the black and white portrait.

"Our students get real industry experience and skills — a tremendous benefit that sets them apart from other graduates."

"Our students get real industry experience and skills — a tremendous benefit that sets them apart from other graduates."

Julius Dobos
Distinguished Professor

Julius Dobos
Distinguished Professor

A lone samurai, silhouetted against a vibrant cyberpunk cityscape of neon blues and fiery reds, stands on the edge of a weathered rooftop, gazing at the sprawling urban expanse below.
A silhouette figure in traditional samurai attire stands on a rooftop overlooking a vibrant, neon-lit cityscape, blending shades of red and blue, creating a dramatic and futuristic atmosphere.
A lone samurai, silhouetted against a vibrant cyberpunk cityscape of neon blues and fiery reds, stands on the edge of a weathered rooftop, gazing at the sprawling urban expanse below.
A lone samurai, silhouetted against a vibrant cyberpunk cityscape of neon blues and fiery reds, stands on the edge of a weathered rooftop, gazing at the sprawling urban expanse below.
A lone samurai, silhouetted against a vibrant cyberpunk cityscape of neon blues and fiery reds, stands on the edge of a weathered rooftop, gazing at the sprawling urban expanse below.

Real-World Learning

In USV Studios, audio students team up with animation and design students on commercial projects for Silicon Valley clients and beyond. You’ll graduate with a portfolio that includes real work, preparing you to launch your career in music, film, or game audio.

Mediaworks 2024

CAREER PATHS