Music Technology Recording Arts

Upcoming Courses
Master your craft and unlock your creativity with classes in the Music Technology and Recording Arts program! Find inspiration and take your love of music to a new level by using our state of the art studios and joining a creative community of peers.
Whether you want to learn the basics of audio, recording, music production, beat making, MIDI sequencing, music notation, synthesis, or live sound, MTRA can help you turn your passion and creativity into a successful career.
MTRA faculty and staff are dedicated to providing you with the opportunities and skills to succeed in the music industry. Read more about what MTRA offers on our Why Our Program page.
You can earn an Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree or one of two Certificates of Achievement. All courses are designed to give students the skills they need to pursue a wide range of music careers , such as sound design, music composition, audio engineering, live sound engineering, and music production.
Learn more about getting started toward your Degree or Certificate
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Cabrillo's MTRA facilities feature state-of-the-art analog and digital equipment. All studios are equipped with cutting-edge Apollo interfaces and plugins from Universal Audio, iMac computers, the latest software tools, and more to ensure that students are using the same tools as industry professionals. The MTRA program also has a great collection of hardware preamps, compressors, equalizers, microphones, and synths including models by Universal Audio, API, Neumann, Royer, Sennheiser, Sequential, and more.
Listen to original music produced by current and former students.
MTRA students can also pursue internship opportunities during their course of study. The program proudly partners with local venues including Kuumbwa Jazz Center and Cabrillo Stage to give students opportunities to learn and excel outside the classroom.
We host the weekly MTRAK club meeting every Monday during the semester. Learn how to sign up.

This program has amazing tools that much larger colleges don't even have. It's been great to have their students come intern with us, and then to see them move onto rewarding careers in the field.
Ready to take your love of music to the next level?
Fall 2023 Hands-On Music Recording & Production Classes
Whether you’re a studio musician, professional recording engineer, or aspiring hip-hop beatmaker -- Cabrillo’s got you covered with classes that will seriously advance your ability to digitally make music and utilize production software.
8-Week, In-Person Classes
Fall 2023 Hands-On Music Recording & Production Classes
Whether you’re a studio musician, professional recording engineer, or aspiring hip-hop beatmaker -- Cabrillo’s got you covered with classes that will seriously advance your ability to digitally make music and utilize production software.
8-Week, In-Person Classes
MUS 31A* | Recording Studio Fundamentals I
Aug 28 - Oct 18
M/W 3:30 PM–6:15 PM
In-Person | Aptos Campus
MUS 31B* | Recording Studio Fundamentals II
Oct 23 - Dec 13
M/W 3:30 PM–6:15 PM
In-Person | Aptos Campus
MUS 57A* | Digital Music Production
Aug 29 - Oct 19
T/Th 9:30 AM–12:10 PM
In-Person | Aptos Campus
MUS 31LS | Live Sound Production
Oct 23 - Dec 13
T/Th 3:30 PM–6:15 PM
In-Person | Aptos Campus
MUS 59A* | Game Audio Production I
Aug 28 - Oct 18
M/W 9:30 AM–12:15 PM
In-Person | Aptos Campus
MUS 59B* | Game Audio Production II
Oct 23 - Dec 13
M/W 9:30 AM–12:15 PM
In-Person | Aptos Campus
*If you don't need to earn college credit, you can take this class for FREE by registering for the NONCREDIT version of this class. Learn more about noncredit classes and certificates.