Which music production programme at Catalyst is for me?

A lot of students come to us with the same question:

"How do I choose between Electronic Music Production & Performance (EMP), Creative Audio Production & Sound Engineering (CAP) and Music & Sound Design for Visual Media (MSVM)?"

We know it can be tricky to tell these three programmes apart at first glance. All three live at the heart of our School of Music & Sound. They are packed with hands-on learning in our world-class studios. And they will push you to explore your creative practice while giving you the technical skillset to stand out in the industry.

But while they share DNA, the way each course approaches sound and music – and the careers they prepare you for is actually pretty different.

To help you out, we’ve put together this short guide with the main differences, so that you can imagine your possibilities and find the path that speaks to you.

If you’re excited about telling stories through sound for film, games, art installations or new media, then Music and Sound Design for Visual Media is your creative choice.

This course is for artists who think cinematically. You’ll learn how to compose, design and implement audio in direct relationship to visuals, helping shape the emotional and narrative arc of a project. It’s a space to blend sound and image into powerful, world-building experiences.

You’ll dive into:

If you’re drawn to the technical craft of sound, such as recording artists, engineering mixes, producing for clients or working in audio post-production, then Creative Audio Production & Sound Engineering at Catalyst might be your lane.

If you love shaping sound in the studio – recording, producing, mixing and mastering – this programme puts you in control of the full technical and creative process.

We cover everything from capturing the perfect vocal take to producing a polished studio album. You’ll learn advanced recording techniques for bands, solo artists and ensembles, explore acoustics and psychoacoustics, and gain deep expertise in DAWs, outboard gear and production workflows.

Your projects could range from producing singles and EPs to composing for film, creating sound libraries or engineering live sessions. The aim is to graduate as a confident audio professional, equally comfortable leading a studio recording, designing sound for media or running your own production business.

You’ll dive into:

Electronic Music Production & Performance at Catalyst is all about developing your artistic identity.

If you’re drawn to crafting beats, building sonic worlds and bringing them to life on stage, this is your playground. Our focus here is on the full creative arc – from the first spark of an idea through production, mixing, mastering and live performance.

You’ll dive deep into hardware synthesisers, sequencers, drum machines and audio programming. We start with mastering the tools, then encourage you to reimagine and reinvent them for your own music. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the skills to produce and perform as a solo artist, collaborate across genres or push into experimental sound art.

Live performance is central – you’ll learn not just to make music but to translate it for an audience. And where better to hone your stage presence than in Berlin’s iconic electronic music scene?

You’ll dive into:

In short: Electronic Music Production & Performance is all about creating your own music, evolving a personal sound and sharing it to an audience. Creative Audio Production & Sound Engineering focuses on capturing, shaping and delivering sound for artists, media and audiences – often working with other creators’ material as well as your own. Music and Sound Design for Visual Media is for you if you want to score films, create sound-rich visual experiences, and become a multi-disciplinary storyteller blending sight and sound.

All three courses are intensely practical and will equip you with a strong portfolio and industry-ready skills. Your choice depends on where your creative energy flows – are you a performer, a producer, a storyteller… or a bit of all three?

• If you're drawn to sonic storytelling – building immersive soundscapes for film, games and visual media – Music & Sound Design for Visual Media connects sound with image to help you create emotionally resonant, cinematic work.
• If you want to work behind the glass – tracking bands, mixing records, delivering audio for media – Creative Audio Production & Sound Engineering at Catalyst will set you up with the technical foundation and industry-ready skills to thrive in the studio world.
• If you want to be on stage or in the studio – exploring new forms, performing live, crafting sound from scratch and redefining genres – Electronic Music Production & Performance at Catalyst will give you the creative freedom and tools to shape your own artistic future.

Still unsure? The best way to decide is to join one of our Open Days or one of the many info events we host with our tutors and students.