Music Technology & Audio Engineering School in Maryland

The Sheffield Institute For The Recording Arts:
The Sheffield Institute for the Recording Arts (SIRA) is located in Phoenix, Maryland. Amidst the rolling green hills of northern Baltimore County, Sheffield is within easy driving distance of Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia and New York City. The mission of SIRA is to provide graduates with a formal education in TV and Radio broadcasting, audio / video technology. Hands-on experience is gained while working with industry professionals and instructors on state-of-the-art equipment. The AudioWorks certified program gives the audio engineering student both a solid foundation in audio technology and the hands-on experience that will get him or her in the door of a major facility. Formal lectures are given in the studios and classrooms by industry professionals. These lectures range from basic introductory courses to advanced training in leading edge technology. Lab courses involve equipment use from basic function through advanced techniques on professional equipment.

Becoming an audio engineer, whether behind the console in a professional recording studio or behind the console at a major rock concert, is a dream of many. However, as many people have come to find out, the dream cannot become reality for the individual who lacks the proper training and experience. The AudioWorks program gives the audio student both a solid foundation in audio technology and the hands-on experience that will get him or her in the door of a major facility. Upon successful completion of the AudioWorks program, graduates will be qualified to apply for entry level employment in one or more of the following positions: Studio Recording Engineer, Live Recording Engineer, Front of House Sound Reinforcement Engineer, Monitor Engineer, Audio for Video Engineer, Non-Linear Digital Audio Editor, Remix Engineer, Equipment Sales, Installation Technician.

In 1995 The Sheffield Institute for the Recording Arts (SIRA) was created to provide vocational instruction and hands-on-training to aspiring students of audio, video, broadcasting, and system integration. The Maryland Higher Education Commission approved SIRA in 1996. This enormous breadth of experience and equipment makes SIRA unique in the industry and a perfect place for a student to learn from the inside what it takes to be successful in the real world.

Today the facility has grown to over 20,000 square feet containing world-class audio and video facilities. Audio studio A, our largest studio, contains an analog SSLDuality console and 48 track Pro Tools HDsystem. Audio studio B contains a digital YamahaDM2000 console and a 48-track Pro Tools HD system. Sheffield also takes its facilities on the road with the all digital SSL MT+ and dual Pro Tools HD equipped remote audio truck.