Save up to 30% on the audio engineering course and get 48 premium plugins as a gift.
Save up to 30% on the audio engineering course and get 48 premium plugins as a gift.
HOFA Audio Diploma
The ultimate audio engineering course.
The AUDIO DIPLOMA online course will give you the complete knowledge and practical experience for excellent sound. Learn everything you need for your music productions and a successful career in the audio industry.
This certified program also includes the AUDIO BASIC and AUDIO PRO courses.
Course duration: 24, 36 or 48 months
Practice: 35 detailed analyses of your mixes and assignments
Certificate: Audio Engineering DIPLOMA
This online course can be done without problems alongside your job.
▶Summer Special – save 15% now:
from $119 per month
Was: $140 per month
or save 30% with one-time payment:
only $4,183.20 was: $5,976
▶︎Summer Special
All 48 HOFA plugins worth a total of $1,099 as a gift with the course:
- IQ-Series EQ, IQ-Series Reverb, IQ-Series Transient, IQ-Series Limiter, IQ-Series Comp, IQ-Series DeEsser & IQ-Series Analyser
- The entire HOFA mastering suite CD-Burn.DDP.Master PRO
- HOFA SYSTEM effect suite with Saturator, Phaser, Flanger, Chorus, Algoverb...
- All other plugins from HOFA
With the award-winning plugins from HOFA, you have the best tools for your AUDIO DIPLOMA online course and your productions.
Winter Special ends in
Save up to 20% on the online course AUDIO DIPLOMA and get audio software worth $1,600 as a gift:
- Native Instruments Komplete 14 Standard
- All 48 HOFA plugins
This way you will have the perfect tools for your online course and your own productions.
You'll learn all this in the DIPLOMA course:
- Miking of various instruments
- Different types of microphones
- Preamps & effects
- Workflows
- Microphone technology
- Recording vocals and spoken word
- Monitoring and communication
- Mixing of various instruments and genres
- Mix architecture
- Levels and panning
- EQing and frequencies
- Compression and dynamics
- Reverb and depth
- Effects
- Groups and stems
- Automation
- Mixing vocals and speech recordings
- 3D and immersive audio production
- Ear training
- Pre-mastering
- Loudness and limiting
- Mastering in practice
- Stem mastering
- Analog vs. digital
- Interviews with successful mastering engineers
- Workflow of modern audio production
- Overview of popular DAWs & plugins
- MIDI basics
- Tools in the DAW
- Fades and crossfades
- Comping
- Pitch correction and auto-tune
- Arrangement
- Sample-based productions
- Vocal production
- Relevant production workflows
- Songwriting and arrangement
- Important equipment
- Recording techniques
- Mixing
- Drumset overview
- Rhythm and grooves for various genres
- Songwriting and arrangement for drums
- Orchestral percussion
- Sampling, synthesis, effects and recording for sound design
- Creating own sounds
- Sound design for film, games and media
- Working with modern synthesizers
- Music theory (scales, intervals, rhythm)
- Chords
- Songwriting
- Arrangement
- Preparation and production
- Miking and recording large ensembles (e.g. orchestra and big band)
- Producing virtual orchestral music
- Miking on stage
- All about PA systems (subwoofer, line arrays, delay lines…)
- Monitoring
- Mixing consoles
- Speech and vocals
- Stringed instruments
- Keyboard instruments
- Drums and percussion
- Orchestra instruments
- Oscillations and waves
- Sound energy, sound pressure level and sound intensity
- Standing waves and room modes
- Absorption and diffusion
- Acoustics in the studio
- Psychoacoustics
- Signal transmission
- Electroacoustics and digital audio technology
- Levels
- Microphone technology
- Mixing consoles
- Loudspeaker technology
- 3D audio
- Location sound recording
- Dialogue editing
- Foley, ambience and effects
- Sound design
- Mixing sound for film
- Low-budget equipment
- Cameras, lenses, lighting and additional gear
- From concept to finished video
- Post-production, cutting and color grading
- Dialogue, sound effects and music
- Integration of sound in games without any programming skills
- Audio middlewares
- Adding sound to a game (project)
This course provides you with 7 studio productions from different genres. Included are all tracks, project files for different DAWs and detailed recording, mixing & mastering documentation.
- Creating a concept for a scientific elaboration
- Writing a scientific paper
- Comprehensive preparation for your bachelor studies
- Academic work and research
- Self-employment/starting a business
- Marketing and promotion
- Music law and contracts
- Distributors, publishers, labels, promotion & copyright societies…
Your bachelor's degree
After the HOFA Audio Engineering DIPLOMA, you can graduate with an internationally recognised Bachelor in Audio Engineering & Music Production in just one year.
How your online course works:
Learn audio engineering everywhere.
The HOFA Online Campus gives you access to all your learning content via your computer, tablet and smartphone at any time.
This way, you learn multimedia-based with video tutorials, studio workshops, texts, sound examples, complete studio productions & practical exercises – no matter if you are at home or on the road…
Didactic structure.
The AUDIO DIPLOMA is made up of 24 progressive levels, giving you the complete knowledge of all HOFA-College courses.
Each level contains several modules on different topics, which ensures both consistent didactics and a varified and dynamic course.
An online course that adapts to you.
When you register, you can set the course duration to 24, 36 or 48 months. This allows you to define your pace and the monthly rate.
If you happen to have more time, you can bring learning content forward. And there is also the option of pausing your course when you need a break.
If you decide to make a one-time payment, you will receive all the content at once. This gives you full flexibility and the best price.
Your certified degree.
You will receive the DIPLOMA certificate at the end of the course. Besides, there will be certificates for all successfully completed topics.
With HOFA to a Bachelor’s degree.
With the DIPLOMA certificate, you qualify for the Bachelor’s program in Audio Engineering & Music Production. This top-up program can be done part-time from home in just one year.
As a gift with your course:
All 48 plugins from HOFA (worth $1,079)
- IQ-Series EQ, IQ-Series Reverb, IQ-Series Transient, IQ-Series Limiter, IQ-Series Comp, IQ-Series DeEsser & IQ-Series Analyser
- The entire HOFA mastering suite CD-Burn.DDP.Master PRO
- HOFA SYSTEM effect suite with Saturator, Phaser, Flanger, Chorus, Algoverb...
- All other plugins from HOFA
With the award-winning plugins from HOFA, you have the best tools for your DIPLOMA online course and your productions. Of course, the HOFA online courses can also be done with plugins from other manufacturers.
Get started right away.
Start your online course at any time.
You can start your audio engineering online course whenever you want.
With registration, you also choose whether you want to start immediately or at a later date.
Work with the DAW of your choice.
You can complete the course with any DAW: Cubase, Logic, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Studio One, Reaper…
At the start of the course, you can have Cubase LE or Ableton Live Intro as a gift.
Try it for 14 days.
After your registration you can try the course for two weeks.
During this time you will have the opportunity to cancel the online course immediately and get your money back.
Affordable & flexible:
one-time payment
With one-time payment, you will get a huge discount and access to all the content at the start of the course. This allows you to organize your time individually.
A wide range of practical exercises help you reach your goal.
1. Exercises straight from the studio.
You can submit 35 practical assignments in the AUDIO DIPLOMA program. These are, for example, mixes, masterings, recordings and even your own productions.
In the course we use productions covering various genres recorded at the HOFA-Studios and other top facilities, as well as home recordings. You are provided with a wide range of tracks, recordings and styles to choose from – including titles from well-known and successful artists.
2. Everything can be done at home.
Work on these exercises at home with the equipment you are familiar with and in the DAW of your choice. Afterwards, simply upload the result to the HOFA Online Campus.
We are always there for you to answer any questions you may have about the exercises and assignments.
3. Mix feedback from studio pros.
Your submissions will be heard and analyzed by experienced sound engineers and producers in the HOFA studios.
We provide detailed and individual analyses of your mixes and works and give you valuable feedback on the strengths and weaknesses with specific examples and screenshots.
We are there for you.
Personal support
Throughout the course, a team of professional audio engineers will be there to answer all your questions – by phone, chat & email.
If you have any questions on an audio topic, if there is something you don’t understand, or if you just need help, please feel free to contact us at any time!
Forum & community
In the exclusive HOFA Forum, you can contact tutors and build a network with other students to exchange ideas on a wide range of topics.
Discounts on software & hardware
You can use your Student ID to buy hardware and software from various manufacturers such as Ableton, Adam Audio, Adobe, Avid, Apple, Steinberg, Waves, HOFA-Plugins, HOFA-Akustik, etc. Almost all DAWs and plugins can be purchased with up to 50% educational discount.
Signed and sealed.
Your DIPLOMA certificate.
When you complete the AUDIO DIPLOMA, you’ll get the credentials and certifications to take your career in the audio engineering industry to the next level.
At the end of the course, you will receive a DIPLOMA certificate that opens the doors to many interesting jobs and also gives you the possibility to study for a bachelor’s degree. Plus, you will benefit from the certificates given to you for all successfully completed topics.
State-certified online courses.
All HOFA online courses are evaluated and certified by the German State Central Office for Distance Learning “ZFU”. With this, a meaningful didactic approach, a pedagogically structured programme and fair terms of contract are certified.
Due to the state certification, all training costs might be tax-deductible (depending on your location).
Live from the HOFA-Studios
As a HOFA-College student you can also attend fascinating online workshops on audio engineering held in the HOFA studios. Recordings of the live streams can be found in the Online Campus afterwards.
In addition to the experienced tutors from our studios, many experts from the music business hold workshops as well.
FAQ
Is the HOFA Audio Engineering DIPLOMA a recognised degree?
The HOFA AUDIO DIPLOMA is evaluated and certified by the German State Central Office for Distance Learning “ZFU”. This certifies meaningful didactics, an educationally meaningful course structure and fair contractual conditions.
After your DIPLOMA course, you can also graduate with an internationally recognised Bachelor’s degree in just one year.
Is this the right course for me, even if I am not interested in getting a Bachelor's degree?
Yes, definitely, because this course is one of the most comprehensive audio engineering courses available on the web. In addition to the basics, you will gain expert knowledge from all relevant aspects of audio engineering and music production. The great variety and depth of this training will allow you to achieve all your goals – whether it is for your hobby or your career.
Are there any admission requirements for this online course?
No, you can take this online course without a specific school degree or grading (NC).
What happens when I choose a longer course duration?
When you choose a course duration of 36 or 48 months, the content will no longer be unlocked on a monthly basis, but at a slower pace. This gives you more time for your online course and you pay less per month.
How much time should I plan for the course?
The 8-25 hours per week that you should plan for the course depend on your chosen course duration, your previous knowledge in audio engineering & music production and your personal learning goals.
Many of our students complete the HOFA online courses parallel to their job.
Can I cancel the online course?
You can cancel your registration within the first 14 days. 6 months after the beginning you have the possibility to cancel with a period of 6 weeks. After the first six months you can cancel the online course with a period of 3 months.
You can also pause the course at any time.
When do I have to take which exams?
To successfully pass the DIPLOMA, you must submit 6 practical exams and complete the multiple-choice tests in the topics.
There are no fixed exam dates or deadlines. All exams, assignments and tests can be completed at your own pace and from home.
Which certificates do I get?
If you pass the relevant exams, you will receive the following certificates:
- Audio Engineering DIPLOMA
- Audio Engineer
- Audio Assistant
- Acoustics
- Drum Programming
- Digital Audio Production
- Producing Electronic Music & Hip-Hop
- Audio Engineering for Film
- Game Audio
- Harmony, Music Theory & Songwriting
- Instrument Studies
- Classical Music Production
- Live Sound Engineering
- Mastering
- Mixing
- Musik Business
- Music Video Production
- Producing Pop, Rock & Heavy Rock
- Recording
- Editing
- Sound Design
- Technology in Sound Engineering
- Academic Work
Technical requirements
You will need a pair of speakers or headphones and an average PC or Mac.
Any of the following audio software (DAW) can be used to complete the online course:
Ableton Live | Apple Logic | Avid Pro Tools | Cockos Reaper | Image Line FL Studio | Magix Samplitude | PreSonus Studio One | Propellerhead Reason | Steinberg Cubase | or similar.
An audio interface is recommended, but not essential.
If you are not sure which software and hardware to use, please get in touch with us.
The ultimate audio engineering course.
The AUDIO DIPLOMA online course will give you the complete knowledge and practical experience for excellent sound. Learn everything you need for your music productions and a successful career in the audio industry.
This certified program also includes the AUDIO BASIC and AUDIO PRO courses.
Course duration: 24, 36 or 48 months
Practice: 35 detailed analyses of your mixes and assignments
Certificate: Audio Engineering DIPLOMA
This online course can be done without problems alongside your job.
▶Summer Special – save 15% now:
from $119 per month
Was: $140 per month
or save 30% with one-time payment:
only $4,183.20 was: $5,976
German Association for
Audio Professionals