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

"How do I choose between Electronic Music Production & Performance (EMP) and Creative Audio Production & Sound Engineering (CAP)?"

We know it can be tricky to tell these two programmes apart at first glance. Both live at the heart of our School of Music & Sound. Both are packed with hands-on learning in our world-class studios. And both 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 drawn to the technical craft of sound – recording artists, engineering mixes, producing for clients or working in audio post-production – Creative Audio Production & Sound Engineering at Catalyst might be your lane.

This is where creativity meets precision. 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:

• Studio recording, large-format consoles & mic placement
• Mixing, mastering and audio engineering
• Multi-instrument setups & media production
• Professional workflows & collaborative briefs

Typical creative outcomes:

• Professionally mixed and mastered recordings across genres
• Full-length albums, EPs and singles
• Audio production for film, TV and games
• Sound engineering projects for live and studio contexts

Potential career paths:

• Studio producer or mix engineer
• Sound designer for media
• Mastering engineer
• Live sound technician
• Audio post-production specialist
• Freelance producer for artists, agencies or brands

What you might miss:

✖️ A strong emphasis on performance or live artistry
✖️ Deep sound synthesis, DIY instruments or audio experimentation

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:

• Synthesisers, samplers & instrument building
• Live performance & improvisation
• Experimental composition & sound art
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration & AV work

Typical creative outcomes:

• Original electronic tracks ready for release
• Live performance sets and instrument design
• Innovative sound design for music, media or installations
• A portfolio that reflects your unique sonic identity

Potential career paths:

• Performing artist or electronic music producer
• Sound artist or installation designer
• Composer for games, VR or experimental media
• DIY instrument designer
• Label founder or creative director
• Multidisciplinary performer

What you might miss:

✖️ Large-scale studio workflows
✖️ Client-led engineering or traditional post-production techniques

In short: Electronic Music Production & Performance is all about creating your own music, evolving a personal sound and taking it to the stage. 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.

Both are intensely practical. Both will give you a strong portfolio and industry-ready skills. Your choice comes down to where your creative energy flows – are you the artist-performer or the producer-engineer? Or a bit of both?

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 lab – 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.