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About the department

Established in 1995 as one of the founding departments of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, the Department of Sound Recording and Design stands today as one of the most prestigious and sought-after centres for film sound education in India.

Now offering an MFA degree under SRFTI’s newly conferred status as a ‘Deemed to be University under Distinct Category’ by the Honourable Ministry of Education, Government of India, the department combines world-class infrastructure, industry-aligned training, and a deep-rooted artistic sensibility to create a transformative learning experience.

From the fundamentals of sound recording to advanced techniques in sound design, mixing, location sound, and audio post-production, students are mentored by acclaimed industry professionals and faculty members who bring cutting-edge knowledge and a passion for cinema into the classroom.

With access to state-of-the-art studios and equipment that rival global standards, students gain immersive, hands-on exposure to real-world production environments. The department constantly evolves in tandem with technological innovation, ensuring that its graduates are not only up to date with the latest tools and workflows, but also capable of pushing creative boundaries.

In line with the vision of NEP 2020, the Department’s curriculum has been designed not only to build professional expertise but also to open pathways for higher academic pursuits. The department actively encourages research-based learning and scholarly engagement, and is in the process of launching PhD programmes to support advanced research in the field of sound. Graduates of this programme will be well-positioned to pursue doctoral studies in India and abroad.

Alumni of this department have gone on to shape the sonic landscapes of celebrated Indian and international films, earning accolades and recognition across the globe. For aspiring sound artists and technicians who dream of leaving their mark on cinema, SRFTI’s Department of Sound Recording and Design offers an unparalleled foundation and a gateway to the world of cinematic sound.

Overview of the Programme

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Cinema with specialisation in Sound Recording & Design at SRFTI is an intensive, immersive, future-forward two-year programme designed to develop scientific acumen alongside artistic exploration—both essential for professional excellence in the world of sound for cinema.

Meticulously crafted to align with international standards and the academic vision of NEP 2020, the curriculum offers a rigorous blend of technical training and aesthetic exploration. Students are immersed in core domains such as the recording chain and audio processing, advanced location sound recording, and multichannel mixing techniques, including immersive formats like 5.1 Surround and Dolby Atmos.

What sets this programme apart is its unparalleled access to state-of-the-art facilities that rival global benchmarks. The department houses two world-class mixing studios—one calibrated for 5.1 Surround Sound and the other equipped with Dolby Atmos—designed with cutting-edge software, premium-grade plugins, industry-standard consoles, and acoustics that meet international mastering specifications.

In addition, the department boasts three expansive recording studios, each engineered to accommodate full orchestras, enabling students to gain real-time experience in complex, live ensemble recordings. The programme places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning through practical sound exercises and project work, including fiction and non-fiction short films, song recording and mixing in multichannel formats, and immersive film mixing assignments.

Students also explore research-based topics in sound, building critical thinking and analytical skills, and culminate their training with a comprehensive, ambitious Degree film project. Supported by high-fidelity microphones, professional-grade mixers, multi-track recorders, and robust wireless audio ecosystems, students graduate not only as proficient sound practitioners but as visionary artists ready to shape the sonic language of contemporary cinema.

Programme Specific Objectives

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Sound Recording and Design at SRFTI is designed to offer an intensive, industry-oriented, and creatively fulfilling learning experience. The key objectives of the programme are to:

* Cultivate a deep understanding of advanced audio science and aesthetics, with a strong emphasis on sound’s role in cinematic storytelling across genres and formats.

* Train students in the complete recording chain and audio processing workflows, ensuring fluency in both analog and digital audio systems, signal flow, system design, and creative sound manipulation.

* Equip students with expertise in advanced location recording, enabling them to capture high-quality audio in diverse, complex, and often challenging shooting environments.

* Provide immersive hands-on experience through a robust calendar of fiction and non- fiction projects, workshops, sound exercises, and masterclasses conducted by leading industry professionals.

* Foster a spirit of research, critical thinking, and sound analysis, particularly through non-fiction and documentary projects that demand sensitivity to real-world soundscapes and human narratives.

* Prepare students to handle audio production and post-production with precision and creative command, following the latest techniques and practices adopted by the global film and media industry.

Keep students abreast of international trends and technological developments in the ever- evolving field of sound, with special inputs on sound for new and alternative media such as OTT platforms, web series, podcasts, and interactive experiences.

By the end of the programme, students will emerge as highly skilled, critically aware, and creatively driven professionals ready to lead in the fields of sound design, mixing, and audio post-production across film, television, and new media platforms.