Music and Sound Production

This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles and skills essential for successful audio recording in studio environments serving as a crucial foundation for students pursuing degrees in audio engineering, music production, or related fields. Practical sessions will focus on microphone placement and the importance of capturing sound sources accurately. Emphasis will be placed on developing technical proficiency in operating recording equipment and studio gear. Students will gain hands-on experience with consoles, preamplifiers, compressors, and equalizers, building a solid understanding of signal flow and the audio chain. The module covers both analogue and digital recording workflows, exposing students to the historical context and evolution of recording technologies.

This module sees students working with sound as medium for experience design, immersion and storytelling. The nature of user experience design and sonic environments will be explored alongside the unique properties of sound such as weight, duration, pitch, timbre, texture and envelope. Consideration of implementation and the cohesiveness of the overall sonic work are paramount in this field of practice and students will have an opportunity to work creating original immersive audio for a client brief that demonstrates specificity of design and consciousness of end user. The relative merits of separate production workflows, integrated development environments and middleware will be investigated alongside a more traditional approach. Students will then be expected to work with dynamic and layered production processes to create original audio for a client brief in sound installation and applications. Classes with cover ideas such as ecoaocoustics, design thinking and user experience alongside concepts of more general designed sound and the changing nature of the audio production team in this industry.

This interdisciplinary module seamlessly integrates the exploration of guerrilla music production with the fundamental principles of digital audio production. Students will explore the nuances of capturing sound in diverse environments, mastering microphone techniques for optimal results in challenging spaces. Practical workshops will extend their skills to 'pure audio,' encompassing acquisition, ingest, and editing, allowing experimentation with various production workflows, from bedroom production DAWs to field recording and sampling. Through a series of practical and theoretical workshops, students will learn contemporary production techniques utilising digital audio workstations for composition, mixing, and production. The module culminates in the creation of two contrasting pieces of music, where students showcase recording, production, and sequencing techniques learned throughout the course, reflecting an analytical approach to sound production.

This module explores fundamental techniques and technologics used in electronic production workflows. Throughout the lecture series, different stylistic approaches to composing digital music are detailed, exploring both history and the future of digital, and electronic, music. Teaching is formed through a series of workshops that are both practical and theoretical. These sessions will cover the history and social context of digital (and electronic) music genres, contemporary production techniques, and the use of digital audio workstations to compose, mix, and produce digital music. Others areas will be covered as best benefits the production of the assignments to a given brief. Technician and tutor support is given throughout the module. In all areas there is consideration of the over-arching production process including research, planning and preparation and critical review. Students will develop a portfolio of work that includes remixes, original works, synthesiser design and production templates that expresses the skills of a modern music producer. 

This module builds on the student's knowledge of the recording studio and encourages its use as a creative environment, as well as a technical space. There is emphasis on advanced approaches to recording and using the recording studio to enhance musical phenomena. Practical workshops will provide students with advanced technological skills including multi-microphone arrays, use of space, advanced editing and mixing, and creative use of audio processing. Contextually students will explore the ‘art’ and ‘science’ of music production and explore how pioneering producers made creative and musical choices within the recording studio environment; as well as more unique approaches to recording and mixing.

This module explores the role sound and music play in shaping a viewers experience of the moving image complimenting, augmenting and even subverting the visuals. Lectures will detail how the emergence of sound in cinema radically altered the nature of film making and how the limitations of on set sound and the advent of advantageous processes such as Foley dubbing expanded to form the post production film industry. Time will also be devoted to the analysis and discussion of a viewer’s perception of sound against the moving image and how if understood it can be used to simplify the mix and steer a listener’s attention. Whilst the practicalities of on location sound recording and versatility of 'screen' sounds will be explored  the module is fundamentally a studio-based module and the majority of teaching will take place in the studio. The focus is on recording and mixing for film. Studio sessions will relay the practicalities of Foley overdubs, Dialogue looping, sound effects design and may explore concepts of surround mixing.

This module immerses students in the essential concepts of game audio, emphasizing key skills in utilizing audio implementation middleware and integrating sound with game engines. Covering core aspects such as sound design and synchronization, spatialization, sound cues, dynamic sound objects, development processes, and storyboarding, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between sound and gameplay. The coursework guides students through the pre-production process of sound design, encouraging them to explore the challenges posed by dynamic sound design. Through essay writing, students critically engage with the problematic nature of dynamic sound design in video games, fostering a thoughtful analysis of its complexities. The practical component involves the development of a portfolio showcasing sound design for a specific game environment. This hands-on experience allows students to apply their knowledge and creativity to create immersive and impactful audio elements for games. By the end of the module, students emerge with a well-rounded skill set, prepared to contribute to the evolving field of video game sound design.

More information coming soon.

Music Video
This module focuses on the convergent media form of music video which combines music and sound with visuals that are often creative, abstract, stylised and experimental. The core of music video is having an achievable idea that will complement and promote a musical artist’s work. Concepts of virality will be explored and the delivery mechanisms discussed will be understood to exist in the online domain. However, the historical nature of music video television will also be analysed to provide a cultural and industrial context. With this in mind, students should be able to reflect upon existing music video and the extent to which they are successful in their production. This module aims to give production students a practical and theoretical understanding of making music video as a partner industry for music production.

Live Performance Composition
This module is designed around composing material with a technological mindset that reinforces and supports the nature of live music production and performance. Students will explore non linear workflows that allow for the construction of dynamic scenes, triggers, and responsive workflows before designing a set that showcases interactive playback systems. Technologies such as triggers, loops and interactive control will be discussed in designing a dynamic performance along with strategies for control, restraints and precise handling of audio objects. Students are expected to 'perform' their output live delivering a set that combines programming, automation and good design with the vitality of live performance. Students are also expected to reflect upon the development of this material with understanding of both technological aspects and the overall cohesiveness of staging and performance.

This module focuses on the development phase of individual projects within the music production and performance industries. It is designed to meet the unique needs and aspirations of each student. Initial lectures offer comprehensive guidance on initiating and shaping a project and the emphasis is not only on the final production but on the strategic planning and systemic understanding of the music industry throughout the development process. While the module primarily centers around Extended Independent Study, key supervision sessions provide targeted support to ensure the projects are evolving effectively. The module will culminate with students presenting a professional project pitch, a meticulously researched proposal demonstrating a systemic understanding of the music production and performance industries. Introductory lectures will illuminate the concept of a major project and guide students on effective presentation methods, ensuring they are well-equipped to showcase their work within the industry. This module aims to cultivate the strategic thinking and professional communication necessary for success in the dynamic landscape of music projects.

This module places a primary focus on the meticulous production of professional music and sound projects, such as albums, film sound design, or performance portfolios. Tailored to individual student needs, the content is designed to guide students through the entire production process, ensuring the creation of high-quality and industry-standard projects. Students traverse this project supported one-to-one by a supervisor. At the outset, supervisors will provide essential guidance on initiating and structuring the project, setting the foundation for successful execution. Throughout the module, tutorials are the primary contact method and are conducted to develop the practical element as well as monitor and enhance student progress. The module culminates in the presentation of a fully realized and professionally executed music project.  This module aims to equip students with the practical skills and industry knowledge needed to thrive in the competitive landscape of music production.

This module gives students the opportunity to work on two seperate client led music production projects. The first will attend to an external brief relating directly to the students own aspirations (record production, film sound, composition, songwriting etc) whilst the second will expose them to the benefits of participating in teaching, community led or third sector ventures. Students are encouraged to engage with the ethos of a not for profit organisation and use their production skills to benefit the community at large. Lectures will introduce the terminology and workings of business environments to students before relating them to the specifics of the music and creative industries. Employment practices such as freelancing and workings of business environments are explored before relating them to the specifics of the music and creative industries. Students will also explore different strategies towards promoting their work in within these industrial contexts, and explore the ways in which contemporary musicians and artists navigate different audiences, clients and employers.

This module gives students the opportunity to work on two seperate client led music production projects. The first will attend to an external brief relating directly to the students own aspirations (record production, film sound, composition, songwriting etc) whilst the second will expose them to the benefits of participating in teaching, community led or third sector ventures. Students are encouraged to engage with the ethos of a not for profit organisation and use their production skills to benefit the community at large. Lectures will introduce the terminology and workings of business environments to students before relating them to the specifics of the music and creative industries. Employment practices such as freelancing and workings of business environments are explored before relating them to the specifics of the music and creative industries. Students will also explore different strategies towards promoting their work in within these industrial contexts, and explore the ways in which contemporary musicians and artists navigate different audiences, clients and employers.