Music and Sound Production

 This module provides students with theoretical knowledge of sound in its journey from transmission as a sound wave in the air to storage in both analogue/digital domains, and ultimately its journey from recorded sound to reproduction in monitoring environments. 

Lectures explore the sound propagation and reproduction whilst also contextualising the application of concepts to different media outputs beyond purely musical production. Seminars and workshops will afford the opportunity to discuss and experiment with these outputs and production processes therein. Practical classes will allow students to apply their knowledge of signal flow and develop a consciousness of audio signal processing.

Students will be asked to prove theoretical knowledge by way of a preparatory exam and presentation of a paper, workshop or performance at a conference.

This module focuses on the design of sound in the context of modern production environments such as applications and computer game audio. Consideration of implementation and the cohesiveness of the overall sonic work are paramount in this field of practice. Concepts of more general designed sound will be explored before discussion of both video game sound history and the changing nature of the audio production team in this industry. 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.

This module introduces the various skills required to record music in the recording studio environment providing students with a foundation in techniques including:

• Microphone Theory
• Multi-track Recording
• Analogue and Digital Recording Principles
• Digital Audio Workstations (Pro Tools)
• Recording Studio Workflow
• Using the recording studio safely and in compliance with Health and Safety regulations

Students will study the practice of analogue recording techniques, developing a portfolio of short recordings that demonstrate a command of the recording studio and analogue domain. Students will also create a short video presentation that demonstrates knowledge of a chosen studio recording technique.

This module builds on the recording studio concepts and techniques developed in Semester 1 and students build a repertoire of integral recording studio practices that will include:

• Microphone Placement for Music Production
• Hybrid Recording Workflows
• Mixing multitrack music
• In depth use of Digital Audio Workstations (Pro Tools)

Students will study hybrid recording studio workflows which make use of analogue recording into digital domains, developing a portfolio of recordings that demonstrate a command of the recording studio and mixing multitrack recordings. Students will submit two multitrack recordings (and their relevant components) that they have recorded in the recording studios and mixed in a set Digital Audio Workstation. These recordings will include a series of required elements that will be set out in the lecture series.

This module focuses on recording and capturing sound outside of the high-end studio environment in diverse and challenging spaces. Lectures will cover the behavioural aspects of sound in different acoustical spaces and how microphone technique can be employed to get good results in adverse or limited circumstances.

Practical workshops will provide you with the means to work with ‘pure audio’ covering the basics of acquisition, ingest and editing of audio. You will have the opportunity to explore and experiment with different production workflows such as that of bedroom production DAWs or on location field recording whilst experimenting with different mono and stereo mic configurations and models.

This module focuses on the exploration and composition of varying styles of digital (and electronic) music. Lectures will cover the history and context of digital music, and explore key artists, composers, genres and trends.

Practical workshops will provide students with the means to work with different digital platforms covering the basics of sequencing, composition and manipulation of electronic, virtual instruments. Students will have the opportunity to explore and experiment with different production techniques through directed workshop tasks and per-review opportunities.

Students will work individually to produce two digital compositions that build on taught sessions in accordance to a specified brief. Students will also demonstrate an understanding of different approaches by ensuring that the two compositions contrast in style/genre and production approaches.

This module requires students to utilise their knowledge of audio production methods either a pre-recorded podcast or a live radio show. The pre-recorded audio package will be produced individually and is expected to be devised with digital distribution in mind.

Individually, students will be tasked with planning, rehearsing and recording these assignments. Students will have the opportunity to train in the radio studio prior to assessment, gaining the necessary skills to deliver a successful show. With guidance from tutors and technicians, this module will provide students with an introduction to the logistics, practices and pressures associated with traditional radio production and newer exclusively digital standards.

In this module you will discuss the nature of the creative industries in which you are engaged and in individually present a polished presentation in response to an agreed brief. You must also submit an individual essay analysing a current and challenging topic assigned by the lecturer.

You will be introduced to practices used in the delivery of various media and concepts for understanding the benefits and disadvantages of different media platforms, including practical constraints of delivery. Through the use of contemporary case studies, you will analyse the production process and decision-making for a range of media texts. Theoretical understandings of media forms, such as issues of representation, copyright, adoption cycles, will be explored across different media. New and emerging media technologies will be examined.

This module builds on Recording Studio Practice at level 4 and encourages the use of the recording studio 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 you 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 including 5.1 surround sound for music.

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 viral marketing 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 industry context.

You will work inside complex digital signal processing workflows, utilising synthesizers, sample instruments and incorporating programming to devise an original audio composition. The focus here is on sculpted sound and digital workflows of recording and mixing. As such, the nature of the music may be more experimental in nature and may feature fieldwork and home recording to a greater extent than studio based recording.

You will devise original music and sound design for a project that is nonlinear and interactive. This is most likely to be either a live performance/dynamic sound installation or a computer game. Techniques of procedural audio, scripting, trigger mechanisms will be explained and some basic circuit design and electronics will be explored. Ultimately you should be able to produce music and sound design that exists within a stable and responsive system that reliably responds to user input.

This module requires students to utilise the skills they have gained and apply them to a live sound environment to run a live event safely and competently. This is more likely to happen ‘off site’ and plans but be made by students to facilitate the installation or management of an effective sound system that is appropriate for the event. The presence of other professionals (i.e. lighting engineers, SMs, etc), performers and the public add considerable risk and must be adequately prepared for. Hence there is a major emphasis on planning, risk assessment and health and safety. Students must produce a logical and realistic portfolio that includes control measures, technical specification and all additional pertinent pre-production documentation.

This module explores the world of post-production sound design for film and moving images, providing you with the knowledge and practical understanding required to carry out an effective piece of work in this specialist field. You will gain an understanding of how multi-modal sensory information competes, altering a viewer’s interpretation of sound when placed alongside the moving image. Theories such as Gestalt will be discussed as both an explanation of perception phenomenon and as a conceptual tool used by sound designers to exploit psychoacoustics. Alongside this, more purely practical techniques and strategies will be taught such as Foley & ADR recording; where they sit in the film sound industry and how one accommodates them in a studio. You will show your mastery of these theoretical and practical skills by designing sound for a short video sequence provided by the lecturer.

• Popular Music Culture - 15 credits
• Culture: High & Low - 15 credits

This module builds on Recording Studio Practice at level 4 and encourages the use of the recording studio 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 you 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 including 5.1 surround sound for music.

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 viral marketing 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 industry context.

You will work inside complex digital signal processing workflows, utilising synthesizers, sample instruments and incorporating programming to devise an original audio composition. The focus here is on sculpted sound and digital workflows of recording and mixing. As such, the nature of the music may be more experimental in nature and may feature fieldwork and home recording to a greater extent than studio based recording.

You will devise original music and sound design for a project that is nonlinear and interactive. This is most likely to be either a live performance/dynamic sound installation or a computer game. Techniques of procedural audio, scripting, trigger mechanisms will be explained and some basic circuit design and electronics will be explored. Ultimately you should be able to produce music and sound design that exists within a stable and responsive system that reliably responds to user input.

This module requires students to utilise the skills they have gained and apply them to a live sound environment to run a live event safely and competently. This is more likely to happen ‘off site’ and plans but be made by students to facilitate the installation or management of an effective sound system that is appropriate for the event. The presence of other professionals (i.e. lighting engineers, SMs, etc), performers and the public add considerable risk and must be adequately prepared for. Hence there is a major emphasis on planning, risk assessment and health and safety. Students must produce a logical and realistic portfolio that includes control measures, technical specification and all additional pertinent pre-production documentation.

This module explores the world of post-production sound design for film and moving images, providing you with the knowledge and practical understanding required to carry out an effective piece of work in this specialist field. You will gain an understanding of how multi-modal sensory information competes, altering a viewer’s interpretation of sound when placed alongside the moving image. Theories such as Gestalt will be discussed as both an explanation of perception phenomenon and as a conceptual tool used by sound designers to exploit psychoacoustics. Alongside this, more purely practical techniques and strategies will be taught such as Foley & ADR recording; where they sit in the film sound industry and how one accommodates them in a studio. You will show your mastery of these theoretical and practical skills by designing sound for a short video sequence provided by the lecturer.

• Popular Music Culture - 15 credits
• Culture: High & Low - 15 credits

You will produce a considerable piece of work, to a professional industry standard, such as an album of multitrack recordings, a portfolio of sound design, a performance (live/recorded) portfolio, or a project showcasing an area of audio/visual media production which interests you. Exact specifications of the project are decided by negotiation between the student and supervisor and approved via proposal.

This module will push learning of recording technique to a high standard, exploring ideas in specialist fields such as mastering and technique such as echo chambers. You should demonstrate mastery of the recording studio by independently recording a professional audio project in that space. The project itself must be for an outside client with whom they have negotiated a brief, which you must scope and satisfy. The emphasis is on technical standards and the ability to work within professional parameters.

This module gives you the opportunity to work in a client led relationship to produce a project to an external brief while at the same time exposing you to the benefits of participating in community led or third sector ventures.  Working in groups, you are encouraged to engage with the ethos of a not for profit organisation and use your production skills to benefit the community at large.

This module explores enterprise and entrepreneurship in the creative industries. You will each work on developing a robust and commercially viable business idea, which you will present as a formative pitch as if to a venture capitalist.  Your submitted portfolio must contain a fully formed business plan including market analysis, feasibility studies, cash flow forecasts and sensitivity analyses. Additional supplementary items in the portfolio will support the business plan through innovative marketing strategies.

Students will compose, arrange and record an original music piece with a rationale as to its purpose expressing engagement with the concepts, theories and practices of composition. This can be developed as a score to another media project or a stand-alone work. In either case it should feature comprehensive intentional musical choices illustrated with notation or midi sequencing and be presented as an audio recording.