BA (Hons) Music and Sound Production

The first Creative Industries module will introduce you to the strategies and tools to set you on the right path toward pursuing a successful career. Whether focused on a particular career goal or considering several future possibilities, you will broaden your knowledge of the opportunities available to you as a future creative industry professional.

This module will look at recording audio practically for the modern engineer. It will complement the theories studied in Audio Fundamentals. We will focus on modern engineering essentials and apply them to any setup from large format consoles to bedroom studios. We will focus on gain staging, use of analogue and digital equipment, Mic placement and techniques and running a recording session.

Summary

In this module, you will learn sequencing and arranging techniques to facilitate your development as a producer and composer. There will be a focus on the use of foundational music theory concepts which underpin the rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic aspects of composition.

The module positions arrangement as the main lens through which the selection and application of tools and techniques are viewed- where the study of song form and structure will guide your choices of DAW programming and sequencing approaches used for achieving a coherent arrangement.

Module Aims

• Utilise midi protocols in a DAW
• Apply fundamental sequencing techniques
• Develop listening and arrangement skills using fundamental music theory to underpin creative choices

Summary

The module will introduce the theory and practice of sample-based music production through practical exploration and applied theory. You will learn a variety of audio editing, audio manipulation, and sampling techniques, as well as digital audio theory.

Module Aims

The module will encompass the fundamentals of sample-based production, such as sample types, sampling techniques, and audio editing methods. You will learn how to manipulate samples and incorporate them into your own arrangements, as well as how to generate unique sounds using various processing techniques which meet the standards of the modern music production industry.

In this module, you will further develop your investigative skills, exploring relevant underlying concepts and principles and interpreting these within the context of your area of study. You will explore the nature of creativity, the wider context of the industry and practice reflective techniques.

You will also evaluate sources and consider issues such as potential biases and cultural diversity. This evaluation will contribute to developing an enhanced awareness of your creative identity and greater insight into the topics that inspire and motivate you. In addition, you will improve your understanding of how your area of interest intersects with the wider creative industry.

Using academic enquiry, you will develop a reflective journal to evaluate your strengths and areas for self-development in relation to your studies, careers and personal aspirations. This investigative work will help establish a connection between the skills you have identified concerning specific careers and areas of the industry, enhancing your understanding of what is required to be a successful professional practitioner.

Summary

This module will introduce the art and techniques of mixing multiple sources of audio into a cohesive-sounding ‘mix.’ The skills developed in this module will allow you to mix multi-track electronic compositions, multi-mic’d live performances or soundtracks for visual media. You will identify areas of the original audio that require improvement, such as sonic quality, arrangement, or performance. You will utilise a variety of tools and techniques related to level balance, spatial image, and frequency balance, and will apply creative processing techniques as relevant to your chosen field of work.

Module Aims

During this module, you will develop your ability to mix multitracked recording projects. This module will also help you develop the following graduate attributes:

• Employability
• Self-Awareness
• Resilience and Adaptability
• Creativity, Collaboration and Connectedness

Summary

This module introduces composition techniques and music theory as they apply to contemporary music production as a key part of the modern producer's toolkit. Through developing critical listening skills and researching practitioners, you will apply these ideas to your own creative work.

The module develops critical listening skills and encourages students to actively analyse and deconstruct different musical genres. Students will learn contemporary music theory by identifying compositional elements like harmonic progressions, melodic structures, and rhythmic patterns.

The module encourages students to research influential practitioners and their work. Students will learn about composition's many possibilities by studying these artists' methods. This practice-based research-driven approach allows students to expand their creative horizons and apply their newfound knowledge to their own production. They will also gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the art of composition itself.

The module empowers students to become confident and skilled self-produced artists by exploring influential practitioners' work, expanding creative horizons, and applying new knowledge.

Module Aims

• To facilitate the development of your competence and confidence in using music theory to support your composition
• To build awareness of the impact of your compositional choices on the music you make

Summary

This module will provide you with an exploration of the theory and application of music synthesis. You will learn about the principles and techniques of sound synthesis, including the several types of synthesis methods and the use of synthesizers in contemporary music production.

Module Aims

The module will explore the fundamental concepts of synthesis, including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis, wavetable synthesis, and frequency modulation synthesis. You will also learn about the several types of synthesisers, including analogue, digital, and software synthesizers, and their use in contemporary music production.

Summary

This module will build on the skills you developed in your first year. In The Creative Industries and You module, you utilised concepts and principles to explore the nature of creativity, developing a short and longer-term plan for your personal and professional practice.

In this module you will carry out an individual investigation, utilising secondary research to investigate the lineage of your creative practice. You will directly apply ideas to your own discipline and development, selecting an area of investigation relevant to your own practice, and communicating your argument in writing or via a narrated slide presentation. The concepts you explore in this module, including your positionality and identity, are themes you will encounter frequently as a creative professional.

Module Aims

By examining existing case studies and undertaking a research case study you will further develop secondary research skills and contextualise your professional identity. The research methods and study skills you develop throughout this module will prepare you for next year’s Final Project, in which you will self-direct a significant piece of academic, creative and/or professional practice. Additionally, this module will help you develop the following graduate attributes:

• Global Awareness
• Self-awareness
• Intellectual curiosity
• Professionalism

This module facilitates understanding of our listening environments and the interpretation of sound through the complexities of both physical and psychological influences. For successful music productions and live sound events, we require acoustically suitable environments alongside an understanding of how our brains interpret sound.

You will learn about the mechanics of acoustics, human hearing and the psychology of audio perception in order to manipulate audio creatively and effectively. You will study topics such as frequency, reverberation and standing waves. This module gives you the skills to design appropriate acoustic treatments utilising industry-standard software and hardware for acoustic analysis.

After decades of technological advancement, the position of the Studio Engineer within current music production could not be more valuable. The smooth running of each studio session requires in-depth knowledge of all studio technology (analogue, digital and software) combined with the ability to choose the correct technical approach and deliver professional results efficiently.

This module will present the role of the modern Studio Engineer within the industry and discuss in detail the technology involved. Focus will be on teaching current engineering practices, applied to a variety of typical commercial scenarios, and understanding the relationship between technology and professional studio practice.

Summary

In the Defining Your Practice in Context module, you evaluated the lineage and traditions of your creative practice, investigating how it connects to artistic and industry practices. This module will require you to utilise your acquired knowledge to plan and create, collaboratively, a piece of work that links to your practice. Collaborating with others can help you develop new and innovative ideas and can also help you develop confidence as a creative practitioner whilst practising your communication, project management, reflection and feedback skills.

Module Aims

• To develop collaborative working practices.
• To plan and execute a creative project.
• To document your creative process including the nature of your collaboration.
• Seek and use developmental feedback.
• Evaluate the nature of teamwork, communication and collaboration.
• Appraise your professional values, ethics and goals.

Additionally, this module will help you develop the following graduate attributes:

• Employable and Entrepreneurial.
• Creative, Collaborative and Connected.
• Socially Responsible.
• Self-awareness.
• Professionalism.

This module looks to develop your skills as a mix engineer, building upon what you have learned in the Mixing Multitrack Audio module in year 1. You will continue to develop your core mixing and listening skills, with a focus on complimenting musical arrangement through the mix process and will also look at the techniques that make your mix stand out amongst your contemporaries.

The module explores techniques and approaches to mixing that employ the advanced skillset of a modern mix engineer, applying both hardware and software-based effects as well as utilising an understanding of audio theory. The module will explore genre-specific techniques and will aid students in creating a mix that is both impactful and unique and will facilitate “thinking outside the box” (pun somewhat intended…).

This module provides a historical exploration into the history of audio technology and production. Alongside this journey, you will take a researched-based approach to discover the ground-breaking technologies, engineers and producers that have shaped and created some of the most original music of the 20th and 21st century.

Through this examination, you will apply research and understanding to emulate the style of production with which you decide to explore.

This will enable you to gain the historical relevance of how music has been created using such technologies, looking at the emerging technologies, methodologies and restrictions, giving you a more informed and broader perspective of the recording industry and how it has evolved.

In this module, you will undertake a significant project of your own choosing. It’s your chance to explore your passion within the industry and creative arts: experiment, take risks, strengthen your skills and create a product/cohesive portfolio of work that you are proud to showcase at the end of your degree.

This module will support you in consolidating the broad learning and development from the course so far, building a bridge into the industry, the workplace and future opportunities. You will be supported to self-direct your own learning through a series of lectures, seminars and 1:1 tutorials with expert supervisors.

This module will focus on successfully answering a creative brief in a wide range of possible industry areas. You will experience real-world case studies and complete practical exercises in areas such as moving image, production libraries, video games, theatre, interactive exhibitions, and music production. The aim is to provide you with the skills needed to explore your own creative voice within the artistic constraints of professional-client commissions.

In this module, you will focus on audio post-production techniques for Film, Television and Video. You will be learning the tools and techniques utilised by industry professionals to create a sympathetic sound design for moving imagery as well as creating a clean and engaging production suitable for broadcast or online consumption.

The module will build upon your existing foley, location recording, vocal capture and creative sound skills as well as introducing new techniques that are specific to combining audio with moving imagery. A good working understanding of audio theory, recording and editing is essential for engaging well with this module.

In this module, you will undertake a significant project of your own choosing. It’s your chance to explore your passion within the industry and creative arts: experiment, take risks, strengthen your skills and create a product/cohesive portfolio of work that you are proud to showcase at the end of your degree.

This module will support you in consolidating the broad learning and development from the course so far, building a bridge into the industry, the workplace and future opportunities. You will be supported to self-direct your own learning through a series of lectures, seminars and 1:1 tutorials with expert supervisors.

Mastering is the process of taking final mixes and preparing them for delivery to potentially multiple formats. The “Art” of mastering is in successfully meeting both the technical and aesthetic requirements to deliver the artist’s vision to the highest possible level.

In this module, we will build upon your knowledge of equalisation, dynamics, stereo, noise removal and assorted saturation tools from previous core modules and refine this to enable the delivery of high quality, aesthetically appropriate masters for a variety of genres and formats.

This module is the final step in your journey and will support you as you look to enter your chosen field as a creative professional. Drawing on evidence from throughout your time here. you will critically self-evaluate your personal learning journey and industry engagements to date. You will explore concepts and theories of personal and professional development to support, challenge and test your assumptions, to determine your readiness for work in the creative industries. You will have the opportunity to discuss this with your peers and learn from your collective experiences in both small degree path groups and large mixed discipline sessions.

With this position in mind, you will then be challenged to create and consolidate creative assets to give you the edge over the competition in your chosen field. Specialist workshops will be offered throughout the module, informed and delivered by our wide-reaching connections and specialist lecturers in the creative industries. This culminates in the creation of a portfolio which tells the story of your personal and professional journey so far, communicating your unique professional identity and future career plans in the creative industries.