Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to provide the student with core skills in techniques of music production when using sound recording technology. It aims to help the student build upon, or learn from scratch, music production approaches and techniques, and to ultimately cultivate a musically intelligent practice and a practical musical intelligence. Skills learned inform stage 2 and 3 modules in music technology, composition, analysis, and performance, as well as offering secure theoretical grounding for historical and cultural theory modules.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module is delivered across one semester, grounding the students’ learning in theory, before introducing practical workshop sessions, in which students are exposed to key music technologies and techniques. Students will apply their learning over four major areas: studio production, concert hall recording, field recording and mixing. Key to their learning will be the use of a Digital Audio Workstation, microphones and location recording equipment. Students will be separated into working groups which will rotate around workshop sessions with different tutors, covering different topic areas.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. Understand and apply appropriate recording techniques and technology in different locations, in relation to artistic needs
2. Understand and use compositional, editing and mixing tools to create and improve recordings and virtual instruments.
3. Attain sufficient skill to work with confidence and imagination in music technology environments in future modules and professional contexts.
4. Understand and use a range of microphone placement techniques to record a variety of sound sources.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. To demonstrate the core skills in using recording technologies and demonstrate safe working practices.
2. To demonstrate the use and difference in working techniques in studio, location and field recording.
3. To operate and appraise the use of microphone techniques.
4. To demonstrate competencies in panning, EQ and dyanmics processing, with a view to using these skills as mixing tools in the future.
5. To use software including Digital Audio Workstations and virtual instruments to create, edit and manipulate audio and MIDI data.
6. To be proficient in the use of portable recording devices, and demonstrate how to construct a recording setup to suit a recording situation.
7. Demonstrate skills in signal routing, both physically (using cabling and patch bays) and in a Digital Audio Workstation.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students will be taught in a mix of large and small group scheduled learning activities so that they have directed learning as a collective and then guided learning in smaller groups, each session then leads to a formative task so that the direction of learning travel is towards independent application of the skills shown during each week of teaching. This moving of the learning environment from large, to small group, to self is an important stage in the repeated building of competence and confidence of the student to explore the skills and operations needed to record and edit music using a Digital Audio Workstation.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students will work in groups and individually to produce a portfolio of production tasks which will involve recording, edting, and mixing. Submissions will be assessed on the skills demonstrated in the recording, editing and mix. Each student is additionally required to write their own individual reflective commentary. Students will also be required to undergo a studio exam where they will be required to perform a number of tasks within the studio environment under controlled conditions.

General Notes

N/A