Overview

Getting into the music industry can be a tough gig, but our music technology degree gives you a foot in the door. This course includes an optional work placement year, at no extra cost.

You perform in and run recording studio sessions. You create, produce, mix and master stereo and surround recordings. You perform and engineer live performances, programme sound synthesizers, set up and run student-led projects, including a record label, promotion events or radio station, and create and dub music, sound effects and Foley to video and other media. You get involved in some exciting stuff using the latest state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

Course structure

Year 1 core modules

Audi Midi Theory and Practise

You develop the necessary knowledge and practical skills of audio and MIDI sequencing, studying the theoretical principles of digital audio and MIDI specifications and how these apply to the practice of sequencing. You learn about MIDI compatible and virtual instruments to create musical sequences and how to process audio for the purpose of music creation.

Bootcamp: Music Post-production

You extend your knowledge and skills within a recording studio environment for music post-production. You learn about the fundamental theory and practice of how to safely operate relevant hardware and software, such as hard disk recording systems, signal processors, mixers and digital audio workstations. You develop professional and personal skills through a range of activities relevant to music post-production. You gain a solid foundation of how to operate within a professional music production facility. You explore the theoretical content in lectures, which is supported by regular studio sessions where you take part in practical production activities and your progress is monitored.

Bootcamp: Music Production

You extend your knowledge and skills within a recording studio environment for music post-production. You learn about the fundamental theory and practice of how to safely operate relevant hardware and software, such as hard disk recording systems, signal processors, mixers and digital audio workstations. You develop professional and personal skills through a range of activities relevant to music post-production. You gain a solid foundation of how to operate within a professional music production facility. You explore the theoretical content in lectures, which is supported by regular studio sessions where you take part in practical production activities and your progress is monitored.

Music Technology and Culture

You learn about the development of music technology and its impact upon music culture. You study a variety of technological developments and explore how these impact music from cultural and social perspectives. This includes music genres, the structure and operation of the music industries and how revenue is generated by Rights ownership and commercial exploitation. You develop academic and personal skills by undertaking a range of research activities as individuals and in groupwork. You gain an understanding of the development of music technology and how it impacts music culture. You explore the theory in lectures, which is supported by regular seminar sessions with exploratory discussions and practical activities where your progress is monitored.

Music Theory and Composition

There are two themes in this module. The first is to gain an understanding of music theory for careers in music technology, and to facilitate musical communication within the composition and production processes. You take part in a series of facilitated music lab sessions and practical exercises using a number of music production applications with MIDI controllers and keyboards. The second theme is composition, where you consider the application of the earlier music theory sessions. You apply your knowledge and skills to create original musical work, with reference to chosen artists. Lectures explain the principles and discussion of applications, and provide guided technical solutions. Laboratory sessions give you the opportunity to practise suggested techniques. Music theory assessment is by practical assessment and composition is assessed by assignment.

Sound and Perception

You explore the theoretical and practical relationships between sound in air (acoustics), the perception of sound (psychoacoustics) and audio signals (electroacoustics). Time (waveform) and frequency (spectral) descriptions of sound are offered and the relationship between the two is investigated. You are also introduced to acoustic ecology to examine the relationships between yourselves, sound and the environment and to improve their sonological competence. The importance of hearing conservation is stressed throughout.

You are assessed on your understanding of acoustic principles, acoustic ecology, electroacoustics and perception. Your lectures provide an explanation of principles and discussion of applications. Your tutorials provide guided solutions of relevant examples and IT laboratory sessions explore the analysis of sounds. You are assessed by two assignments.

How you learn

You are taught by industry practitioners who help you acquire the skills and knowledge to creatively use the latest technologies. Your study involves lectures, seminars, laboratory classes and individual or group project work. You have access to our excellently equipped recording studios, control rooms and music laboratories as part of your learning.

How you are assessed

Modules are assessed by in-course assessment of a range of music-related media, written assignments and reports, individual and group presentations and live performances.

Career opportunities

Our students follow careers in sound and music production, sound capture (sound engineering), live sound production and engineering (gigs, theatre, events), sound design, processing and control, music for time-based media (film, video), broadcast (radio, television, internet), recording artists, music technology journalism and multimedia authoring.