MUS-10108 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

How does sound work? How do we transform it with the help of modern technologies? Why do songwriters, arrangers, musicians, sound engineers, and producers make certain choices in a recording studio and how do these choices impact the music and the sound that emerges from the mix? In this module you will address these questions through working on a sound recording project. This practical work will be supplemented with theoretical understanding. Just like music producers do, you will face fascinating challenges: understanding the music, understanding the studio setup, managing the project, social interactions with your team, and turning your `vision¿ of the final music mix into reality using the available human and technological resources. You will learn to quickly and efficiently network with peers to achieve these ends.

To establish a balanced integration of the theoretical principles and practical manipulation of sound in studio.
To introduce students to elements of acoustics, electro-acoustics and digital audio for future practical modules at Levels 5 and 6 that will focus on application of audio technologies. Further, the module will provide students with an opportunity to develop their practical technical skills as music production engineers.
To establish for students a practical foundation for the use of sound recording techniques, including the use of transducers (e.g. microphones and loudspeakers) to be developed in future optional modules or project options at Level 5 and 6.
To enable students to engage with technical and aesthetic concerns related to sound quality in recording and mixes.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of core concepts of acoustic phenomena and their representation in the digital domain: 1
Comprehend and interpret core concepts of acoustic phenomena and their representation in the digital domain, and apply methods and theories learnt in the module: 1
Analyse, appraise and critique the main sonic features of music recordings: 1
Demonstrate knowledge of empirical methods to carry out small-scale sound recording and mixing tasks in a music studio: 1
Illustrate concepts, rationale and working practices, relating them to the facts and theories covered during the module: 1

Study hours

36 hours of contact time, to include:
12 hours lectures, seminars and demonstrations
12 hours workshops
12 hours small group tutorials
Individual study:
30 hours of preparation for workshops, group work and tutorials
84 hours of preparation for the summative assessment

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment