MUS-10110 - 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

In this module you will learn the basics of programming in a fun and engaging way. No prior experience is required; you will master everything right here. Using computer software you will develop essential skills to 'programme' music elements (sections and even whole songs). You will learn how to apply automation to samplers, sequencers, synthesisers, and various plug-ins in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). You will become familiar with the processes by which a musician creates a software instrument (either from scratch or with the aid of some pre-existing objects). Use of cutting edge graphical programming environments will develop your creative skills by generating, organising and mixing short musical ideas to make interesting combinations. You will learn to change those combinations over time and add plug-ins that will help you to create interesting mixes. Many types of popular music are created in exactly this way ¿ Hip-hop, House, Techno/trance, Dubstep, Drum and bass, and some more experimental electronic genres. This programming could be applied to other forms, including visuals, games, and ads. You will programme audio effects (delay, chorus, flanging, etc), design your own synthesiser and manipulate samples.

To develop students' music programming skills in the design of software instruments and plug-ins;
To obtain an understanding of musical programming and apply automation;
To develop students' understanding and ability in software instruments and plug-ins and in combination with automation to produce phrases, sections and short musical forms.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Realise solutions for music programming by designing software instruments and plug-ins: 2
Demonstrate technical proficiency in enabling technology for creative work: 1,2
Apply technical programming and automation skills on specific tasks related to music production: 1,2
Engage with automation applied to multiple parameters that control the multitrack mix: 1
Communicate effectively the technical and creative possibilities of a software instrument/plug-in and automation to an uninformed user: 2

Study hours

24 hours of contact time, to include:
12 hours lectures and workshops
12 hours small group tutorials
Independent study:
36 hours of preparation for workshops and tutorials
90 hours of preparation for the summative assessment

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment