MUS-30053 - 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

no

Barred Combinations

no

Description for 2024/25

This module will provide you with one of the essential skills of audio mixing necessary for a career as a professional sound engineer, mixer, or music producer in music industry. You will learn how to bring music albums, audio for games, TV/Radio broadcasts and audio for streaming platforms to their final stage in the process of production. You will engage in more advanced multitrack mixing that will involve the use of DAW software and both analogue and digital hardware mixing boards. Moreover, you will acquire mastering skills consisting of balancing and adjusting sound sources, equalization, audio effects, reinforcement of sound, applying EQ, compression, exciters, stereo wideners, and produce final mixes that will meet the radio, TV, and online streaming services¿ broadcasting standards. You will also engage in theoretical reflection relevant to mixing and mastering. During classes you will become familiar with concepts, practices and mastering aesthetics as well as with the planning, conducting and finalising music tracks in various genres and styles. You will be required to complete two coursework projects. In one, you will demonstrate your mixing skills by submitting an original mix in any genre and style (rock, pop, rap, indie, dubstep, house, audio track for games, TV/Radio audio products, commercials, etc) in consultation with your tutor. In the other, you will conduct and finalise an audio mastering project and bring the tracks to a quality standard suitable for release.

To provide students with an opportunity to fully develop their knowledge and practical skills of the final stages of music production
To enable students to engage with post-production and multitrack mixing techniques
To provide students with both practical skills and technical knowledge for mastering audio products.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of practical methods to carry out advanced multitrack mixing using both multi-channel mixing board and multitrack mixing software ¿ Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).: 1,2
Develop listening skills for assessing the technical and creative qualities of a pre-master mix and mastering: 1,2
Cover the full range of processing in relation to mastering.: 1,2
Develop an awareness and appreciation of current trends in mixing/production in relation to mastering.: 1,2
Demonstrate ability to plan and realise an industry standard music mastering project;: 1,2
Demonstrate advanced technical proficiency in handling both analogue and digital mixing equipment as well as multitrack mixing and mastering software.: 1,2
Demonstrate awareness of managing both the time and resources in mixing and mastering projects resembling the ones in the current music industry: 1,2

Study hours

30 hours of contact time, to include:
14 hours lectures and workshops
6 hours seminars, demonstrations
10 hours small group tutorials
Individual study:
30 hours of preparation for workshops, group work and tutorials
90 hours of preparation for the assessments

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment