Keele Badge

MUS-30055 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 29 June 2024

MUS-30055 - Music Production and Sound Design Portfolio - ISP
Coordinator: Miroslav Spasov Room: CKF05 Tel: +44 1782 7 33298
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

no

Barred Combinations

no

Description for 2024/25

This module provides you with an opportunity to `shine¿ by applying the skills you developed during level 4 and level 5 and build up a comprehensive portfolio of works. You will develop a portfolio of music production and sound design works using the tools and techniques available in the music studios and computer labs. You will negotiate the content of the portfolio with your supervisor and will have a lot of freedom in deciding what you want to do and which works you want to include. Any of the industry standard types of media works, regardless of the aesthetics and genre, can be a part of your portfolio, such as: music production piece(s), a post-production and mastering of an album, industry standard sound design works (foley for film trailers, video games, audio-visual ads, soundtrack for pre-existing video, audio track for TV/radio documentary, AV logos, online streaming forms, commercial music idents, MIDI sequencing and music programming, etc). For each of the works you will write a reflective commentary explaining the techniques, technologies and methodologies employed. You would be able to include works you are proud of from L4 and L5, and of course work on new innovative material. You will present it in an assessed concert/show where you will present the works to the examiners and to the audience. The portfolio you build can be taken away with you after your degree as a `show reel¿ or `demo¿ of what you are capable of as a sound engineer, music producer, and/or sound designer.

Aims
To provide a framework for students to bring their sound recording, music production/post-production, mixing, mastering and sound design skills to an industry standard using studio and computer lab technology tools and techniques.
To give students the opportunity to develop further their creativity in music production and sound design benefiting from the technical context within which they operated in previous modules of the Music Production and Sound Design programme.
To engage students with the planning and delivery of a public presentation/exhibition to showcase their creative industry-oriented working practices.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate awareness of the issues of time management and resource constraints involved showcasing their work in the creative industries: 1
Illustrate to the audience the concepts, rationale and working practices utilised to plan and produce the works in the portfolio: 1
Apply theories, methods of inquiry, knowledge and techniques to produce independently a large portfolio of creative industries works in various styles and media: 1
Apply theories, methods of inquiry, knowledge and techniques to plan and self-manage a large-scale individual endeavour at professional level: 1
Demonstrate systematic knowledge of creative industries standards, critically evaluate and apply the techniques, technologies and methodologies applicable to creative industries: 1
Acquire and develop the technical and practical expertise necessary to demonstrate advanced theoretical, technical and creative skills at industry standard
: 1

Study hours

18 hours (or equivalent) of lectures, small group workshops, individual supervision, and group presentations. Some of the contact time may be in the form of computer-mediated learning (interaction with course material available on-line).
Independent Learning Hours:
42 hours of reflection, revision and consolidation of lectures, workshops and individual supervisions content, research through bibliographical and computer-mediated sources through individual or group study work.
4 hours to prepare, discuss, write and finalise the project proposal.
46 hours of practical work in the lab or student's own digital audio workstation on preliminary tasks, research and experiments on the tools needed for the project (hardware, software, studio equipment, portable recorders and camcorders).
180 hours of preparation of the portfolio and supporting documentation.
4 hours to plan, prepare and rehearse the assessed show/presentation.
6 hours to prepare and package the material to be submitted for archive purposes.

School Rules

Students must take at least ONE ISP module (MUS-30055 or MUS-30059). They can also take both these modules.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Presentation weighted 100%
Public assessed show/presentation of a double portfolio of works
Students will present a portfolio of works produced in the studios using digital technologies. The portfolio will consist of: 1) New original works created for this module (L6). The duration of this section of the portfolio will be about 16 minutes of material, or equivalent, and 2) Three works of their own choosing submitted and created as part of L4 and L5 accompanied by reflective commentary of not more than 500 words (compulsory but not assessed). The rationale for creating a comprehensive portfolio showcasing students' development from L4 to L6 is to help them enhance employability. Level 4 and Level 5 students will be made aware of this requirement at the beginning of the academic year and also they will be sent a reminder upon completion of the modules. Students will discuss with the module leader and submit a portfolio proposal outlining the works to be developed, indicating the type of media, duration, aesthetic references, hardware and software to be used. Any of the industry standard types of media works, regardless the aesthetics and genre, can be a part of the portfolio ¿ music production piece(s), a post-production and mastering of an album, industry standard sound design works (foley for film trailers, video games, audio-visual ads, soundtrack for pre-existing video, audio track for TV/radio documentary, AV logos, online streaming forms, commercial music idents, MIDI sequencing and music programming, etc). For each of the works produced in this module (at Level 6) students will write a reflective commentary (approximately between 500-600 words per work) explaining the techniques, technologies and methodologies employed. The total word count for the commentaries at Level 6 should not exceed 2500. The portfolio of works produced within this module (Level 6) will be presented and assessed in an open/public concert/show, during which students will use the sound/video system to best render their work. Students will also be required to submit a copy of the entire media material they will present during the show, for archiving purposes. Presentations/show will be assessed by a panel (examiners) in attendance who will assess all presentations for that cohort.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 29 June 2024