BA (Hons) Creative Music Production

ACM’s portfolio of professional training programmes includes a BA (Hons) degree in Creative Music Production.

THE PROGRAMME
• Runs as a two-year accelerated and intensive degree with three levels spread over 24 months.

• Recognises the need for students to develop industry contacts, extensive studio experience, as well as to acquire business and practical skills.

• Provides students with opportunities to pilot commercial projects, with guidance from working professionals.

• Preserves and enhances ACM’s dedication to the development of professional technical skills. Students are expected to devote significant time to technical aspects of musicianship, studio and production work and industry related projects in addition to their academic obligations on the programme.

KEY FEATURES
• Students are actively encouraged to initiate various professional engagements as an integral part of their final project. These may include recording, real world production projects and industry showcases.
• High level of focus on business and Internet developments within music.

DEGREE MODULES

• MUSIC INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
This unit will provide an overview of the most important music industry bodies such as the Performing Rights Society and the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society. An insight will also be provided into the variety of different jobs available within the commercial sector of the music industry, including manager, promoter, agent, lawyer, accountant and entrepreneur.
Such an overview will take place within the framework of copyright law and other international considerations.

• CREATIVE ICT IN POPULAR MUSIC
Students will develop a broad range of theoretical and technical skills on music technology resources. These will include MIDI/audio sequencing software, synthesisers, sound modules and samplers. Students will spend valuable time considering and discussing the development of efficient working practices and problem solving at high levels.

• ACOUSTICS
This unit explains the importance of physical space within the context of recorded sound. Topics include: studio design, sound isolation, acoustic treatment, the physiology of the human ear, reverb characteristics, stereo microphone technique, close and ambient microphone techniques.

• MUSIC MARKETING & MEDIA
The effective marketing of artists and their music is central to music industry success. The unit covers marketing principles specifically focusing on music press and broadcast marketing.
Industry examples will be studied and students will be required to assemble an effective press pack, promoting music product to broadcasters, the media and retailers, and mounting a music related campaign.

• RECORDING POPULAR MUSIC
The craft of sound engineering is considered an art form as well as a technical discipline.

Engineers must be able to balance practical and technical concerns with artistic achievement if they are to contribute successfully to the recording process. An engineer with a broad outlook and an appreciation of all aspects of production and music will be potentially more employable in industry. Emphasis will be placed on the development of team-working skills and the ability to respond to verbal instruction. Students will be expected to produce musical works to a set brief.

• RESEARCH METHODS
During the course of this unit, students will develop an understanding of effective research techniques and methods. There will be an emphasis on how to plan practical projects, including time management and working in teams. These areas will be developed with the aid of presentations and seminar discussion. The presentations will provide students with the opportunity to receive feedback as they develop their own research project, which will produce an outline plan for the final trimester Specialised Project.

• WORKING WITH DIGITAL AUDIO
Throughout this module students will develop their understanding of digital audio including compression and streaming of digital audio, development of practical digital audio creation and editing skills. Emphasis will be placed on understanding, analysis and discussion of modern digital audio equipment and the creation of CD masters using PQ encoding.

• CREATIVE SOUND ENGINEERING
Producers will participate in making recordings in both live and studio situations - working as sound engineers to capture the best possible performance. They will also study and be responsible for the mix down and remix of tracks. There will be an evaluation of how sound engineers function and the effect of emerging technology on the role of the traditional sound engineer.

• CULTURAL AND CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES
Popular music is not created in a vacuum, it is steeped in a variety of influences. Musicians will analyse the history of the growth of popular music, from its beginnings at the turn of the previous century to the present day. Students will look at the influence of popular culture and mass consumerism on popular music. This will include a study of various international influences which have stimulated, developed and shaped present day popular music.

• CREATIVE PORTFOLIO
The ability and confidence to organise and develop a project from scratch through to completion is vital. Students are required to structure an eclectic production portfolio which will be at least 20 minutes in duration. Other areas of consideration are production notes and studio plans. Students will need to spend time focusing on the type of material that is going to be produced, and its suitability to the portfolio.

• SPECIALISED PROJECT
The Specialised Project is an opportunity to bring together all the threads of the ACM degree in both a practical and a theoretical format. During this module students will use skills, experiences and research gained throughout the whole course of their studies. Practical projects, such as organising tours, recording, writing or producing soundtracks, will have been discussed during the Research Methods unit. This will be supported by a mini dissertation as well as market research and financial planning. Physical evidence of the practical project must be kept, and the results of this practical project, or knowledge gained, should be incorporated into the mini dissertation.

QUALIFICATION
ACM full time courses run in association with our Educational partners, University of Surrey, Middlesex University and Guildford College of Further and Higher Education.

ACCOMMODATION
ACM’s Student Support Team will be happy to advise on living cost’s and accommodation in the Guildford Area.

ACM AND INDUSTRY
ACM has forged strong links with industry and many of the teaching studios are supported by our industry partners Yamaha, Fender, Marshall, Roland, etc. ACM also has close contacts with media organisations, agencies, record companies, production and management companies.