MA Advanced Music Technology

Course detail
The course is based in studios of fully professional specification, and students will work on both digital and analogue consoles with access to state-of-the-art Pro Tools systems with hi-end plug-ins, along with other advanced technology such as analogue modular synthesizers, Kyma and Ambisonics.

Modules
Advanced Recording Techniques
Digital Audio Interface Design for Music
Developing your Career
Research Methods
Multi-track Recording and Mixing for Surround
Interactive Music Technology
Advanced Non-linear Recording
Masters Level Project.
Module summaries
Advanced Recording Techniques
This module analyses how recordists 'capture' sound. It covers the history and theory of transducer design, and current and developing approaches to location and stereo/surround recording, including 5.1 and Ambisonics. We encourage you to conduct field test recordings of your own, and to experiment in practical studio sessions using the many techniques we discuss and the equipment we present to you.

Digital Audio Interface Design for Music
Computers and software-based systems are now central to most areas of music and audio technology. This module provides a practical introduction to the software design and programming techniques involved in designing these systems, focusing on Max/MSP, and the wide variety of uses to which this can be put to, in areas such as MIDI and audio signal processing, sequencing, generative composition, synthesis, and sampling.

Developing Your Career
This module is based around a personal development plan, you will create a career or business plan based on your personal goals. You will examine and investigate current social and consumer trends in the industry, and how your commercial and entrepreneurial skills should reflect and interface with today's music industry.

Lecture topics include:
basic accounting
marketing, promotion
publicity
communication skills
market research
technology.
Research Methods
This module provides a thorough basis for Masters level research methods. It addresses key areas in research in a music context, and broadens your knowledge of research tools. We cover topics such as:
initiating research
identifying and evaluating sources
identifying significant questions and relevant topics
presenting a critical stance
providing models for research through case studies and assignments.
The module also provides an overview of professional institutions and skills for publication.

The module includes breakout sessions that deal with the specifics of production-related careers.

Multi-track Recording and Mixing for Surround
Multi-track Recording and Mixing for Surround In this module, you will study surround-sound recording, mixing and production techniques for all current formats. In our dedicated, one-of-a-kind 3D audio-production suite you will to produce and mix your own music in standard 5.1 and 13.1 3D sound. You will also study and practise techniques for recording in these formats, including real concert recordings in a live setting. Covering contemporary and future industry practices in this increasingly widespread and important format, you will learn to deliver your work as a studio production, a virtual-reality mix and even a live surround-mix performance. Music Technology
This module examines contemporary experimental composition and performance techniques. You will study composers from Aphex Twin to John Zorn, and the likes of John Cage, Brian Eno and Stockhausen. After a brief look at electronic and electroacoustic composition and multimedia installations, you will create and present your own experimental work, at a public event at the end of the semester.

Advanced Non-linear Recording
In this module, you will research the modern hi-spec recording studio and the people who pioneered its use. We consider technologies and topics like Logic Pro vs ProTools, mono to multiple-channel, processing in the analogue and digital domains, and hardware integration with the virtual world. We also discuss pitch-correction and spectral deviancy. You will bring all this together in a large-scale, self-directed practical studio production.

Masters Level Project
This 40-credit module gives you the chance to undertake an ambitious, substantial, self-managed practical project that expands and enhances the skills and knowledge you will have acquired on this course. It will be on a topic of your choice - normally realising work you will have proposed formally in the Research Methods module.