BSc (Hons) Music Production

Year 1

Within the core modules, you’ll gain a solid grounding on a number of major DAW packages, as well as develop your creative and technical skills in mixing and effects processing, studio work and making your own virtual instruments.  In order to develop your technical knowledge of connected audio specialisms, you’ll investigate acoustics, psychoacoustics, audio and Midi protocols and a number of sound projection systems whilst also using lab time to develop an understanding of audio electronics through building your own synthesizer for your own creative output. The music business is also introduced where you’ll investigate various music business modules and contexts that connect what you are studying to the music industry.

In addition to the core modules, music production students also investigate a broad range of music production systems within the creative music context. Through the analysis, re-creation of and development of a range of production techniques and approaches used in a variety of genres, much scope is placed on applying these to individual composition and production work in order to develop a ranged portfolio of musical material.

Year 2

In year 2 much focus is placed on developing your critical ear, and getting your music out there, with detailed work on developing both mixing and mastering techniques, and approaches to digital distribution and delivery.  In addition, students continue to develop their deep understanding of microphones and sound signal routing, including network-based systems using our state of the art Rednet enabled facilities. You will continue to hone your studio practice and understanding of the wider music industry. As a music production student this goes hand in hand with dedicated taught areas that help you to continue to develop and enhance your creative music output.

Year 3

By year 3, the vast majority of our students have already formed a number of professional connections, and students are able to make use of these and reflect on their approaches within a dedicated field project. In addition, there is the final major project which under the supervision of a dedicated tutor allows you to specialize in your chosen area which could be for example album recording and production.

Drawing on the programmes’ industry and accreditation links, students also engage with an externally defined industry brief, including delivering to specification, deadline and budget within the area of (or relating to) music production. This is delivered and supported by sessions from a range of academic staff in addition to bespoke sessions from industry professionals who feed in external expertise.

What will I study?

Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6.  These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study.  Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each.  

Level 4

Module

• Professional & Industrial Context 1
• Music Production Practice 1
• Audio Specialisms 1
• Sound Technologies and Techniques 1

Level 5

Module

• Music Production Practice 2
• Audio Specialisms 2
• Sound Technologies and Techniques 2
• Professional & Industrial Context 2
• Year Abroad
• Professional Work Experience 30: Music

Level 6

Module

• Professional & Industrial Context 3
• Music Production Practice 3
• Sound Technologies and Techniques 3
• Major Technology Project
• MT Technology Project (Version 2)
• Sandwich Year (Creative Arts)