MO1S46 - Studio Production 01 Sep 2021 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: MO1S46
Module Title: Studio Production
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Music
Module Leader: Andy Cooper
Module Team: Lucy Squire, Andrew Gwilliam, David Coker, Tim Land
First Intended Intake: SEP 2021 Final Year of Intake: 2026
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2021
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

• Develop an understanding of the production/recording and mixing techniques used in the production of recorded music
• Develop fundamental skills in the usage of music technology to optimally capture and represent musical ideas/performance
• Develop skills and techniques that can be applied to the production of music
• Gain an understanding of the role of producer/musician within the recording studio environment to maximise their potential during recording and mixing sessions
• Develop core musical judgements within the context of recorded music production. Key skills: musical timing, tuning and arrangement
• Develop the ability to judge the quality of recorded audio in the context of multi-tracked music recordings

Content Summary

Through a series of lectures and practical workshops, students will:
• Be introduced to an array of common recording and production techniques
• Learn a wealth of arrangement and production concepts relevant to expanding upon an artist’s initial ideas
• Develop an appreciation of audio quality and its function in a musical context
• Learn how to represent musical ideas and create a perception of sonic space in a stereo representation of a piece of music

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminar 12
Practical classes and workshops 36
Independent Study 72
Directed Study 80
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Identify and examine problems in the development of creative ideas within the recording studio and outline solutions through a process of review, using appropriate strategies.
LO2 Create and document work, using suitable technologies, and recognise key elements of sonic and audio aesthetics in relation to commercial and popular Music.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) Production Project 15 N/A 75 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Blog: detailing the pre-production and recording process and evaluating the relative success of the chosen production strategies 0 1000 25 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) ✔ ✔
Essay 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Concise/Indicative Reading List

Essential Reading
• Bartlett, B. & Bartlett, J. (2017) Practical Recording Techniques: The Step-by-Step Approach to Professional Audio Recording. 7th edn. New York: Routledge Taylor Francis Group

• Corbett, I (2021) Mic It!: Microphones, Microphone Techniques, and Their Impact on the Final Mix . 2nd Edn. New York: Routledge Taylor Francis Group

• Farinella, D.J. (2006) Producing Hit Records: Secrets from the Studio. New York: Schirmer Trade Books

Recommended Reading

• Burgess, R.J. (2013) The Art of Music Production: The Theory and Practice. 4th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press
• Droney, M. (2003) Mix masters: Platinum Engineers Reveal their Secrets for Success. Boston: Berkeley Press
• Huber, D.M. & Runstein, R.E. (2018) Modern Recording Techniques. 9th edn. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
• Massey, H. (2000) Behind the Glass: Top Record Producers Tell How They Craft Their Hits. San Francisco: Backbeat Books
• Massey, H. (2009) Behind the Glass: Top Record Producers Tell How They Craft Their Hits. Vol. 2. Milwaukee: Backbeat Books
• Mixerman (2014) Zen and the Art of Mixing. 2nd edn. Milwaukee: Hal Leonard Books
• Owsinski, B. (2013) Deconstructed Hits - Classic Rock Vol.1: Uncover the Stories & Techniques Behind 20 Iconic Songs. Van Nuys: Alfred
• Owsinski, B. (2017) The Mixing Engineer's Handbook. 4th edn. Burbank: Bobby Owsinski Media Group
• Savage, S., Johnson, R. & Fergusson, I. (2011) The Art of Digital Audio Recording: A Practical Guide for Home and Studio. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Magazines:
• Various. (1985-) Sound On Sound Magazine. UK: SOS Publishing https://www.soundonsound.com/
• Various. (1985-) Mix Magazine. USA: New Bay Media Group
https://www.mixonline.com/
• Various. (1996-) Tape Op: The Creative Music Recording Magazine. USA: Baccigaluppi
https://tapeop.com/

Websites:
• Record Production https://www.recordproduction.com/
• Mix with the Masters https://mixwiththemasters.com/