- Department: Music
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
- See module specification for other years: 2023-24
Recording live performances and mixing or remixing on a large-format analogue console desk have shaped the history, culture, and sound of Anglo-saxon popular music production. Also, many modern Digital Audio Workstations, equalization and dynamic range compression plugins emulate the template of an analogue console desk and the signal processing effects of outboard hardware devices. This module gives you access to the space, equipment, and expertise to learn and re-appropriate the technologies and practices of the analogue era of recording, and to transfer this knowledge into digital audio workstations and hybrid modes of production.
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
This module teaches you how to produce live studio performances from soundcheck to mastering, through to tracking, editing, and mixing. It also presents them with approaches to remix a track that re-package the original. The emphasis will be put on instrument and microphone placement in the performance space, and signal processing, mixing, and remixing techniques in the studio to achieve a desired sound quality and create new audio worlds.
You will learn through a combination of workshops with live performers (i.e., drummers, bassists, guitarists, vocalists), seminars in the Rymer Auditorium with a high-quality monitoring system, and inductions on the SSL Duality console desk and mixing library in small groups. You will be offered the opportunity to receive feedback from optional mixing tasks before you complete the final assessment that will require you to produce a track based on live studio performances, and a remix of the track with sound material and music features from the original.
By the end of the module you should be able to:
produce recordings and mixes of live studio performances that meet professional audio standards
demonstrate ability to use the School’s recording facilities, including the SSL Duality
re-purpose existing material via appropriate processing and editing to create remixes
complete music production projects from planning to distribution-ready master
identify, analyse, and describe recording and production techniques for a range of popular music genres within their historical and sociocultural contexts
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Practical | 60 |
Practical | 40 |
None
This assessment is formed of two components:
60% Production of a track (3-5 min) based on live studio performances with a commentary (800 words) with at least 3 live instruments that include vocals and a drum kit or percussion set.
40% Remix of the track (3-5min) with a commentary (500 words).
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Practical | 60 |
Practical | 40 |
You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.
Oltheten, W. (2018). Mixing with Impact: Learning to Make Musical Choices. Routledge.
Senior, M. (2018). Mixing secrets for the small studio. Routledge.