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Pop, Rock & Electronic Production Techniques & Aesthetics - MUS00113I

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  • Department: Music
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

  • To develop an understanding of the history and development of audio production for pop, rock and electronic (particularly dance and dance-derived) music genres.
  • To provide experience in individual production work: building a portfolio of audio creations that demonstrate an understanding of modern production aesthetics and an ability to adopt, adapt and innovate to develop a personal production style.
  • To develop technical and critical listening skills relevant to these ‘interventionist’ forms of production.
  • To further develop presentation and discussion skills within the seminar format.

Module learning outcomes

  • Understand the major developments in sound recording technology, technique and aesthetic in popular musics (including pop, rock and electronic) since the development of consumer stereo formats.
  • Be conversant with the concepts ‘producer as composer’ and ‘studio as musical instrument’.
  • Be able to solely devise and undertake production and post-production of rock, pop and electronic styles and reflect on the outcomes.
  • Be able to make meaningful and useful observations on technical and aesthetic aspects of contemporary and historical popular music productions.
  • Be able to make informed, relevant and insightful contributions, as both leader and participant, to discussion and peer listening seminars.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 90
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 10

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 90
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 10

Module feedback

Written feedback within 6 weeks of assessment date. See statement of feedback on page 74 of the departmental handbook

Indicative reading

Rock: The Primary Text – Moore, 2001.

The Producer as Composer – Moorefield, 2010.

The History of Music Production – Burgess, 2014.

Perfecting Sound Forever – Milner, 2010.

Audible Design – Wishart, 1994.

The Art of Recording – Moylan, 2014.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.