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Popular Music Production Techniques and Aesthetics - MUS00216I

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• Department: Music
• Credit value: 20 credits
• Credit level: I
• Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

• Understand the major developments in sound recording technology, techniques, aesthetics and cultures in vocal/instrumental popular music (e.g. Pop, Rock, Indie, Metal etc.) 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 and pop 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.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module all students should:

• Develop their existing practical and theoretical knowledge of sound recording practices, technologies and cultures specific to popular music;

• Propose and enact strategies for best practice as studio practitioners;

• Enhance approaches to collaboration through group workshops and recording projects;

• Critically engage with existing recorded material and literature, in order to evaluate it and apply it to their own practices;

• Begin to identify and evolve professional development goals in sound recording and production.

Module content

This module develops practical skills in the recording of a variety of popular music genres, supported by practical sessions, listening seminars and workshops. Over the semester you will build on skills learned in Year 1 to hone your skills in tracking, editing, mixing and mastering in popular music (e.g. vocal recording, double tracking, specific drum mic techniques, guitar cab micing, live vs non-linear tracking, overdubbing, automation etc..). Over the semester you will work on a portfolio of recordings including recordings of original work or covers, and precise re-creations of existing work, becoming conversant with the concepts of “producer as composer” and “studio as musical instrument”. Students will begin to formulate their interests in different areas of the recording process, and develop skills in both digital and analogue recording techniques, focussing on recording practices, rather than technologies as ends.

Alongside practical work, students will engage with critical perspectives on audio cultures to understand issues bound up with the recording and popular music industry. In particular, the module will engage with lack of diversity, equity and inclusion in the popular music industry, becoming effective studio citizens and developing professional practice, as well as learning about creative and technological imperatives. Collaboration is central to the module, and you will be expected to work with tutors, musicians and peers.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

For this assessment you will produce a portfolio of three pieces of work:

• The first will be a popular music recording in a genre/style of your choice. The piece can be an original composition or a cover.

• The second will be a recreation of an existing piece chosen from a list of set works, crafted through critical listening skills, research into production techniques used in the original, and your own understanding of production techniques.

• The third will be a commentary supporting the practical work.

The portfolio will showcase a variety of popular music recording techniques, and must include acoustic or amplified recordings, rather than focusing on sequenced/sampled/synthesised material (although these can be included in small amounts). In your portfolio you should include:

• Your mastered .wav files at CD standard as a DDP image.

• A DAW session for each of your recordings with all source and additional files included.

• A critical commentary of max 2000 words to elucidate the recording processes for both recordings, fully researched and referenced.

• Any additional documentation, routing diagrams, session notes etc. that support your commentary.

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Module feedback

Module marks and feedback can only be returned to students once all marking has been completed and moderated – this includes any late submissions. Staff always aim to have marks returned within the 25 working day turnaround period, but occasionally this may be delayed due to exceptional circumstances (e.g. academic or support staff illness, ECA extensions etc.) Students will be notified whenever this is the case.

Indicative reading

TBC