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Electronic Music Production Techniques and Aesthetics - MUS00217I

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• Department: Music
• Module co-ordinator: Dr. Jack McNeill
• Credit value: 20 credits
• Credit level: I
• Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

• Understand the major developments in technologies, techniques, aesthetics and cultures surrounding electronic music and their relevance to popular music across genres and styles;

• Be conversant with the concepts studio practices, as well as in-the-box/bedroom music creation;

• Be able to devise and enhance productions primarily using electronic music techniques, and reflect on the process through written documentation;

• Be able to make meaningful and useful observations on technical and aesthetic aspects of contemporary and historical electronic music productions.

• Be able to make informed, relevant and insightful contributions to discussions as a participant in group recording demos and workshops, and peer listening seminars.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the project all students should:

• Develop their existing practical and theoretical knowledge of the production of electronic music practices, such as synthesis, sampling and sequencing, and key technologies and cultures specific to popular music;

• Begin to formulate professional values, workflows and approaches, both from a music-creation and studio-citizenship perspective;

• 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;

Module content

The module provides an understanding of the major developments in the production of electronic music, and the use of electronic production techniques in popular music records across genres and styles. Building upon students’ previous experiences in popular music recordings, synthesis, sequencing, and sampling, the module will look in depth at composing, recording, processing, mixing and mastering in analogue, digital and hybrid workflows. The focus of the module concerns electronic music’s influence on production techniques across genres, considering sound recording technologies, techniques and aesthetics in electronic music, and approaches to tracking, mixing and mastering that resonate with contemporary approaches (e.g. sampling archetypes, automation, sequencing, studio-based creation, and in-the-box music creation).

Alongside practical work, students will engage with critical perspectives on electronic music production 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.

Assessment

Task	Length	% of module mark
Essay/coursework Portfolio	N/A	100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Portfolio (100%)

For this work you will produce a portfolio of two pieces of work:

• The first will be an electronic music production 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 portfolio will showcase a variety of techniques and strategies tied up with electronic music creation, and must focus on sequenced, synthesised and/or sampled material, although you may use instrumental recordings as well. In your portfolio you should include:

• Your mastered .wav files (x 2 at CD Standard - 16 bit, 44.1kHz)

• A DAW session for each piece of work with all source and additional files included

• A commentary of max 2000 words detailing and critiquing your process, based on existing literature/sound recordings and other sources

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

Reassessment

Task	Length	% of module mark
Essay/coursework Portfolio	N/A	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