module specification

This module will provide students with an introduction to sound and computer-based Music Production, it will facilitate the development of key skills and knowledge in sound and music practice.
The module is structured around a staged development of the key principles of sound and digital audio, leading on to developing students’ critical skills in analysis of reference works and final practice with Digital Audio Workstations, in particular Logic Pro X through a series of exercises working towards a final project.
The module is designed to facilitate the transition into undergraduate study by encouraging critical engagement and the development of basic skills and competencies in the realm of Music Production.
Therefore, by the end of the module students will have developed an understanding of the roles of computers and DAW’s in the production of music, sound editing, mixing and exporting.

Aims of the module:
1. To provide students with the preparatory knowledge in sound, composition and digital audio in relation to computer-based music production.
2. To develop students’ understanding of the roles in Music Production, key terminology, practices and skills.
3. To introduce students to methods for describing their working processes and to present work-in-progress for different audiences.
4. To develop students’ ability to be analytical, reflective and critical, through analysing reference works as well as their own productions.

Key Subject Areas:
•    Introduction to the basics of Music Production and the roles involved
•    Basic principles of Sound and Digital Audio
•    Computer based Music Production and Digital Audio Workstations (DAW’s)
•    Basic MIDI sequencing and editing
•    Analysis of source materials
•    Basic composition skills using DAW’s
•    Logic Pro X and other DAW’s
o    Basic introduction to the software
o    Working with Loops
o    MIDI – MIDI events, writing with MIDI and MIDI instruments
o    Basic Sampling, Sequencing and Manipulating audio digitally
•    Basic techniques for processing and mixing
o    EQ
o    Dynamics
o    Exporting
 

The balance between independent study and scheduled teaching activities within this module is 70% and 30% respectively.
Scheduled teaching follows the average contact time, per standard 30-credit module across the University, at 90 hours (3 hours per week). The scheduled teaching is divided in Lectures, Workshops, and Seminars and they take place in the Music IT Lab.
Independent study provides students with the opportunity to develop LO5 – Experience working collaboratively and individually towards consolidating a basic understanding of music production.

Students have access to the Music IT Lab and Library facilities at London Met. Blended Learning is maintained via Weblearn Course and Module pages with full documentation of the activities developed in class. Opportunities for reflective learning/PDP are promoted through feedback and written reports, embedded in all assessments with emphasis on reflection of their work. Formative assessment and feedback is planned to address their learning development needs and to capture their learning achievements with a regular request of reflective commentaries in all written submissions.

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate:
1. Knowledge and basic understanding of sound, music and digital audio
2. Knowledge and basic understanding of MIDI skills and techniques
3. Application of basic skills in using Digital Audio Workstation’s to create music.
4. The ability to produce, mix and export music in a computer-based studio environment.
5. Experience working collaboratively and individually towards consolidating a basic understanding of music production.

First Assessment
Students will be required to perform a Sound Stage and Time line analysis of a chosen song. This will develop the student’s analytical and critical skills, helping to contextualise the Music Production techniques they learn.

Midterm Assessment
The Midterm assessment will be a portfolio of short exercises developing the student’s skills and knowledge of Logic Pro X. Included with this portfolio will be a narrative diary, reflecting on their engagement with the tasks.

Final Project
The Final project will result in a fully mixed original composition produced in Logic Pro X. Students will be required to demonstrate all the skills and practice they have developed over the entire year. A supporting report of the work carried out will be included in the final submission.

Textbooks:

Core Text:

Huber, D. and Runstein, R. (2017). Modern recording techniques. New York: Routledge.
Owsinski, B. (2016) The Music Producer’s Handbook, 2nd ed., Applause Theatre Book Pub.

Other Texts:

Hewitt, M. (2008) Music Theory for Computer Musicians, Cengage Learning PTR.
Owsinski, B. (2017) The Mixing Engineers Handbook, 4th ed., Bobby Owsinski Media Group.
De Furia, S. (1989) The MIDI Implementation Book, Hal Leonard Books
Escrivan Rincón, J. D. (2012) Music technology. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press

Journals:

Computer music journal [electronic resource], Cambridge, Mass. ; London : MIT Press, c1997
Journal on the Art of Record Production, available online: http://arpjournal.coms

Websites:

Gearslutz: Pro Audio Community, https://www.gearslutz.com/
Pensado’s Place - Dave Pensado - http://www.pensadosplace.tv/
Pure Mix: the largest community of producers and engineers dedicated to sharing mixing, mastering, recording and production knowledge, https://www.puremix.net/tutorials/free.html
Recording Studio Rockstars, Lij Shaw presents interviews with countless top producers and engineers, http://recordingstudiorockstars.com/category/podcast/
Recording Studio Podcast, https://recordingstudiopodcast.com
Song Exploder, a podcast where musicians take apart their songs, and piece by piece, tell the story of how they were made, http://songexploder.net