BA (Hons)Digital Music

Core modules

Digital Music Production and Composition 1

This module will teach you everything you need to know to compose and produce tracks from start to finish. These techniques are obviously invaluable for careers within composition and production. Equally importantly, this module will teach you to understand music on a deeper level.

Digital Music Production and Composition 2

Building upon techniques learned within Digital Music Production and Composition 1, you will learn a multitude of more advanced composition, arrangement, sound design (synthesis), production and mixing/mastering techniques.

Studio Practice

This module will teach you everything you need to undertake professional recordings within a studio environment, as well as develop your confidence operating a range of studio spaces and equipment independently.

Electronic Music in Context (Historical)

In this module, you will learn about the history and significance of various developments within the context of 20th Century electronic music. It primarily focuses upon key facts, figures, events, artists and relevant technological developments, which have led/contributed to the current climate within electronic music.

Artist Development 1 - The Music Industries

This module specifically considers the breadth of the music/creative industries, various music legalities, the different income streams available to the contemporary digital artist/business, visual identity, as well as learning important transferable skills (i.e. camera work and video editing) appropriate to commercial and industry-related employment.

Digital Music Live 1 – Creation

In this module, you will start to develop a unique approach to creating music by learning how to control digital audio workstations with physical devices.

Core modules

Mixing

You will learn processes required to turn a set of ‘raw’ audio stems into a balanced stereo mix, along with a variety of corrective procedures designed to solve common problems in the recording process.

Artist Development 2: Branding and Self-Release

This module continues from the last, developing ideas related to brand identity, beyond that of simple visual conveyance. You will now go on to learn about branding and the established methods/stages desired in formulating a coherent brand from the ground up. Indeed, successful branding can encourage an emotional association between, for example, an artist and their audience.

Digital Music Live 2: Performance

This module will address various methodologies that will equip you with the knowledge and tools to perform your own original music live, within a suitable public environment.

Electronic Music in Context (Contemporary)

In this module, you will learn about the significance of various developments within contemporary electronic music. It primarily focuses upon key facts, figures, events, artists and relevant technological developments, which have led/contributed to the current climate within electronic music.

Music and Sound for Film

In this module, you will study the basics of creating original music, sound design and recording Foley for film. Topics covered will include traditional music practices, and how these can be combined with contemporary music production techniques to produce appropriate music that will support specific visual media platforms.

Optional modules

Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.

Digital DJing

In this module, you will study the essentials of digital DJing and will look at how ‘DJ culture’ relates to the music industry in general. The emphasis of the module is on the digital manipulation and mixing of music and sound.

Music and Sound for Games

In the module, you will consider composition within an interactive sonic background and create and/or edit sound effects for video games using industry standard software.

Core modules

Digital Music Final Major Project

In this module, you are given the opportunity to underline the professional nature and direction of your creative work through the development of an individually negotiated programme of study.

Artist Development 3: Industry Portfolio

Within this module, you will develop your brand and launch your own music, product or service worldwide via online mediums, bridging the gap between the aspiring music producer and professional artist so that you are already professionally ‘launched’ within the music industry prior to finishing your studies.

Artist Development 4: Networking and Promotion

This module specifically investigates the phenomenon of networking, as applied to the area of music business, e.g. effective utilisation of online social media. Good practice, case studies and other resources will be investigated to allow students to gain context for digital/remote networking within the sector.

Collaborative Project

Within the Collaborative Project, you are given the opportunity to underline the professional nature and direction of your creative work through the development of an individually-negotiated programme of study.

Optional modules

Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.

Advanced Mixing and Mastering

This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skill-set to be able to mix and master compositions/tracks to a professional standard, across a range of music genres. You will be encouraged to take a professional approach for the practical musical output, your work befitting the standards of the music industry.

Surround Mixing

You will experience recent and emerging technological developments including 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos. The issues in mixing music and film sound will be examined and you will learn how to achieve effective mixes in these formats.