The course will give the students an insight into the use of digital tools on their study programme and in their future careers while developing an awareness of the role of technology in today’s and tomorrow’s music industry.
Learning objectives
On completion of this course, the student is expected to
- be able to make audio and video recordings, edit and process the recordings and distribute them online
- be able to use relevant digital tools in an effective and constructive way
- master relevant terms and concepts
- be able to critically evaluate the role of technology in today’s and tomorrow’s music industry
Contents
Topics covered on the course include
- basic theory of sound and concepts such as frequency, decibels, hearing, overtones
- basic acoustics and concepts such as reverberation, reflection, absorption, room resonances
- audio recording with microphones, external sound cards and portable computers
- location recording and stereo microphone techniques
- sound editing
- audio processing with tone control and reverb
- formats for digital sound (full quality and compressed)
- video recording (foreground/background, lighting, framing)
- distributing audio and video online
- discussing the role of technology in today’s and tomorrow’s music industry
The following modules are also included for students on the improvised music/jazz and folk music programmes:
- Sound reinforcement
- Live electronics
Structure
The course is given as online video lectures, workshops, individual work under supervision and supervised group work. The students should use their own laptops for this course.
For a summary of indicative workload and structure, please see the “Structure” section of the relevant programme of study.
The students are automatically registered for tuition/supervision and assessment in the subject in line with the progression set out in the education plan.
Course requirements
1. Mandatory attendance
Participation in workshops and supervised group work is mandatory. Timings will be specified in the semester schedule.
2. Mandatory coursework
The student must submit coursework on the following topics over the course of the semester:
- Audio recordings
- Sound editing
- Location recording or multitrack recording 1: Analysis
- Location recording or multitrack recording 2: Blog and finished product
- Tone control
- Presentation video
For students on the classical, church music and conducting programmes:
07. Room acoustics
For students on the improvised music/jazz and folk music programmes:
07. Live electronics: Looping and mapping
08. Live electronics: Signal processing
Deadline: Coursework must be submitted by the deadline set by the course tutor (normally one week after it has been issued) in order to be approved. All course requirements must be approved by the course tutor by 1 December/1 June.
Final assessment
All course requirements must be approved prior to obtaining a final assessment.
Assessment is based on learning objectives. The final assessment is given as a pass/fail mark, which is determined by the course instructor on the basis of the coursework submitted.
New assessment
In the case of re-assessment, the same procedures apply.