Sound Engineering and Audio Production

Studio Production (20 Credit Points)

You will explore digital, analogue, and hybrid studio technologies, developing recording and processing techniques to take on a variety of productions over the module: this could be using  traditional studio environments (on-site or external) or your own DIY production set ups.

You will collaborate with performers, artists, and other students to work on a wide base of genres, selecting a range of your productions for a portfolio that should be approaching commercial standards.

Mixing (20 Credit Points)

In this module, you’ll work to client supplied briefs as well as your own self sourced material, engaging in technical and creative post production and mixing processes to create a portfolio of work. You’ll critically compare your mixes with industry outputs from around the world and learn approaches to help you meet commercial benchmarks.

You’ll cover techniques with compression, effects and automation with additional production skills such as vocal editing and production, drum production and other genre specific approaches of additional production through a range of projects.

Audio For Games (20 Credit Points)

In this module you will develop your sound design and implementation skills, for games, using a range of industry-standard software and techniques. You will create in-game audio content for objects, such as weapons, vehicles, ambience, and user interfaces.

You will develop a personal showreel that will showcase your audio for games skills, which will support your employability in the industry.

Sound for Visual Content (20 Credit Points)

In this module you will undertake the full audio production for a piece of film from sound design, location and field recording, Foley, right through to editing, ADR and final mix.

You will be in charge of gathering all audio assets to complement the video and create an audio visual product you can use as your showreel for potential employment.

Acoustic Theory and Application (20 Credit Points)

In many aspects of sound and audio work, the perception of the professional and the end consumer is vital. Acoustics plays an important role in approaching and completing work to the desired standard. In this module you will experience acoustic theory and application, including the human perception of sound, room acoustics, and electro acoustics, to better inform your application.

Holding the knowledge and understanding of these areas, allows you to apply these areas to creating realistic gaming environments, film atmos, and appropriate reverberation and time-based effects on musical productions.

Industry Practice (20 Credit Points)

This is where the reality of being a freelance practitioner really comes into focus. During this module, you will source and manage appropriate self-directed projects of at least 20 hours in an area that aligns to your career aspiration, working individually and collaboratively, applying the research, knowledge, and skills learnt throughout the course in common real-world scenarios.

You will also be given a further 80 hours of relevant industry briefs over the year to complete and reflect on. The aim is to develop your overall professionalism and provide you with the knowledge and resources to begin a career in the creative industries which are increasingly defined by freelance and self-employed models of work.

Projects can cover a wide range of scenarios, and you must be able to adapt quickly, spinning a number of plates at once. You will need to work under pressure to strict deadlines and learn how to manage your time and resources effectively whilst looking after the wellbeing of yourself and your collaborators. You’ll explore relevant legal frameworks such as copyright and intellectual property and examine how money flows in your particular area of interest so you’re best placed to exploit your talents for financial sustainable gain.