2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
MUSS2620 Music Technology Skills and Techniques
20 creditsClass Size: 45
Module manager: Dr Ewan Stefani
Email: e.j.stefani@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2015/16
Pre-requisite qualifications
The following are beneficial, though not essential:• Previous experience with digital audio software
• Previous experience with studio hardware (microphones, mixing desks, etc.)
• A qualification in A-Level Music Technology (or equivalent)
Pre-requisites
| MUSS1520 | Introduction to the Sciences of Music |
This module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module introduces students to a range of techniques in order to develop skills in sound recording and electronic/computer music. Alongside practical work, students will develop awareness of the contexts within which their work is situated.Objectives
1) Introduce students to a range of fundamental techniques and concepts in order to apply knowledge and develop skills in one or more of the following areas:a. Computer music
b. Sound recording;
2) To develop students’ initiative and skill in independent creative problem solving in the use of music technology;
3) To ensure that the skills and techniques are developed alongside an awareness of the relevant contextual praxes and discourses (which might include current or historic, critical, aesthetic, theoretical, or philosophical discourse / practice).
Learning outcomes
On completing the module students will:
1) know how to apply a range of practical techniques relevant to one or more of the distinct areas:
a. Computer music
b. Sound recording;
2) know how to apply knowledge and develop these skills through initiative and independent creative problem solving (to the extent that an independent project in a related area could be developed in a subsequent year of study, for example);
3) be familiar with the work of a range of relevant practitioners and have an awareness of the contexts within which their work is situated. (This might include awareness of a range of current or historic practice and/or critical, aesthetic, theoretical, or philosophical discourse.)
Syllabus
A typical syllabus for Computer Music may take the following format. In this case building a modular analog-modelling synth is used as an example; obviously the precise content would change depending on the details of the project and the software package being used to realise it.
Week 1: Introduction: First steps with [software package]
Week 2: Building oscillators: saw, square, tri, pulse waves and noise sources
Week 3: Filtering: shaping the sound
Week 4: Taking stock: Techniques review 1
Week 5: Enveloping: making notes, glissandi and filter sweeps
Week 6: Making it modular: encapsulation and abstraction
Week 7: Taking stock: Techniques review 2
Week 8: External control: hooking up a MIDI keyboard controller
Week 9: Sequencing
Week 10: Taking stock: Techniques review 3
Week 11: Independent study
Week 12: Submission
A typical syllabus for Sound Recording may take the following format:
Week 1: Introduction to the studio environment
Week 2: Recording skills 1
Week 3: Recording skills 2
Week 4: Recording skills 3
Week 5: In-class skills testing
Week 6: Location recording: Best and bad practice
Week 7: Planning recording sessions
Week 8: Practical introduction to location recording
Week 9: Practical microphone techniques 1
Week 10: Practical microphone techniques 2
Week 11: Independent study
Week 12: Submission
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
| Seminar | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
| Private study hours | 160.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 40.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
Private study includes, indicatively:• 115 hours independent development and application of the relevant techniques, i.e. practical work with the technology itself (with software; in the studio; etc. as appropriate to the topic), including reading, peer-discussion and note-taking on the technical theory relevant to the topic of study (e.g. analog & digital audio; acoustics; signal processing and computational concepts etc.), consultation of documentation/manuals etc.
• 50 hours research, reading, peer-discussion and note-taking on current and historic practice relevant to the topic of study
• 15 hours planning and logistics as required (e.g. organising and scheduling recording sessions, designing and planning, booking and returning equipment, etc.)
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Student progress, as appropriate to topic, may be monitored through any combination of the following:• practical help and problem solving in seminars;
• formative assessment tasks;
• in-class tasks under the supervision of a tutor;
• online fora, discussion boards, email;
• online virtual classroom sessions.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 2000 words | 25.00 |
| Portfolio | folio of exercises | 75.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
In some cases, due to the time and access to facilities/equipment required, it may be necessary to offer resits of practical work (i.e. the Portfolio) during the following academic session rather than over the summer period. If appropriate to the topic, certain Portfolio tasks may be completed in timed, supervised sessions. Others may be completed unsupervised and submitted by a given deadline.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 13/04/2015
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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