Applied Music and Sound Technologies – MA

The aim of this module is to examine the role that sound plays within the context of modern media studies, its intersection with visual art, and the theoretical frameworks that underpin the practices of acousmatic composition, soundscape composition, visual music, and sound art. Students will also use ethnographic approaches to gather information on the cultural significance of sound throughout history and within modern society. This framework will inform an examination of sound art and sonic culture as mediated through the artistic practices of composition, performance, and exhibition.

This module will introduce the students to field of record engineering. Students will form an understanding of how the record process works and an advanced technical comprehension of the art. We will look at usage of the recording studio, location recording and the role of the recording process in various fields. We will examine the more technical aspects of the art and examine current advances been made. We will conduct experiments throughout the semester to help quantify various tools used for recording, i.e. polar patterns, frequency chart measurement.

This module will cover the fundamental principles of computer programming, with a particular focus on writing code for musical and creative applications. Students will be introduced to a range of coding environments with the goals of developing software instruments, processing audio signals, and creating generative artworks. There will be a particular emphasis on interactivity, to equip students with the skills required to design and build bespoke digital instruments.

Practical Research Skills, 10 credits – This module aims to provide students with the skills required to critically evaluate a series of case studies within their chosen area of research. Emphasizing inclusive research practices, students will be encouraged to explore diverse perspectives, ensuring that their work acknowledges and respects a range of cultural, social, and historical contexts. Students will develop a range of skills, including project management, presentation skills, academic writing, and methodologies for the effective and equitable dissemination of their work, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in their research outputs. The module fosters a learning environment where all voices are valued, particularly those from underrepresented communities, encouraging students to challenge dominant narratives and promote diverse artistic and technological perspectives. The research undertaken in this module will help inform students’ choice of topic for their Capstone Project in semester three, with an emphasis on ethical considerations, diverse representation, and socially responsible research methodologies. Students will share their findings through inclusive and accessible dissemination formats, such as documentary work (including sound, image, and video), written texts, reflective diaries, and social media-based documentation that considers digital accessibility best practices.

This module will be informed by the theoretical frameworks and methodologies introduced in the Sound Art and Sonic Culture module, with a focus on active learning through a practice-based approach. Students will learn and develop the skills required to edit, process, and arrange sonic material using a digital audio workstation. They will study the techniques employed within the production of acousmatic music, soundscape composition, spatial audio, spectral music, and live electronic music performances.

This module will familiarise students with principles of acoustics and audio electronics through musical instrument design and building. Students will be introduced to a range of woodworking techniques as well as practical electronics skills that will enable them to design and construct a traditional or novel musical instrument. This could be an acoustic or electronic instrument or a hybrid of both. Students will learn how to read and understand circuit diagrams, identify electronic components, and assess the behaviour of a range of instrument types. They will learn best practices when in a workshop environment, from both a functional and Health and Safety perspective.

Throughout the programme, students work towards their final Capstone Project. The subject matter is informed by the materials covered in the first two semesters of this program, and students are free to explore a range of different topics and outcomes. Students will be guided by a supervisor(s) to complete a research project taking the form of one of the following : A. a technical project exploring a specific technology or combination of technologies within the field of audio technology, B. a practice-led research report, C. a portfolio of electroacoustic compositions, or D. a research dissertation. The module supports a wide range of methodologies, encouraging innovation, critical inquiry, and professional-level execution.