Audio Production BA(Hons)

Course overview

Our BA (Hons) top-up degree, validated by Kingston University London, is delivered over one year, as opposed to the two years typically required in Scotland. This new and innovative programme is led by you.  You will design and deliver individual professional projects in your specialist area, equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to create something of your own in the industry

Through a range of lectures, seminars, and individual supervision, you will be able to explore and specialise in a range of audio production areas (commercial music production, audio for gaming and interactive media, sound design, sample-pack creation, electronic music production, post-production, sound for live and broadcast settings) 

You will have a lot of opportunities to share, release and exhibit your work, including live electronic, a/v nights and installations at some of the best venues in the city, presenting work at seminars led by some of the leading music technology organisations, taking part in music and sound exhibitions, events and festivals, releasing and collaborating on productions for our multiple in-house staff and student-led labels, events, projects and productions

As one of the largest music and sound productions schools in Scotland, you will benefit from our world-class facilities across two campuses’ including two 125+ seat auditoriums, over 10 SSL AWS 900 and TOFT studios (all with a suite of outboard and industry-standard software), over 100 fully equipped brand-new Mac workstations, and a suite of rehearsals rooms, all bookable by our degree students.  You will also be able to loan a range of equipment from high-quality microphones, recording devices, and instruments (including vintage synths and samplers). In addition, you will be able to draw on our 600+ music, sound and music business students and our wider faculty of over 4000 students from broadcast media, computing, and art & design to achieve ambitious creative projects and build your creative network 

 Employability and the transferrable skills required to succeed in a rapidly changing industry are at the core of the programme. From drawing on a wide range of industry partners, and stakeholders we know the industry requires agile, confident and innovative graduates who collaborate and understand the global context of the audio production industries, emerging business streams and the skills and knowledge associated with roles across the creative industries. This course will prepare you with these skills and knowledge.</What you will learn

Professional Project (60 Credits)

Students will undertake a self-designed professional project with significant individual creative freedom and choice, providing the opportunity to extend and develop their individual practice within a professional context. Creative innovation and network development opportunities are heightened by the bringing together of Audio Production, Music, and Music Business students in this shared capstone module. The wider community of musical specialisms that share this module opens further to enrich and broaden possibilities for project outcomes, providing a counterpart to the specialist modules that define each distinct degree. It is envisaged that, where possible, projects will take place in the public sphere (exhibitions, performances, and external agencies) in contexts that provide the students with as realistic an experience as possible. Authentic assessment and professional alignment are at the heart of project and assessment design.

Working with an assigned project supervisor and drawing on a series of lectures, seminars and workshops, students will devise and complete projects that build on established professional practices and emerging trends with a focus on innovation, creativity and establishing an identity in their field. Students pitch their own self-designed projects to align with their specialism and it is hoped that this autonomy allows the student to create a springboard to the profession or the higher education institution to which they aspire. Just as an artist’s sketches complement final works of art, the module recognises that reflection on the artistic product is interesting to audiences/stakeholders/ employers. Thus, students will also be asked to find creative and organic ways to engage these parties with key decisions and stages of project development alongside the project’s delivery. This module is led by Allan Glen.

Module Aims

• To locate professional practice in music, audio production, or the music business in an authentic real-world setting
• To develop a depth of understanding of a specialist field including established and emerging trends and practices
• To begin establishing a network as a bridge to professional opportunities.
• To create artists with initiative and independence
• To create artists who can effectively engage audiences/ employers/ stakeholders

Interactive and Reactive Audio (30 credits)

This module is designed to allow students to investigate the use of audio within computer games and in particular, the unique requirements for game audio compared to audio for linear visual media. The module provides the opportunity for learners to acquire and prepare audio for use within middleware or similar game audio environments in preparation for incorporation into a computer game. The student will then implement these assets in a game audio environment to prepare them for use within a game. This module is aimed at students who have an interest in working in the field of Game Audio. This module is led by Andy Stentiford.

Module Aims

The module will build upon and enhance technical, practical and creative skills acquired in previous modules such as asset file management, recording & processing audio assets, music composition, and mixing. Students will examine current Game Audio industry practices and the application of complex recording, mixing and production techniques.

Commercial Music Production (30 Credits)

This module requires students to build upon existing audio production skills and practices with further knowledge and understanding of music production environments. Audio production techniques will be implemented within the recording studio and DAW platforms and develop students with recording, programming engineering and mixing of musical performances and source material. This module is led by Mark Forshaw.

Module Aims

The module will develop music production techniques through the use of studio facilities and common production workflows. Workshops and lectures will focus on specific techniques for various instruments and develop production approaches from recording to a finished song. Editing and programming techniques will develop composition strategies and arrangement concepts. Creative approaches to project construction will be built upon, and mixing techniques will employ dynamic processing, FX manipulation, creative routing and mixdown methods. Mastering concepts and techniques will establish the ability to produce standardised broadcast-quality audio.</Placement information

• We continue to work with partners and organisations across the UK to provide placement and work experience opportunities for our students.  

How the course is assessed

• Project-based coursework (60%)
• Written assessment (20%)
• Practice-based assessment (20%) 
   

Number of days per week

• 15 hours per week taught
• 7 hours per week of student-led learning 
   

Entry requirements

• HND Sound Production
• SQCF L8/RCF L5 equivalent i.e., FDA Sound Production (please contact our admissions team for more information)
   

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

• Successful completion of the HND programme at Edinburgh College
• External candidates will be invited for an interview. Please contact our admissions team for more information. 

English Proficiency Requirements

IELTS 6 requiredFurther information regarding IELTS levels and certification is available from our admissions team

Progression and Articulation Routes

While no formal articulation agreements are currently in place for post-graduate courses in Audio Production, graduates will have achieved the academic profile to apply for both creative and technical post-graduate programmes in audio production and related areas.

Career options

You can go onto a wide range of roles within the Audio Production and Music Industries including

• Sound designer for video games/film
• Studio recording engineer/producer
• Live sound/broadcast engineer
• Electronic music performer
• Media Composer
• In addition, you will have the skills and knowledge to apply for roles and large and independent music and music technology organisations around the world.