BA (Hons) Creative Music Production

In this module, you’ll explore the fundamentals of audio theory whether you’re recording at home or in a professional studio. In our dedicated Creative Music Production course studio, designed specifically to replicate a high-end project studio set-up, you’ll learn to use the best industry-standard gear available as you become proficient at recording and engineering practices. The module is geared towards learning the fundamentals of recording to a high standard, with a strong focus on recording vocals using various mic types for different voices. Afterwards, you’ll be able to apply these concepts to your own personal projects.  

By exploring the wide range of techniques and methodologies used by different artists, in this module, you’ll consider how computer technology is used to produce contemporary music. Using industry-standard digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as Pro Tools and Logic Pro, you’ll develop music programming and production techniques, including synthesis and sampling, alongside the development of critical listening skills. As you learn to produce ‘in the box’, you’ll investigate the range of choices and solutions available to you to enhance your creative music production. 

In this module, you’ll be introduced to effective ways of recognising and interpreting the development of popular music genres, while gaining the skills necessary to justify your intellectual position using critical texts and resources. As you explore music production within the context of popular music, you’ll research key events within its history – such as the evolution of hip hop and the rise of acid house – and the cultures that helped bring these new musical genres to the fore.  

In this module, you’ll be introduced to the core structures and functions of the modern music industry. You’ll examine current industry models, processes and practices and look at how the creative and business worlds interact. You’ll investigate music copyright and the roles played by collection societies, professionals and organisations. You’ll also gain an insight into the revenue streams available to you, and the inter-relationships between each area of the industry – recorded music, live music and music publishing.

Building on the proficiencies learned in the Project Studio Recording module, in Creative Mixing Techniques you’ll return to the studio to explore digital audio workstation (DAW) in-the-box (ITB) mixing techniques and become proficient at using a range of professional music production hardware. Upon completion of this module, you’ll have developed the skills needed to take your ideas from an initial demo stage to a fully presentable and professional-sounding mix.  

Gain the skills required to write an impressive repertoire of original compositions and remixes. To do this, you’ll study fundamental musical elements within a diverse variety of styles so you can explore different approaches to composition. Through an analysis of popular works, you’ll develop an understanding of core theory and compositional practice and its relationship with creative production. You’ll explore, experiment and push boundaries with regular composition briefs; the results of which encourage the exploration of different creative processes.  

In this module, which will largely take place in ICMP’s high-tech recording studios, you’ll further develop your recording and production skills, while exploring the fundamentals of audio recording theory within a studio environment context. You’ll learn advanced music production techniques for recording and mixing music to a professional standard, including file delivery, the audio mastering chain, recording core instruments like vocals, keyboards and drums, and advanced mic’ing techniques. You’ll also examine the producer’s role in key musical decision making, such as efforts to create a specific desired sound. By the end of the module, you’ll have covered a range of recording and engineering processes, such as editing and sound production, and will be confident at using a selection of industry-standard studio recording equipment. 

In this module, you’ll expand upon your learnings from first-year digital music production classes as you further develop the skills required to work with industry-standard DAWs such as Ableton Live. Along the way, you’ll study a variety of advanced techniques and methodologies used by a range of established producers; essentially learning how to use software as an instrument. By the end of the module, you’ll know how to develop, mix and deliver original, digitally produced musical material using modern digital music production techniques – selecting and applying appropriate tools and techniques in the context of your own work. 

Prepare to deep dive into the analysis and application of a range of production techniques. In this module, you’ll look at music production practices from a cultural, societal and contextual perspective and explore the relationship between these influences and your own music-making. You’ll learn about practice as research, and look at definitions of what this is and how it relates to contemporary musical practices. In the process, you’ll undertake a project which will see you develop a creative body of work to help launch yourself as a creative producer in the music industry.

Get ready to explore the fundamental principles and tools of marketing and branding, while creating a marketing plan for yourself as a creative music producer or another relevant project. You’ll examine traditional theories and contemporary approaches, such as how today’s environment presents new challenges and opportunities, and how marketing is evolving to meet the needs of creative professionals. You’ll develop an understanding of consumer behaviour and learn how consumer-driven strategies can be used to solve real-world problems. Finally, you’ll explore the concept of ‘creatives’ as a brand, considering areas like brand partnerships and commerce versus credibility.   

Prepare to delve into the mixing process and improve your knowledge of music production mixing techniques in this module. Building on from Year 1’s Creative Mixing Techniques module and successfully linking with Year 2’s Studio Recording module, you’ll investigate mixing as a separate entity with an artistic and aesthetic foundation. Comparisons to commercial mixes will be at the heart of everything you do, and you’ll be encouraged to develop methods to help you realise your final creative product. 

For decades, developments in avant-garde and experimental spheres have had a profound influence on popular music production. In this hugely creative optional module, you’ll push the boundaries of your own artistic practice as you explore groundbreaking historical and contemporary sonic practices from around the world. You’ll experiment with innovative composition techniques, features and effects in your own work while creating pioneering music soundscapes, beautifully distanced from the music mainstream. 

If you want to perform your creative productions and compositions live, this optional module will give you the knowledge and skills to make it happen. Using ICMP’s high-tech live sound desk, you’ll develop your understanding of the role of technology in creative live production, as you explore MIDI controllers and pioneering creative hardware and software options like Ableton Live and Ableton Push. Furthering your sound engineering and mixing skills in the context of live performance, you’ll apply your working knowledge of core production techniques and methodology principles in the field of live production.

This module will see you bridge the gap between making a recording and making a record. You’ll build upon the recording knowledge you’ve gained across previous modules, as you combine it with newly acquired techniques. Recording bigger ensembles, such as string quartets and brass sections, you’ll raise the level of the new collaborative projects you take on. As you continually reference successful commercial tracks, you’ll strive to attain the extremely high level of competencies required for a professional career in audio engineering and studio production.  

To help you define your own individual sound, it’s valuable to explore musical creativity in all its forms. In this module, you’ll examine key music producers from a range of artistic disciplines and analyse how artistry can manifest in music production work. You’ll build upon your experience as a music producer and the work you’ve undertaken in previous modules to explore a range of creative production practices and techniques.  

In this module, you’ll gain a detailed understanding of the entrepreneurial pursuits within modern music and the broader global creative industries. In particular, you’ll focus on creative problem solving and be encouraged to think laterally about business issues that are relevant to creative producers working in the live, recorded and project-based sectors. You’ll explore business models in the profit and non-profit sectors, and non-Western industries too, such as sub-Saharan business practices. An extensive range of areas will be addressed, including fundraising and sustainability, team building, brand awareness and governance.  

In recent years, mastering has undergone seismic changes and it’s become increasingly important for music production professionals to understand how to work in this arena. This module links well with the Year 3 Advanced Studio Production programme to improve your ability to produce a fully polished piece of creative work. Upon completion of this module, you’ll be adept in mixing and mastering both single tracks and longer album projects. 

Everything you’ve learned during your degree now comes to fruition in this final double module. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake a major creative project of your own choice, employing a combination of research methods, practice as research, project planning and management. Your work should explore a range of creative production methods and make use of advanced, contemporary and experimental music production techniques. Your major work could be an album, live production performance, multi-media composition, installation or more. Whichever creative medium you decide on, you’ll graduate with a substantial piece to help launch your future music production portfolio career.