Cert HE Audio Engineering and Production

In this module, you’ll explore a range of industry-standard audio software used in recording and making music, and discover how to use it in creative ways. An essential skill in studio work is planning, managing and delivering an organised and effective digital audio workstation (DAW) session – you’ll learn this and many other hands-on techniques as you experiment with computer-based music production approaches and explore the craft of audio editing. You’ll also learn how to use sample libraries to create authentic-sounding performances.

During this module, you’ll focus on the core principles of audio theory within the setting of a professional or personal music recording studio. You'll master the utilisation of industry-standard recording and production equipment, becoming adept at the recording and engineering processes. With a focus on practical application, you'll gain proficiency in utilising various industry-standard production and recording tools,  applying the essential principles of audio engineering to a project of your choosing. The methods acquired during this module are geared towards flexible and professional recording and engineering practices, from foundational basics to advanced professional studio techniques

This hands-on module offers extensive collaboration opportunities, as you’re introduced to industry-standard sound engineering techniques in a live context. Regularly working in groups, you and your peers will complete weekly exercises and creative tasks, engage in critical listening activities, and give and receive feedback on original work. From monitor positions and mic placements to sound behaviours in a live environment, you’ll develop strong technical skills for live sound recording. By the end of the module, you’ll be able to perform a soundcheck for a live band, and recognise and apply live sound techniques as you engineer a performance at an ICMP event.

Developing a thorough understanding of the creative industries and the relationship between creative practice and business is crucial for your music career. In this module, you’ll explore the music industry specifically from the perspective of an audio engineer and producer. Through a combination of case studies, seminars and applied projects, you’ll learn about current industry models, processes and practices as you build an understanding of music copyright, revenue streams and the roles played by professional organisations and trade bodies. By the end of the module, you’ll appreciate how each area of the industry interconnects, and can use this knowledge to map out your evolving portfolio career.

To excel as a music producer or audio engineer, you’ll need a deep knowledge of how sound behaves – how it transmits, and how it’s captured, perceived and heard. While this module focuses on the fundamentals of audio theory, you’ll have plenty of hands-on practice as you develop the technical skills to capture any recording with the clearest and cleanest possible signal. You’ll examine the theory of sound and explore how various processes have evolved over time – from early manual capture to current DAW practices. You’ll then become familiar with a wide variety of studio recording equipment as you arrange, mix and master sound.

In this module, you’ll gain an understanding of the methodologies and technologies used for programming a variety of instruments. You’ll explore audio programming using different digital audio workstations (DAWs) and the software used in professional music-making environments. Your focus will be on practical experience as you answer real-world industry briefs, and develop skills in quantisation, articulations, automation, velocities and using sample libraries. Finally, you’ll explore how to use programming to create authentic-sounding performances in a range of contexts, while expanding your portfolio and technical know-how.