COURSE OVERVIEW

Across this exciting one-year Cert HE Electronic Music Production course, you’ll be taught by ICMP’s expert tutors and collaborate with talented producers, DJs, composers and sound designers, to build a solid foundational knowledge of innovative audio technologies.

During your year studying this electronic music course in London, you’ll explore the approaches and techniques used by today’s iconic electronic music artists, as you start to develop a good understanding of digital craftsmanship and all its nuances.

With a focus on synthesis, sampling, mixing and DAWs, you’ll begin to build your impressive technical expertise while starting to shape your creative identity as a DJ, artist or electronic music producer. You’ll explore a range of industry standard software (DAWs), plugins, hardware and music delivery approaches, developing skills in listening, project management, workflow mastery and ideation.

To gain a thorough understanding of the context of electronic music in today’s music industry, you’ll explore its history and genres in detail – from its origins in ‘80s hip-hop, to the rise of the ‘90s rave scene and beyond. You’ll also study the music business from the perspective of an electronic music producer, exploring A&R, rights and royalties, music copyright and modern music’s most successful revenue streams.

Across the year, you’ll interact with esteemed lecturers and guest speakers – all with vast knowledge across the technical, creative and business spectrum of electronic music production. You’ll also spend time connecting and collaborating with peers across ICMP’s rich talent pool, creating electronic music and live performances.

Upon completion of your Cert HE Electronic Music Production, you’ll have gained the skills needed to start working professionally as an electronic music producer. Or, if you’d like to carry on with your studies, you can head straight into the second year of ICMP’s BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production or BA (Hons) Creative Music Production degrees to continue building your abilities as an electronic music production professional.

FEES & FUNDING

Studying a CertHE Electronic Music Production makes financial sense as the fees for ICMP music degrees are the same as those at many traditional universities, making studying at ICMP in London both great fun and great value.

For information about student loans, please visit our Fees pages. If you’re eligible for a loan, you may borrow the full programme fee for the year.

Course Fees

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Successful completion of the Cert HE in Electronic Music Production course leads to the award of Certificate of Higher Education by The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance.*

* Please note, this course is currently subject to validation, we expect this process to be completed in Spring 2024.

 

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Key facts

  • Begin your career as an electronic music artist, DJ or producer.
  • Gain a solid introduction to industry-standard electronic music performance tools
  • Take your skills in mixing, sampling and digital music production to the next level.
  • Start to explore your unique sound with ICMP’s high-tech software and hardware collections.
  • Kick off your professional music portfolio with your own electronic music production compositions.
  • Collaborate on real-world projects with renowned industry experts.
  • Understand the roles of A&R, copyright, marketing and promotion in the electronic music industry.
  • Learn from leading electronic music producers, sound designers and composers.
  • Work with the wider London music industry and develop impressive music connections.
  • Graduate career-ready for a smooth transition into electronic music production or transfer to Year 2 of ICMP’s BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production degree.

COURSE DETAILS

Course details

Across ICMP’s one-year CertHE Electronic Music Production course, you’ll be introduced to the exciting world of digital music production, mixing techniques and sampling. You’ll investigate the music industry from the perspective of those working in electronic music production, while exploring the functions, core structures and business side of the scene. You’ll develop a strong understanding of the world of electronic music by interacting with ICMP’s diverse community of tutors who are also highly successful producers, composers and sound designers in their own right.

SYNTHESIS AND SAMPLING

Deep diving into the building blocks of electronic music, you’ll take an immersive look at the foundational concepts and hands-on practices driving the expansive world of music production. Whether you’re just starting or building on existing knowledge, you’ll discover the intricacies of synthesis and sampling, exploring both the tactile world of hardware and the limitless possibilities of software.

  • The history of synthesis
  • Virtualisation and integration methods
  • Sequencing
  • Additive and granular synthesis
  • Analogue sampling
  • Digital effects and mixers

MIXING TECHNIQUES

Exploring digital audio workstation (DAW) in-the-box (ITB) mixing techniques, you’ll become proficient at using a range of professional music production hardware and software. You’ll learn how to take your ideas from an initial demo stage to a fully presentable and professional-sounding mix with EQ, dynamics and a range of effects.

  • Introduction to DAW mixing channel layouts
  • Introduction to EQ
  • Using compression to control dynamics
  • Timed, delay and reverb effects 
  • Gates and other insert effects
  • Mix automation

DIGITAL MUSIC PRODUCTION

In this module, you’ll learn how computer technology is applied to produce contemporary music by exploring the wide range of techniques and methodologies used by different artists. Harnessing the power of industry-standard digital audio workstations (DAWs) like

Ableton and Logic Pro, you’ll learn to produce ‘in-the-box’, honing your critical listening skills and enhancing your creative music production talents.

  • MIDI programming and sound sources
  • Understanding virtual instruments, including synths and samplers
  • Envelopes and modulations
  • Subtractive and FM synthesis
  • Sample layering
  • Frequency and dynamic processing
  • The creative use of audio effects
  • Audio and editing
  • Automation techniques

CREATIVE PRODUCTION APPROACHES

In this module, you’ll study a selection of electronic music works, learning how to write an impressive repertoire of original compositions, songs and remixes. You’ll explore different approaches to music making, and gain insights about core theory and compositional practice and their connection to production.

  • The musical elements of styles and genres
  • An analysis of electronic compositions
  • Writing to compositional briefs
  • Experimental composition
  • Compositional peer analysis
  • How to receive constructive feedback
  • Creative production approaches to production-informed composition

ELECTRONIC MUSIC PRODUCTION IN CONTEXT

In this module, you’ll investigate music production within the context of popular sound, researching the cultures that helped bring musical movements to the world of electronic music – from the evolution of hip-hop to the rise of acid house. Explore effective ways to recognise and interpret electronic music, while learning to justify your intellectual position using critical texts and resources.

  • Investigating, analysing and critiquing electronic music
  • Styles and genres in music production
  • Popular electronic music culture and subcultures
  • Influencing technologies in music production
  • Popular music and political events
  • Non-musical influencing technologies
  • The historical role of the music producer

MUSIC INDUSTRY FOR ELECTRONIC MUSIC PRODUCERS

In this module, you’ll be introduced to the core structures and functions of the modern music industry. As you examine current industry models, processes and practices, you’ll also look at how the creative and business worlds interact. In the context of electronic music production, 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.

  • Music industry membership organisations and trade bodies
  • The role of music collection societies
  • What is artist management
  • The A&R process
  • Music marketing and promotion
  • Music sales, distribution, rights and royalties 
  • The future of the music industry

TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT

Across the CertHE Electronic Music Production course, you’ll be taught at our esteemed university campuses in Kilburn and Queen's Park. Lessons will take place in lecture rooms and tech suits. As an ICMP student, you can attend our facilities outside of scheduled class time to practice and record your music whenever creativity strikes. 

For advice and guidance on issues about finance, welfare, safeguarding, personal development, safeguarding and more, you’ll have access to ICMP’s Student Services Department. Our Professional Development team, ‘The Careers and Industry Hub’, will also help you with tailored music industry careers advice and provide access to bespoke electronic music production opportunities.

Teaching and Learning

Across your year with ICMP, you’ll take part in various teaching and learning methods including small tutorial groups, hands-on technology, lectures, laboratory tutorials, group work, workshops and peer-led classes/presentations.

When you’re not attending seminars, lectures or other timetabled classes, you’ll continue to learn autonomously through self-guided study. This typically involves researching articles and books, collaborating on group and individual projects, organising coursework assessments and engaging in library reading. You’ll have access to a variety of great learning facilities, including high-tech recording suites, the ICMP Learning Resource Centre and impressive performance and practice rooms.

Across your year of study, you’ll have timetabled teaching activities for typically 10-12 hours per week including lectures, practical classes, seminars and workshops. You’ll also engage in personalised one-to-one tutorials through your year of study at ICMP.

Assessment

Your practical skills will be assessed through performance, recordings, composition, and practical examinations. Your knowledge and thinking will be evaluated through reports, workbooks, presentations, examinations, essays and recordings, and your skills for work and life will be assessed via coursework, project pitches and presentations.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To enter this programme, applicants should have their A levels, Extended Diploma or a BTEC Diploma, or an International Baccalaureate equivalent to 48 UCAS points.

Applicants should also hold a GCSE Grade C or 4 or above in English and Maths, or a relevant equivalent including Functional Skills, Level 2 Key Skills or Adult Numeracy/Literacy.

Please note: International students, who require a visa to study in the UK, are not eligible to study on this course. Instead, we encourage you to apply for our BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production course.

Submissions from mature candidates who may not have formal qualifications but who can show their suitability for the degree through relevant experience and skills are welcomed.

All applicants will be invited for an interview.

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HOW TO APPLY

Please select the ‘APPLY NOW’ link. If you need assistance through the application process, please contact our Admissions team who will be happy to help.

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By email: enquiries@icmp.ac.uk



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