BA (Hons) Music Production & Sound Engineering Degree (2 years)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-10-02 | - |
| 2024-01-08 | - |
Program Overview
Learn more about our music production programmes
Come and visit one of our open days in Shoreditch!
Find out more about studying at Point Blank
Track breakdown of 'Feel the Love' with Rudimental
Learn more about our music production programmes
Come and visit one of our open days in Shoreditch!
Find out more about studying at Point Blank
Track breakdown of 'Feel the Love' with Rudimental
Learn more about our music production programmes
Come and visit one of our open days in Shoreditch!
Program Outline
Modules
YEAR 1
TERM 1
Module 1:
1.
One of the following modules:
Music Production (Logic)
This module aims to develop your fundamental understanding of contemporary music production. You will learn technical production skills within a DAW that are central to the realisation of musical ideas: recording and editing MIDI and audio, pre-production considerations, drum programming, mixing, audio effects processing, automation and arrangement techniques.
You will have the opportunity to conceive and execute a production project, applying creative, technical, project management and reflective skills to aid your development as a producer and for professional life beyond.
Music Production (Ableton)
This module aims to develop your fundamental understanding of contemporary music production. You will learn technical production skills within a DAW that are central to the realisation of musical ideas: recording and editing MIDI and audio, pre-production considerations, drum programming, mixing, audio effects processing, automation and arrangement techniques.
You will have the opportunity to conceive and execute a production project, applying creative, technical, project management and reflective skills to aid your development as a producer and for professional life beyond.
Module 2:
2.
Music Composition
Compositional proficiency is a core skill for contemporary producers and artists, equipping them with the ability to realise their creative ambitions and make more informed production decisions, whilst helping them become professionally competitive.
This module will explore the core elements of musical composition: rhythm, harmony, melody, structure, and arrangement. You will develop compositional techniques through practical application of music theory using music software.
This module focuses explicitly on commercial western popular musical styles, genres and their aesthetics. You will have the opportunity to investigate technical and stylistic aspects of these styles and genres, developing their confidence and abilities in composition. You will gain experience in composing original musical elements and arranging these elements into a full composition.
Module 3:
3.
Music Industry
This module aims to provide an overview of the music industry: what are the different components and how do they operate and interlink?
You will develop an awareness of different revenue sources, analysing areas including record labels, publishing, independent artists, digital distribution, and the varied ways that money flows through the industry. The importance and value of copyright will be explored, along with different music industry deals and agreements.
The knowledge, skills, and understanding developed in this module will provide you with the foundation for a successful and sustainable career within the music industry.
TERM 2
Module 4:
4.
Sound Design
The Sound Design module is designed to facilitate your understanding of synthesis and sampling techniques through a practical exploration of modular software instruments.
The module will provide a solid grounding in the principles of sound creation integral to all aspects of electronic music production and will also build the knowledge and skills that are necessary for those aiming to work within a range of digital audio and media environments.
You will learn how to build your own modular software instrument, before using these to create a range of sounds that will be demonstrated within a compositional context.
Module 5:
5.
Sound Engineering
This module aims to develop technical skills in studio recording, explaining the basic requirements of signal flow, microphone placement, and corrective editing. You will have access to industry-standard studios and a range of specialist equipment to record, edit and manipulate a range of audio sources. There will be opportunities for you to work as an integrated member of a team whilst working in a variety of vocational contexts.
By focusing on modern engineering essentials, you will acquire knowledge and skills that you can apply in a variety of studio environments, from small home-based setups to large professional facilities.
Module 6:
6.
Production Styles
This module aims to develop your understanding of how successful music is created through a process of analysis, research and practical application.
You will develop an informed awareness of key movements and developments in music production and artistry through culture and technology.
Analysis of landmark recordings, genre and production process will facilitate your ability to create authentic musical examples which adhere to specific industry briefs.
What are the landmark production styles that underpin genres, how do they influence musical innovation and what can be learnt from this?
TERM 3
Module 7:
7.
Creative Production & Remix
Creative Production & Remix aims to encourage you to start developing a signature sound whilst working with a top line vocal.
This module will give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to production. How can different creative approaches be combined with technical skills to develop a unique style?
The concept of remixing is explored, both as a music industry practice and in the wider cultural context as a means of creative recycling. How does ‘remixing’ manifest in both music and other creative mediums and how can we utilise this as a source of inspiration?
As a professional producer it is common to be asked to provide production or remix services for other artists whilst meeting a creative brief and deadline. This module is designed to prepare you for this scenario.
Module 8:
8.
Composing for Media
This module aims to develop your composition and music production skills in support of visual media.
You will develop vocabulary and understanding of the technical and creative workflow requirements when working within this environment. Composition and sound design techniques will be explored in the context of various media such as films, TV, branded content and video games.
Visual media is always in need of music and audio services, with these growing industries being a constant source of employment for composers and sound designers. This module will prepare you for working within these professional requirements: following a brief, meeting deadlines, responding to feedback etc.
TERM 4
Module 9:
9.
Art of Mixing
Mixing is a crucial stage in the production process and this module aims to develop your skills as a competent mix engineer.
What are the processes, equipment, considerations, and techniques involved in creating professional sounding commercial mixes?
Critical listening will be developed alongside technical and creative skills which are essential to successful mixing and production. Mixing is a key skill for producers and offers a variety of potential career paths.
Module 10:
10.
Marketing & Branding
For anyone wanting to establish a career in the music industry, a knowledge of marketing and branding is essential.
Branding is important for creating a memorable impression and distinguishing from others. You will explore various artist, business, and personal brands and analyse them to discover the various elements and approaches that make them successful, or unsuccessful. You will develop and apply practical skills to establish your own brand, ready for launch within the music industry.
What’s the key to growing and maintaining a career in the music industry?
You will discover and experiment with different marketing theories, strategies, and tactics and examine how effectively these can be used within the music industry. You will have the opportunity to take previously introduced branding approaches and apply these towards artist branding within a marketing context. Outside of the music industry these are valuable skills that can be applied across a range of careers.
This module is designed to enable you to develop your own brand and develop the knowledge and skills required to grow this brand within the music industry.
YEAR 2
TERM 5
Module 11:
11.
Advanced Sound Design
This module will enable you to extend your understanding of core sound design principles through a practical exploration of various synthesis types, digital audio manipulation techniques, and approaches to audio-visual composition.
You will use graphical programming software to create your own software instruments, extending your understanding of synthesis, signal flow, modulation, and sound creation. These fundamental skills can potentially be applied within a range of professional audio and media environments.
The role of the sound designer will be explored in an audio-visual context, and you will create a textural composition that enhances given visual stimuli using your own software instrument. This will strengthen the knowledge and skills that are integral to professional positions within audio-visual contexts.
Module 12:
12.
Mastering
Mastering is the final stage before commercial release and this module will give you a perspective on these processes through the lens of a mastering engineer - how this process has developed in the digital age and the considerations across different audio platforms.
You will develop knowledge of digital audio processes to maintain the highest sound quality throughout the various stages of the production process, gaining an insight into the requirements for producing suitable mixes ready for mastering.
Critical listening skills which are crucial to every stage of the production and mixing process will be further developed.
TERM 6
Module 13:
13.
Advanced Composition
You will expand your knowledge base of stylistic, rhythmic, harmonic, and structural conventions and gain skill in their application through practice and analysis following the maxim described by Clark Terry as “imitate, assimilate, innovate”.
The module will focus on developing an individual compositional voice by examining and assimilating the features of acclaimed musical works and music that aligns with personal goals. You will challenge your notions of taste and aesthetics by asking such questions as: where is the line between music and noise? What is style? And questions that challenge our aims: why do I write this way? Why do I want to write this way?
This personal exploration will be underpinned by the technical study of musical forms, theories of rhythm and harmony, extra-musical stimuli, and contemporary methods of sonic manipulation.
Module 14:
14.
Advanced Recording & Mixing
Advanced Recording and Mixing aims to develop vocational studio skills and an academic grounding in the theoretical principles of recording, editing and mixing at a professional level. You will be encouraged to apply and develop these skills across a greater range of acoustic environments whilst working with a greater variety of sound sources than in previous modules.
You will have the opportunity to work across a range of genres and will be expected to undertake problem-solving and organisational tasks in a variety of contexts that match those found in professional music industry scenarios
As there is often more than one approach to delivering a specific outcome, one purpose of the module is to support and encourage you to research, experiment, compare, contrast and apply various techniques and methodologies utilised by professional practitioners in a corrective and creative manner in order to achieve a given outcome.
TERM 7
Module 15:
15.
Audio for Games
This module will give you experience in developing audio solutions within the non-linear environment of video games and expand their outlook on the possibilities of audio production and careers within this industry. You will concentrate on the composition of audio assets and their implementation to objects and events within a non-linear and interactive game environment.
By the end of the module, you will have a fully playable game with all the sonic components that would be expected in a professional game development scenario. You will also receive coaching on professional development and career prospects within the game industry.
The emphasis of the module will be on learning how audio composition differs for interactive media.
Module 16:
16.
Professional Portfolio Research
The two Professional Portfolio modules provide you with the opportunity to develop a project based on your chosen area of interest and specific to the future role that you intend to pursue as a professional music industry practitioner.
Professional Portfolio Research enables you to formulate the idea for your own unique Specialist Project to be developed in the final term during Professional Portfolio Project.
You will have the opportunity to focus on aspects of your studies that have been of particular interest, and hone selected specialist skills to professional standards.
You will identify the specialisms that define your area of focus for your preliminary research and use them in your Specialist Project in Professional Portfolio Project.
Through a combination of lectures and self-directed study assisted by tutorial support, you will develop the essential attributes of independence, autonomy, planning, and project management skills that will be integral to your future professional practice.
TERM 8
Module 17:
17.
Professional Portfolio Project
Professional Portfolio Project provides an opportunity for you to link your experiences at Point Blank with your intended career path as a professional music industry practitioner by supporting you in the development of a unique specialist project that aspires to professional standards within your chosen specialist field.
Building on the research undertaken in Professional Portfolio Research, you will develop a project that enables you to refine selected specialist skills and technical understanding within your specialised area of interest.
Working largely autonomously, with tutorial support and guidance, you will create a substantial portfolio of work, grounded in academic research and principles, that can be used to support future employment and/or practice.
The module will also develop skills of self-analysis and reflection that are integral to being a successful professional.
Module 18:
18.
Music Entrepreneur
As you come towards the end of the programme, this module will provide an opportunity for you to synthesise many of the concepts developed across the course and put them into practice.
Throughout this module, you will work on the development of a self-directed plan – this can be a release plan for your music, a marketing strategy, a business plan or a career plan, potentially linking with the Professional Portfolio modules.
You will develop a range of soft and functional skills such as communication, teamwork, research, feedback, financial, planning and more. The module should inspire you to develop innovative and entrepreneurial plans and should equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to further develop professionally. It will prepare you for a working environment, allowing you to plan your next steps and present career opportunities.
Teaching & Learning
On our higher education programmes, students take part in a variety of intimate lectures (up to 16 students) and workshops. When not attending these sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently. Independent learning is about taking control of your work, finding out what you need to know and deciding how you are going to study.
During this time, you can take advantage of:
A degree course consists of academic levels 4, 5 and 6. Each level consists of 120 credits. Each module is worth 20 credits and students are expected to study 10 hours per week per module (4 hours of lectures and 6 hours of independent learning).
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Career Opportunities