MA Record Production

Program Overview

This advanced Masters in Music Production program, led by renowned professionals, immerses students in the art of record production through a combination of theoretical and practical studies. The program develops technical skills in recording, signal processing, and mixing, while also emphasizing "human skills" such as communication and performance in the studio. Graduates are equipped for careers as sound engineers, producers, composers, and other roles in the music industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This advanced course in record production will show you how to define a creative vision for a project while also managing relationships in the studio. A team of world-renowned record producers, composers, arrangers and engineers leads this Masters in music production. Based at one of the largest audio complexes in Europe, you will have access to an enviable array of studio equipment and performance spaces, as well as opportunities to network with fellow artists and musicians.

Outline:

Your studies will incorporate the production of popular recorded music from both a theoretical and practical standpoint. You will deconstruct and analyse the process of record production, enhancing your ability to understand today’s music industry. The course has been designed to combine the technical skills of advanced recording, digital signal processing and mixing with 'human skills', such as managing sessions, pre-production, developing your career, communication and performance in the studio. As you progress through the course, you will become more aware of social and consumer trends in the music industry, and create a personal development plan to help you achieve your career goals.

Compulsory Modules:

• Approaches to Recording: You will analyse and study methodologies, practices and positions on recorded ‘realism’ and be introduced to more experimental approaches to recording that might subvert this.
You will be given the opportunity to conduct self-directed research into both development and future use of microphone & recording technology via both stereo and surround microphone techniques.
• Performance in the Studio: This module will investigate the idea that musical performance for recorded output is very different to concert performance.
You will learn how a record producer not only has to be aware of these differences, but also of what is required at a psychological and interpersonal level, and how to achieve it.
• The Development of Audio Technology: In this module you will study the development of recording technology from the beginning of the 20th century including how these developments varied geographically, socially and culturally.
You will look into questions such as: Did the spread of audio technology occur at the same time in India as it did in Argentina? How did the apartheid system in South Africa affect the production techniques used by black African artists compared to white artists? Why have there been and continue to be so few women producers? You will also explore the debate surrounding the differences between analogue and digital sound.
• Combining Sounds: This module explores the process of combining sounds, from simplistic mono tape recordings through to multi-tracked, multi-channelled environments.
You will deconstruct different genres of music focusing on the working practices and methods applied when combining and mixing sounds. Practical studio sessions will allow you to experiment and analyse sound construction and multi-layering techniques.
• Research Methods: You will be trained in research methods and critical methodology as preparation for undertaking research that supports and advances the project work in your course.
You will define, articulate and critically reflect upon the research concerns of your own practice, thereby underpinning and enhancing your knowledge and understanding of your chosen field of study. You will present your work at the multi-disciplinary LCM postgraduate conference.
• Manipulating Sounds: You will study how the techniques for manipulation of audio have transformed the recording process, to the point where the recording studio (or now a computer) can be considered as an ëinstrumentí in its own right.
In addition to studying techniques from the traditional to the advanced, you will look at the theoretical and practical considerations of manipulating audio.
• Masters Project: For this module you will undertake an ambitious and self-managed large-scale practical project on a topic of your choice.
The project will be framed by a study of contemporary research around your topic, and will be designed to expand and enhance the skills and knowledge around a specialised area. The project makes an excellent showcase to kickstart your future career.

Careers:

Once you graduate you could go on to work as a:

• Sound engineer
• Post-production engineer
• Recording artist
• Producer
• Composer
• Re-mixer
• Studio manager
• Company director
• Product developer
• Product demonstrator.
Alternatively, you may want to explore a related area of study, such as Advanced Music Technology. You could also take an MPhil or PhD in areas such as Popular Music Production or Electronic/Electroacoustic Composition.

Other:

• The course immerses you in the area of Record Production, from equipment and gear to discussing different recording skills.
• The London College of Music stands at the forefront of the academic study of music technology and record production.
• On graduation, you will join the ranks of our successful alumni, including: Jan 'Stan' Kybert - freelance engineer and producer, assistant to Mike 'Spike' Stent; has previously worked with artists such as Paul Weller, Oasis, Miles Kane, KT Tunstall, The Draytones, Bjork, Massive Attack, The Spice Girls and Madonna.
Mark Brocklesby - owner of Big Smoke Studios; has previously worked with artists such as Yousef, Red Snapper, James Walsh, Mosi Conde, Phil Franz Jones, Jenny Bae and Gwilym Simcock. Irene Salamanca Barreto - freelance producer, sync manager in music publishing; has previously worked with companies like Reservoir Media Management INC, Concord Music Group and Imagem Music Group. Hammad Rashid - producer, educator and YouTuber; known for his extensive works using Urdu influences. Anthony Meynell - owner of Hi-Lo Records; has previously worked with artists such as Squire, Sugarplum and Beat Direction. Other graduates have gone on to work with prominent artists, including Lady Gaga, Peter Gabriel and Blondie, and organisations including the BBC, Norsk Films and Warner Bros.
• We have four black box production rooms featuring performance dance floors, ballet barres, wall mirrors and ¾ drapes.
All rooms have PA and AV support in all rooms. The digital stage pianos are by Roland.
• We have five acoustically isolated teaching pods featuring Roland and Korg digital pianos and mirrors to facilitate one-to-one teaching in voice.
• All music performance rooms feature drums and backline plus PA support.
Drums by Roland and Pearl. Backline by Marshall, Orange, Line 6, Fender and Gallien-Kruger Stage pianos by Korg and Roland Synths by Roland and Kurzwiel PA by Yamaha, ABT and Nexo.
• All LCM practice rooms benefit from LCM’s All Steinway School status to bring you the very best instruments.
Three percussion practice and teaching rooms. Percussion rooms feature Pearl kits with recording and playback systems. There is also video-camera and accessory support, including LED and tungsten lighting systems, track and dolly systems and stedi-cam rigs.

Funding: UK £9,750 per year International 17,250 per year