BA (Hons)

Music Production

Teaching & Learning

The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload will be informed by your core modules and the option modules you choose to study - the information provided is an indication of what you can expect and may be subject to change. The option modules listed are also an indication of what will be available to you. Their availability is subject to demand and you will be advised which option modules you can choose at the beginning of each year of study.

What you'll learn

Focus on approaches to developing, writing down and communicating your musical ideas and intentions to others. You will practically apply these skills through composing, notating and presenting these ideas in formats which musicians and music producers could then extend and develop in a studio or live performance setting.
Explore a range of perspectives, approaches and techniques relevant to computer-based music composition and performance.
Study contemporary musical genres, histories and associated music subcultures to deepen your understanding of what political, economic, sociological, technological, ethical and legal factors impact upon the music being produced and the industries that support it.
Learn to listen critically to acoustic spaces, audio equipment and audio material. You will explore acoustic principles and the human auditory system and build on your learning through workshops and tutorials.
The first in a series of studio recording modules, this module will introduce you to and develop your fundamental, practical audio production skills. You will also learn about the hardware and software systems used in audio recording and establish good working practices for audio projects.
This module will introduce the technologies and principles that underpin analogue and digital music signals and systems. Through workshops and tutorials you will develop knowledge and skills required in the creative audio industries.
Focus on approaches to developing, writing down and communicating your musical ideas and intentions to others. You will practically apply these skills through composing, notating and presenting these ideas in formats which musicians and music producers could then extend and develop in a studio or live performance setting.
Explore a range of perspectives, approaches and techniques relevant to computer-based music composition and performance.
Study contemporary musical genres, histories and associated music subcultures to deepen your understanding of what political, economic, sociological, technological, ethical and legal factors impact upon the music being produced and the industries that support it.
Learn to listen critically to acoustic spaces, audio equipment and audio material. You will explore acoustic principles and the human auditory system and build on your learning through workshops and tutorials.
The first in a series of studio recording modules, this module will introduce you to and develop your fundamental, practical audio production skills. You will also learn about the hardware and software systems used in audio recording and establish good working practices for audio projects.
This module will introduce the technologies and principles that underpin analogue and digital music signals and systems. Through workshops and tutorials you will develop knowledge and skills required in the creative audio industries.

What you'll learn

Develops your ability to analyse a variety of production types and techniques and develop an understanding of the historical, cultural and technical influences on music production.
Choose from a range of project briefs which you will respond to over the course of the module. You will develop your knowledge and skills in your subject area as well as enhancing your ability to propose, plan and manage a project, to work as part of a team and to reflect on your own practice.
Explore the background to and historical context of the music industry. You will examine its current health, and consider the implications of this for the people working in the industry.
Organise and manage a studio project through the stages of production, demonstrating your understanding of recording and production techniques. You will evaluate the project throughout all stages of production.
Covering a range of genres, you will explore compositional approaches and production techniques to help you build a portfolio of work and develop your skill set in the area of electronic music production.
Develops your ability to analyse a variety of production types and techniques and develop an understanding of the historical, cultural and technical influences on music production.
Choose from a range of project briefs which you will respond to over the course of the module. You will develop your knowledge and skills in your subject area as well as enhancing your ability to propose, plan and manage a project, to work as part of a team and to reflect on your own practice.
Explore the background to and historical context of the music industry. You will examine its current health, and consider the implications of this for the people working in the industry.
Organise and manage a studio project through the stages of production, demonstrating your understanding of recording and production techniques. You will evaluate the project throughout all stages of production.
Covering a range of genres, you will explore compositional approaches and production techniques to help you build a portfolio of work and develop your skill set in the area of electronic music production.

Option modules may include

Investigate the ways in which sound can both influence and underpin the narrative in film and television. You will gain the skills needed to record, manipulate and mix post-production sound for film and television.
Develop your capacity to experiment and create via a number of compositional tasks. You will gain skills that can be applied in a range of areas, including composing for the moving image, music production and sound and music for interactive environments.
Investigate the ways in which sound can both influence and underpin the narrative in film and television. You will gain the skills needed to record, manipulate and mix post-production sound for film and television.
Develop your capacity to experiment and create via a number of compositional tasks. You will gain skills that can be applied in a range of areas, including composing for the moving image, music production and sound and music for interactive environments.

What you'll learn

Plan and propose your major project. Lectures and tutorials will cover techniques and concepts that will support you in the research and preparation stages and project supervisor meetings will guide you through each stage of the project process.
Undertake the project planned during the Project Proposal module. To help you progress, you will have regular contact with a project supervisor and learning set meetings led by a specialist in the subject area. You will also keep an online journal where you can evidence, discuss and evaluate your work.
Explore the tools and techniques required in the production of audio within the creative industries. You'll develop the critical and analytical listening skills required by professional mixing engineers.
Plan and propose your major project. Lectures and tutorials will cover techniques and concepts that will support you in the research and preparation stages and project supervisor meetings will guide you through each stage of the project process.
Undertake the project planned during the Project Proposal module. To help you progress, you will have regular contact with a project supervisor and learning set meetings led by a specialist in the subject area. You will also keep an online journal where you can evidence, discuss and evaluate your work.
Explore the tools and techniques required in the production of audio within the creative industries. You'll develop the critical and analytical listening skills required by professional mixing engineers.

Option modules may include

Designed to equip you with the skills to produce music for film and television, this module will introduce you to some key composers to examine the historical function of film music and look at the approaches to synchronisation and instrumentation required to produce contemporary film and TV scores.
Work on pre-existing recordings to develop your skills in mastering a collection of musical tracks.
A combination of experimentation, critical listening and contextual discourse, this module will help you develop the essential skills and processes used in modern studio productions.
Develop your ability to record high-quality location sound in rural and urban environments for potential use in radio, television, music, games, and installations or in other artefacts. You'll analyse a field recording brief, plan and execute field-recordings in locations and prepare recordings for the end-user. You'll then critically evaluate your work, identifying any ethical issues surrounding it.
Build on your understanding of the functionality of the music industry and develop an ability to identify and analyse new business models, technological development and new revenue streams related to these.
Study the key concepts of electro-acoustic composition and the application of these concepts both creatively and technically.
Gain an understanding of the key technologies and innovations in audio manipulation for sound design. You will produce an original portfolio of work in response to a given brief demonstrating a range of sound design techniques.
Improve your songwriting abilities. This intensive, hands-on module will enhance your existing skills and by the end of the module you will have written and recorded a collaborative songwriting portfolio.
Gain an understanding of the concepts and challenges of producing audio for interactive games. You will evaluate examples of game audio and produce your own interactive audio that demonstrates the principles you have learned.
Designed to equip you with the skills to produce music for film and television, this module will introduce you to some key composers to examine the historical function of film music and look at the approaches to synchronisation and instrumentation required to produce contemporary film and TV scores.
Work on pre-existing recordings to develop your skills in mastering a collection of musical tracks.
A combination of experimentation, critical listening and contextual discourse, this module will help you develop the essential skills and processes used in modern studio productions.
Develop your ability to record high-quality location sound in rural and urban environments for potential use in radio, television, music, games, and installations or in other artefacts. You'll analyse a field recording brief, plan and execute field-recordings in locations and prepare recordings for the end-user. You'll then critically evaluate your work, identifying any ethical issues surrounding it.
Build on your understanding of the functionality of the music industry and develop an ability to identify and analyse new business models, technological development and new revenue streams related to these.
Study the key concepts of electro-acoustic composition and the application of these concepts both creatively and technically.
Gain an understanding of the key technologies and innovations in audio manipulation for sound design. You will produce an original portfolio of work in response to a given brief demonstrating a range of sound design techniques.
Improve your songwriting abilities. This intensive, hands-on module will enhance your existing skills and by the end of the module you will have written and recorded a collaborative songwriting portfolio.
Gain an understanding of the concepts and challenges of producing audio for interactive games. You will evaluate examples of game audio and produce your own interactive audio that demonstrates the principles you have learned.

This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.

Students who choose the sandwich route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.