BSc (Hons)

Music Technology

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

Listen critically to spaces, audio equipment and audio material. You will develop your understanding of acoustic principles and the human auditory system.
An introduction to the technologies and principles that underpin analogue and digital music signals and systems.
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.
Study contemporary music genres, music history and music subcultures to deepen your understanding of the impact of political, economic, sociological, technological, ethical and legal factors on music and the music industry.
Develop your understanding of the kinds of computer-based audio technologies that can be used within a creative context, either as stand-alone applications or along with more traditional audio tools. You will also develop an understanding of the internal structures and processing of the synthesizers and audio effects that are used in the production of music and sound.
Learn about the technologies and principles that underpin analogue and digital music signals and systems. Through workshops and tutorials you will develop the knowledge and skills required in the creative audio industries.
Listen critically to spaces, audio equipment and audio material. You will develop your understanding of acoustic principles and the human auditory system.
An introduction to the technologies and principles that underpin analogue and digital music signals and systems.
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.
Study contemporary music genres, music history and music subcultures to deepen your understanding of the impact of political, economic, sociological, technological, ethical and legal factors on music and the music industry.
Develop your understanding of the kinds of computer-based audio technologies that can be used within a creative context, either as stand-alone applications or along with more traditional audio tools. You will also develop an understanding of the internal structures and processing of the synthesizers and audio effects that are used in the production of music and sound.
Learn about the technologies and principles that underpin analogue and digital music signals and systems. Through workshops and tutorials you will develop the knowledge and skills required in the creative audio industries.

What you'll learn

Study the audio signal chain and the key factors that impact on audio performance.
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.
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.
Build your knowledge of the various techniques, concepts and skills associated with the setting up and operation of a live sound system.
Study the audio signal chain and the key factors that impact on audio performance.
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.
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.
Build your knowledge of the various techniques, concepts and skills associated with the setting up and operation of a live sound system.

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.
Explore key topics within the broad, overlapping fields of acoustics and psychoacoustics, with an emphasis on their relevance within music and sound technology.
Enhance your understanding of interactive music and learn the key concepts, artistic approaches and technical skills to design, develop and perform with interactive music systems.
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.
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.
Explore key topics within the broad, overlapping fields of acoustics and psychoacoustics, with an emphasis on their relevance within music and sound technology.
Enhance your understanding of interactive music and learn the key concepts, artistic approaches and technical skills to design, develop and perform with interactive music systems.
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.

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.
The process of bringing sound and music to an audience in a variety of situations through sound reinforcement. You will study audio specifications, acoustics, surround sound, loudspeaker design and live sound systems.
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.
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.
The process of bringing sound and music to an audience in a variety of situations through sound reinforcement. You will study audio specifications, acoustics, surround sound, loudspeaker design and live sound systems.
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.

Option modules may include

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.
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.
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.
Work on pre-existing recordings to develop your skills in mastering a collection of musical tracks.
Study the key concepts of electro-acoustic composition and the application of these concepts both creatively and technically.
Examine the key technologies, techniques and concepts for spatial audio, from from the cinema and early explorations in the commercial audio world, through to the very latest developments in sound field synthesis and virtual reality.
From studio design to evaluating auditoria and from standard noise survey techniques to the development of innovative acoustic treatment solutions, explore the applications of acoustics.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Work on pre-existing recordings to develop your skills in mastering a collection of musical tracks.
Study the key concepts of electro-acoustic composition and the application of these concepts both creatively and technically.
Examine the key technologies, techniques and concepts for spatial audio, from from the cinema and early explorations in the commercial audio world, through to the very latest developments in sound field synthesis and virtual reality.
From studio design to evaluating auditoria and from standard noise survey techniques to the development of innovative acoustic treatment solutions, explore the applications of acoustics.
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.

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.