PRODUCTION AND RECORDING TECHNIQUES - 2027/8

Module code: TON2025

Module Overview

In this module, you will further develop your expertise and experience in recording techniques, and you will be introduced to the skills needed for professional music production across a variety of genres.

Over the two semesters of this course, through seminars and practical sessions given by a number of tutors and highly-experienced practitioners, you will both create a portfolio of recordings based on advanced study of studio and location techniques, and also you will develop and test your abilities in score-based music and less formal genres, culminating in creating or editing several recordings given raw material in differing styles.

In recording, your studies will include microphone placements, studio layouts, mixing, and running sessions. You will learn predominantly by conducting your own recording sessions, and bring these to listening sessions with colleagues and lecturers to gain from feedback intended to assist you in refining your craft.

In production, you will not only learn about the practical use of music scores in a number of styles (including from very early music through orchestral scores to modern lead sheets), but also, from practitioners, the ways to manage recording budgets, time, sessions, post-production and the musicians themselves.

Module provider

Music & Media

Module Leader

WARBURTON John (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Workshop Hours: 22

Independent Learning Hours: 192

Lecture Hours: 64

Practical/Performance Hours: 4

Guided Learning: 16

Captured Content: 2

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

TON1028 Audio Engineering and Recording Techniques TON1030 Listening and Practical Skills

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Detailed study of the microphones available in the department
Skills needed for running a recording session smoothly
Studio layouts and microphone placement for pop recording, small classical ensembles, big band, TV and film orchestral recording
Editing a classical session
Pop mixing and signal processing
Making recordings on location
Mastering and compiling a selection of recordings
Live pop recording for broadcast with time constraints
Score reading and interpretation from different musical periods
Use and interpretation of outline scores (lead sheets) for improvised or partly improvised music
Performance comparison and evaluation
Recording session planning
Recording session etiquette and decision making
Post production workflow in different contexts
Editing both using a score and by ear
Addition of parts and arranging for pop production
Aural training

Assessment pattern

Assessment type	Unit of assessment	Weighting
Oral exam or presentation	Presentation	10
Coursework	Score-based production	15
Coursework	Pop production / remix	15
Practical based assessment	Musical ear training continuous assessment	10
Practical based assessment	Portfolio	50

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide you with the opportunity to develop your abilities in core skills relating to studio practice, recording techniques, production techniques and score studies, and to demonstrate these skills by applying them to professionally relevant tasks including productions and a recording portfolio.

The assessment strategy is designed to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate:

competence in production, recording and post-production skills in a variety of music genres;
skills in researching and presenting a technical topic in a coherent way; and
enhanced aural skills for music production.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

class presentation on an assigned research topic (assesses learning outcomes 1 and 17);
score-based production (addresses learning outcomes 9-13);
pop-based production including remixing (addresses learning outcomes 14 and 16);
continuous assessment (addresses learning outcome 18); and
portfolio of music recordings (addresses learning outcomes 1-16, 18-19)

Formative assessment

Formative assessment and formative feedback will be given to you in weekly listening sessions, in tutorials, during operational workshops, and following the assessment of your coursework submissions. Specific formative assessments are: the creation of a radio commercial, the production through editing of a score-based classical session, the production of novel ¿pop¿ productions using given basic material with opportunities for original material, and the completion of a formal aural test.

Feedback

You will receive written feedback on your coursework submissions alongside verbal feedback and feed forward, both individually and in operational workshops and listening sessions.

Module aims

To continue the introduction to professional audio from the first year course and develop your technical and operational abilities in preparation for your professional training year.
To provide a forum for constructive criticism and discussion of your recordings and those of other Second Year students in the form of a weekly seminar.
To give experience of planning and executing the recording of live concerts and supervising assistants as part of the duty recording rota.
To improve aural skills in general.
To develop deep score reading skills, with musical interpretation, across many historic periods and musical styles.
To develop the interpersonal and practical skills needed for the production of a variety of musical genres.
To introduce the concepts and skills involved in mastering audio for a variety of genres of music and platforms.

Learning outcomes

		Attributes Developed
001	Describe the microphone placement and studio layouts necessary to make high quality professional recordings.	KCP
002	Plan and execute studio sessions to record, mix and edit a short radio advert, a multi- tracked pop track and a classical recording.	KCPT
003	Plan and execute an acoustics ensemble recording on location.	KPT
004	Mark up a musical score for editing using typical notation and use this to edit a classical session.	KCP
005	Use digital editing facilities to produce a master copy to a high standard.	KCP
006	Assess the technical and operational quality of recordings of any type of music.	KCP
007	Describe the steps needed to ensure that a recording session is safe.	K
008	Supervise a small team of junior students and contribute to their training.	PT
009	Read and understand a score with confidence and fluency, while comparing it to a live performance to identify performance errors.	KCP
010	Compare perceptively the relative merits of different performances.	KC
011	Mark up a musical score for post production using conventional notation.	KCP
012	Identify some approaches that might be taken when running a classical session.	KCP
013	Edit together takes to form a seamless whole and cohesive performance.	KCP
014	Interpret and follow a score of an improvised nature.	KCP
015	Identify and implement a workable production workflow in a broad variety of genres including overdubbed contexts.	KCP
016	Use creative editing in non-score contexts.	KCP
017	Present practical recording methods in a clear and comprehensive manner.	PT
018	Demonstrate critical listening skills as appropriate for a professional recording environment.	PT
019	Demonstrate practical problem solving skills in a professional recording environment.	PT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

develop your knowledge and understanding of fundamental audio engineering and recording techniques, which you will make use of and build on in subsequent modules and throughout a professional career in music and audio;
develop your ability to investigate signal flow in an audio installation, identity faults in equipment, and solve problems in a logical manner;
develop your musicianship as applied to music recording across many genres, both score-based and less formal; and
develop your skills in independent research, academic writing, and academic citation, as preparation for academic work in subsequent modules.

The learning and teaching methods include:

regular lectures in which cover the theoretical background to each of the topics covered - the small cohort allows plenty of opportunity for you to ask questions to help you to develop your understanding;
regular listening sessions in which you will critique others' work and gain feedback on your own work;
regular workshops that allow you to apply the theoretical understanding to professional audio practice; and
coursework assignments that encourage you to further investigate the theoretical topics, as well as allow you to develop: your academic research and writing skills; your production skills in live and pre-recorded situations; and your logical signal tracing and fault-finding skills.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: TON2025

Other information

Digital Capabilities: as part of this module you will develop your skills in the capture and processing of digital audio signals using a wide range of hardware and software tools. You will also find out how Internet-based communication facilitates recording sessions accomplished remotely.

Employability: this module helps you to study and research areas of audio engineering, music production and technology that will be relevant to future careers throughout the industry. The Portfolio will encourage you to develop professional skills related to all the digital capabilities listed above, along with the interpersonal and management skills essential to creating and delivering content or products in any workplace or team.

Global and Cultural: The creative arts in the UK are world leading both culturally and economically. The breadth of techniques and robust theory-led practices taught on this module will enable you to successfully apply your skills to a diverse range of musical and cultural styles.

Resourcefulness and Resilience: This module's combination of creative and technical challenges in producing four assessed pieces of work will stretch you and encourage you to develop your skills in research, long-term planning, time management and collaborating with others. You have opportunities to learn from failures, benefit from formative feedback in seminars and one-to-one tutorials, and apply this learning to produce polished and professional material.

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2027/8 academic year.