Recording, Mixing and Production BA (Hons)

During the LCM Record Label Module, you will be participating in a simulated record label from the perspective of the record-production students. You will learn how to pitch recording projects to labels and project-manage new releases to specified release timeframes.

The module is broken into two distinct halves. First, you will establish a foundation of knowledge around the structure of contemporary record labels. Second, you will learn how to identify and correct recording and arrangement issues using advanced pre-production and project management skills.

'Recording music' is an advanced-recording subject designed to develop the required skills to operate both physical and virtual recording technology to a higher standard. Students will engage in a combination of practical and theoretical workshops aimed at developing a fluency in recording planning and practice. The module aims to further develop students’ abilities to critically evaluate, and confidently produce musical recordings in a chosen style.

This module embraces the idea that the creative mind, rather than thriving on isolation, is dependent upon human interactions, which are in turn essential for the development of your own innovative artistic practices.

By examining multidisciplinary case studies ranging from pioneering scholarly ideas, through to scientific theories and revolutionary art forms, you will learn the importance of thinking outside the box, synthesising different backgrounds into new forms, and putting these ideas into practice.

This module aims to get you thinking about applied research: how can you get better at some aspect of your creative and/or technical practice? You will come at this from three perspectives. Firstly, you will use some aspect of your practice from another module in the course to collect video data documenting the way you engage with and conduct that activity.

You will then use a process of stimulated recall to analyse that data and reflect upon your creative practice – an autoethnographic approach. Secondly, you will use a series of masterclass presentations given by members of staff and/or postgraduate research students to think about your practice – an ethnographic approach.

Finally, you will conduct a review of some of the academic literature in their field which is relevant to their practice – a theoretical approach. These three activities will be used to think about a way that you can improve your professional practice in some way and will form the basis for designing a major project at level 6, which will bring that improvement to fruition.

On this module you will learn how to build upon core Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) skills and enhance your understanding of Pro Tools software. Your goal will be to produce a computer-based, digital mix of music-only projects to a professional standard. You should finish the module fully prepared to collaborate with other producers, engineers and musicians to realise your creative goals.

LCM Music Factory embraces the network and community available within London College of Music and the University to provide real-life scenarios for the production of original music with a contemporary stylistic focus through collaboration. The fundamental aim of this module is to offer the student an opportunity to experience both the pressure and challenges of producing recorded artefacts to a specific musical brief. There is also a significant research aspect to the module, with assessment based upon both practical and theoretical knowledge in equal measures. 

This module will look at the shaping of electronic sounds, timbre as a compositional tool, advanced sampling and advanced forms of synthesis. You will conduct experiments that explore techniques covered in the online lectures and production workshops. You will also create a short video explaining or demonstrating some aspect of what you have learnt and how you have applied it.

'Mixing Music' embraces the notion of balance-mixing as an art (form), at the same time celebrating its dependence on a firm technical foundation, repertoire and vocabulary of engineering skills, combined with a refined conceptual understanding of the three-dimensional stage of an envisioned sonic illusion. Focusing on developing and specialising students’ mixing skill to an advanced level, the module provides a practice-based context for the application, evolution and acquisition of advanced mix-techniques.

Taking into account contemporary mixing strategies, musical contexts and professional outputs/formats, the module offers opportunities to approach creative mixing projects over a range of stylistic and technical challenges. As such, this mixing curriculum focuses on genre-specific techniques, and a range of software, hardware and hybrid workflows, encouraging the development of mixing folios that showcase a wide-ranging palette of techno-artistic skills. Ultimately, the module also requires both the critical evaluation of, and reflection upon both mixing practices and end outcomes – framed in the context of the history, culture, technological development and the current aesthetics of the artform.

During this module you will develop an understanding of the processes and technologies used in mastering. You will also have opportunities to apply these techniques to create a portfolio of mastered materials. Seminar work will help you to develop the essential listening skills for mastering as you simultaneously enhance your technical abilities to the highest level of control.

This module aims to provide you with an overview of the technique and musical approaches to contemporary mixing. The module will focus on historical origins and approaches to mixing and will analyse the work of professional contemporary mix engineers.

In the final year of your degree course you will undertake a major project. This module is your chance to create your dream project with a high degree of independence.

You will be allocated a supervisor and then given the freedom to create a piece of work, which you feel really represents you as a music technology student.

You will be guided and supported, but this is your vision and your chance to show the world your achievements.