About the course
This heavily practical course is suitable for students who are serious about following a career in the music industry. You will be taught by industry professionals who will provide you with the skills, knowledge and experience to 'get out there' and start pushing your career forward, using a mixture of software and hardware.
You will study a range of topics, with year one providing you with the core skills to challenge your abilities in music production and composition, which we then build upon in year two, preparing you for employment or further study.
We will provide you with 360 knowledge of the music industry and teach you the necessary tools to develop you in to a well-rounded and versatile producer with an understanding of employment avenues within the industry.
Entry requirements
Five GCSEs Grade 4 or above, including maths or English at Grade 3 or 4
We will invite you in for an interview, which will also require you bringing in a track you have produced (on any piece of software) to a good standard (details will be sent out once you apply). If you are successful during the interview stage and are offered a place on the course, we will invite you in for a practical production workshop later in the year.
We expect a minimum of 95% attendance and full engagement in every lesson and will regularly be reviewing your progress to ensure this is the right course for you.
Any student aged 16 to 19 who does not hold a GCSE 9 to 4 in maths and English will need to continue to study these subjects alongside the main course.
Qualifications
You will complete this course with a UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production (equivalent to 3 A Levels at A* for a distinction overall) Year one is graded as a Level 3 Diploma and year two as an Extended Diploma. Your final grade for year one will be pass, merit or distinction. For year two this will be pass, high pass, merit, high merit or distinction.
What you'll learn (core modules)
You will attend College for a minimum of three days a week but will be expected to work for an additional fifteen hours per week at home completing assignments, revising, researching, practising and preparing for lessons.
The following provides a guide outline for the course content:
Year One
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Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
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Sept – Dec |
Jan – Mar |
Apr - May |
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Drum Programming |
Production |
Extended Project |
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- Drum programming techniques in Logic - Creating/editing/using drum sounds - Using percussive loops - Listening skills/analysing beats - Different electronic genre programming tips - Bass and basslines |
- Intro to synths and synthesis - The science of synthesis - Creating drum sounds/bass/lead sounds - Soft synths - Using hardware synths
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Science of Sound |
Science of Sound |
Extended Project |
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- The science of sound - Introduction to the recording method - Introduction to Pro Tools - Setting up a new project, file management - Microphone technology - Speaker technology - Mixing desks - Digital Audio Theory - FX: EQ, compression, and reverb - How to mic up guitars and drums and vocals - Editing audio - Basic mixing - Acoustics |
- FX: delay, and modulation (chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo) - Track automation - Basic mastering - Vocal editing - Comping - Time compression and expansion
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Music and Society |
Music and Society |
Extended Project |
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- Origin of music - Origin and development of music notation - Contribution of slave music to western music - Origin and development of radio technology - Origin and development of recording technology - Origin of electronic music and synthesisers - Origin of the Blues - Origin of Jazz |
- Origin and development of the electric guitar and bass - Origin and development of the drum set - Big Band and Swing music - Further development of recording technology - Origin and development of country and western music - Origin of early Rock and Roll - Rockabilly
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Music Business for the Modern World |
Music Business for the Modern World |
Extended Project |
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- Do you dare to dream - Structure of the music industry - The changes and challenges of the modern industry - Record labels - Royalties - Music synchronisation - Music Publishing |
- Writing a bio - Writing a press release - Using social media - Marketing yourself and your product - Developing a website - Professionalism and work ethic
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Listening Skills |
Listening Skills |
Extended Project |
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- Listening vs hearing - How the ear works - Identifying and analysing musical components in live and recorded music (structure, rhythm, harmony, tempo, texture, melody, tonality) - Identifying and fixing faults. |
- Identifying and analysing audio components in live and recorded music (EQ, compression, mix, blend, clarity, mastering, balance, effects, edits, audio spectrum, stereo field, ) - Individual mix analysis - Identifying and fixing faults.
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Music Theory |
Music Theory |
Extended Project |
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- Pitch, rhythm and clefs. - Time signatures - Intervals |
- Constructing chords - Extended chords - Cadences - Inversions - Key signatures
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History of Electronic Music |
History of Electronic Music |
Extended Project |
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- Decade by decade history of electronic music - Personalities, inventions, music styles and experimentation from 1900's to 2000 |
- Continuation
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Composition |
Composing for film |
Extended Project |
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- Structure - Hooks - Lyrics - Melody Writing - Dynamics - Chord progressions - Logic Pro - Stylistic Elements/Genres
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- Terminology - Instrumentation - Compositional techniques - Instrument Ranges - Sync |
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Year Two
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Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
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Sept – Dec |
Jan – Feb |
Mar - May |
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Home studio setup
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Events Management |
Major Extended Project |
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- Acoustic control - Room design / modes / frequency response - Microphone placement and selection - Monitor type and placement - Equipment connections |
- Build it and they will come philosophy - Aims and objectives - Legal and licensing - Logistical planning - Financial consideration - Risk assessments / H&S / Legislation - Timescales - Contracts - Marketing and promotion
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Advanced Production Techniques
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Advanced Production Techniques |
Major Extended Project |
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- Sampling - Creative use of FX and processing - EMP song structure - Remixing - Mixing Techniques - Remixing hardware |
- Advanced synthesis techniques - sound editing and design - Hardware synths and drum machines - Combining hardware and software
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Visual Design
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Video Editing |
Major Extended Project |
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- Photoshop - Poster Design - After Effects - Keyframing - Green screening - Creating visuals for a live performance |
- Premier Pro - Transitions - Colour grading - Promo videos
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Careers Development
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Research Skills |
Major Extended Project |
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- Freelancing skills - Cost of living - UCAS – how, what, why. - CVs and personal statements - Accounting and budgeting - Tax, National Insurance, Pension, Insurance - Legal and licensing - Body language and networking - The marketing mix |
- Harvard referencing - Primary and Secondary - Undertaking research - Academic conventions - Creditability of resources - Organisational skills
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Foley
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Sound Design 101 |
Major Extended Project |
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- Introduction of foley and sound effects - Recording and performing live foley - Sound editing/processing - Creating genre sound effects (horror/sci-fi/fantasy/combat/comedy) - Putting foley/SFX to picture |
- Introduction to found sound - Creating/recording sounds from everyday objects - Unusual microphone techniques - Introduction and use of contact mics - Circuitbending and strange electronics |
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Industry insight into UAL Music Performance and Production
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Tutors' insights into UAL Music Performance and Production
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Students' insights into UAL Music Performance and Production
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Benefits, skills and character strengths
We have a record label called 'Digital Saint Records' and commercially release compilations throughout the year on platforms such as Spotify, iTunes, Deezer and Amazon Music to name but a few. All students are given the opportunity to submit a track for consideration, and our in house A&R team review and select tracks. If you don't make the album, you will be given support to help you prepare for forthcoming releases.
There are numerous opportunities to compose music for projects, perform in the local community and to attend a variety of music events throughout the year.
How will I be assessed?
Throughout the course you will generate a portfolio of evidence to show how you are developing as a professional producer. We use Google Classroom which allows us to provide you with ongoing formative feedback and discussion. You will be producing practical work including compositions, remixes and sample packs in addition to presentations, mood boards, evaluations and research documentation.
We make our assignments industry focussed and relevant - we don't ask you to do anything which doesn't develop the necessary skills to be successful within the industry.
Your grade for year one and year two is based upon a large project of your choosing. You work on this at the end of each year, and so long as it fits within the boundaries of the qualification, this could anything from writing an EP or an album, remixing existing artists, composing for film, to going on tour, to marketing and promoting yourself as an artist - the list is as big as your imagination will allow.
Where will the course take me?
Following successful completion of the course, we have a range of course options available such as the Level 4 in Music Performance / Creative Arts Business and Enterprise as well as our BA(Hons) Degree in Creative and Commercial Music. We ensure that everyone has a clear plan for progression on to further study or employment.
Our ex-students tour the world as musicians, sound engineers and event managers. We have other students who work as professional composers for games, film and TV as well as artists in their own right. A career in the industry is not unattainable, there are numerous opportunities out there - the music industry is showing continued growth and is currently valued at £4.5bn.
Will I need any materials or equipment?
You will be required to purchase high quality closed headphones (with a large jack end), a USB 3.0 memory stick/hard drive and stationery before the course starts.
Access to a personal Macbook/Laptop and software is ideal, but not a necessity.
I'm interested. What should I do now?
If you would like to find out more, please come along to one of our open events published on the college website or call the main college line.
Alternatively, keep an eye on our website or social pages for upcoming shows and events- we would love to see you there:
Days & times
Starting September 2020