Masters and Diploma in Music Technology
Contact: MA Music Technology Admissions Tutor
The Masters in Music Technology focuses on contemporary professional
practice and research in computer music,
electronic music, audio engineering and human computer interaction. The
course includes technical and creative modules along with
elements of recording studio techniques and computer audio programming.
It incorporates the latest research in spatial audio,
musical instrument interface design and real-time audio software
engineering techniques. We are looking for students with an
original and innovative approach to the musical application of digital
technology.
The team who teach this course actively work with many professional
sound artists, composers, performers and professional organisations.
Many of the professionals who work with the MRC team give lectures
during the course. There are also regular MRC seminars presented by
visiting artists, technical professionals and research students.
Course structure
The course is divided into three sections: core taught units, optional special interest groups and a solo research project. The core units and special interest group occur in term one and two; the remaining six months are devoted to students own research interests.
Indicative course content
Term One:
Core units:
- Signal Preservation: Includes audio engineering principles and the fundamentals of professional audio practice. The module looks at listening skills, acoustical signals, electrical systems and signals, signal conversion, audio recording, audio file standards and digital audio systems.
- Aesthetics: This course provides context for contemporary practice and approaches to audio creative work. It looks at new and innovative approaches to the use of computers in audio art, and considers music in relation to other media, diverse compositional approaches, performance and sound installation. The course focuses on practice and first hand interaction with computer music technologies.
- Digital Audio Programming: In this module students learn how to implement sound synthesis, analysis and processing algorithms and study a variety of existing approaches and techniques using Max/MSP.
Support courses:
- Programming techniques: This module provides computer audio skills in support of core modules. It includes an introduction to high and low level programming for digital audio applications based around Max/MSP and includes workshop problem solving.
- Studio Techniques: Students will learn about the use and application of Digital Audio Workstation software, signal processing plugins, recording studio practice and listening skills. This support course will be taught through a series of hands on practical workshops and seminars.
Term Two
Students choose three from the four Special Interest Groups described below:
- Interfacing, sensors and systems: This module considers the design of interfaces for electronic music and sound installation, along with their practical implementation. It is split into three major sections which consider the human factors of interaction, the connections between electronic devices, and the software techniques needed to implement these on computer systems, using Max/MSP Jitter and Microcontoller technologies.
- Composition: This SIG aims to develop techniques and practical compositional strategies for musicians wishing to cross style and genre boundaries. Practical sessions will be run in audio production to achieve these aims, with a focus on the creative use of editing processes as a stylistic tool.
- Advanced Sound Synthesis: Sound synthesis and algorithmic composition form the basis of this investigation into contemporary experimental practice in electronic and computer music.
- Sound-in-space: This module explores sound spatialisation techniques with particular emphasis on loudspeaker based systems, including Ambisonics.
Term 3
- Solo Research Project: An individual research project documented through the production of artistic works or by thesis is devised by each student in consultation with a member of staff. The project provides an opportunity to students to focus in detail on a specialist area under the supervision of a member of the MRC staff. Typical projects might include the development and demonstration of original software applications, a folio of compositions, sound installations or research in aspects of sound spatialisation.
Assessment
During the first two terms Masters students will be set assignments during each course unit. Such assignments will normally involve both written and practical work. The student's solo project, forming the major work from Easter until the end of the course, carries 40% of the course marks.
The Music Department at York has such a wide range of opportunities for composers it was the obvious place to do a PhD. The Chimera Ensemble provides great opportunities to have my music played and to get involved playing other student's pieces. Not to mention having my string quartet premiered by the Kreutzer Quartet!
Benjamin Gait
(PhD 2012)