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Studio Live & Analogue Mixing - MUS00111M

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  • Department: Music
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Amandine Pras
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

Recording live performances and mixing or remixing on a large-format analogue console desk have shaped the history, culture, and sound of Anglo-saxon popular music production. Also, many modern Digital Audio Workstations, equalization and dynamic range compression plugins emulate the template of an analogue console desk and the signal processing effects of outboard hardware devices. This module gives you access to the space, equipment, and expertise to learn and re-appropriate the technologies and practices of the analogue era of recording, and to transfer this knowledge into digital audio workstations and hybrid modes of production.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This module teaches you how to produce live studio performances from soundcheck to mastering, through to tracking, editing, and mixing. It also presents them with approaches to remix a track that re-package the original. The emphasis will be put on instrument and microphone placement in the performance space, and signal processing, mixing, and remixing techniques in the studio to achieve a desired sound quality and create new audio worlds.

You will learn through a combination of workshops with live performers (i.e., drummers, bassists, guitarists, vocalists), seminars in the Rymer Auditorium with a high-quality monitoring system, and inductions on the SSL Duality console desk and mixing library in small groups. You will be offered the opportunity to receive feedback from optional mixing tasks before you complete the final assessment that will require you to produce a track based on live studio performances, and a remix of the track with sound material and music features from the original.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module you should be able to:

  • produce recordings and mixes of live studio performances that meet professional audio standards

  • demonstrate ability to use the School’s recording facilities, including the SSL Duality

  • re-purpose existing material via appropriate processing and editing to create remixes

  • complete music production projects from planning to distribution-ready master

  • identify, analyse, and describe recording and production techniques for a range of popular music genres within their historical and sociocultural contexts

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Practical
Production & commentary		 N/A 60
Practical
Remix & commentary		 N/A 40

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

This assessment is formed of two components:

60% Production of a track (3-5 min) based on live studio performances with a commentary (800 words) with at least 3 live instruments that include vocals and a drum kit or percussion set.

40% Remix of the track (3-5min) with a commentary (500 words).

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Practical
Production & commentary		 N/A 60
Practical
Remix & commentary		 N/A 40

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

Oltheten, W. (2018). Mixing with Impact: Learning to Make Musical Choices. Routledge.

Senior, M. (2018). Mixing secrets for the small studio. Routledge.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.