Course overview

Our Sound Engineering taught MSc course allows students to develop advanced skills and knowledge in the fields of audio and music technology and digital media processing. Students will be taught the underlying principles and theories associated with advanced technologies in audio, as well as gaining hands-on skills and expertise in industry-focused practice.

Our course is designed to allow students the flexibility to focus on their particular area of interest, and to enhance and broaden their current skills. For example, by choosing coursework projects carefully, students will be able to concentrate on recording and producing audio or on computer music applications or a combination of both.

The course is designed for students who have graduated in any science or engineering subject. An academic background in audio is not essential. You may already have knowledge of the underlying scientific and engineering theory, but be looking to convert your knowledge and skills towards audio-related industries.

The specific aims of the course are to provide students with:

• the intellectual competencies to pursue personal career goals and aspirations within the audio industries;
• broad skills and deep expertise in the development of innovative audio production material including an advanced working knowledge of specific software packages which are used commercially in audio product development;
• broad skills and deep expertise in the development of software systems for the bespoke manipulation of audio material;
• a systematic understanding of knowledge relating to sound engineering, and a critical awareness of current problems and new insights;
• a comprehensive understanding of analytical techniques and research methods applicable to advanced scholarship in the field of sound engineering.

These specific aims will enhance your broad employment opportunities and provide you with a sound understanding of current developments in sound engineering.

Assessment

Assessment is by a combination of examination, written coursework, oral presentation and Dissertation.

Facilities

In September 2012 we opened our redeveloped audio studios, this £1.2m facility has revolutionized the learning experience for our audio music technology students.

Our 162 sq meters of studio space rivals that of many commercially run operations, and incorporates five fully soundproofed, climate-controlled recording studios equipped with Apple Mac Pro and G5 computers.

Supporting study and research, our fully soundproofed, air-conditioned and acoustically treated recording studios have been carefully filled with a great selection of industry standard equipment and software from the likes of: Audient, Apple, Solid State Logic (SSL), M-Audio, Novation, RME, Universal Audio, Lexicon, Coles, Rode, Shure, Beyerdynamic, Audio Technica, Moog, Yamaha, Ludwig, Ampeg, Vox, TC Electronic, Mackie and TL Audio to name but a few. We also have a wide selection of microphones, video cameras and portable recording devices to allow for all manner of field-work.

With students' learning at the forefront of the studios design, the equipment has been chosen and distributed so that each studio becomes successively more complex. This allows students to start at a point that suits their current knowledge and abilities before moving on to the more complex rooms, until finally being able to confidently operate the flagship main studio, which is large enough to accommodate ensembles such as choirs, orchestral groups and bands.

In addition to the studio facility we have an extensive AV lab with 20 iMacs loaded with a wide variety of Music and other software. All computers are networked and have UPS power supplies. You will be allocated server space on one of the studio servers, and a unique password giving you sole access and control of your work.

We also operate a portable 16-channel studio rig with a Fostex HD recorder, which you can book out along with mics, stands and leads, for location recordings etc in the evenings or over the weekend. We have a wide range of high quality microphones, two studio drum kits and lots of other instruments including some classics, e.g. Roland Juno 60, Akai S3000 XL and much more.

Underpinning all of this, the studios themselves are maintained and administered by a dedicated team of professionals who are on hand to offer advice and support.

Special features

Free Live Sound Engineering Training organised throughout your course in the SU Venue. Organised by the AMT Student Society. The AMT Society is amongst the most active and popular in the University. See http://www.amtsociety.co.uk/

Links with industry and professional recognition

Our past students have gained valuable work experience through links with companies and events, including BMN Studios, ARM, Half-ton Studios, Junction CDC, Cambridge Corn Exchange, Smyle Productions, Strawberry Fair, Glastonbury Festival, Egglab Media and Dark Elf Productions.

Further links with industry include:

• The Pleasurize Music Foundation - Psychoacoustics research into dynamic range and loudness perception
• Half-ton Studios - Acoustic room design and music production projects
• High Barn - Developing a virtual recording studio for education purposes
• AV Niche - KTP and KEEP project to develop networked interview recording systems for the Criminal Justice System
• STV International - KTP project to develop ultrasonic pest control devices
• ARM Microprocessors - Developing education tools for microprocessor systems
• Eggboy and Egglab Studios - Music production projects, acoustics, analogue sound processing especially valves
• Egglab Media (www.egglab.co.uk) - Media solutions for demanding clients, music, video, web, print and more

Associated careers

Careers associated with this course include: audio content creation, audio production, new media industry management, digital rights management and media asset management.

Our graduates have found employment as acoustic consultants, studio mix and production engineers, freelance music producers, technical support personnel, live sound engineers, audio electronics and loudspeaker designers, researchers, lecturers, teachers and much more.

Unlike most sound engineering courses, which are solely creative in nature, the science and technology emphasis to our course opens a wide range of career paths, unavailable to graduates from more media-based or creative-driven courses.

Entry Requirements:

An honours degree (2:2 or above) in a Computing /IT/Electronics subject; no work experience required. If this qualification requirement is not met, an applicant may be accepted with an honours degree (2:2 or above) in any other subject if it is combined with relevant professional work experience.