MA Music Production

Program Overview

Coventry University's MA Music Production program equips students with the skills and knowledge to become versatile and innovative music producers. The program emphasizes creative, critical, technical, and culturally aware skills, enabling graduates to operate confidently in professional environments and excel in both collaborative and independent work. Students explore innovative and sustainable creative practices, develop key transferable skills, and benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and experienced teaching staff.

Program Outline

Detailed Information Extraction:

Degree Overview:

The MA Music Production program at Coventry University aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to be versatile and innovative music producers. The program focuses on:

• Developing creative, critical, technical, and culturally aware skills needed to operate in the music industry.
• Exploring innovative and sustainable creative practice and fostering interdisciplinary and culturally aware collaborations.
• Enabling students to operate confidently in professional environments as critically astute music producers.
• Encouraging students to excel in working both collaboratively and independently as creative music technologists.
• Providing a strong foundation in applied practice within a contextual and critical framework.

• Equipping graduates with key transferable skills to enable them to operate at the forefront of the emerging new music industries.

Outline:

Semester 1:

• Sound in Music: Explore the relationship between music technology and music production by creating original music using both the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and the recording studio.
This module covers essential theories, principles, and concepts related to music production, including MIDI, audio recording, signal processing, arrangement, mixing, and mastering.
• Sound in Space: Explore the creative and technological possibilities of spatial audio formats such as ambisonics, 360° audio, VR, and surround sound.
This module dives into the major theories, principles, and concepts relevant to spatial audio, including microphone placement for ambient recording, spatial audio formats, panning and mixing techniques for surround sound, audio encoding, and binaural processing.
• Sound in Code: Discover the creative possibilities of different programming environments in areas like generative music, algorithmic music, interactive music, visual music, and hyper-instruments.
This module provides hands-on experience in using code to create unique and innovative musical experiences.
• Collaborative Project: Enterprise: Develop practical enterprise knowledge and skills in areas like self-employment, social enterprise, collaborative and collective working, intellectual property, and creative dissemination.
This module equips students with valuable business acumen for navigating the contemporary music industry.
• Collaborative Project: Community and Sustainability: Apply creative practice toward global cultural issues such as local activism and community action.
This module encourages reflection on the processes and issues involved in engaging with local communities and promoting sustainability.
• Creative Frontiers: Engage critically with contemporary issues relevant to your creative practice.
This module provides a forum for exploring current trends and challenges in the music industry.
• The Practitioner’s Toolbox: Gain the theoretical, conceptual, investigative, and practical tools needed to develop your independent research and identify the most suitable research methods for your creative practice.
This module lays the foundation for critical engagement with your chosen area of study.
• The Practitioner’s Context: Choose an area of research related to your creative practice and contextualize it in an academic paper.
This module requires deep thinking and analysis to position your research within a broader academic context.
• Creative Futures and Social Change: Explore the changing world of work and develop the skills needed to thrive in the evolving landscape of the Arts and Humanities.
This module equips students with the tools to become changemakers and embrace their role in shaping a better future.

Semester 2 (Optional Professional Experience):

Students have the opportunity to apply for an optional professional experience placement, which, upon successful placement, extends the duration of the program to 16, 20, or 24 months. This placement provides firsthand experience in the chosen field, aiming to enhance employability and industry knowledge.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Practical projects and portfolios: Demonstrate creativity and technical proficiency through project-based work.
• Artefacts and essays: Showcase research findings and critical thinking through written and visual forms.
• Group critiques and presentations: Engage in peer feedback and communication to enhance learning and critical analysis.

Teaching:

The program features a range of teaching methods:

• Seminars and lectures: Gain knowledge and insights from experienced industry professionals and academic staff.
• Tutorials and workshops: Receive personalized guidance and develop hands-on skills in smaller group settings.
• Masterclasses and performances: Learn from leading industry experts and witness exceptional artistic performances.
• Group critiques: Engage in constructive feedback and discussion to refine your creative practice.
• Independent study: Deepen your understanding and explore individual interests through self-directed learning.

Careers:

Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in diverse areas:

• Composing, recording, and production: Pursue opportunities in music production, recording studios, and film scoring.
• Games and screen industries: Bring your technical and creative skills to the world of video game and film sound design.
• Emerging new music industries: Contribute to the expanding world of digital music platforms, streaming services, and innovative audio experiences.
• Freelance and entrepreneurial endeavors: Utilize your skills and knowledge to build a successful career in the independent music industry.

Other:

• The program welcomes individuals passionate about exploring sustainable and innovative creative practices.
• The university boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including recording studios, music seminar rooms, and an iMac music suite equipped with industry-standard software.
• Graduates benefit from the expertise of dedicated and experienced teaching staff with a blend of commercial, academic, and research-related expertise.
• The program emphasizes applied practice within a contextual and critical framework, ensuring graduates are equipped with both theoretical and practical knowledge.
• The program aims to develop key transferable skills, enabling graduates to operate effectively in the dynamic landscape of the music industry.
• The program emphasizes interdisciplinarity and encourages cross-disciplinary collaborations with students from other MA courses.
• Graduates are well-positioned to pursue higher-level research degrees and contribute to the academic discourse within the field of music production.
Additional details may be available on the Coventry University website.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

• UK, Ireland , Channel Islands or Isle of Man: £11,200 | £15,200 (with prof. experience)
• £18,600 | £22,600 (with prof. experience) per year without EU support bursary
• International: £18,600 | £22,600 (with prof. experience)