MA Creative Music Production

The MA Creative Music Production is aimed at applicants specifically interested in applying studio technologies and production skills to the creation of their own original music (as opposed to “producing” other artists’ music). In addition to equipping students with solid bases in studio technology, processes and practices, the course addresses the purely formal, artistic and aesthetic aspects of music-making, and the specific compositional devices and strategy applicable to DAW-based realisations of original material.

By surveying the defining traits and aesthetic concerns of a number of popular genres centred on electronic composition-production, students develop a sophisticated awareness of current artistic and aesthetic trends, and an enhanced knowledge of the musicology of production. On this course, you will develop a portfolio of original works showcasing your talent as a composer-producer, opening up a wide range of possibilities for your professional career.

The University of Hertfordshire was ranked 2nd in the East of England (after Cambridge) for Music (2023 Complete University Guide).

Course Content  

Taught sessions will typically cover the following topics:

• Studio Technology, processes and practices
• Audio production and design
• Compositional strategies in DAW environments
• Musical form, structure and discourse in Electronica
• Rhythm and kinesis in EDM
• Experimentation in IDM
• Noise in Techno
• Timbre and texture in Ambient music
• Machine aesthetics in House music
• Sampling and re-contextualisation in Hip-Hop
• Lo-fi aesthetics and Glitch
• Retro-revivalism – analogue sound in the digital age

Resources

Our state-of-the-art equipment includes:

• • a large recording studio featuring a 32-fader Neve Genesys Black analogue mixing console (with Neve 1073 mic-preamps + 88R and 1084 EQ) / 64-channel Protools HD MADI system / PMC IB2S-A midflield monitors / Neumann surround monitoring / two racks of high-end analogue and digital outboard compression, EQ and effects (Neve, Focusrite, Drawmer, 1176, LA2A, Pultec) / UAD DSP processing with full suite of plug-ins.

  • medium-size studio featuring a Neve Genesys / Protools HD system with RedNET and Neumann 5.1 monitoring.

  • 4 x acoustically-treated, surround-equipped, iMAc mix/production spaces with Slate Raven Mti touchscreen control and REDNet, and Kawai acoustic pianos.

   • 2 x live recording booth/spaces.

   • 3 monitoring spaces for surround sound mixing.

•  • dubbing suite for A/V work (foley, ADR, etc.)

   • 2 x 30 seat dual-monitor Apple iMac labs (each with a large range of s/w – including Logic, Ableton Live, Reason, ProTools, MaxMSP, Native Instruments Komplete, East West Composer Cloud)

    • a 150-seats state-of-the-art performance venue with Soundcraft vi1 console and full RedNET integration.

   • top class outboard including Digidesign Pro Tools, Lexicon TLAudio, TC Electronic, Focusrite, and so much more.

  • vast selection of top-quality dynamic, condenser and ribbon microphones, including Soundfield, Neumann, AKG, Coles, Shure, Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic.

Industry Links 

Our industry partners include:

• BAFTA
• Splash Damage Videogame Company
• Videofeet Media Company
• Focusrite
• SampleMagic
• Dynamic Music
• Extreme Music (Sony)
• Grand Chapel Studios
• iZotope
• SSL

Key Staff 

The MA Creative Music Production is led by Bruce Aisher.  Bruce is a music producer, songwriter, composer, remixer, sound designer and technology journalist whose work is to be found on over 100 commercially released tracks (including a US Billboard Club Chart No.1) on TV programmes such as ‘CSI’ ‘Numb3rs’ and ‘Top Gear’ and products by Apple, Clavia and Native Instruments.

What will I study?

Lecture, seminars and tutorials are typically scheduled over two consecutive days a week, plus some extra sessions for particular workshops, performance, recording, as necessary. In addition to scheduled sessions, students are expected to engage in continuous self-directed study and studio practice.

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Fees 2022

UK Students

Full time

• £9750 for the 2022/2023 academic year

Part time

• £810 per 15 credits for the 2022/2023 academic year

EU Students

Full time

• £14750 for the 2022/2023 academic year

Part time

• £1230 per 15 credits for the 2022/2023 academic year

International Students

Full time

• £14750 for the 2022/2023 academic year

Part time

• £1230 per 15 credits for the 2022/2023 academic year

*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

 

Deadlines

15 January