THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Edinburgh College of Art : Music

Undergraduate Course: Sound Recording (MUSI08054)

Course Outline
SchoolEdinburgh College of Art CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryAn introduction to the techniques and contexts of audio recording, including practical, theoretical and contextual materials.
Course description Sound Recording investigates one of the crucial contemporary audio practices. It looks at the history of sound recording, and considers its cultural and technical contexts. There is an introduction to the practical elements of sound recording, both on location and in the studio, and these are supported by practical tutorials. The course aims to equip students with the technical skills to make recordings based on a strong theoretical, cultural and aesthetic background, including the development of listening skills which may be carried over into other musical and critical practices.

With an emphasis on stereo recording, the course will also cover field recording and some studio recording techniques, drawing on techniques used by sound recordists including Chris Watson (BBC), Glynn Johns (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones), and those favoured by performers such as Glenn Gould, and record companies such as Decca, across a broad spectrum of music and sound.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs Purchasing of recording/backup media
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  0
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 22, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1, Summative Assessment Hours 1, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 162 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 1) Stereo sound recording (field recording), with session notes and essay (1000 words): 50%
2) Stereo sound recording (music recording), with session notes and essay (1000 words): 50%

Relationship between LO and assessments:
Sound Recording Assignment 1 (Location-Based Music Recording): LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Sound Recording Assignment 2 (Studio and Field Recording): LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Feedback Formative feedback on practical work will be provided during weekly tutorials.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the technical foundations of digital audio, microphones, and mono/stereo microphone techniques.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to make high quality stereo sound recordings on location with confidence, and with an awareness of the technical and aesthetic issues that such recordings involve.
  3. Demonstrate the management skills required to instigate and run a recording session on location.
  4. Demonstrate good ability in critical listening, and in discussing the results of such listening in a contextualised and analytical manner.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to meter, edit, and process sound recording sessions using a recording studio based around a hard disk recording system, and deliver the final audio to an appropriate format/medium.
Reading List
Bartlett, Bruce and Jenny Bartlett. 'Practical Recording Techniques.' Fourth Edition. Boston: Focal Press (2005) [TK 7881.6 Bar.]

Borwick, John. 'Sound Recording Practice.' Fourth Edition. Oxford: Oxford UP (1996) [TK 7881.4 Sou.]

Day, T. (2000). A century of recorded music : listening to musical history. New Haven, [Conn.] ; London, Yale University Press.

Gould, G. and T. Page (1987). The Glenn Gould reader. London, Faber.

Milner, G. (2009). Perfecting sound forever : an aural history of recorded music. New York, Faber and Faber.

Rumsey, Francis. 'Spatial Audio.' Oxford: Focal Press (2001) [TK7881.8 Rum.]

Rumsey, Francis and Tim McCormick. 'Sound and Recording: An Introduction.' Fifth Edition. Oxford: Focal Press (2006) [TK 7881.4 Rum]
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills 1. Graduates will have developed a core knowledge of the field of sound recording, as a practice within cultural and commercial contexts.
2. Graduates will be able to manage technical resources, and to co-operate with others in a common task.
3. Graduates will have an understanding of the changing nature of technologies, and will have the skills and experience to develop and enhance their knowledge and practice over time.
KeywordsMusic Technology Sound Recording
Contacts
Course organiserMr Roderick Buchanan-Dunlop
Tel: (0131 6)51 4320
Email: Roderick.Buchanan-Dunlop@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Hugh Black
Tel: (0131 6)51 5926
Email: hugh.black@ed.ac.uk
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