BSc (Hons) Live and Studio Sound (Full Time)

Addressing the growing demand for audio professionals, this degree offers a thorough grounding in both theory and practice.

Course overview

This course aims to provide you with a solid foundation in audio technology and technical theory. You will also develop vocationally relevant skills in music and audio recording, editing and mixing, and practical operational management for both the live sound and studio areas of the audio industry.

The degree is designed to meet the need for sound operators who have had technical training for the live music and other events industries. It offers you the opportunity to gain a good understanding of acoustics, installation techniques, audio systems, planning/logistics and regulatory requirements, in addition to skills in recording, editing and mixing.

The expansion of audio roles in the television industry, driven by sports, music and reality television, has resulted in a wider variety of positions for operational personnel including sound recordists, mixers, editors, systems installation specialists in these sectors, as well as the traditional music studio.

Year 3 subjects include Event Planning targeted specifically to address the needs of live sound operations within the music and events industries. When combined with option units, you can specialise in studio or location operations and you can integrate skills in sound for the moving image. There is a year-long project of choice that reflects an operational aspect of your chosen field. 

Industrial focus

Solent's excellent industry links allow us to integrate the study of media technology and production practice using up-to-date techniques. 

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Course content

Year 1

Six core units:

• Video Production
• Audio Studio Recording
• Audio and Video Technology
• Digital Audio
• Live Sound Production
• Music and Technology.

Year 2

Six core units:

• Sound Design
• Audio Systems
• Media Formats
• Graduate Development
• Live Event Technology
• Production Design.

Year 3

Four core units and two option units:

• Music Studio Technology
• Event Planning
• Audio Post Production
• Production Project.
  
  Options:
• Audio Systems Design
• Film and Video Technology
• Outside Broadcasting
• Sound for Film, Television and Games
• Curriculum Plus. 

Why choose this course?

• Share ideas and projects with students from all of Solent’s media technology courses.
• The industry standard Pro Tools|HD and Pyramix Digital Audio Workstations are used for audio production tasks in music, film and broadcast.
• A separate audio laboratory enables the investigation of professional and consumer audio equipment.
• The video laboratory provides a complete digital broadcast environment and we also have arguably the best private 35mm cinema in the country, equipped with Dolby and DTS digital sound formats.
• Industrial visits, for example to Dolby Laboratories and Odeon Cinemas.

Assessment

Fully in-course assessed through written assignments, presentations, production portfolios and short tests.

Key career skills

IT, project management, communication, problem solving and working to deadlines.

Projects/work experience

Students work on the technical production of local and national events such as the coverage of University graduation and fashion shows and recording at the Glastonbury and Glade music festivals.