Front of House & Signal Flow

Learn how to set up and operate professional sound systems, working as part of a team during live gigs.   

You will gain the skills to create a professional environment for artists to comfortably perform in, both practical and theoretical elements such as room acoustic calculations. You’ll demonstrate your knowledge by taking on two different roles in a live show scenario. 

Applied Acoustics

This module will give you an essential grounding and understanding of how sounds behave in different spaces and how they are perceived by listeners. You’ll be introduced to a range of complex tools and techniques and see how they are applied to a range of real-world scenarios, giving you the ability to assess a number of environments effectively. 

Sound Culture

Deepen your knowledge and understanding of the cultural evolution of sound and music, with a focus on conducting research. You’ll choose a specific area within live sound to explore, developing research materials that will help you present your findings effectively. This module lays the groundwork for essential research skills you’ll use throughout your degree and your career. 

Digital Mixing Techniques

This module develops your knowledge and understanding of Front of House (FOH) and monitor mixing techniques using a range of different desks, both analogue and digital. You will learn how to cater to artists’ preferences and adapt your mix accordingly.  

Loudspeaker Design

One of the more technical modules, where you will examine the history of loudspeakers and their design. You will learn how to decide which transducer would be most suitable for different loudspeaker cabinet and explore concepts such as point source systems, coverage angle and inverse square law, T/S parameters, horn theory and other key considerations for system design. 

Live Sound & Pre-Production

This comprehensive module covers various aspects of live sound, including monitor mixing, FOH mixing, signal processing and tuning. With an emphasis on teamwork, with clear roles and responsibilities, this module will teach you how to collaborate seamlessly with others to deliver professional, well-coordinated live shows.

Digital Audio Fundamentals

Explore the latest digital innovations, how they have impacted the live sound industry. This module introduces you to cutting-edge technologies and techniques that are revolutionising how live sound is produced and managed. 

System Design Theory & Application

This module covers the theoretical and practical aspects of sound system design in real-world environments.  

You will develop knowledge and understanding of sound system technologies and their application within a range of venues and situations, alongside underpinning theoretical principles such as wave theory and line arrays, coverage prediction and phase calculations. 

Audio Networking

This module examines advancements in digital technology that enable previously problematic analogue solutions to be replaced with modern audio networks. You will develop expertise in digital audio networking and learn how to apply these technologies to achieve reliable, high-quality results. 

Digital Production Implementation

This module will see you build your experience working with the more unusual applications of live sound, for example immersive experiences and installations using purpose-built hardware and software. 

Advanced Mixing Techniques

Further develop your mixing skills by mastering complex processes and strategies to solve intricate audio challenges and deliver exceptional sound quality, even when under pressure. 

Research Practice

Explore a research topic that sparks your interest, providing the foundations for your third-year Research Project. This module will help you develop your research skills, identify new pathways and develop your critical thinking skills.

Live Sound Production: Planning & Delivery

Throughout your final year, over two modules, you will plan, develop and deliver a major live sound production. This module will challenge you to curate acts, manage artist requirements and oversee the technical and logistical aspects of a large-scale event. 

Advanced System Design & Optimisation

Learn the required skills needed to optimise the tuning of a sound system to create the best possible experience for the audience whilst adhering to off-site noise limitations.  

You’ll explore advanced topics such as FFT data analysis, phase theory, transfer function measurements, advanced phase theory, meteorological effects on sound, and large-scale system alignment and management. Preparing you to manage complex sound environments with precision. 

Monitoring

This module examines the wide range of different monitoring technologies available to the monitor engineer and develops skills, knowledge and understanding of their application within real-world environments, including ISO frequency bands, feedback isolation, equal loudness curves and PAG. 

Investigation

In this module, you'll be planning, developing, and proposing a research project related to sound or music in an area that interests you. You will outline what you want to explore and start investigating how you'll go about doing it. This module will help you lay a solid foundation for your upcoming extended research project and give you a head start on tackling it!

Extended Research Project

This is your chance to take the research gathered in your second year and Investigation module and apply it to a much larger project, which can take the form of a full written dissertation or a practical research project that culminates in the creation of a physical artefact. This module allows you to contribute original research to the field of live sound supported by thorough academic and practical investigation.