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Studio Courses

A Guide to Recording, Electronic Music and Popular Music Courses in Britain

Article from Home & Studio Recording, July 1984

The first ever published guide to all Recording, Electronic Music and Music Courses available in Britain today.


With the growing interest in recording, in general, more and more people are looking ahead to careers in the recording industry. Unfortunately, there is a distinct lack of information around to do with relevant training courses, so we gave Jan Steele, former organiser of Triangle Sound Studio, Birmingham, the marathon task of compiling this comprehensive guide to studio courses, large and small, in Britain.

Such a guide has never before been published, and we hope the information it contains will serve as a valuable reference work for the future.

In the course of researching some documentation for a grant application, I had cause to discover what sort of training was available in Electronic Music and Recording techniques. Initially I thought it would be an easy enough task, but I looked in the Pro Audio Yearbook and there was a short list of courses (mainly in America), and in the British Music Yearbook education section, which provided very little information.

The problem is that recording and electronic music have many different purposes - for broadcasting, for audio-visual work, for musical composition, for films, etc., and there are varying levels of necessary expertise according to the use to which they are put. I quickly realised that though there are a large number of relevant courses available, they are usually subsidiary parts of other, larger courses.

So, the only method of finding out what was available was to pick up information on the grapevine, and to send off for information on every establishment that I could discover ran any relevant courses, or that had a studio.

How To Use This Guide



Since much of the information in this guide isn't 'official' ie. it wasn't necessarily advertised in a prospectus or supporting literature, don't rely on it totally. Write off to the institution or organisation you're initially interested in, and ask them your own questions. Don't necessarily pick a course simply because of the equipment it offers or the emphasis it places on training in the studio. It may be that they don't approve of the kind of music you're interested in. If you want to spend three years writing songs, you might be better off doing it at an art college with a couple of Revoxes for use on the video course, rather than in a university music department with loads of digital equipment you can't ever get your hands on.

If you're looking for a full-time course, once you've found a place that seems attractive, it's probably worth spending a couple of days in the university or polytechnic town, chatting to the students on the course to find out if it's what you really want.

Some very interesting points came to light during the course of the research. For example: It was interesting how often an institution was able, year after year, to obtain large sums of money from the capital budget to invest in equipment, yet was unable to afford a salary for a technician to service it when it breaks down!

It was also notable that many places were blissfully ignorant of what their colleagues were doing. This often seemed to result in poor equipment investment choices. There's certainly a case for the educational institutions with any interest in Electronic Music/Recording, at whatever level, to get together more often, perhaps in a standing conference.

16 years ago, when I first went to university, there were hardly any institutions in Britain with courses or equipment for electronic music or recording. Now everyone is trying to catch up on it. What is still sadly lacking however, is training in popular music techniques.

Some places (and people) stood out for one reason or another, in particular: Janet Beat at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama for having been a trail-blazer in Electronic Music since the 1950's, and for building up a good stock of well-chosen equipment; Goldsmith's College School of Adult & Community Studies for setting up a series of evening and day classes (open to anyone), which together virtually constitute a full-time course in popular music and jazz; and Chichester College of Technology, which although not possessing any recording or electronic equipment at all, do have one of the most interesting courses for training in popular music I've seen, one which seems ideal for the young pop musician requiring a thorough musical training.

The two most notable recording courses are the Tonmeister course at Surrey University, which carries full APRS approval, and the Salford College of Technology's new recording course; again the APRS have been closely involved with this.

Outside of the educational institutes, Gateway Studios, Newcastle Media Workshops and Triangle Arts Centre all run well established courses which are open to the public. Finally, if you're interested in Wildlife sound recording, the course run by the Extra-Mural Dept of Birmingham University in the Shropshire countryside should keep you all chirping!

Key



The course listings are divided into three main sections:

1 Recording Courses. These include courses with a major or partial recording emphasis which are not specifically involved in electronic music.

2 Electronic Music. These are courses where electronic music is the major subject and includes a large amount of recording technique tuition.

3 Music Courses. These are only courses which have a recording or electronic music option within their curriculum.

For each institution I've provided the following information:

1 Institution's name and address

Including the specific department where relevant.

2 Name of the Course

Where it's a university or polytechnic, music college or college of higher education, I've simply put 'usual' meaning Usual degrees and diplomas. This means they do all sorts of BA's, BSc's, BPhil's, MA's, Dip Mus's, or PhD's etc, titles which are largely related to the rules of the specific college or to the kind of ratification they attract. Occasionally where a degree title is unique (eg. BA or BSc in Music/Physics at Cardiff) I've given it a special mention. Goldsmith's School of Adult and Community Studies gets a long list of its own.

3 Duration

'Usual' means 'usual for the type of qualification'. For example, a first degree or graduate diploma usually lasts 3-4 years. Otherwise it is specified.

4 Entrance Requirements

'Usual' is for degree courses, which means you usually need 2-3 A-levels and O-levels. Otherwise it's specified.

Readers of this magazine should know that, if you are older than 18, and have some work experience, it may be worth investigating the entrance rules to find out if they are really as inflexible as they say they are. A number of music course prospectuses have a note which emphasises that they recognise that in exceptional circumstances a student suited to the course may not have the necessary academic qualifications, but can still get on. For instance, Chichester College of Technology specifically encourages this kind of student. Again, some universities have an 'occasional' student system, whereby someone may attend classes and/or use facilities but not qualify. It might be worth further investigating this.

5 Qualification Received

'CT' means the Qualification is the same as the Course Title

6 Quality of Equipment

Here I've named the principle items of equipment to give a guide as to the quality available. These lists aren't by any means systematic, you must make your own enquiries if you require very detailed information.

7 Notes

Information on future plans, special features of the course etc.

The information presented in the article represents the most up to date list that could be compiled. If readers know of any other courses please write to HSR and let us know. The list will be updated from time to time and throughout the coming months we shall look at some of the courses in more detail. Any readers who have attended one of the recording courses may also like to write in and let us know of their experiences.



Recording Courses



Triangle, University of Aston Arts Centre

(Contact Details)

Course Various courses mounted from time to time in Recording, PA, rock-music, etc.

Duration Varies, but usually no longer than 3 days.

Entry No restrictions.

Qualification None.

Equipment TEAC ½" 8-tr; Otari 2-tr; Allen & Heath 16-8-2 mixer; AKG and C-ducer mics; VCS3; Building Digisound modular synth.

Note Part of a University Arts Centre but aimed at the general public. An expansion of facilities are planned over the next couple of years.


Dept of Photography, Audio & Television, West Bromwich College of Commerce and Technology

(Contact Details)

Course a) Audio Tape Production. Beginners' and Advanced Courses, b) Talking Newspaper & Talking Newspaper Magazine, c) Music Recording, d) College Certificate in Television and Audio Production, e) Creative Tape-Recording, f) YTS Sound Production Recording and Presentation Techniques.

Duration a) One evening/week. b) ditto, c) 12-weeks, one evening/week. d) One evening/week. e) One-year. F/T.

Entry a) Knowledge of audio recording, b) None, c) Knowledge of music or recording techniques, d) None, e) Musical skill, combination of creative and practical skills, and a good education standard.

Equipment Small 4-tr, upgrading next autumn to Fostex 16-tr.

Note The YTS scheme has Off-the-Job and On-the-Job Work Experience sections. The further education section includes Practical Audio, Technical Operations, Art, Computing, General Studies, Business Studies, and English.


BBC, Engineering Recruitment Officer

(Contact Details)

Note The BBC has different grades of Technical Operator and Engineer, and runs its own training courses or takes in already qualified engineers. The training is technical rather than musical.

It also provides technical training for overseas staff. Details from (Contact Details).


Audio Engineering Society

(Contact Details)

Not strictly in the category of the other institutions in this paper, because it's a professional society. It stages a number of important conventions and lectures on new developments, and research.


Gateway Sound Recording Studio

(Contact Details)

Course Multitrack courses

Duration 3-5 days run from time-to-time.

Entry None.

Qualification None.

Equipment 8-tr studio above their commercial studio.

Note Aims to explain the basic principles of multitrack recording. Organised with the help of Bandive, Fostex, Harman, and TEAC. Article about the course in HSR April 1984.


Polytechnic of North London

(Contact Details)

Course a) Sound Studios and Recording, b) BSc(Hons) in Engineering & Communications. Full final year option in Audio Engineering & Acoustics

Duration a) 24 weeks, 2hrs/week. b) 3 years full-time.

Entry a) 2 A-levels; ONC/D etc. b) Usual.

Qualification a) ? b) BSc

Equipment ?

Note A mainly technical course.


Newcastle Media Workshops

(Contact Details)

Courses Introductory courses mounted from time to time, in Electro/Acoustic Music; Studio Recording; Music for Home Computers.

Duration 6 weeks, 2 hours/evening, special music workshops.

Entry No restrictions.

Qualification None.

Equipment Tascam 38 ½" 8-tr; Revox A700; Bel NR; AKS & VCS3 Synthi; Roland SH-09; SDE3000 Delay; Teac 3440; Alice & Itam mixer; Tannoy mons; Klark Tekniks Graphic EQ; Tascam 122.

Note A pioneer in 'access' studios. One of the first arts centres to have this kind of facility. 'Composer in Residence' and 'Project Support' schemes to help musicians with costs, subsistence, etc.


E. L. Masek (Sec), Association of Professional Recording Studios (APRS)

(Contact Details)

Course APRS Engineer's Course

Duration Five days annually.

Entry Working experience in studio (min. 1 year).

Qualification None.

Equipment As at University of Surrey, also extra items supplied by industry leaders.

Note 'Primarily aimed at maintenance engineers'. The course is held at the University of Surrey.


Dept of Music, University of Surrey

(Contact Details)

Course a) BMus (Tonmeister). b) MMus with special studies in recording, c) MPhil/ PhD, studies in association of Music & Technology. d) Diploma in Tonmeister Studies.

Duration a) 3 years, b) 1 year, c) 1 year or more, d) 1 year.

Entry a) Usual including good grades in Music, Physics and Maths. Also preferably Grade 8 Ass. Board and/or interest in practical audio/hi-fi.

Qualification CT

Equipment Neve mixers; Studer 8 tr; Studer, Ampex, Otari, Nagra 2 tr; Sony digital recording; Best mikes, Advanced digital & analogue synthesis; Ambisonic recording; 2 studios; etc.

Note Very, very thorough course.

Performing Right Society award a one-year John Lennon Memorial Scholarship for postgraduate studies.


Seagull Recording Studio

(Contact Details)

Course A week's Recording & Music Making Holiday; plus other courses.

Duration 1 week in August 1984. (20th-24th)

Entry No Restrictions.

Equipment TEAC ½" 8-tr; Revox; TEAC 3340; Tannoy mons;

Note Courses also run for school children.


Garretts Green College

(Contact Details)

Course a) Sound Recording and Production. b) As above, c) Evening classes from September.

Duration a) F/T 36 weeks, 17-21 yr old. b) P/T 36 weeks, 17-25 yrs old. c) normal evening class terms.

Entry (a, b) Unemployed living in Birmingham area. (c) Anybody.

Qualifcation None.

Equipment Tascam 58 ½" 8tr; Tascam M50 mixer Tascam 32; MXR & Roland delays; JBL mons; Quad amp; Klark Teknik Reverb; Juno 3; Casio; Moog.

Note All courses cover the practical aspect of equipment electronics, with P/T and evening classes having an emphasis on 'servicing'. Computers, Production, Recording Techniques and Communications are all covered. Own record label for release of the better course recordings. Evening class aimed at the 'Portastudio' user who would like to know more.


Salford College of Technology

(Contact Details)

Course Sound Recording Technology & Techniques, a) College Advanced Certificate. b) (Proposed) O.T.D. c) (Proposed) Higher Technician Diploma (HTD) in Recording Technology and Practice

Duration 3 year F/T

Entry Min. age 16. Five 'O's, incl. Maths, Physics, English.

Qualification College Advanced Certificate.

Equipment

Note Set up with assistance of APRS to train technicians. Only course of its kind in UK.


Preston Montford Field Centren

(Contact Details)

Course Wildlife Sound Recording, Field & Studio based techniques.

Duration 4 days in September and other dates.

Entry None.

Qualification None.

Equipment Various portable tape recorders; assorted mics.

Note Course run in conjunction with the Extra-Mural Dept, University of Birmingham.


Wolverhampton Electronic Music Studio, Bilston Community College

(Contact Details)

Course Various for school-children in Wolverhampton

Equipment Portastudio; Revox B-77; Power-tran synths, vocoder and digital echo; Casio keyboards; Alpha Syntauri; Clef/BBC 'B' package.


Ealing Community Workshop

(Contact Details)

Course Studio Recording; several times per year.

Duration Varies.

Entry None. Free to unemployed.

Qualification None.

Equipment Fostex A8; Dynamix 24-8, Tannoy mons; GBS; Roland Space Echo; PZM; Shure, EV mics.

Note Other courses include: Speaker repair, PA and rock music performance, guitar, drum and keyboard tuition.


Music Section, Salford College of Technology

(Contact Details)

Course a) Graduate Diploma in Band Musicianship - includes an option in Recording Techniques & Technology, b) College Foundation Certificate in Music and Performance.

Duration a) 3 years, b) 2 years.

Entry a) 18 years old min. 5 GCE's (inc. A-level music or equiv. Ass Board Grade VIII). b) 16 years old min. 3 O-levels and Grade V practical.

In both cases they emphasise that if the right qualifications aren't held, students may still get in if they are considered otherwise suitable. This is dependent upon the interview/audition.

Qualification CT.

Equipment 2 studios incl. 16-channel 8-track, and 4-tr practice studio. Electronic music lab.


Cass London, Studio 3D

(Contact Details)

Course Elementary and Advance Recording. Topics covered: Recording techniques, PA, History of Electronic Music, Computers in Music, Digital Recording, Trouble shooting.

Duration 5 days - course run twice monthly.

Entry No restriction for Elementary, professionals only for Advanced.

Qualification None.

Equipment Studer 16tr and 8tr; Raindirk mixer; JBL mons, Neumann, AKG, Shure, PZM. MXR drum computer, Quantec Room Simulator, EMT Plate, various Guitars, Drums, Amps.

Note Practical work at Elephant Recording Studio.


Guildhall School of Music & Drama

(Contact Details)

Course Usual music college courses. There is a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Jazz and Rock Music. See note.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual, although for the Jazz & Rock Music Diploma the syllabus says: 'Although applicants should normally have completed a music course at a music college, university or college of higher education, equivalent experience and a high performance ability could qualify for eligibility'.

Qualification Usual.

Equipment ?

Note There is a 'Dept of Recording Techniques' providing classes as follows: 1. 'Performing for the Microphone' for pianists, guitarists and singers. 2. (a) Recording Workshop in the Jazz and Rock Course, (b) Electro-Acoustic Music Composition Class, (c) Radio classes (in the Drama Dept).

The Associate and Graduate courses have various options in jazz, rock, popular, and light music idioms, electronic music, jazz improvization, jazz and pop workshop.


Cockpit Theatre & Arts Workshop

(Contact Details)

Course Day: Courses for students at ILEA schools (sometimes as part of CSE/O-level music course). Out of school hours: Courses for ILEA teachers. Workshops for London young people.

Entry 'Open-access' basis for workshops. No stylistic limitations, and mostly popular music.

Equipment Tascam 38; Tascam 52; Revoxes; DBX; Roland Juno 6, MC202, TR606; Korg MS20; AKS Synthi.



Music Courses



Royal Northern College of Music

(Contact Details)

Course Usual.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Equipment a) Electronic Music Studio: VCS3's; AKS Synthi; Moog; Pitch-voltage converter; Revoxes; TEAC 4-tr; 8-ch mixer: b) Recording Dept: Calrec 18-ch mixer; 4 x B62 Studers; Studer A80 16-tr with Dolby A; Neumann, AKG & Calrec mics.

Note In electronic music studio there are no structured courses, but it can be used by composition students. Updating is intended. The Recording Dept offers no courses in recording. It's a service dept of the College.


Music Dept, The City Lit

(Contact Details)

Course Avant-garde music workshop 'Study of avant-garde techniques through improvisation and experimental projects involving electronics, notation, the role of chance and tape recorders in music and mixed media'.

Duration 2 hours weekly for 3 terms.

Entry None.

Qualification None.

Equipment ?


Dept of Music, University of Sussex

(Contact Details)

Course Usual.. There is a 3rd year option of one term's intensive work in the studio, after which students produce a tape with full verbal technical description and score.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual

Qualification CT

Equipment 3 small synthesisers; 3 Revoxes with varispeed; TEAC 4-tr.

Note The professor, Jonathan Harvey, besides being a well-established composer with a number of electronic/tape works, is a world expert on the music of Stockhausen.

There is a Music and American Society option in the School of English & American Studies which 'examines both the popular (jazz, rock, pop) and cultivated traditions in American music', and a similar one called Culture and Society in Contemporary Britain.


City of Leeds College of Music

(Contact Details)

Course Foundation Course, College Diploma, and Graduate Diploma in Light Music.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT

Equipment Recording Studio: Soundcraft 24-4 mixer; 24-tr & 8-tr TR's. Electronic Music Studio: ARP 2600; Synthi A; TEAC 4-tr; Revox B-77; 16-4 mixer; Roland Drumatix; EMS pitch-voltage converter

Note Leeds College of Music was the first institution in Britain to run a full-time course in Light Music, and it is well-known as a training ground for jazz musicians.

Course structure is changing to a modular one in 1984/85 which will give plenty of opportunity to select relevant courses.


School of Music, Cambridgeshire College of Arts & Technology

(Contact Details)

Course Usual... 1st year - everyone gets 1 term introduction to electronic music. 2nd & 3rd year - Recording Techniques, Electronic Music Composition, and Jazz are available as options.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Equipment Pye 16:4 desk plus mobile block; Tannoy mons; Sony PCM; ITAM ½" 8-tr; TEAC 4-tr; Philips & Revox mastering; VCS3's; Roland JX3P; Calrec & AKG mics; BBC B; Buying Alpha Syntauri.


Dept of Music, Huddersfield Polytechnic

(Contact Details)

Course Usual, degrees and diplomas, Electro-Acoustic option.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment RSD 16:4 mixer; Revox B77; Teac 3340S; VCS3 Synthi; Tannoy mons, Quad 405; Apple computer; Soundcraft 18-4-2 mixer; Otari; Studer B67; DBX NR; Sony F1 digital; Calrec & AKG mics; AMS digital reverb; Alpha Syntauri.

Note Studio open to all students.


Creative Arts, Newcastle upon Tyne Polytechnic

(Contact Details)

Course BA(Hons) in Creative Arts.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual, but 'Exceptionally, candidates with experience relevant to the degree who do not have the A-level requirement may be offered a place'.

Qualification CT.

Equipment 4-tr; 2 AKS Synthis; ARP Synth.

Note Although not much equipment, the course is very orientated towards the popular arts. 'All music students are involved in the performance, composition, arranging and theoretical study of "popular" music, including simple recording and video techniques. The emphasis is on popular commercial music post 1918 but also includes reference to earlier forms.'


Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama

(Contact Details)

Course Usual, music college courses. Only formal course is a one-term course for 2nd year Music Education students.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification Usual.

Equipment Roland System 100M with 13 modules and keyboard; Roland MC4; Jupiter 8; TR909; MSQ 700 Digital Keyboard recorder; MD8 Midi-DCB interface; Simmons kit; 4-tr TEAC; Revox mastering. Forthcoming: Apple 2 with 2 disk-drives; Mountain Hardware music system; Alpha Syntauri.

Note Tutorials in electronic music for individual students by arrangement; postgraduate study by arrangement. Emphasis on composition.

Music Education course includes information on how to buy equipment for schools and colleges.


Music Dept, University of Glasgow

(Contact Details)

Course Usual, degrees (undergraduate course includes a preparatory course in studio techniques).

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment 16 tr Ampex; Revox stereo; Dolby A; EMS Synthi 100 (modified); EMS Polysynth; VCS3 (modified). Still to be incorporated: DEC PDP 11/34 and DEC PDP 11/45 with 160 Mbytes of hard disk and 10 Mbytes of cartridge.

Music 11 is run experimentally. Hoping to modernise over next couple of years.

Note Emphasis on composition.


Dept of Music, The University

(Contact Details)

Course Usual.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment An electronic music studio.


University College of North Wales

(Contact Details)

Course Usual, music degree courses.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Equipment Music dept has an electronic sound and recording studio.


Bath College of Higher Education

(Contact Details)

Course Usual, degrees. 3rd yr of Honours degree has an 'electronics in music' elective.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment ?


Music Dept, University of Leicester

(Contact Details)

Course Usual.. Undergraduate course includes a 7 - 8 week course 'Introduction to Electronic Music'.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment TEAC 4 tr; Alpha Syntauri; small mixer.


Dartington College of Arts

(Contact Details)

Course Usual degrees and diplomas.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment ITAM ½" 8-tr; Revox and Ferro-graph mastering; budget mics; ARP 2500; EMS Synthis; Moog System 35 & 55.

Note Mainly used by composition students. In the music and society option, you have to write and record a typical 'pop' song.

'During the first year the Basic Musician-ship section focuses on essential concepts and skills through the use of music from Africa, India and Indonesia as well as from mainstream European traditions and popular culture'.


Dept of Music, University of Newcastle

(Contact Details)

Course BA(Hons) Music Option on the BA Combined Honours course.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual, must play two instruments including piano.

Qualification CT.

Equipment Tascam V2" 8tr; Alice and Allen & Heath mixers; Revox A77, B77; Bel NR; Studer B67; AKS synthi; Sequential Circuits Pro One, AKG mics. Tannoy, Spendor mons.

Note Electronic music and Acoustics are major parts of the course, acoustics is compulsory.


Dept of Music, University of Nottingham

(Contact Details)

Course Usual. Compulsory acoustics in 1st yr, optional Electronic Music composition in 2nd & 3rd yr. M. Phil & PhD specialise in Electronic Music.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment Otari 8-tr; Revox A77; DBX NR; Tannoy mons; AKS Synthi; Klark Teknik Graphic EQ; LS11123 Mini Computer running Music 11 version two under UNIX.


School of Adult & Community Studies, University of London Goldsmith's College

(Contact Details)

Course Jazz and Popular Music i) General musicianship ii) Guitar iii) Jazz singing iv) Saxophone v) Bass guitar vi) Drums and percussion vii) Jazz piano viii) Songwriting and composition ix) Songwriting, composition and studio production x) Calypso/Reggae Workshop xi) Foundation Course (Jazz & Popular Music) xii) Pop, Rock and Jazz in Schools xiii) Electronic music.

Duration The Electronic Music course is spread over 3 years. All the others are on a termly or yearly basis.

Entry None.

Qualification None.

Equipment Same studio as is used for Goldsmith's music degree courses.

Note All these courses are run on an adult education 'extra-mural' type basis. But if you signed up to them all, you could do an unofficial pop-music full-time course.


Music Dept, Chichester College of Technology

(Contact Details)

Courses a) Preliminary Course in Music:
i) Academic Option
ii) Jazz and Popular Music Option b) Foundation Course c) Diploma

Duration a) 1 year b) 2 years c) 2 years

Entry a) i) 16 years min. Grade III Ass Board standard ii) 16 years min. Basic musical skills and some sight reading ability b) 16 years min. Four 'O's. Ass Board Grade VI. c) Usual.

Qualification a) & b) Could include 'O' & A levels or Ass Board exams c) CT

Equipment None

Note Although Chichester don't give any training in recording, I've included them here because they run such an enlightened course in the shape of the Jazz & Popular Music Option of the Preliminary Course. Their history of jazz course for instance starts in 1850 and goes up to punk/Glam rock etc. In their syllabus they say the course is designed for, amongst others. '...the mature student who wishes to return to full-time study but lacks any formal qualifications in Music....' The Preliminary Course is a preparation for the Foundation Course.


Central London Youth Project, Basement Youth Club

(Contact Details)

Course (a) Central London Youth Project Music Link i) Guitar ii) Drums iii) Bass iv) Keyboards v) Saxophone vi) Singing vii) ILEA Rock-Reggae courses (b) Summer Music Course.

Duration Various

Entry Age 5-18. Live in Central London, or at school in London, or on a Central London Youth Project day course, in which case you're eligible for membership and use of facilities.

Qualification None.

Equipment No studio yet but it's being built.

Note Plenty of opportunities for young people to form their own bands, make contacts, do gigs, etc.


Faculty of Music, University of Oxford

(Contact Details)

Course Usual degrees.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual plus Oxbridge exams.

Qualification CT.

Equipment Fairlight CMI; 2 Synthi A's; 8-tr Otari; Revox mastering.


Bretton Hall, College of Higher Education

(Contact Details)

Course Degrees in Music and in Creative Arts and Combined Studies.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment Students can use the Huddersfield Polytechnic Studio.


Dept of Combined Arts, Faculty of Art & Design, Brighton Polytechnic

(Contact Details)

Course BA in Expressive Arts. The music option of what is a Visual Arts major includes Electronic Music.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment Main studio: Tascam 38; BEL NR; Allen & Heath System 8 16:2; Revox B77; EMS filterbank; Digisound Mod Synth (23 modules) with Alphadac; Roland TR606.

Small studio: TEAC - 4-tr; Revox; 6:2 mixer; AKS Synthi.

There is also an 8-tr studio in the video dept used mainly for video post-production work.

Note The main studio used exclusively by those taking the music option. Electronic music may be taken as main study in the music option. Small studio used mostly by dance & theatre students.


School of Music, College of Arts & Technology

(Contact Details)

Course a) Foundation, 2 yrs b) Diploma in Light Music, 3 yrs, covering Pop, Rock, Jazz and Electronic Music.

Duration a) 2, b) 3 years.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment Rhodes Chroma; Apple computer; Drumulator; Revox A77, Roland Jupiter 4; Soundcraft 16:4 Korg MS 20 synth; C-ducer mics; Tascam 244.

Note Large variety of traditional instruments.


Faculty of Music, University of Manchester

(Contact Details)

Course Usual.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment 2 4-tr; 2 stereo; AKS Synth; budget mics; ITAM 8-2 mixer.

Note Two of the senior lecturers in the Faculty are very interested in electronic music but they're hampered by lack of equipment.


School of Music

(Contact Details)

Course Usual degrees and Graduate Diplomas.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment ½" 8 tr; Revox mastering; Roland Juno 60; EMS Synthi; ARP 2600; access to BBC 'B's; 2 minicomputers. Considerable upgrading in the offing, incl. possibility of Alpha Syntauri and MIDI, and building a phase vocoder.

Note The college has recently made studio development a high priority, having recently appointed a lecturer to build up and direct the studio. Studio available to all music students.


Music Dept, Roehampton Institute

(Contact Details)

Course Usual degrees.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Equipment '3 synthesisers, two with computer links... good recording equipment'.


Faculty of Education, Wolverhampton Polytechnic

(Contact Details)

Course a) BEd Music Course, b) Diploma in Musicianship.

Duration a) Usual b) 2 years, P/T.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment ?

Note 'Depending on what options they take students spend one third to one half their time in Music study... our music teaching method is rooted in popular music (in all senses of the word) and... we encourage our students to be familiar with techniques, instruments and skills used in popular music'.

Diploma course is being re-written to include electronics.

There is a 'Music of Non-European origin' course which can be part of the BEd course or an A.C.P. Course lasting a year. This can be totally involved with popular community music.


Dept of Music, University of Aberdeen

(Contact Details)

Course Usual. Short series of introductory courses mounted from time to time.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment Synthi 100; Brenell & Revox; Lamb mixer; ITAM 8-tr; VCS3's; Bel NR; 2 Dolby A; etc.

Note Studio mainly used by composition option students.


Music Dept, Kingston Polytechnic

(Contact Details)

Course Usual. All first and third years are required to produce work in the studio.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Equipment Small studio with AKS synth, Transcendent 2000, Roland Drumatix, small patchbay etc.



Electronic Music Courses



Trinity College of Music

(Contact Details)

Course Usual music college courses. 1st and 2nd study composition students may attend electronic music courses. Part-time students may secure private tuition.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment PPG Wave 2.2.; Alpha Syntauri; Various monophonics; Oberheim Synthesiser Expander; TEAC 4-tr; Revox mastering; AKG mics.


Royal College of Music

(Contact Details)

Course Usual music college courses.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment A) Electronic Music Studio ITAM 1610 16-tr; Brenell 8-tr; TEAC 4-trs; Revoxes; 32 ch DBX; MM 16-4 mixer; VCS3 synthesizers. Synthesis is being updated to digital during 1984.

B) Recording Studio Sony PCM's; Studer B62's; Raindirk 10-4 mixer; Neumann, Milab and Calrec mics (inc. Soundfield.)

Note Electronic music available as option on most courses. Accent on composition. Much live performance.

The Recording Studio exists primarily as a service to the College, and as a teaching aid... A scholarship is available for one student per year who assists in the running of the recording facility'.

It's planned to include a new studio complex in the new centenary development constructions.


London College of Furniture, Musical Instrument Technology

(Contact Details)

Course a) TEC Diploma in Musical Instrument Studies b) TEC Higher Diploma in Musical Instrument Technology. Both can include specialist study in electronics for the music industry.

Duration a) 2 years F/T b) 2 year F/T.

Entry a) 16 yrs min. b) 18 yrs min. TEC Diploma level or qualifications or experience.

Qualification CT.

Equipment Includes a Fairlight CMI; ITAM 16-ch mixer and ITAM 16-tr Tape machine; Ursa Major Space Station; 3 small synths; self-built modular analogue synth (24 modules).


Dept of Music, The University

(Contact Details)

Course Usual. Electronic Music is a 2nd and 3rd year option.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Equipment Full details not available at time of going to press but include (from prospectus): The Electronic Music Studio is equipped with five tape recorders, mics, mixer, synthesiser with keyboard, and Dolby NR. Music V and Music IV - B computer synthesis.

Note The Director of the Electronic Music Studio has a particular interest in computer synthesis.


Dept of Physics, University College Cardiff

(Contact Details)

Course Diploma in Electronic Sound.

Duration 1 yr FT, 2 yr PT.

Entry University degree, Dip A.D., GRSM, art or music college diploma, or equivalent experience in the arts.

Qualification CT.

Equipment Computer controlled Synthi 100; Scully 8tr; Revox, Teac; Tannoy mons; VCS3's; Alice & custom built quad mixer; PDP 8 Computers.

Note '...designed to equip those who wish to work in the field of electronic sound media (mainly composers and artists, but also scientists) with a working knowledge of the subject. A prior knowledge of electronics and acoustics is not essential as the necessary parts of these subjects are covered early in the course'.


Dept of Music, University of York

(Contact Details)

Course Electronic Music Project (option within BA (Hons) in Music).

Duration 2 semesters spread over 2 years. (Degree is 3-years).

Entry Usual.

Qualification Degree.

Equipment Revox & Studer stereo TR's; 2 Sony PCM F1's; TEAC 4-tr; Home-built ½" 8-tr; Calrec Sound field mic; Calrec mics; Calrec mixer; 2 x VCS3's; Eventide Harmonizer; Dolby A; Micro based audio switching matrix; Building 24-bit digital signal processor; EMT echo-plate; Music 11 on LS11/23.

Note One of the earliest electronic studios in Britain. Several important tape/electronic composers trained here, e.g. Trevor Wishart/ Denis Smalley.

York University is the first in Britain to have a jazz musician-in-residence Bobby Wellins, the saxophonist. Staff interests in Javanese Gamelan and Indian music make this a particularly interesting musical environment.


Ealing College of Higher Education

(Contact Details)

Course Degree in Humanities, includes option 'Making Electronic Music'.

Duration The degree is usual duration. The option is run as a series of fortnightly projects.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment 4-track; Revoxes; small amount of synthesis.

Note The course is mainly concerned with giving students experience of tape-handling, (musique concrete) techniques.


Music Dept/Physics Dept, University College

(Contact Details)

Course a) Combined honours in Music and Physics (BA or BSc) b) MA in Contemporary and Electronic Music.

Duration a) 3 years b) 1 year

Entry a) A-level Physics, Music and a Maths subject, b) First degree.

Qualification CT.

Equipment As for 'Diploma in Electronic Sound'

Note In the Honours Physics course, there is an option in Musical Physics. 'One of the major research interests of the Physics Dept is Musical Physics, and prospective students are cordially invited to visit the department'.


Music Dept, University of Birmingham

(Contact Details)

Course Usual. Studio techniques is a compulsory first year course. Composition option students can use the studio after that.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment Main studio: Chiltern 12-4 mixer (to be replaced by Soundcraft); AKG BX10 Reverb; 10-ch Dolby A; Otari and Revox B-77 2-tr; TEAC 4-tr; Shure, Calrec, & C-ducer mics; Fairlight CMI; Gradually building Digi-sound modular system.

Teaching studio: Otari & Revox 2-tr; Allen Heath 12-2 mixer.

Note Emphasis on composition.


Music Dept, University of Keele

(Contact Details)

Courses Degree courses as at other universities except at Keele you always combine subjects. Interesting combinations available include Music with any of Physics, Electronics, Maths, Chemistry, Computer Sciences. There are no specific courses in the studio, but in 2nd year Music there is an Option in Recording Techniques, and in the 3rd year use of the studio is included in the Composition Option.

Duration 4 years.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment Soundcraft 24-tr; Revox mastering; Soundcraft desk; Fairlight CMI; EMS VCS3; Apple Computer with ALF Music Synth cards and Program.

Note Many undergraduates, whether doing the Recording or Composition Option, use the studio with guidance.


Faculty of Music, University of Durham

(Contact Details)

Course Usual.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification CT.

Equipment Analog: Custom 32-16 mixer; 3 modified A-77's; 3 B77's; Brenell ½" 4-tr; TEAC 4-tr; Brenell 1" 8-tr; 12-ch Dolby A; VCS3's; 24 element custom oscillator bank; AKG & Calrec mics; and much more. Digital: PDP 11/23 with various peripherals. RT-11 operating system Music 11.

Good access to central University computer.

Note Electro-acoustics mainly a 2nd & 3rd year option and MA students.

One of the best-equipped and best-established British electro-acoustic studios. Associated with a number of well-established composers some of whom are on the staff.


Electronic Music Studio, Music Centre, University of East Anglia

(Contact Details)

Course BA(Hons) Music, M.Mus Performance, Research, Composition of Electronic Music, Sound Recording.

Duration Usual (M.Mus 1 yr).

Entry Usual, M.Mus 1st class degree but not necessarily music.

Qualification CT.

Equipment Scully 16tr; Midas mixer; Studer B67, B62; Tannoy, B&W mons; Dolby NR; Synthi 100, Publison Pitch Shifter.

Note The Sound Recording course is similar to that of Surrey University Tonmeister course and covers all aspects of sound recording.


Morley College (West Square Studio)

(Contact Details)

Course a) Electronic Music b) Electronic Music Workshop c) Electronics in Music (Circuit Construction) d) Recording Techniques and the use of microphones e) Live Electronic Performance techniques.

Duration Usual adult education class durations and hours.

Entry None.

Qualification None.

Equipment Soundcraft 10-4, Itam mixers; Revox A77, B77; Teac 3340, Tannoy, Bose mons; VCS 3 Synthi; Yamaha Digital Reverb; MXR delay; Roland Vocoder; Calrec, AKG, Beyer mics, Yamaha DX7.

Note The College's 'West Square' studio is one of the oldest (and still one of the few) access studios in Britain. Associated with a number of well-known composers.


Electro-Acoustic Music Association of Great Britain (EMAS)

(Contact Details)

This organisation doesn't run courses as such, but many of the studios and staff of studios in this survey are members. It is the main organisation for dissemination of information about electro-acoustic music in Great Britain. Members of the public may join the association and receive a regular newsletter which features studio news, concert dates and general electro-acoustic features.

EMAS owns a substantial amount of equipment for use by composers of electroacoustic music.

Equipment Soundcraft, Chilton mixers; Studer B67; Revox, Teac; DBX; HH V500; Bose, Altec mons.


Dept of Music, Centre For the Arts & Related Studies, City University

(Contact Details)

Course BSc(Hons) in Music. Also MPhil and PhD in research in Electronic & Computer Music.

In BSc: Yr 1. Introduction to the Studio, then short projects. Yr 2 & 3. Acoustics and Studio Systems. Analog and Digital Electro-Acoustic Music. Sound Recording (incl. classical and pop techniques) Major Projects. Composition students may include studio composition in their folio. Evening courses for pleasure; please enquire.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Equipment Brenell Mini-8; MCI JH1108 8-tr; Otari; 4-tr; Dokorder 4-tr; Sony PCM F1; Revox A77's; Telefunken M12's; Chilton 16-8 & Soundcraft 16-4 mixers; Tannoy, Bose, Chartwell monitoring; Neumann & AKG mics; Dolby A and DBX NR; EMT reverb plate; Dynacord reverb; Klark Teknik Sound Processor; EMS filter bank; Synthesis: EMS VCS3 and AKS Synthi, Fairlight CMI, Yamaha DX7 (MIDI with BBC 'B' controller being installed this summer).

Note One of the best equipped University studios. Close contacts with the Electro-Acoustic Music Association and associated with a number of well-known composers, a number of whom are on the staff.

Other relevant course subjects include: the non-literate sound world; physiological aspects of sound; physics of sound; psychology of music.

Good links in practical music with the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.


Music Dept, University of London

(Contact Details)

Course Usual degrees.

Duration Usual.

Entry Usual.

Qualification Usual.

Equipment 1" 8-tr; Studer mastering; Revoxes; Synthesis includes Fairlight CMI, 3 Alpha Syntauri systems, Roland System 100M (with 33 modules with 3 keyboards), BBC micros with interface to Roland, VCS3's, Wasps, best microphones.

Note A well-established studio which has had a lot of well-known composers associated with it, including Don Banks, Hugh Davies, Lily Greenham, etc.


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Tape Track Formats

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Tonmeistering - The English Way


Publisher: Home & Studio Recording - Music Maker Publications (UK), Future Publishing.

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Home & Studio Recording - Jul 1984

Donated & scanned by: Mike Gorman

Topic:

Education


Feature by Jan Steele

Previous article in this issue:

> Tape Track Formats

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