FM2SEPC10 Sound Engineering & Production in Context

FM2SEPC10 Sound Engineering & Production in Context

  • Course description
    • Course Code
      FM2SEPC10
    • Level of Study
      5.2
    • Program of Study
      Sound & Music Production 2 Sound Engineering
    • Credits
      10
    • Study Plan Coordinator
      Audun Ofstad Borrmann
Teaching Term(s)
2025 Autumn
About the Course

This course develops creative studio practice for sound engineers through an ambitious, time-limited group project carried out with composition students. Emphasis is placed on soft skills, role clarity and organised workflows, planning sessions, coordinating responsibilities and meeting delivery deadlines, alongside performer-centred communication and constructive feedback routines.

Theoretical foundations support practical choices: ear training and descriptive music theory for engineers; analog subtractive synthesis and digital/virtual instrument concepts; and historical perspectives on popular music and production methods from 1950 onward. These inform genre-specific production strategies and stylistic interpretation.

Learning activities centre on end-to-end production and mixing. Teams design and run tracking and overdub sessions, select methods appropriate to style, and document technical and musical decisions. Mixing is treated as a primary discipline: engineers refine mixes for their own productions and take on defined mix/finishing roles for other groups, iterating based on peer or stakeholder feedback.

By the end of the course, participants can plan and execute a larger, ambitious studio process  collaborating effectively across roles, apply genre-aware production methods, and deliver mixes that demonstrate coherent technical judgment and responsiveness to feedback.

Course Learning Outcomes
Knowledge

The candidate...

  • Understands the importance of soft skills in the music production process
  • Has insight into, and can carry out, roles and responsibilities in a creative musical process
  • Has knowledge in ear training and music theory for sound engineers
  • Has insight into analog subtractive synthesis and digital representations of different types of synthesis, ie. virtual instruments requirements
  • Has knowledge of popular music history from 1950 onwards
  • Has knowledge of production history
Skills

The candidate...

  • Can plan, carry out and reflect on collaboration and organisation of a musical creative studio process
  • Has insight and skills in mixing techniques
    Can plan and carry out collaboration in the songwriting process
  • Can plan and carry out genre specific production
  • Can plan and carry out a production style interpretation
General Competence

The candidate..

  • Can plan and carry out a large studio work process with time and delivery
  • Can plan and carry out production work for others and act on feedback from a target group
Learning Activities

In this course, the following teaching and learning methods can be applied, but are not limited to:

  • Lecture: Educator-led presentations or activities providing knowledge, skills, or general competencies in the subject area.
  • Group work: Collaborative activities where students work together to solve problems or complete tasks.
  • Tutoring: One-on-one or small group sessions with an instructor for personalized guidance and support.
  • Student presentations: Opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding of course material by presenting to peers.
  • Online lessons: Digital content delivered via an online learning platform.
  • Guidance: Individualized advice and direction from instructors to support students in their learning journey.
  • Workshops: Practical sessions focused on hands-on application of theoretical concepts or skills.
  • Self-study: Independent study where students engage with course material on their own without any teacher support.
Assessments
Form of assessmentGrading scaleGroupingDuration of assessment
Course Assignment
Grade A-F
Reading List

Teaching materials, reading lists, and essential resources will be shared in the learning platform and software user manuals where applicable.