PETROC

FdA Music Production and Live Sound

Petroc is one of the largest colleges in Devon and is committed to driving forward educational success in further and higher education. 

We are passionate about raising the aspirations, knowledge and skills of individuals, and year after year our students produce exceptional results, enabling them to progress further in training or employment. 

Petroc has been delivering a range of degree-level courses for over 30 years and is proud to be able to provide a wide variety of programmes (from HNCs and Foundation Degrees to Higher Apprenticeships and Honours Degrees) in subject areas including education, computing, science, engineering, and health and care. 

Petroc has three campuses situated across North and Mid Devon with modern and stimulating learning environments. We also offer small classes, extensive student support and exceptional links to local industry. 

Visit the Petroc website to find out how we can help you go further in life.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    • Research & Context (PETR1071)

      This module is designed to enable students to gain knowledge of theory and principles relating to their area of study and transferable skills necessary to support an emerging professional practice. The application of that knowledge will embrace written responses and portfolio building (PDP). Within which the students demonstrate an appropriate awareness of their subject sector, its contemporary and traditional practice, employability and entrepreneurial requirements.

    • Live Sound Engineering (PETR1072)

      This module introduces the student to a broad spectrum of skills and techniques necessary for the development of a professional live sound engineer. This module focuses on teaching each student the technical requirements behind setting up, rigging, and successful operation of sound reinforcement equipment for a live music performance. Alongside this, students will engage with problem solving, fault finding and repair techniques required in live sound engineering.

    • Computer Music (PETR1074)

      Within this module students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the tools and techniques available to them with the view of creating a portfolio of computer music compositions. Students will look at how computer music has had an impact of contemporary music production and how music they create on computer fits within commercial markets. Students will be encouraged to research how computer music is used within varying genres and put theory to practice within their own musical ideas.

    • Mixing & Mastering (PETR1075)

      This module looks at the study of music and audio production techniques relating to commercial trends and current technologies within the mixing and mastering processes. This modules' core focus is to give learners a view into the contemporary mixing and mastering practices that go into record production. Learners will study and apply the professional tools and techniques available to them to create industry standard commercial mixes and masters.

  • Year 2

  • Core modules

    • Music Business (PETR1070)

      This module concentrates on organisations involved in regulating the music business, safeguarding intellectual property and royalty collection. Lectures will introduce contract law, copyright issues, developments with music promotion/distribution through traditional means and the Internet, also entrepreneurial/freelance aspects of employment in the music industry.

    • Recording Studio Engineering (PETR1073)

      This module introduces the student to a broad spectrum of skills and techniques necessary for the development of a professional recording engineer. This module focuses on teaching each student the technical requirements behind setting up, signal checking, and successful operation of advanced recording equipment. Students will operate within a professional recording studio environment with the view to confidently create a multitrack studio recording.

    • Live Sound Recording & Practice (PETR2081)

      This module continues the study of Live Sound from PETR1072 Live Sound Engineering to the roles and professional applications necessary to operate full-scale professional live sound public-address systems. Students will reinforce previous knowledge and progress their skills to the heights required within the Live Sound industry developing new skills and techniques along the way such as live sound recording.

    • Sampling & Synthesis (PETR2083)

      This module will continue topics previous taught within PETR1074 Computer Music. Students will develop a comprehensive study of the tools and techniques behind computer music production, with a specific focus on Sampling and Synthesis. Students will develop a range of well-established and advanced techniques and practices with a view to developing their own Sampler instruments and Software Synthesisers.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    • Sound & Music for Film/TV/Games (PETR2080)

      This module introduces learners to the professional sound creation skills and practices behind large scale film, TV and game productions. Learners will research and analyse professional techniques surrounding the module topics and develop their own projects demonstrating their ability in either Sound Design, Foley, Composition, or a combination of the three.

    • Record Production (PETR2082)

      This module concentrates on the practical, and business skills required to engage in the role of a Record/Music Producer. The students are required to experience the organisational and managerial responsibilities, technical and artistic requirements necessary to instigate and execute a recording project that could be considered for commercial release.

    • Technical Stagecraft (PETR2084)

      This module develops students' critical awareness of a broad spectrum of roles necessary for successful technical stagecraft. Students will undertake the role of stage manager as well as other technical stagecraft roles such as lighting and AV operator. Students will cover topics such as organisation and management, technical requirements, set-up and rigging of lighting and sound equipment.

    • Music Project (PETR2090)

      This module gives the students the opportunity to culminate their learning over the last 2 years with the development and realisation of their own Music Project. The main focus of this module is to allow students to develop the creative, technical and organisational skills necessary for the completion of a successful Music Project. Students will have a unique opportunity to plan and realise their own creative and practical Music Projects, and the project idea is completely up to them.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the changeable nature of the situation and any updates to government guidance, we may need to make further, last minute adjustments to how we deliver our teaching and learning on some or all of our programmes, at any time during the academic year. We want to reassure you that even if we do have to adjust the way in which we teach our programmes, we will be working to maintain the quality of the student learning experience and learning outcomes at all times.
Fees, costs and funding

The UK is no longer part of the European Union. EU applicants should refer to our Brexit information to understand the implications.

As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

How to apply
For further information and to apply for this course, please contact the college's admissions team directly using the contact details below. 
Progression routes

Completing this course enables you to progress onto these related courses and programmes with the University of Plymouth at level 5 or level 6, as specifically defined by this programme’s progression agreement.

For further information, including the progression from foundation degree form, please visit https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/business-partners/partnerships/academic-partnerships/study-guide/progression-to-honours-degree

Our partnership with PETROC
The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Please contact Petroc to apply for this course:

Petroc
Old Sticklepath Hill
Barnstaple
EX31 2BQ

Tel: +441271345291
Email: postbox@petroc.ac.uk

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with Petroc

With main campuses in Barnstaple, Tiverton and Brannams, if you decide to study at the combined college, you’ll be able to take advantage of increased resources and the plethora of learning opportunities associated with them.

Find out more about studying at Petroc
Plymouth students working on a group project