Music Technology and Production Research Group

• Audio mix visualisation and user interface design for audio mixing
• Objective measurement of sound quality in music production
• Development of improved surround sound decoder algorithms
• Production of extreme metal music
• Tool for creation of effective audio/visual environments in film and TV post-production
• Evaluation of emergent technologies and practices in relation to real-time online remote record production

Use of distortion and compression in music production Areas of research that we would like to pursue in the near future include:

• Automated mastering of music
• Blind source separation of musical instruments in stereo recordings
• Development and evaluation of improved algorithms for horizontal-only surround sound playback in large spaces
• Development and evaluation of 3D surround sound decoder algorithms
• Development of collaborative tools for musicians for mobile phones
• Exploration of aspects of group behaviour in collaborative composition environments
• Development of virtual learning tools and 'enabling music' applications
• Automated composition of popular music

Our research interests are diverse and the expertise of our members is very broad. What differentiates us from someone using music technology to create music is that we are not so interested in composition for composition's sake; we are more interested in the technology behind music and the reproduction of sound.

Industry oriented both technically and in terms of popular music production, our research staff are creative and innovative practitioners who have wide industrial and research experience. They use their established industry links to continually refresh and update their research activities, ensuring that their work is at the leading edge of technology.

Along with Student Services, the Careers Service, International Office and Academic Skills Tutors (providing academic support to students), we ensure you have access to superb support academically, socially and personally throughout your time here.

Our extensive suites of recording and production studios for our range of popular courses in Music Technology are based in a complex, designed and built to professional standards at a cost of approximately £2 million. The main recording complex consists of five modern professional specification recording studios (each with separate control room and live space), four production studios, a radio studio, a Foley studio, a live sound room and two 25 seat Mac-based audio workstation rooms.

The Department additionally has a semi-anechoic chamber and a flexibly configurable 24 speaker surround sound system to support out continuing research in the design and evaluation of surround sound decoder design.

We also work in close partnership with the Department of Music sharing access to a range of University facilities including an extensive music library and IT facilities and a Concert Hall with concert organ.