MUSA330-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026

Creative Sound Studio

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
End Date: Sunday, 21 June 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 1 March 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 10 May 2026

Description

MUSA330 teaches fundamental studio techniques in digital sound creation and manipulation that can be applied in a range of different creative settings: Electronic Music, Soundscape, sound design, remixing, and more. Along the way they become familiar with some of the most significant historic and contemporary artistic trends in the creation of digital music. The culmination of the course is the creation of a portfolio of digital sound-based works: electroacoustic compositions, live electronic performances, EDM remixes, field recordings... or a brand new digital sound genre.

MUSA330 teaches fundamental studio techniques in digital sound creation and manipulation that can be applied in a range of different creative settings: Electronic Music, Soundscape, sound design, remixing, and more. Along the way they become familiar with some of the most significant historic and contemporary artistic trends in the creation of digital music. The culmination of the course is the creation of a portfolio of digital sound-based works: electroacoustic compositions, live electronic performances, EDM remixes, field recordings… or a brand new digital sound genre.

Learning Outcomes

• The ability to create and manipulate sonic material appropriate to their own creative goals
• Essential sound design skills
• Knowledge of methods for live electronic music performance
• An awareness of contemporary trends and practices in digital music making

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

Employable, innovative and enterprising

Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

Biculturally competent and confident

Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

Engaged with the community

Students will have observed and understood a culture within a community by reflecting on their own performance and experiences within that community.

Globally aware

Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 09:00 - 10:00 Rehua 003 Music
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
Lab A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 10:00 - 11:00 Fine Arts 225 Computer Lab
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
02-P1 Friday 11:00 - 12:00 Fine Arts 225 Computer Lab
16 Feb - 29 Mar
02-P2 Thursday 09:00 - 10:00 Fine Arts 225 Computer Lab
20 Apr - 31 May

Course Coordinator

Hamish Oliver

Lecturer

Jason Long

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Sound Design Exercise 25%
Workshop Performance 25%
Portfolio of Electronic Music 50%

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $2,117.00

International fee $10,075.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Creative and Digital Arts .

All MUSA330 Occurrences

  • MUSA330-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026