Undergraduate BA(hons) or BSc (Hons) Creative Industries Futures (Music) Live Production & Technical Arts
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Course overview
The Live Production & Technical Arts degree prepares you for one of the most in-demand areas of the creative industries.
Whether you’re drawn to live sound, lighting, stage management, backline tech or event production, this pathway equips you with the technical skillset and hands-on experience needed to operate confidently in professional environments.
You’ll train in industry-standard facilities, work on real shows and collaborate with performers and creatives across ACM — developing the expertise, discipline and readiness that modern live events demand.
What Makes This Course Stand Out
- Train in real live environments, working on gigs, showcases and events across ACM’s campuses – gaining the confidence and accuracy the industry expects.
- Develop professional technical skills across live sound, lighting, event production, stagecraft, backline and technical arts.
- Learn from experienced industry specialists who have worked on major tours, festivals, theatre productions and live broadcast events.
- Collaborate with performers, producers and creatives, becoming an essential part of their live setup and artistic process.
- Build a professional portfolio that showcases your technical expertise, problem-solving, and ability to run live shows from setup to pack-down.
Specialisms
We offer three distinct specialisms as part of the Live Production & Technical Arts pathway of our Creative Industries Futures course. We have created specific educational content designed to prepare you for a career in your chosen field while equipping you with an intimate understanding of the greater creative industries.
Backline Technician
Learn how to become a leading backline technician and achieve professional excellence at any live event, navigate the stress of a high-pressure environment and be show-ready, on time, every time.
Starting with the practical skills required on a modern concert stage, from coiling cables, spiking, striking, and patching to following stage plots and channel lists. This specialist route will provide the student with knowledge of current industry standard backline equipment, including its correct functioning and maintenance. We will examine techniques used in both the studio and live touring to achieve the best professional outcomes.
The course will then deepen knowledge in areas such as workshop and maintenance skills. Working with tools from basic screwdrivers to 3D printers and working in Maker-spaces and warehouse environments, we will explore equipment repair and maintenance. Going further with basic electronics, soldering, aesthetic repairs, specialist modification and even instrument design. We will build our knowledge by working with the vintage instruments and the latest computer technology regularly found on the concert stage. The contemporary live music concert uses many more technologies to enhance the performance, so this route will lift the lid on Midi, Playback rigs, SPD/MPC, hybrid drums, concert control software, show calling tech and much more
As we move to deepen our understanding further, we will delve deeper into the specialist skills required for working on today’s complex stage productions, including more advanced backline techniques, specific instrument tuning and maintenance. We will be developing creative skills to add a professional level of competence to the students’ practice, involving collaborations with musicians and artists.
The cutting-edge concert requires many complex and bespoke solutions to ever-increasing technical and artistic demands, such as staging systems and AV components. These systems require the backline technician to have a solid foundation in these creative technologies, including the handling of these systems safely and efficiently. We will also cover the logistical element of backline technologies, including hiring, buying, storing, flight cases and transportation of these valuable assets.
The modern concert personnel are usually freelance traders, and this route explains how to run your operation financially and in terms of personal development. We also look into the concept of creating networks, teams, agencies, contacts, and portfolio creation to strategies around career and personal development
Ultimately, this course is designed to create the modern live backline technician and will give you the skills needed to step into the industry as a well-rounded practitioner, innovator and asset to the industry.
Live Sound
Learn how to become a leading sound engineer and achieve sonic excellence for live events, using a wide range of manufacturers’ technologies with tried and tested management and performance techniques.
Starting with the practical skills of live sound engineering, including patching, routing, mixing, soundcheck and communication skills, we will move through the basics of the modern concert sound reinforcement system and associated technologies, such as networked audio and basic rigging.
As we move to deepen our understanding, we will delve deeply into areas such as acoustics and the properties of sound in enclosed spaces, from musical acoustics, room modes, reverb times, and treatment and how to apply this to venues or studios. We take a deeper look at how the cutting-edge concert utilises creative technologies to enhance artistic performances. The course looks at Playback rigs, concert control software, show-calling tech, Radio systems, In Ear Monitoring, modern industry protocols and ways of working.
The sound at modern concerts requires many bespoke systems to be in place, such as power requirements, all of which are complex and important and require anyone working within live production to have a solid foundation in many creative technologies, their practice and safety. This will also include the transportation, setup and pack down of these major concert systems.
No live sound engineer is complete without further development of specialist skills, including advanced backline techniques, specific instrument tuning and maintenance. This exciting pathway specialism brings together a range of artistic, creative, technical and interdisciplinary skills to create more complex interconnected productions. Through the use of contemporary show technology, we explore the latest in multimedia immersive events, specialising in creating creative audio 3D and 4D experiences
These specialist skills units will run alongside the cross-pathway collaborative projects each term, giving the student a real-world learning experience. This will develop further knowledge and specialist skills in operating and specifying complex live sound systems. With this will come the management and creative skills needed to add a professional practitioner level of competence to the student’s practice.
Ultimately, this course is designed to create the modern live sound engineer and will cover important aspects of getting and keeping work through the meaningful practice of your craft, keeping up with technology and the ability to innovate and lead.
Event and Tour Production
Learn how to become a leading production manager and achieve great-looking and sounding concerts for both one-off events and tours.
Starting with the practical skills of live sound engineering, including patching, routing, mixing, soundcheck and communication skills, we will move through the basics of the modern concert sound reinforcement system and associated technologies, such as networked audio and basic rigging.
As we move to deepen our understanding, we will delve deeply into areas such as acoustics and the properties of sound in enclosed spaces, from musical acoustics, room modes, reverb times, and treatment and how to apply this to venues or studios. We take a deeper look at how the cutting-edge concert utilises creative technologies to enhance artistic performances. The course looks at Playback rigs, concert control software, show-calling tech, Radio systems, In Ear Monitoring, modern industry protocols and ways of working.
The sound at modern concerts requires many bespoke systems to be in place, such as power requirements, all of which are complex and important and require anyone working within live production to have a solid foundation in many creative technologies, their practice and safety. This will also include the transportation, setup and pack down of these major concert systems.
No live sound engineer is complete without further development of specialist skills, including advanced backline techniques, specific instrument tuning and maintenance. This exciting pathway specialism brings together a range of artistic, creative, technical and interdisciplinary skills to create more complex interconnected productions. Through the use of contemporary show technology, we explore the latest in multimedia immersive events, specialising in creating creative audio 3D and 4D experiences
These specialist skills units will run alongside the cross-pathway collaborative projects each term, giving the student a real-world learning experience. This will develop further knowledge and specialist skills in operating and specifying complex live sound systems. With this will come the management and creative skills needed to add a professional practitioner level of competence to the student’s practice.
Ultimately, this course is designed to create the modern live sound engineer and will cover important aspects of getting and keeping work through the meaningful practice of your craft, keeping up with technology and the ability to innovate and lead.
Modules
Modules
ACM’s core validated learning provision. These are the building blocks of your degree, through which you will be assessed, accrue credits, and progress towards your final qualification. ACM’s module design blends the rigour of a high-quality academic framework and up-to-date industry knowledge. Students also develop critical professional competencies as they progress through their programme.
Skills Units
Skills units are ACM’s unique delivery model for up-to-date technical and industry knowledge. These are where you will learn everything you need to excel in your chosen discipline, and inform how you approach your assessments.
Modules
MIF – 401 Music Industry Futures
This module gives students an overview of the music industry, past, present, and future. Students learn about the mechanisms, structures, and practices that drive the music industry and where their specialism sits within it, whilst gaining an understanding of key fundamentals of music business, structure, market, and areas of specialism.
MIF – 402 Music Media and Technology
This module enables students to examine the role of music across a range of media, exploring the way that music, media and technology intersect. It prepares students to understand how their specialist skills will be used in the industries of today and tomorrow.
MIF – 403 Impact and influence of Music
This module enables students to explore the varied impact of music, focusing on its ability to influence audiences, create community connections, and support creative practitioners, as well as the physical and mental impact music may have on individuals and wellbeing.
MIF – 404 Music, Culture and Society
This module enables students to understand the cultural and social aspects of music and to connect the theory with the practice, helping students to learn how to navigate the industry whilst being aware of important sociocultural histories, trends, and issues that affect the music industry. This module encourages you to explore these ideas through discussion and debate, developing your ability to critically explain and justify your work. These skills are essential for defining your identity as a creative practitioner and communicating your values within the industry.
CIF – 405 Preparing for Collaborative Projects
This module enables students to prepare and organise themselves and their work to engage in an interdisciplinary collaborative creative project. Students will work on their discipline-specific skills through a suite of skills units and labs, bringing them to the collaborative project to begin working in communities of practice.
CIF – 406 – Engaging in Collaborative Projects
This module enables students to work collaboratively on a shared project brief. Building on 405, it prompts the students to further develop their skills and begin realising larger cross-disciplinary projects with creatives across music and/or digital arts pathways.
Skills Units
SKU-LPT-01 Live Production
This module explores basic concepts in Live music production, from touring to stand-alone events, from conception to delivery. Looking at show concepts and design, and delivering artistic briefs on a technical level. All aspects of Live Production will be covered: Sound, Lights, Backline, Streaming, Immersive, AV and Set. How shows are brought together with equipment, control software and management.
SKU-LPT-02 Academic and Professional Skills in Live Production
This module allows students to develop the professional and academic skills required to flourish in Live Music Production, and to take this into their professional lives. It calls for effective research, networking and communication skills to be developed, setting the context for study on the program and professional engagements, gaining insights for opportunities and progression.
SKU-LPT-03 Stage Management
This module is an introduction to the skills required to work on the stage of any event, from small venues all the way to arenas. Whatever role you eventually take, the student should have a thorough grounding in what it takes to stage any event professionally, safely and grounded in common industry practice.
SKU-BUS-03 Management and Leadership
This Unit introduces students to methods and techniques for management and leadership and encourages them to consider the type of manager and/or leader that they want to be.
Modules
CIF – 501 – Specialist Collaborative Work
This module enables students to contribute through their chosen specialism to an interdisciplinary collaborative creative industries project, and gives them the opportunity to develop more advanced skills through the realisation of highly specialised projects, driven by industry briefs.
CIF – 502 – Professional Collaborative Work
This module aims to enable students to explore, examine, and review the function of a professional project. Students will work in a professional context to deliver a project in their specialism.
CIF – 503 – Specialist Route Skills
This module enables students to use tools, techniques, and procedures to work toward producing work of a professional standard in their chosen specialism. Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a humanities, phenomenology or cultural framework. Crucially, this module provides students with additional advanced technical skills development, through which they are assessed.
CIF – 504 – Professional Route Skills
This module enables students to create a portfolio of professional, specialist work demonstrating transferable skills to meet sector expectations. Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a humanities, phenomenology or cultural framework. Here, the emphasis on specific skills remains; however is realised in a broader context.
Skills Units
SKU-PRO-10 Live Sound Engineering
The Live Sound industry is directly linked to Music Production. This Skills Unit will enable students to understand how their mixes can translate across to venues’ PA systems. Giving the opportunities to learn new skills used by Live Sound Engineers within setup, monitors, and Front of House, and previous technical knowledge can be adapted from Studio Production to work in a live environment.
SKU-LPT-04 Audio System Engineering
Understanding the basics of the modern concert sound reinforcement system and associated technologies, such as networked audio and basic rigging.
SKU-PRO-08 Acoustics
Acoustics crosses over into many audio applications and industries. Getting the best out of your control room, monitoring, live room recording, and other acoustic spaces is one of the many ways that a deeper understanding of acoustics can help.
SKU-BUS-16 Tour Management
This Unit explores the legal, financial, and logistical side of bringing international performers to the UK, and/or working remotely with international talent.
SKU-LPT-08 Networked AV
In this unit, students will learn all about Audio-Visual equipment and its relation to Networking. This course digs deep into the technical aspects and nuances of music technology in relation to audio-visual equipment. Exploring AV setups, notable technologies, live streaming, and culminating it all into a final project where students can demonstrate their skills.
Modules
CIF – 601 – Critical Review
This module includes a research or practical project that critically reviews one or more current issues, constraints or practices that impact your specialism and wider creative industries, the application of your specialism to other industry sectors or broader cultural
or workforce issues relating to your specialism and the creative cultural industries. Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a humanities, phenomenology or cultural framework.
CIF – 603 – Leadership and CPD
This module enables students to engage with continuing professional development and to review and develop their leadership skills in different contexts, whilst also building and maintaining a specialist skills development plan for their chosen specialism.
CIF – 602 – Leading a Professional Collaborative Project
This module aims to enable students to build their leadership and professional skills through an interdisciplinary collaborative professional project. It acts as the student’s final capstone project, and is driven by the student, culminating in a final performance, showcase, professional body of work, or a combination thereof, to a high professional standard.
CIF – 604 – Professional Portfolio
This module enables students to create a portfolio and digital presence that includes course output, work experience, freelance work or volunteering targeted to professional opportunities or further study. Through the delivery of their assessment, students are invited to position their work through the lens of industry, creating a portfolio of work and an accompanying plan for professional development and progression in their chosen field.
Skills Units
SKU-LPT-06 Advanced Live Sound
In this unit, students will learn all about live sound equipment. This course digs deep into the technical aspects and nuances of music technology for a live event. Students will be exploring notable technologies, live events, Industry standards, working with artists (talent), and developing their very own live sound proposals.
SKU-LPT-11 Contemporary Live Production
The modern Sound technician. How to get and maintain work. How to practise your craft, how to keep up with technology, and how to innovate.
SKU-PRO-13 Performance & Technology
Through case studies and hands-on demonstrations, this Skills Unit explores cutting-edge technologies, their application within live music performance, and technology’s ability to enhance the music production process.
SKU-PRO-20 Immersive Audio
Immersive sound and music have been a staple of digital media for decades, experienced mostly in modern cinemas. As the wider music industry begins to embrace immersive formats offered across all major music streaming platforms, this skills unit offers students the opportunity to learn about immersive recording and mixing. The course covers contemporary formats such as Dolby Atmos and Ambisonics and teaches the techniques and processes associated with building immersive listening experiences.
CIF – 701 – Professional Practice Frameworks
This module enables students to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the professional sector-specific expertise required for a creative industries profession. Students here reflect on their own specialist and professional experiences and map to professional standard frameworks. There is the opportunity to engage with additional external qualifications through this module.
CIF – 702 – Applied research
This module enables students to evidence academic expertise in an applied research
context. Students will be able to use relevant academic research to drive their project, over two terms, where they will submit a final portfolio of work. Some examples include: professional portfolios, thesis, creative portfolios, live performances, creative artefacts and products.
CIF – 703 – Ideas into action
Within this module, students will investigate the project management processes needed to develop a project from concept to release, developing their own craft into project(s) which align with their chosen area of study.
CIF – 704 – Making connections
This module enables students to identify, inform, and establish a network of peers and relevant industry and community contacts to develop opportunities and advocacy in key organisations in the local community, research organisations, charities and the creative industries, as well as connect with communities of investors.
Fees & Entry requirements
- Minimum age 17+ for Foundation Learners and 18+ for our Accelerated Degree Courses.
- You will be expected to hold A Levels or Equivalent Level 3 Qualification(s) worth 104 UCAS Points or more **
- You will be expected to hold a GCSE in English Language / Literature at C grade/ 4 (or higher)
- Suitability for the programme will also be assessed through an audition. View audition guides
- Fees & financing information can be found on our Fees page
- Term dates can be found on the Term Dates page
If you do not have A-Levels and require moderation, please speak to our admissions team to explore the options available to you.
This course is presented in conjunction with our partners Middlesex university and is subject to the regulations and policies detailed here.
Progression
Contact our Admissions team to discuss the possibility of switching to an Integrated Masters program or explore a range of our Postgraduate programs here.
Tutors
Dean McCaw
Diploma Cohort Tutor in Performance
Dr. Gary Bromham
Senior Lecturer in Production
Gwen Howard
Lecturer in Production
Ed Hendry
Lecturer in Live Performance
