WHAT: This online course is for beginners looking to work creatively and develop their skills in field recording to produce their own soundscape composition.

WHERE: Online, join sessions from your laptop or tablet.

WHO: Run by internationally recognised sound artist and composer; Nikki Sheth

WHEN:  Thursday evenings, 7-9 PM, 22nd January – 26th February 2026.

COMMITMENT: 2 hours per week, plus extra work field recording and producing in your own time. (flexible to the scope of your project)

WHAT YOU GET: A theoretical and conceptual grounding in the field of soundscape, and lessons on how to create work from a professional, and an introduction to Reaper. You can either bring your existing recording equipment or borrow a zoom recorder from UCL.

HOW MUCH: General: £225 | Student/concession: £195 | UCL Student: £175

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: Please sign up by the 15th January.

BURSARIES: Bursaries have now closed.

AGES: 18+

Course Description

This online course is for beginners looking to work creatively and develop their skills in field recording to produce their own soundscape composition. We will look at fundamental theoretical and conceptual debates in the area, the basics of field recording and acoustic ecology, how to get started with Reaper and how to creatively compose with environmental recordings. At the end of the course, you will have a collection of your own field recordings to work with in the future and a completed soundscape composition. You’ll work with your own computer to learn skills you can continue to use on available software after the course, to continue your practice. This course engages with and intersects art, climate change, ecology, soundscape, field recording and musical composition.

• Participants are required to have their own laptop and headphones and are welcome to bring any field recording equipment if they have any, or borrow from UCL.
• No previous experience is required but some basic audio knowledge would be useful
• Participants will be expected to complete small listening and practical tasks outside of class

 

Learning outcomes:

• Gain confidence using field recording equipment.
• Engage with a new way of listening and working with environmental sounds
• Using your own machine, and engage with learn how to use the DAW Reaper
• Gain an understanding of fundamental theory and history of soundscape composition
• Learn useful skills and methodologies in creating an engaging soundscape composition that are transferable and can be used in the context of soundwalks, performances, radio, film, installation and more

 

Course outline

The following topics are only indicative:

Field recording
Microphones

Soundscape Composition
Acoustic Ecology
Getting started with Reaper 1

Sound walking and Sound Maps
Getting started with Reaper 2

Getting started with Reaper 3
Soundscape Composition (creative composition)

Tutorials and sharing session of final works

 

Across 6 sessions:

Weeks 1 – 4:

Online group sessions on Thursdays

Weeks 5:

Sign up for a 30 minute 1 on 1 tutorial with your tutor, Nikki at your convenience.

Week 6:

Final session and sharing of works & feedback.