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MUS-20086 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

MUS-20086 - Sampling and Remix
Coordinator: Manuella Blackburn Room: CKF07 Tel: +44 1782 7 33298
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

This module equips you with sampling and remixing skills through hands-on learning in Ableton Live. You'll explore the historical roots of sampling and learn various contemporary music production techniques, including AI-based stem separation. Engaging with key sample-based music pieces, you'll delve into discussions on creative reuse and recontextualization. Critical discussions will cover topics such as, intertextuality, authenticity, ownership, legal and ethical issues. You'll also learn remix principles, allowing you to rework and reinvent musical ideas across various genres and styles.

Aims
To better understand the practices of digital sampling and remix within music production.
To establish a foundation for practical and theoretical implementation of digital sampling techniques and remix processes.
To provide an introduction to the legal entities surrounding copyright law in relation to digital sampling and remix for guidance and reference in future practical work.
To consider the wider context, history and communities associated with digital sampling and remix.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate a thorough understanding of sampling and remix practices currently in use: 1,3
Implement a variety of sampling and remix tools, techniques and types within creative and theoretical situations: 2,3
Demonstrate an understanding of copyright law in relation to sampling practices, current case studies and remix repertoire situations involving case law: 2,3
Reflect critically upon sample-based music and remix repertoire within contemporary times: 1

Study hours

48 hours of interactive workshops
4 hours of group/individual tutorials with the module tutor
8 hours of group meetings to discuss project development
100 hours of task and preparation for taught sessions
140 hours on the production of assessment material

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 20%
Annotated playlist of sample-based music
A written annotated playlist exploring features/types/approaches to sample-based music creation. The playlist should be united by a chosen theme e.g. 'repertoire utilisng sampled drum breaks' or 'contemoporary remixes of songs from the 1960s'. The playlist should include up to 8 tracks and the annotations should be approximately 200 words each to describe the student's engagement with each chosen entry.

2: Creative Brief weighted 40%
Sampling project
A produced track, 2-3 minutes in length, employing a range of digital sampling techniques and processes covered in the module workshops and lectures. The track should demonstrate creativity and technical skill when integrating sampled material into composition and production work. In addition to the track, students will need to complete an accompanying report. Accompanying report (1000 words max). This should explain your track (and production process) including techniques, approaches, transformations, technicalities and aesthetic concerns arising from the process and demonstrate critical consideration of the wider field in relation their chosen approaches (such as reference tracks, artist influences, legalities, technical references etc).

3: Creative Brief weighted 40%
Remix project
Remix a track to generate a new work (between 3-4 minutes in duration) so that the sound material undergoes a genre change (e.g. Classical to Electronic Dance Music or Ambient to Trap). Stems will be provided in-class. The work will be accompanied by written documentation detailing the transformation process, the theoretical underpinning of the remix activity and information about where this work could be exhibited or positioned within the industry e.g. the student will indicate online platforms where the remix could be uploaded to/exhibited on to demonstrate their understanding of vocational/industry outlets for remix activity. The remixed work will be positioned amid other existing remix works/repertoire to demonstrate stylistic decision making and remix principles as discussed in the module.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 17 March 2026