Dr. Marcus Leadley is a tutor, sound artist, composer, researcher and curator whose work explores the relationship between sound and place. He teaches Field Recording and Soundscape Composition courses and runs field trip sessions.
Marcus is the Head of Goldsmith’s Electronic Music Studios and teaches Electronic Music Studio Skills (Bmus) and Sonic Arts (Mmus). He also works as lead artist and consultant to public art projects. Much of this practice is collaborative: working with other sonic artists, musicians or producers or with visual artists – for whom he can facilitate all aspects of live or recorded sound. He holds a PhD is Sonic Arts and an MMus in Studio Based Composition. His research interests include phonography, soundscape composition, acoustic ecology and ecoacoustics.
Online 10-Week Field Recording Courses
Short Course: Introduction to Field Recording and the Soundscape
This 10-week course is suitable for complete newcomers to field recording and for those with some experience of basic hand-held recorders who want to improve the quality of their recordings and learn the basics of computer sound editing.
£370 (with concessions available). Starting Monday 12th January 2026, 7.30 – 9.30pm UK time (international students very welcome if this works with your timezone/schedule)
Short Course: Field Recording and Soundscape Composition
This course is a natural progression for those of you who have already taken my Introduction to Field Recording short course. However, the course is self-contained and suitable for anyone who already has some experience of field recording and digital audio software.
£370 (with concessions available). The next start for Field Recording and Soundscape Composition will be Wednesday 14th January 2026, 7.30 – 9.30pm UK time.
Autumn 2025 Field Trips
I am currently scheduling sessions for these full-day workshop style sessions where I provide a wide range of recording equipment and instruction. Next dates:
Greenwich (London): TBC
Whitstable (Kent coast): TBC
I’ve really enjoyed the Field Recording and Soundscape Composition short course at Goldsmiths, largely due to the fascinating subject matter, and Marcus’ excellent teaching style and huge knowledge of the subject. Despite working as a professional AV Engineer for the entirety of my adult life, Marcus has introduced me to a wealth of information on topics that I was previously unfamiliar with.
Oliver Phillips, spring 2021
I’ve just started out as a professional sound recordist in film and The introduction to sound course is a vital course to any beginner wanting to look at the wider ares of field recording and soundscapes in general. I’ve ended up more adept at ProTools and more knowledgable about equipment.
Harry Mcilroy, spring 2022
Today’s class was exciting because how we experience space is one of the main focuses of my work, and recently, my focus has shifted to thinking about place and sense of place, which is part of these animations I am beginning.
Thank you for providing such an excellent course. You have exceeded my expectations of what I would learn, and I hope to participate in the composition section.
Vanessa Williams, spring 2024
I can’t thank you enough for introducing me to this way of working. It has opened my ears and heart to a magical world, I’d not noticed before.
The work I made as a result of your introductory course was installed at Time and Tide Museum in Great Yarmouth and is now touring to the National Maritime museum and fisheries museum in Scotland.
Beverley Carruthers, spring 2025
I’m so glad I contacted Marcus. His knowledge of soundscapes and recording techniques is vast, and his array of equipment — from basic telephone pickups to sophisticated shotgun rigs — exposes a sonic world most of us never experience. Our session was tailored to my interests and struck a good balance between technical instruction and artistic discovery. This was an inspiring experience that will forever change how I think about the sound around me and what I can do with it.
Simon Collison, musician and sound artist, summer 2025