Music Technology

This course provides the student with general study of mass communications and journalism. This course includes theory, development, regulation, operation, and effects upon society. Upon completion of this class, students should be able to decide the field of mass communications on which to focus.

This course is designed to acquaint the student with basic audio engineering fundamentals. Emphasis is placed on microphone techniques, recording principals, musician and recording engineers’ code. Upon completion, students should be able to do basic studio recordings.

Upon completion of this course with a “C” or better, students should be able to do the following:

1. Identify the components of sound waves
2. Create proper signal routing through analog and digital recording consoles
3. Identify three types of signals (microphone, low impedance, line level)
4. Demonstrate ability to get proper recording gain and signal routing into Pro Tools
5. Identify the three classes of microphones and the characteristics of each class
6. Utilize proper placement of microphones on musical instruments and voice
7. Identify various signal processing devices and the uses of each
8. Employ Professionalism in the recording studio

This course provides an overview of the recording industry. Topics will include music publishing, artist and label contracts, artist management and agents, live performance agreements, and marketing and entrepreneurship. Upon completion students should have a basic understanding of the many various parts of business side of the recording industry.

Upon completion of this course with a “C” or better, students should be able to do the following:

1. Demonstrate understanding of music publishing and copyright
2. Demonstrate understanding of the roles of music industry managers and agents
3. Identify the contract points of an artist or label contract
4. Demonstrate understanding of live performance agreements and riders
5. Define and create a DIY marketing and entrepreneurship plan.

This course provides practical experience in media through supervised part- or full-time employment with a newspaper, radio or television station, recording studio, or public relations/advertising agency. In addition to working in their chosen field, students will complete a studio portfolio of their work.  Upon completion, students should be able to receive employment based on demonstration of their skills in their subject area and have a professional package ready to present to potential employers.

Upon completion of this course with a “C” or better, students should be able to do the following:

1. Gain practical experience in media through supervised part- or full-time employment with a newspaper, radio or television station, recording studio, or public relations/advertising agency.
2. Create a professional portfolio of work that includes at least two individual audio mixes
3. Create an online business presence that includes website, business cards, and/or online social media

This course is a continuation of the theory and practice of audio recording in the professional studio environment. Emphasis will be placed on studio production projects using advanced techniques of microphone placement, signal flow, multitrack editing, and mixing techniques. Upon completion, students should be able to produce studio quality recordings and have an understanding of the workflow of the professional recording studio.

Upon completion of this course with a “C” or better, students should be able to do the following:

1. Create professional multitrack studio recordings
2. Utilize advanced microphone placement techniques
3. Do basic multitrack editing
4. Demonstrate post-production use of audio effects
5. Create basic multitrack audio mixes
6. Employ professionalism in the recording studio

This course is designed to acquaint students with the basic functions of a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) using the industry standard Pro Tools software. Topics include basic digital audio theory, recording, editing and mixing basics within the Pro Tools software, an introduction to MIDI, sequencing, and virtual software instruments. Upon completion, students should have an understanding of digital audio, basic recording and editing within Pro Tools software, and MIDI sequencing.

Upon completion of this course with a “C” or better, students should be able to do the following:

1. Demonstrate basic understanding of digital audio workstations (DAWs)
2. Identify digital audio basic theory (sample rate and bit depth) and their importance
3. Demonstrate basic proficiency of Avid’s Pro Tools software
4. Create and set up basic Pro Tools sessions
5. Demonstrate basic MIDI sequencing
6. Demonstrate basic Pro Tools audio editing

This course is designed to teach advanced DAW audio recording, sequencing, and mixing techniques using the industry standard Pro Tools software. Emphasis is placed on projects and writing songs using MIDI and virtual instruments. Students should be able to sequence and perform advanced editing using MIDI and create finished mixes.

Upon completion of this course with a “C” or better, students should be able to do the following:

1. Create advanced Pro Tools session files
2. Demonstrate basic mixing techniques within Pro Tools
3. Complete a variety of Pro Tools projects including video and stem mixing
4. Create professional final mixes and audio bounces within Pro Tools
5. Create original songs using audio, MIDI, and virtual instruments

This course is designed to focus on creating original MIDI compositions using the Ableton Live software. Students will learn virtual instruments and MIDI editing and automation, as well as various forms of synthesis to create original sounds and samples for programming using both software and hardware instruments.

Upon completion of this course with a “C” or better, students should be able to do the following:

1. Identify similarities and differences between Pro Tools and Ableton Live
2. Demonstrate basic knowledge of Ableton Live software
3. Demonstrate basic knowledge of signal flow in analog synthesis
4. Create basic clips using Ableton Live’s session view
5. Create basic songs using Ableton Live’s arrangement view
6.  Create basic instrumental songs using the unique features within Ableton Live

This course will introduce students to the special techniques and needs of creating audio for video media such as video games, television, and film. Students will learn the technical side of sync (SMPTE time code and frame rates) and create score and design original sound effects.

Upon completion of this course with a “C” or better, students should be able to do the following:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the unique audio requirements for video production
2. Create unique sound effects for use in video
3. Identify the professional time code frame rates
4. Create tempo maps within Pro Tools to use as scoring reference
5. Survey and discuss classic and contemporary composers and sound effect editors
6. Demonstrate understanding of Foley
7. Demonstrate understanding of field recording techniques

This course will introduce students to mixing of multitrack audio to create a final stereo file. Emphasis will be placed on the use of EQ and dynamic processors, adding time-based effects, and creating a proper mix balance using volume automation and panning techniques.

Upon completion of this course with a “C” or better, students should be able to do the following:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the use of frequency-based processing (such as equalization and filtering) in a professional mix
2. Demonstrate understanding of the use of amplitude-based processing (such as gating and compression) in a professional mix
3. Demonstrate the use of time-based processing (such as reverb and delay) in a professional mix
4. Demonstrate understanding of using proper levels, panning, and automation in a professional mix
5. Demonstrate understanding of creating a stereo master mix file in various formats