I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Music Production: Introduction to Pro Tools

2. Course Prefix & Number:
MUSC 2413

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course leads students through an introduction to the audio software Pro tools, a comprehensive digital audio recording, editing and mixing software. The techniques studied are set in the context of giving voice to artistic expression through the medium of recorded sound. This course is also an introduction to the theory of sound and the recording process. The course introduces audio terminology, principles of sound and hearing, components of basic equipment, recorder operation, the direct input of Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), digital recording systems and editing, production planning, and the basic musical elements relevant to recording and the industry of audio. MnTC Goal 6

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading College Level CLC or Reading College Level

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

8. Prerequisite (Entry) Skills:
Basic music reading and computer skills

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Bemidji State University: MUS 3501 Music Technology I (2 credits)
Moorhead Stae University: EIT 182 Introduction to Audio Recording (2 credits)

 

2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:

Bemidji State University, August 24^th, 2020, Bachelors of Music Degree

III. Course Purpose

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:
Goal 6 – Humanities and Fine Arts

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate written communication skills	Describe functions and operations of Pro tools software and its application in the recording process.
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Read, interpret and put into practice the techniques of recording in Pro tools.
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Create a piece of music containing the three core elements of a rhythm section within Pro Tools and instantiate meter and tempo changes.
Utilize appropriate technology	Demonstrate audio, instrument and MIDI track instantiation within the Pro Tools software.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Instantiate a one minute long backing tracking consisting of rhythm instruments using manual input with a Musical Instrument Digital Interface controller (MnTC Goal 6);
• Instantiate a one minute long backing track consisting of a bass instrument demonstrating knowledge of basic chord foundation emphasis using step input with a Musical Instrument Digital Interface controller (MnTC Goal 6);
• Instantiate a one minute long backing track consisting of three tracks of a keyboard (piano) instrument demonstrating knowledge of basic chord construction and progression in Western music history using step input with a Musical Instrument Digital Interface controller (MnTC Goal 6);
• Demonstrate a proficient understanding of note values, durations, tempo, and meter through the use of Quantization within the Protools software (MnTC Goal 6);
• Demonstrate proficiency with the Audio Suite portion of Pro Tools through meeting ten criteria in editing an audio track (MnTC Goal 6);
• Reverse engineer a Musical Instrument Digital Interface file through the instantiation of assigned instruments in several tracks to create an authentic audio file (MnTC Goal 6);
• Record, edit, mix and master music or spoken word to produce a finished product using the capabilities and facilities of Protools (MnTC Goal 6);
• Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities (MnTC Goal 6); and
• Engage in the creative process or interpretive performance (MnTC Goal 6).

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Getting inside Protools, Creating your first backing track/recording project
• Understanding the file structure and mechanics of basic Protools operation
• Setting up a session, demonstrate introductory level knowledge of:
• Drum machine, boom, tempo (BPM), meter, time signature
• Panning, levels, tuning, decay, MIDI instruments, keyboard range, basic music theory in regards to bass and piano chords necessary to creating a backing track
• Quantization, grid vs. slip mode
• Step input, Xpand!, grand piano, multi-channel mixer and other plug-ins
2. Recording live audio into Pro Tools and using the Audio Suite
• Understanding the process of importing sound from a variety of sources and formats
• Understanding the nature of MIDI and its recording and manipulation
• Instantiate media
• Analogue vs. digital
• Microphone technology
• Grabber, selector and pencil tools and capabilities
• Faders
• The Audio Suite and all effects therein
• Rendering, consolidation, pitch, chromatics
3. Orchestrate/reverse engineer a MIDI file into a recording that represents a close comparison to the original sample
• Understanding the ear, MIDI, and audio science
• Ear biology
• The power of music
• What research is saying in the field of music technology
• Parameters of sound
• Demonstrate the ability to complete project using Pro Tools techniques in real world situations
• Input, outputs and pathways
• Bit depth, frequency, amplitude, velocity, wav, MP3
4. Hands-on projects in music sound engineering set ups and situations
• Demonstrate ability to set up and adjust a sound P.A. system for a live performance
• Sound board technology
• Microphones, cables, speakers
• AC vs. DC, phantom power, XLR, direct inputs
• Create a finished recording involving recording, mixing, mastering and delivery in an appropriate format for distribution

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions