I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Advanced Audio Production

2. Course Prefix & Number:
MUSC 2414

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

This course is designed to teach students to use a wide range of audio recording equipment and techniques in both artistic and vocational settings. Whether it be mixing live sound at a concert, setting up microphones in a working studio, creating and editing audio tracks for broadcast, or designing a personalized home studio, students will expand the skills needed for entry level positions with the audio recording industry. MnTC Goal 6

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading College Level CLC or Reading College Level

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

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: MASC 3480 Audio Production (3 credits)

Moorhead State University: EIT 382 Live Sound Recording (2 credits)

 

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.
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:

• Identify and operate varied professional audio recording equipment formats;
• Engineer a live audio/sound event in a performance-based setting (Goal 6);
• Cognize audio components such as acoustic room treatments, signal flow, basic electronics and safety, microphones, cords, live instruments, midi recording, file management, and processors;
• Schedule, conduct, and prepare invoice a professional-style audio recording session as he/she would in a modern occupational setting;
• Address technical difficulties efficiently and overcome inevitable audio session dilemmas;
• Distinguish between different formats of audio recordings and understand the benefits (pros/cons) of each (Goal 6);
• Transfer analog recordings to digital workstations (i.e. transfer a cassette recording to Pro Tools recording software);
• Recall a general history/timeline of audio recording and apply it to the development of his/her personalized sound (Goal 6); and
• Design a home recording studio that fits personal budget and artistic requisites.

V. Topical Outline

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

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Understanding Microphones and Cables (Reading and quiz assigned)
• Dynamic and condenser microphones
•  XLR, instrument, speaker, RCA, and other cables
• Proper care and application
2. Using Audio Recording Equipment
• Digital workstations and analog workstations (and compatibility)
• Studio vs. home vs. mobile workstations of both digital and analog
• Monitor speakers and headphones
• Remixing a previous project
3. Studying the History of Audio Recording (Reading and quiz assigned)
• 1900-Present
• Listening to audio from each era
• Wax cylinders, audio tape, radio broadcast formats, vinyl and turntable speed, cassette, CD, MP3, and streaming audio
4. Designing a Studio Space (Short essay assigned and virtual field trip to other studios)
• Equipment
• Budget
• Target Market
• Signature Sound Concepts and Examples
5. Recording Theory and Ethics (Reading and essay assigned)
• Sound aesthetics and market effect
• Artist vs producer in relation to consumer
• Art vs product//Human vs machine
• Defend your recording format and sound in a short essay

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

1. Planning a Live Audio Event (Lab project assigned)
• Determining time needed
• Deciding what equipment is needed
• Presenting the audio product to “the room”
• Billing for project hours and material
2. Differentiation Between Audio Occupation Types
• Pre-production, engineering, and post production (mastering)
• Transfer of one format to another
3. Schedule, Complete and Bill for Recording Session (Large group lab assigned in Mac E471)
• Identifying work opportunity, Production vs. engineering
• Planning, prep, and outline of order of work involved
• Mixing and preparation of final mix
• Final Mix and Upload to “Customer”
• Billing
4. Navigating the Chaos (Lab quiz assigned)
• Addressing technical difficulties
• Addressing the psychology of a group in production settings
• Keeping the session moving forward when problems arise