Course Syllabus

MUSC 4450 Audio Production I

Course Description

This course focuses on the study of advanced techniques involved in audio production that build on the concepts covered in Audio Fundamentals I and II. It is the first of two course that comprise the Production Track core. Audio Production I focuses on the recording (tracking or capturing) process, which includes the study of various tracking and microphone techniques involved in recording all types of instruments, ensembles, and situations.

Justification

There is audio in every aspect of our world from public service announcements to recorded music to sound effects in a video game. Someone has to record and produce that audio information. Audio Production I and II provide the opportunity for students to develop the core skills necessary to record and manipulate audio content on a professional level preparing them for jobs as audio engineers, music producers, sound designers, voice artists, sound effects editors, etc. These courses are the core of the Production Track for students pursuing the Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Commercial Music degree, which helps them to build technical knowledge that supplements the musical skills developed this degree.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Be knowledgeable of and familiar with historical techniques and equipment used throughout the progression of recording technology.
2. Be familiar with the common types of equipment used in a recording studio.
3. Be familiar with the considerations involved with recording an ensemble in a studio environment as well as during a live performance.
4. Be knowledgeable of and familiar with various recording techniques used for both ensemble recording and individual multitracking.
5. Be able to record various instruments with the three standard types of studio microphones.
6. Be familiar with standard microphone placement and technique for a myriad of instruments.
7. Be able to record and produce a multitrack audio production of a band or ensemble.
8. Be knowledgeable of advanced Digital Audio concepts including dither, jitter, aliasing, floating point processing, etc.
9. Be knowledgeable of various debates in the audio world including Digital Audio resolutions, analog vs digital, and Native vs DSP processing.

Course Content

This course provides students with opportunities to develop audio and music production skills by studying how to record and by recording acoustic and live electronic instruments. The projects are variable in order to cater to the diverse backgrounds and musical tastes of students, but some projects will be presented to push students out of their comfort zones and into new and exotic styles and genres.Recording – Historical Techniques/EquipmentRecording – Studio vs LiveRecording – Tracking an Ensemble Recording – Loop Record/Punch/PlaylistMicrophone Technique – Stereo/Multi-ChannelMicrophone Technique – Drums/PercussionMicrophone Technique – PianoMicrophone Technique – Acoustic GuitarMicrophone Technique – Electric and Bass GuitarMicrophone Technique – VocalsMicrophone Technique – StringsMicrophone Technique – Brass/WoodwindsDigital Audio – Dither/Jitter/AliasingDigital Audio – Native vs DSP/Floating Point