MUS-191: Audio Recording Technology 1

School
Liberal Arts
Division
Fine & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Music
Course Number
191
Course Title
Audio Recording Technology 1
Credit Hours
4.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
62.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
62.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
Eligible to take ENG courses at HFC.
Co-requisites
MUS-192
MUS-134
Catalog Course Description

Provides hands-on experience and guided practice in digital audio engineering, digital audio mixing, and basic digital audio mastering. Explores how to engineer recording sessions by working in an actual recording studio with live musicians. Covers basic techniques in microphone usage and placement, digitizing principals, audio acquisition options, midi integration and session management. Explains how to prepare complex digital audio files for duplication and audio for mixing. Also covers basic techniques in mixing room acoustics, software plug-ins, how to troubleshoot various audio problems, equalization, stereo imagery, noise limitation, and bit conversion. Applies core skills, workflows, and concepts of recording, editing and mixing on an Avid Pro Tools system learned in MUS-192: Pro Tools 101.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Goal Statement

Designed as an introduction to the fundamentals of audio recording technology and to develop basic skills in the following areas: audio engineering, audio mixing and mastering, and basic competency in Avid Pro Tools software.

Core Course Topics
  1. Analog and Digital Audio

    Compare and contrast analog and digital audio. Understand hard-disk recording, including sample rate and bit depth.

  2. The Listening Environment

    Identify acoustical considerations associated with the listening environment and differentiate (aurally) mono from stereo and in-phase from out-of-phase audio.

  3. Microphone Selection and Placement Techniques

    Analyze the different types of microphones and microphone patterns used in studio recording and demonstrate appropriate microphone selection and placement techniques.

  4. Hardware and Signal Flow

    Identify the use of each hardware component of a state-of-the-art recording environment, including the various functions of a mixing console and audio signal routing. Demonstrate the basic functions of recording consoles and patch bays for signal routing.

  5. Fundamentals of MIDI Theory

    Integrate the fundamentals of MIDI theory, including basic communication protocols and hardware interfacing.

  6. Multitrack Recording (MTR)

    Identify the pre-production needs for a recording session and produce a recording that consists of MIDI-generated and acoustical sound sources for a multitrack audio recording.

  7. Editing and Mixing

    Demonstrate the basic operation of Avid Pro Tools for editing and mixing to produce a three-dimensional mix (height, width, and depth).

  8. Mixdown and Mastering

    Convert (mixdown) an audio project within Avid Pro Tools and perform basic mastering techniques used for audio recordings.

  9. Audio Signal Processing

    Categorize the differences between host-based (native) systems and DSP-accelerated systems and perform fundamental signal processing techniques including basic equalization, effects and dynamics processing.

  10. The Recording Engineer and Other Roles Found in the Studio

    Differentiate between the roles of the recording engineer and other possible members of a studio including: the artist, the musicians, the producer, the mixing engineer, the assistant engineer, etc.

General Information

This 4-credit class along with its 2-credit co-req (Course Proposal MUS 192: Pro Tools 101) will replace what is currently offered in two 3-credit classes: MUS-126 and MUS-127. The purpose for this is to separate out the Avid Pro Tools Certification classes (Pro Tools 101 and Pro Tools 110) from the rest of the required Certificate of Achievement in Recording Arts (CARA) classes. This will make it possible for others who may be interested only in receiving Avid Pro Tools user certification to take only those classes (Pro Tools 101 and Pro Tools 110) without being required to take the rest of the CARA classes.

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement

  • Small projects: music session, post session, and MIDI session
  • Quizzes and exams
  • Observation of ability to work on projects and solve problems
  • Major class and/or minor individual project consisting of:
  • Recording, editing, mixing and mastering a basic pop song (or other mainstream genre) using live musicians in an actual recording studio.

    General Course Requirements and Recommendations

    Requirements:

  • Basic computer skills
  • Recommendations:

  • Fundamental understanding of music theory
  • Computer capable of running the latest version of Avid Pro Tools software
  • Latest version of Avid Pro Tools Software
  • Texts

    Texts to be determined by instructor

    Outcomes

    Satisfies Wellness Requirement
    No

    Credit for Prior College-Level Learning

    Options for Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
    Interview
    Other
    Other Details

    Determined by department

    Effective Term
    Winter 2022