Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC 1200
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Music
Title: Introduction to Music technology
Semester Approved: Spring 2024
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2028
End Semester: Fall 2029
Catalog Description: This course is an introduction to computers and their use in music. Students are introduced to Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) delving into audio editing, MIDI production, and loop production. This course also covers computer basics (navigating and file management).
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
Justification: As with other fields of endeavor, the personal computer has revolutionized the production and distribution of music. An understanding of these technologies is critical to musicians at every level. This type of course is offered at most NASM accredited institutions in the US and is offered at all USHE institutions.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students can use a personal computer to perform simple tasks. Students will demonstrate the ability to use a personal computer to perform simple production tasks through objective written examinations.
Students can perform simple edits of pre-recorded digital audio. Students will be assessed through completion of various projects.
Students will develop knowledge of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) and its various applications in Music Production. Students will be assessed through completion of various projects.
Students can create a MIDI production in a DAW. Students will demonstrate this skill through completion of various projects.
Students can create a simple production in a DAW using pre-recorded loops. Demonstrate the ability to create a simple production in a DAW using pre-recorded loops through completion of various projects.
Students will become familiar with a DAW and be able to perform audio editing, MIDI production, loop production tasks, and mixing on said DAW. Students will demonstrate proficiency through completion of various projects.
Content:
The projects are variable in order to cater to the diverse backgrounds and musical tastes of students, but some projects will be designed to push students out of their comfort zones and into new and exotic styles and genres.• Computers-Basic Usage and Navigation• Computers-File Management• Music Production-DAW Basics• Music Production-Simple Audio Editing• Music Production-MIDI Basics• Music Production-Simple MIDI Production• Music Production-Working with Loops• Music Production-Simple Loop Production• Basic audio mixing
Key Performance Indicators:
Projects 60 to 80%
Examinations 20 to 40%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
MIDI Manual 4e: A Practical Guide to MIDI within Modern Music Production (4th Edition) by David Miles Huber,
ISBN-10: 0367549980
Pedagogy Statement:
This course will be delivered in a computer lab with individual computer workstations for each student as well as an instructor station with a projector screen for student viewing. The instructor will employ a combination of lecture and hands-on demonstration to cover the concepts and show the software features necessary to know the information contained on the examinations and to complete the projects. Students will be given lab time during class to work on their projects while the instructor is available to provide one-on-one feedback and direction. The instructor will seek to assess and evaluate student skill bases and stylistic areas of interest. This will allow for project work to be catered to the student's capacities and needs.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 15
Optimum Class Size: 15
