Course Syllabus

MUSC 3352 Audio Fundamentals II

Course Description

This course builds upon the foundations covered in MUSC 3350 Audio Fundamentals I, by developing more advanced skills in music notation programs and Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), as well as introducing other multimedia tools such as video editing and graphic design software. It is the second of two courses focused to help students develop knowledge and skills of computer hardware and software that assist in content creation, multimedia production, and music instruction. This course also includes content from the AVID Pro Tools 110 and AVID Sibelius 110 certification courses. Students can elect to take examinations for these course to complete Pro Tools and/or Sibelius User Certifications and Badges.

Justification

As with other fields of endeavor, the personal computer has revolutionized the study, production and distribution of music. An understanding of this technology is critical for musicians at every level. This type of course is offered for music majors at four-year institutions in the State of Utah, and is a regular course offering around the country. The Horne School of Music at Snow College is an accredited member of The National Association of Schools of Music, and NASM requires that its member schools prepare students by teaching them the purpose and use of music technology in various forms as part of undergraduate music training. This course, in conjunction with MUSC 3350 (Audio Fundamentals I), fulfills that requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Be able to use a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to produce music by assignment.
2. Be able to use a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to compose and produce a remix backing track to an existing A Capella vocal track.
3. Be able to use video editing software to do simple editing of video content.
4. Be able to use graphic design software to create and edit images and graphics.
5. Be able to use a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to do advanced editing and manipulation of digital audio in order to create a medley or mashup.
6. Be able to use music notation software and music theory knowledge to create lead sheets based on content manipulated in a Digital Audio Workstation.

Course Content

This course provides students with opportunities to develop video editing, graphic design, music notation, composition and audio and music production skills through various projects. The projects are variable in order to cater to the diverse backgrounds and musical tastes of students, but additional projects may be presented to push students out of their comfort zones and into new and exotic styles and genres. The following topics are covered:
Music Composition-Multiple Genres
Music Composition-Production by Assignment
Music Production-Synthesizers
Music Production-Virtual Processors
Music Production-Advanced Virtual Mixing
Music Production-Time Manipulation
Music Production-Beat and Music Matching
Video Editing-Simple Video Editing
Video Editing-Multi-Cam Editing
Graphic Design-Flyers
Graphic Design-Posters
Graphic Design-Album/Single Covers
Music Notation-Lead Sheets
Music Production-Advanced Digital Audio Editing
Music Production-Creating Medleys and Mashups