Students
MUS 300 – Advanced Music Production
2017 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Denis Crowdy
Contact via denis.crowdy@mq.edu.au
Y3A 193G
By appointment
Studio Technician
Ben Nash
By appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
MUS203
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Building on MUS203, this unit examines advanced techniques for music production. Moving beyond desktop music production and software tools, students learn about the recording studio environment using studio hardware and production tools. It addresses areas including: digital audio theory; microphone techniques and placement; fundamentals of audio engineering; and mixing and mastering concepts. Students produce original creative music works using a fully-equipped music studio, gaining practical studio experience. Further aspects of this unit include the establishment of critical listening skills, research of specific musical genres, and the development of an understanding of audio production concepts in a recording studio environment. Students obtain a knowledge base which may be applied to many areas of music production in real-world contexts, and create recordings that incorporate a practical and theoretical understanding of contemporary music production.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Apply advanced music production techniques and digital audio concepts
- Create and compose original musical works
- Explain industry-standard production and recording practices
- Analyse sonic texts in terms of production techniques, composition, and context
- Critique and evaluate the creative process of music production
- Research contemporary production practices and technologies
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation | 10% | No | Continuous |
| Audio Theory Quiz | 20% | No | Week 5 tutorial |
| Guided recording tasks | 20% | No | Week 9 tutorial |
| Production Project | 30% | No | Week 13 tutorial |
| Exegesis | 20% | No | Week 13 tutorial |
Participation
Due: Continuous
Weighting: 10%
Participation includes both iLearn and tutorial participation. You will complete iLearn and tutorial tasks when given. You should also be prepared to discuss essential concepts and progress in tutorials.
Assessment criteria:
- participation in iLearn forums and in tutorial discussion
- evidence of steady progress on production projects and written/research projects
- readiness to engage in discussion in tutorials, and quality of engagement
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain industry-standard production and recording practices
- Analyse sonic texts in terms of production techniques, composition, and context
- Critique and evaluate the creative process of music production
- Research contemporary production practices and technologies
Audio Theory Quiz
Due: Week 5 tutorial
Weighting: 20%
Students will complete an online quiz on audio and microphone theory material delivered in Weeks 1-4.
Assessment criteria:
- Demonstrate an understanding of essential concepts
- Show evidence of understanding of material discussed in class
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain industry-standard production and recording practices
- Research contemporary production practices and technologies
Guided recording tasks
Due: Week 9 tutorial
Weighting: 20%
Students will undertake a series of guided recording tasks from week 4, and these are to be presented as a portfolio of recordings and associated notes.
Required submission materials and format will be discussed in tutorials and specified on iLearn.
Assessment criteria:
- Demonstrate an understanding of essential concepts and practical application
- Show evidence of applying material discussed in class
- Presentation of work in appropriate formats with relevant documentation
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply advanced music production techniques and digital audio concepts
- Create and compose original musical works
- Research contemporary production practices and technologies
Production Project
Due: Week 13 tutorial
Weighting: 30%
Students will produce a multitrack recording in any style, delivered as a project file conforming to professional standards. The recording must demonstrate advanced recording and production techniques, including multiple (at least 8) tracks, at least 2 tracks of recorded material from live performers using Recording Studio 2, group tracks, send/FX/aux busses, automation, full track naming, and track notes.
Note: Any samples used must be copyright cleared (eg. from sample libraries) or Creative Commons licensed. All samples must be acknowledged on an accompanying Reference List.
Required submission materials and format will be discussed in tutorials and specified on iLearn.
Assessment criteria:
- Demonstrate advanced recording and production techniques
- Show evidence of applying material discussed in class
- Presentation of work in appropriate formats with relevant documentation
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply advanced music production techniques and digital audio concepts
- Create and compose original musical works
- Research contemporary production practices and technologies
Exegesis
Due: Week 13 tutorial
Weighting: 20%
Students will submit a 1500 word exegesis to accompany Production Project 2. A satisfactory report will demonstrate the project aims and scope, its creative context, progression of the project, research materials used, any problems that were encountered (either creative or technical) and the steps that were taken to overcome them, and a critical reflection on the project.
Assessment criteria:
- Quality of communication of project progress
- Communication of problems encountered and approaches to solving them
- Clear, relevant, well crafted written communication
- Evidence of appropriate critical reflection
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain industry-standard production and recording practices
- Analyse sonic texts in terms of production techniques, composition, and context
- Critique and evaluate the creative process of music production
- Research contemporary production practices and technologies
Delivery and Resources
Attendance
Students are required to attend all lectures and tutorials for this unit. Lecture and tutorial attendance is compulsory, and missing more than two tutorials without medical certification or evidence of disruption will result in a Fail grade for the 10% ‘Participation’ component. To avoid being penalised for missing a tutorial, medical certification or other evidence of disruption must be provided. A roll will be taken in the first 10 minutes of every tutorial; students entering late are responsible for making themselves known to the tutor so they can be marked as in attendance.
Website/iLearn
MUS300 will make use of iLearn. The MUS300 iLearn unit may be accessed from within the music labs or from off-campus at http:// www.ilearn.mq.edu.au.
Required Equipment
You will need to bring a pair of good quality headphones to tutorials each week. In-ear (iPod-style) headphones are not appropriate. Consider your headphones an investment. Technical staff will provide advice if necessary. You will need a Mac-compatible portable hard drive or USB memory sticks (4GB or more) in order to back up and transfer projects from the server.
Music Lab and Recording Studio 2
You may make use of the Y3A Music Lab at any time when there are no classes taking place. The opening hours for the Music Lab will be 9–5 on weekdays, with possible extensions; this will be discussed in lectures/tutorials. Recording Studio 2 and Practice Room facilities may be booked via the online booking system. Details for the online booking system are provided on iLearn, and this procedure will be outlined in tutorials/lectures. Students will be given a set allocation of studio time per week. It is up to students to manage their studio time effectively in relation to the assessment tasks.
Software Compatibility
It is your own responsibility to ensure that any work undertaken outside of the Music computer labs is fully functional within and compatible with the production software currently installed on the computers in the lab and recording studio. Working within other software platforms outside Cubase or Pro Tools is not recommended, as this has caused significant problems for students in the past. Additional plug-ins outside those provided on the lab and studio workstations should not be used, unless mixed down to audio format (this should be discussed beforehand with your tutor).
Assignment Submission
There are no hard-copy submissions for MUS300. Written assignments and iLearn tasks will be completed/submitted via iLearn. Production projects will be uploaded to the specified server location. This will be further explained in tutorials.
Return of Marked Work
Marked work will be returned to students in tutorials or through iLearn.
Extensions and Special Consideration
Assessments submitted after the due date and time will automatically be deducted 10% per day (weekends included) unless medical certification or evidence of serious and unavoidable disruption is provided. For extensions, contact the course convenor well in advance if you may be unable to submit an assessment on time. Extensions will only be granted on grounds of illness or misadventure, where appropriate supporting documentation is submitted, and are awarded at the discretion of the course convenor.
Referencing Style
Preferred referencing styles include Harvard (http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm? harvard_id=24#24) and APA (http://www.usq.edu.au/library/help/referencing/apa.htm). Either or any style may be used as long as all necessary information is provided and a consistent approach is taken.
Recommended Reading and Research
The recommended readings for this unit are intended to supplement your core production work, as well as enhancing your understanding of concepts taught throughout the course. Readings will not be objectively assessed from week to week, however students should broaden their understanding of concepts and practices relating to music production by completing all relevant recommended readings and referring to them where appropriate in the Exegesis (20%).
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Additional information
MMCCS Session Re-mark Application http://www.mq.edu.au/pubstatic/public/download/?id=167914
Information is correct at the time of publication
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Apply advanced music production techniques and digital audio concepts
- Create and compose original musical works
- Critique and evaluate the creative process of music production
Assessment tasks
- Guided recording tasks
- Production Project
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Explain industry-standard production and recording practices
- Analyse sonic texts in terms of production techniques, composition, and context
- Research contemporary production practices and technologies
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Guided recording tasks
- Production Project
- Exegesis
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Create and compose original musical works
- Research contemporary production practices and technologies
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Guided recording tasks
- Production Project
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Apply advanced music production techniques and digital audio concepts
- Analyse sonic texts in terms of production techniques, composition, and context
- Critique and evaluate the creative process of music production
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Audio Theory Quiz
- Guided recording tasks
- Production Project
- Exegesis
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Create and compose original musical works
- Explain industry-standard production and recording practices
- Analyse sonic texts in terms of production techniques, composition, and context
- Critique and evaluate the creative process of music production
- Research contemporary production practices and technologies
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Audio Theory Quiz
- Production Project
- Exegesis
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Apply advanced music production techniques and digital audio concepts
- Create and compose original musical works
- Critique and evaluate the creative process of music production
Assessment tasks
- Audio Theory Quiz
- Guided recording tasks
- Production Project
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Explain industry-standard production and recording practices
- Analyse sonic texts in terms of production techniques, composition, and context
Assessment tasks
- Guided recording tasks
- Exegesis
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Create and compose original musical works
- Critique and evaluate the creative process of music production
Assessment tasks
- Production Project
- Exegesis
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Analyse sonic texts in terms of production techniques, composition, and context
- Critique and evaluate the creative process of music production
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Guided recording tasks
- Production Project
- Exegesis