Students

MMCC2033 – Music Production: Audio Recording and Mixing

2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Mary Mainsbridge
Convenor
Julian Knowles
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above including (MUS 202 or MMCC2020)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit explores the audio-recording and mixing functions of music production. Acoustic recording practices, the virtual mixing desk, plug-ins, effects, and hardware peripherals are introduced. Conceptual and practical issues regarding audio production and recording are covered through lectures and hands-on tutorials. This unit is taught within specialized Music laboratories fully equipped with individual digital audio workstations, MIDI keyboards, microphones, mixers, and a range of recording and production software and hardware. Students will produce original audio works using music production software.

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:

  • ULO1: evaluate discipline-specific technical knowledge of digital audio editing and recording.
  • ULO2: analyse and explain sound and creative works, showing critical, analytical and integrative thinking.
  • ULO3: demonstrate independent research skills, organisational abilities, and an ability to problem-solve technical and creative issues.
  • ULO4: formulate audio compositions in music software platforms, demonstrating musical creativity and originality.
  • ULO5: appraise and effectively communicate self-reflection of the creative process through writing.
  • ULO6: recognise issues of ethics and copyright in contemporary music production.

General Assessment Information

Assessment standards

Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment

Late submission / Special Consideration

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved:

  1. a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and
  2. no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (including weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests, online participation.

Feedback

Feedback on assessments and student learning and performance will be provided in written or verbal form. Students will receive formal individual feedback on their performance in assessments as general comments during class discussions and in-text comments attached to assignments marked in Grademark/Turnitin. Feedback may also be delivered verbally in tutorials, via email communication and in personal consultations on request. Marks are made available in the Gradebook function in iLearn.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Project 1 30% No Week 7
Project 2 40% No Week 12
Blog 30% No Week 13

Project 1

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%

Students will produce an original musical work (2-4 minutes) in the style of their choice. This project should demonstrate an ability to creatively work with audio files, resulting in a coherent musical composition. The project should incorporate production techniques discussed in lectures, including both sampling and recording. Projects will be accompanied by documentation including a project summary and audio/copyright information. All audio material used must be of copyright-permitted or of Creative Commons origins and all collaborators must be acknowledged in the project documentation.

Refer to iLearn for further information.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • evaluate discipline-specific technical knowledge of digital audio editing and recording.
  • demonstrate independent research skills, organisational abilities, and an ability to problem-solve technical and creative issues.
  • formulate audio compositions in music software platforms, demonstrating musical creativity and originality.
  • appraise and effectively communicate self-reflection of the creative process through writing.
  • recognise issues of ethics and copyright in contemporary music production.

Project 2

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 42 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 40%

Building on tutor and peer feedback and skills developed in the previous assessment, as well as new course concepts introduced in the second half of the unit, students will produce an original musical work (3-6 minutes). This project should demonstrate an ability to creatively work with audio files and recording, resulting in a coherent musical composition. The project should incorporate advanced production techniques discussed in the unit. All audio material used must be of copyright-permitted or of Creative Commons origins. Projects will be presented to class. The final mix is to be exported from the project as a stereo wave file and uploaded to a music streaming service such as Soundcloud. Projects will be accompanied by documentation including a project summary and audio/copyright information and a link to the audio file online.

Refer to iLearn for further information.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • evaluate discipline-specific technical knowledge of digital audio editing and recording.
  • demonstrate independent research skills, organisational abilities, and an ability to problem-solve technical and creative issues.
  • formulate audio compositions in music software platforms, demonstrating musical creativity and originality.
  • appraise and effectively communicate self-reflection of the creative process through writing.
  • recognise issues of ethics and copyright in contemporary music production.

Blog

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

Students will document recording and production processes online, accompanied by independent research, examples of critical listening and analysis of relevant artists’ works.

Refer to iLearn for further information.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • analyse and explain sound and creative works, showing critical, analytical and integrative thinking.
  • demonstrate independent research skills, organisational abilities, and an ability to problem-solve technical and creative issues.
  • appraise and effectively communicate self-reflection of the creative process through writing.
  • recognise issues of ethics and copyright in contemporary music production.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Lectures (delivered via iLearn) begin in Week 1. Tutorials begin in Week 2.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.