Students

MMCC3000 – Music Production: The Recording Studio

2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Mary Mainsbridge
mary.mainsbridge@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
10HA 165E
By appointment
Co-convenor and lecturer
Julian Knowles
julian.knowles@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including MUS203 or MMCC2033
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit examines techniques for music production. Moving beyond desktop music production and software tools, students learn about the recording studio environment by using studio hardware and production tools. Students produce original creative music works using a fully-equipped music studio, gaining practical studio experience. Further aspects of this course 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.

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: apply advanced music production techniques and digital audio concepts.
  • ULO2: create and arrange musical works.
  • ULO3: research a range of contextually relevant production and recording practices.
  • ULO4: analyse sonic texts in terms of production techniques, composition, and context.
  • ULO5: critique and evaluate the creative process of music production.
  • ULO6: research contemporary production practices and technologies.

General Assessment Information

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Production project 45% No 11:55pm 2/6/23
Studio recording theory 20% No In class - Weeks 5 and 12
Guided recording tasks 35% No 11:55pm 5/5/23

Production project

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 11:55pm 2/6/23
Weighting: 45%

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.

Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • apply advanced music production techniques and digital audio concepts.
  • create and arrange musical works.
  • 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.

Studio recording theory

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: In class - Weeks 5 and 12
Weighting: 20%

Students will undertake a series of quizzes to build and assess essential contextual and theoretical knowledge.

Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • apply advanced music production techniques and digital audio concepts.
  • research a range of contextually relevant production and recording practices.

Guided recording tasks

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 11:55pm 5/5/23
Weighting: 35%

Students will undertake a series of guided recording tasks in the studio.

Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • apply advanced music production techniques and digital audio concepts.
  • analyse sonic texts in terms of production techniques, composition, and context.
  • research contemporary production practices and technologies.

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

Tutorials commence in Week 2. Please see the timetable (https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2023/) and handbook (https://coursehandbook.mq.edu.au/2023/units/MMCC3000?year=2023) for further information.

Lectures will be available on iLearn at the start of each week. Tutorials will be delivered on campus. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook