Students
MECO839 – Music Production Analysis and Research
2013 – S2 Day
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Other Staff
Denis Crowdy
Contact via denis.crowdy@mq.edu.au
Unit Convenor
Tony Lewis
Contact via anthony.lewis@mq.edu.au
Y3A 165F
By appointment
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
4
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MCrMedia or PGCertCrMedia
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit explores essential techniques of analysis and music production through attendance at, and contribution to, a series of seminars and workshops on relevant topics. Areas covered include: analysis methodologies, creative use of technology, the rise of production through the history of recorded music, specialist technical topics and changing techniques through interface development.
|
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:
- Differentiate key methodological approaches to music production analysis
- Contextualise aesthetic discussion by developing an understanding of relevant repertoire
- Research advanced literature in the field
- Apply research skills in the area of music production critical analysis
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Reading Notes/Reviews | 30% | Continuous |
| Industry Journal Analysis | 20% | Friday October 18th |
| Research Paper | 50% | Friday November 1st |
Critical Reading Notes/Reviews
Due: Continuous
Weighting: 30%
Students will develop a series of critical notes and reviews of readings relevant to a series of scheduled seminar sessions on selected topics. Total 5,000 words
Marking Criteria:
- Quality of analysis
- Clarity of presentation of findings
- Quality of written paper
- Ability to summarise
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Differentiate key methodological approaches to music production analysis
- Contextualise aesthetic discussion by developing an understanding of relevant repertoire
- Research advanced literature in the field
Industry Journal Analysis
Due: Friday October 18th
Weighting: 20%
This is an ilearn Forum exercise based on articles provided throughout the semester. Students are to read and discuss relevant issues and ideas that emerge from articles and discussions in standard industry publications such as Audio Technology, Sound on Sound and forums such as “Gearslutz”.
Marking Criteria:
· Depth of engagement with key issues
· Ability to provide collegial and appropriate responses and feedback to the posts of others
· Evidence of use of scholarly sources to support positions/discussion
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Differentiate key methodological approaches to music production analysis
- Contextualise aesthetic discussion by developing an understanding of relevant repertoire
- Apply research skills in the area of music production critical analysis
Research Paper
Due: Friday November 1st
Weighting: 50%
Students are required to locate an area of interest within the fields of studio music production or location recording, then explore a relevant research problem in the area. Findings are to be presented in a 20 minute seminar paper presented in weeks 9, 10 and 11, and final, fully referenced written papers are to be handed in by the end of week 12. The written paper should be no longer than 3500 words.
Marking Criteria:
· Identification of research question/problem
· Development and application of methodology
· Quality of analysis
· Clarity of presentation of findings
· Quality of written paper
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Differentiate key methodological approaches to music production analysis
- Contextualise aesthetic discussion by developing an understanding of relevant repertoire
- Research advanced literature in the field
- Apply research skills in the area of music production critical analysis
Delivery and Resources
Required Readings:
Barbour, E., 1998. “The cool sound of tubes” [vacuum tube musical applications]. Spectrum, IEEE, 35(8), pp.24–35.
Moylan, W., 2007. “Understanding and Crafting the Mix” in the Art of Recording 2nd ed., Burlington, MA: Focal Press.
O’Connell, J., 1992. “The Fine-Tuning of a Golden Ear: High-End Audio and the Evolutionary Model of Technology.” Technology and Culture, 33(1), pp.1–37.
Perlman, M., 2004. “Golden Ears and Meter Readers: The Contest for Epistemic Authority in Audiophilia.” Social Studies of Science, 34(5), pp.783–807.
Pinch, T. & Bijsterveld, K., 2004. “Sound Studies: New Technologies and Music.” Social Studies of Science, 34(5), pp.635–648.
Théberge, P., 2004. “The Network Studio: Historical and Technological Paths to a New Ideal in Music Making.” Social Studies of Science, 34(5), pp.759–781.
Thompson, E., 1995. “Machines, Music, and the Quest for Fidelity: Marketing the Edison Phonograph in America, 1877-1925.” The Musical Quarterly, 79(1), pp.131–171.
This unit uses iLearn.
Further details on iLearn unit page.
Unit Schedule
Details on ilearn unit page
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://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at: http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
UniWISE provides:
- Online learning resources and academic skills workshops http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/
- Personal assistance with your learning & study related questions.
- The Learning Help Desk is located in the Library foyer (level 2).
- Online and on-campus orientation events run by Mentors@Macquarie.
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
Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/ses/.
IT Help
If you wish to receive IT help, we would be glad to assist you at http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the university's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students and it outlines what can be done.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Differentiate key methodological approaches to music production analysis
- Contextualise aesthetic discussion by developing an understanding of relevant repertoire
Assessment tasks
- Critical Reading Notes/Reviews
- Industry Journal Analysis
- Research Paper
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Differentiate key methodological approaches to music production analysis
- Research advanced literature in the field
- Apply research skills in the area of music production critical analysis
Assessment tasks
- Critical Reading Notes/Reviews
- Research Paper
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Research advanced literature in the field
- Apply research skills in the area of music production critical analysis
Assessment task
- Research Paper
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Differentiate key methodological approaches to music production analysis
- Contextualise aesthetic discussion by developing an understanding of relevant repertoire
Assessment tasks
- Critical Reading Notes/Reviews
- Industry Journal Analysis
- Research Paper
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Apply research skills in the area of music production critical analysis
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment tasks
- Critical Reading Notes/Reviews
- Industry Journal Analysis
- Research Paper