Students
MUS 311 – Digital Music: Performance, Remixing and DJ-ing
2019 – S2 Day
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer and Tutor
Adrian Renzo
Contact via Contact via email
10HA-155
Please see iLearn
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
39cp at 100 level or above
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit builds practical skills to mix music for a live audience. Lectures and production lab workshops develop the techniques necessary for DJ-ing and laptop performance. The broad objective is to develop students’ awareness of mixing techniques in the live performance of electronic music, to develop creative skills in constructing studio-based DJ sets, and to collaborate creatively with colleagues. Students are introduced to Ableton Live software as a tool for laptop performance and production. This unit caters to a variety of skill levels with both beginning and advanced students welcome.
|
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 concepts of music design and theory to DJ performance.
- Critically analyse mixing technique and song selection.
- Select and deploy appropriate mixing techniques.
- Use mixing technologies.
- Demonstrate creativity through expressive techniques.
General Assessment Information
Feedback
Feedback in this unit is available in multiple forms: informal feedback provided during tutorials; answer sheets for practice tasks provided on iLearn; numerical feedback on Listening Tests; during consultation hours with individual students in response to questions related to unit activities; as general comment and rubric comments attached to assignments marked on iLearn.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening Test | 40% | No | Week 6 |
| Live Performance | 60% | No | Weeks 10-12 |
Listening Test
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 40%
Assessment Outline
This assessment tests an important skill practised by DJs: the ability to recognise when music has been edited, looped, sampled, remixed, or otherwise manipulated. Practice tasks (with answer sheets) are available on iLearn. The practice tasks and answer sheets will provide you with early feedback on your progress in this unit.
Requirements
In the Listening Test you will be given a series of extracts from various DJ mixes. The extracts will draw on songs from a playlist that you will have access to from Week 1. Your task will be to identify how the songs have been changed in the DJ mixes. Please remember to bring your headphones with you.
Submission Instructions
The Listening Test will take place in class time in Week 6. Answers will be written on a hard-copy sheet to be submitted by the end of the class. You may take up to 45 minutes to complete the test. Audio files will be played through headphones connected to the workstations in 10HA-223. Please remember to bring your headphones with you.
Assessment Criteria and Standards
Marks will be awarded according to the number of correct responses submitted. Please see iLearn for a full assessment rubric. 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
Example Tasks
Practice tasks (along with answer sheets) are available on iLearn. A Listening Test from a previous year is also available on iLearn. Completing these tasks will provide you with early feedback on your progress in this unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse mixing technique and song selection.
Live Performance
Due: Weeks 10-12
Weighting: 60%
Assessment Outline
In this assessment, you will perform a 10-minute DJ set using the Session View of Ableton Live. You will also liaise with other students ahead of time, to ensure that you 'mix into' your set smoothly. The performance schedule will be available on iLearn by 5pm Friday 20 September.
Requirements
- The Live Performance must last for 10 minutes. You may use up to 2 minutes extra for transitions to and from your set.
- Ableton Live's Session View must be used as the 'hub' for the set. Other controllers and devices may be used as supplements.
- You will need to liaise with the people playing before and after you, to ensure a smooth transition between DJ performances.
- All tracks must be high-quality audio files. Lossless formats such as WAV and AIFF are preferred, although MP3s encoded at 320kbps are also acceptable. Audio tracks ripped from YouTube clips are not acceptable for the purposes of this assessment.
- You may be required to attend a separate viva voce regarding this assignment, to elaborate on your preparation process.
- If you choose to use your own equipment for the performance, you are responsible for ensuring that your hardware and software are in good working order.
- You should keep at least 3 external Mac-compatible back-ups of your work at all times. The hard drives of computers in the lab can be erased at any time, so these computers should not be used as back-up storage.
- IMPORTANT: Click 'Collect All and Save' before submitting your assignment.
Submission Instructions
- You must submit your Live Set to the two performance computers in 10HA-223 by 9.30am on the day of your performance. A performance schedule will be available on iLearn by 5pm Friday 20 September.
Assessment Criteria and Standards
Marks will be awarded according to the following criteria:
- Ability to apply concepts of music design and theory to DJ performance.
- Level of mixing techniques.
- Competence in the use of technologies.
- Creative adaptation of sound materials.
Please see iLearn for a full assessment rubric. 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
Example Tasks
Videos of Live Performances are available on iLearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply concepts of music design and theory to DJ performance.
- Select and deploy appropriate mixing techniques.
- Use mixing technologies.
- Demonstrate creativity through expressive techniques.
Delivery and Resources
Delivery Mode
This unit consists of online lectures and on-campus tutorials.
Class Times
Tutorials begin in Week 2 and take place in 10HA-223. For more details please see the MQ Timetables website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au
In Week 1, you should complete the "Listening Practice" tasks available on iLearn. This will provide you with early feedback on your progress in this unit.
Required Technology
Ableton Live 9 Standard is available for student use on all computers in the lab. External licences are not available. You may use the lab to work on your assignments at any time that the lab is available. The lab is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday. Please see MQ Timetables to check when the lab is free: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au. If you choose to acquire Ableton Live 10, please note that you will need to use your own computer for the duration of the unit. Live 10 is not backward compatible with Live 9.
You will need to supply your own headphones to complete all assessments in this unit. The headphones must be designed for DJing (e.g. they should not be equipped with a microphone). Your headphones must have a TRS 1/4" connector - please see iLearn for full details.
You will need to supply your own data storage hardware. It is expected that you will regularly make three copies of your work on your own external hard drives, computers, and/or USB flash drives. Data on lab computers may be erased at any time, so these computers should not be used as a backup storage medium.
Hardware and Software Compatibility
It is students' responsibility to ensure that any work undertaken outside of the MMCCS is fully functional within and compatible with the Mac version of Ableton Live currently installed on the computers in the MMCCS labs. Additional VST instruments and effects not native to Ableton Live should not be used in assignments.
Attendance
Students are expected to view all videos on iLearn and attend all classes for MUS311. During tutorials, students will complete hands-on tasks that teach the skills needed for the Listening Test and the Live Performance. Tutorials are a central component of meeting the learning outcomes in this unit. Students who elect to not attend tutorials will miss out on unit content and learning activities, and do so at their own risk. Content delivered in class will not be repeated via other means such as email or one-on-one consultations.
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Undergraduate 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
Additional Information
MMCCS website: https://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/faculties_and_departments/faculty_of_arts/ department_of_media_music_communication_and_cultural_studies/
The MMCCS in-session re-mark application is available at: 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
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.
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 concepts of music design and theory to DJ performance.
- Select and deploy appropriate mixing techniques.
- Use mixing technologies.
- Demonstrate creativity through expressive techniques.
Assessment task
- Live Performance
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 concepts of music design and theory to DJ performance.
- Critically analyse mixing technique and song selection.
- Select and deploy appropriate mixing techniques.
- Use mixing technologies.
- Demonstrate creativity through expressive techniques.
Assessment tasks
- Listening Test
- Live Performance
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
- Apply concepts of music design and theory to DJ performance.
- Critically analyse mixing technique and song selection.
- Select and deploy appropriate mixing techniques.
- Use mixing technologies.
- Demonstrate creativity through expressive techniques.
Assessment tasks
- Listening Test
- Live Performance
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 concepts of music design and theory to DJ performance.
- Use mixing technologies.
- Demonstrate creativity through expressive techniques.
Assessment task
- Live Performance
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
- Critically analyse mixing technique and song selection.
- Select and deploy appropriate mixing techniques.
- Demonstrate creativity through expressive techniques.
Assessment tasks
- Listening Test
- Live Performance
Late Submissions
Listening Test
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, no late submissions will be accepted for the Listening Test. If your Special Consideration request is approved, you will be advised how and when to sit a supplementary Listening Test. For a link to the Special Consideration procedure, please see: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration
Live Performance
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, no late submissions will be accepted for the Live Performance. If your Special Consideration request is approved, you will be advised how and when to complete the Live Performance. For a link to the Special Consideration application procedure, please see: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration