Courses
Academic Courses
Music Production
- MUS A100 Foundations of Audio Technology (3 cr.) Theoretical and practical foundation in the basics of audio technologies and signal flow for live sound reinforcement, studio and location audio recording, sound for visual media, and other contemporary production paradigms. Designed to meet the needs of modern performers, composers, educators, and content producers of audio and visual media.
- MUS A101 Introduction to Audio Technology (3 cr.) P: For Audio Engineering and Sound Production majors only. Introduction to the technology and techniques employed in audio recording, editing, and mixing; sound production for visual media, and live sound reinforcement.
- MUS A102 Audio Techniques I (3 cr.) P: A101 Introduction to Audio Technology. Introduction to studio equipment and recording procedures including microphone use, basic studio techniques, editing concepts, and recording and signal processing equipment.
- MUS A111 Electronics I (3 cr.) Fundamental principles of electricity and magnetism, with review of necessary algebra.
- MUS A112 Electronics II (3 cr.) P: A111 Electronics I with a grade of C or higher. AC theory and introduction to circuit elements and active devices.
- MUS A115 Analysis of Music Creation and Production I (3 cr.) P: T109 Rudiments of Music I. C: A100 Foundations of Audio Technology. Students enrolled in this course will survey songwriting techniques for multiple genres and styles in popular music by analyzing existing songs. Through the analysis of lyrics, melody, chord progressions, and imagery, students will identify stylistic devices and specific approaches to be incorporated into their own compositions.
- MUS A116 Analysis of Music Creation and Production II (3 cr.) P: A115 Analysis of Music Creation and Production I. C: A125 Digital Audio Workstation Fundamentals. Students enrolled in this course will survey production techniques for multiple genres and styles in popular music by analyzing existing production examples. Analysis of musical arrangement, instrumentation, and sound design will be joined with analysis of audio recording, mixing, and mastering. Focus will be placed on listening instruction and practice.
- MUS A125 Digital Audio Workstation Fundamentals (3 cr.) P: Major in Music Production or permission of instructor. C: A116 Analysis of Music Creation and Production II. This course builds proficiency in the use of Digital Audio Workstations for music creation and production. You will learn: setting up a project; creating parts; recording, importing, and editing audio; mixing your song; and exporting it for listening. A basic knowledge of computer operating systems is required.
- MUS A150 Introductory Seminar in Audio Engineering (1 cr.) P: For Audio Engineering and Sound Production majors only. An introduction to critical listening for recording engineers and producers with an emphasis on technical evaluation and aesthetic principles within the context of musical style.
- MUS A201 Audio Techniques II (3 cr.) P: A102 Audio Techniques I. Intermediate studio and recording procedures including signal processing, digital audio theory, and basic digital audio workstation techniques.
- MUS A202 Audio Techniques III (3 cr.) P: A201 Audio Techniques II. Advanced digital audio theory including media production, audio for Internet, and advanced digital audio workstation techniques.
- MUS A211 Electronics III (3 cr.) P: A112 Electronics II with a grade of C or higher. System design and operation applied to audio, both analog and digital.
- MUS A212 Electronics IV (3 cr.) P: A211 Electronics III with a grade of C or higher. Instruction in basic maintenance of audio equipment and studio maintenance. Practical experience is emphasized.
- MUS A215 Music Creation and Production I (3 cr.) P: A116 Analysis of Music Creation and Production II and T124 Music Theory for Music Industry. Students enrolled in this course will build their songwriting abilities using the parameters of form, melody, lyrics, harmony through the process of creating their own original songs. Additional emphasis will be placed on techniques to induce inspiration and bypass writer’s block.
- MUS A216 Music Creation and Production II (3 cr.) P: A215 Music Creation and Production I. This course will help students build skills needed to take their songs developed in Music Creation and Production I and create "ready for release" audio recordings. Topics will include: arrangement, instrumentation, synthesis and sound design, audio recording, mixing, and mastering. Significant focus will be placed on listening instruction and practice.
- MUS A270 Multitrack Studio Techniques I (3 cr.) P: A201 Audio Techniques II. Introduction to multitrack recording studio procedures with an emphasis on mixing console operation, signal flow, microphone selection and use, and recording session planning and etiquette.
- MUS A310 Music Creation and Production Masterclass (1 cr.) This course will provide Creation and Production students a space to share their music and receive peer and faculty mentoring. This course will also be a space for faculty and professional master classes.
- MUS A315 Producing Works for Hire (3 cr.) P: A216 Music Creation and Production II. Students will create original songs for movies, commercials, television shows, video games, commercials. Deliverables for the course will be fully realized audio recordings. Student projects will conform to industry standards. Legal and business topics will be discussed including: publishing, copyright, licensing, and ownership of master recordings.
- MUS A316 Music Creation and Production Projects I (3 cr.) P: A315 Producing Works for Hire. Students will take songs from demo form to a fully realized “ready for release” audio recordings that conform to industry standards. Students will create projects that combine knowledge and practice from their prerequisite courses in music theory, songwriting, audio engineering, and Logic Pro. Career and portfolio development will also be included.
- MUS A320 Sound Reinforcement Techniques (3 cr.) P: A202 Audio Techniques III. An introduction to sound reinforcement system design and operation.
- MUS A321 Sound for Visual Media (3 cr.) P: A202 Audio Techniques III. Study of audio production techniques for radio, video, film, and multimedia. Emphasis on mixing criteria for broadcast and visual productions.
- MUS A325 Digital Audio Workstation Seminar (3 cr.) P: A202 Audio Techniques III. Advanced digital audio workstation techniques.
- MUS A330 Modern Recording Studio Techniques (3 cr.) P: A100 Foundations of Audio Technology with a grade of C or higher. Hybrid course designed to give practical hands-on experience recording, mixing, and mastering music. Oriented towards students studying music or media who need to be proficient in audio production. Coursework includes online reading, videos, and guided production exercises, along with a weekly instructor-led lab and student-produced final recording and mixing project.
- MUS A340 Topics in Audio Engineering (3 cr.) Variable topics. May be repeated for credit for different topics with permission of instructor.
- MUS A350 Seminar in Audio Engineering (1 cr.) P: A150 Introductory Seminar in Audio Engineering. Critical listening and discussion of recording techniques, concepts, and aesthetics.
- MUS A360 Classical Music Recording and Production (3 cr.) P: A202 Audio Techniques III. Study and practice of classical music recording and production, with an emphasis on recording session planning and direction, microphone technique, and editing.
- MUS A370 Multitrack Studio Techniques II (3 cr.) P: A270 Multitrack Studio Techniques I. Supervised practical experience in multitrack studio procedures with an emphasis on contemporary microphone and recording techniques. Small group and individual project work, as well as group listening and discussion.
- MUS A410 Individual Music Production Projects (3 cr.) P: A100 Foundations of Audio Technology or A101 Introduction to Audio Technology; K340 Songwriting for Music Production with a grade of B or higher; and K361 or Z361 Introduction to MIDI and Computer Music. Students will take a song from demo form to a fully realized "ready for release" audio recording. Projects will conform to music industry standards for use in a portfolio to promote the student's creative work. Preparatory assignments throughout each project will be used to guide students through the creation process.
- MUS A416 Music Creation and Production Projects II (3 cr.) P: A316 Music Creation and Production Projects I. In this course students will work on individual final projects, creating new, original compositions and create fully realized “ready for release” audio recordings that conform to industry standards. Students will create projects that combine knowledge and practice from their prerequisite courses in music theory, songwriting, audio engineering, and Logic Pro.
- MUS A420 Advanced Sound Reinforcement (3 cr.) P: A320 Sound Reinforcement Techniques. Study of advanced sound reinforcement, system design, and practical experience in sound reinforcement.
- MUS A440 Individual Project in Audio Engineering (1-3 cr.) P: Senior standing. Supervised individual project or research.
- MUS A460 Surround Sound and Immersive Audio (3 cr.) P: A202 Audio Techniques III. P or C: A470 Individual Multitrack Studio Projects I. Study and practice of contemporary surround sound and immersive audio recording and mixing techniques.
- MUS A461 Final Project in Audio Engineering (1 cr.) P: Senior standing. Preparation of professional dossier featuring the student’s best work (concurrent with last semester of on-campus coursework). Student will make a public presentation of the dossier to the Audio Engineering and Sound Production faculty and student body.
- MUS A470 Individual Multitrack Studio Projects I (3 cr.) P: A370 Multitrack Studio Techniques II. Supervised practical experience in contemporary multitrack recording and mixing. Includes individual project work as well as group listening and discussion.
- MUS A471 Individual Multitrack Studio Projects II (3 cr.) P: Grade of B+ or higher in A470 Individual Multitrack Studio Projects I. A grade of A in A471 is required to take A471 a second time. Individual projects in multitrack recording.
- MUS A475 Media Presence and Career Development (3 cr.) P: A416 Music Creation and Production Projects II. Students in this course will research exemplary artists and report back to the class how the artist attained the success they have and how they built their career. The class will then discuss and each student will create and implement a plan for how they will build their career.
- MUS A476 Music Creation and Production Final Project (3 cr.) P: A416 Music Creation and Production Projects II. In this course students will work on individual final projects, creating new, original compositions and create fully realized “ready for release” audio recordings that conform to industry standards. This course will be offered both at IUB and "JSoM LA."
- MUS A480 Internship in Audio (3 cr.) P: Senior standing. Supervised experience in a working environment directly related to audio technology. Assessed by reports from the student and on-site supervisor.