MUSE 188: Music Production Software/Hardware I

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2021
Credits: 2
Total Contact Hours: 36
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

An introductory course in the use of music production software and hardware in the composition and arranging of music. Included are music sequencing, music revision/editing, instrumental mixing, enhancing effects, and CD production. Designed for the music major. 36 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Demonstrate knowledge of terms and concepts of music production software and hardware that correlate to music composition and arranging.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the use of music production software in the production of a musical composition/arrangement.
  • Produce an audio representation of a musical composition/arrangement in various audio formats including AIFF, Wave and mp3.

Major Course Content

  1. Introduction: music composition/arrangement correlation to music production software/hardware with related terms
  2. Software in commercial music production and creation
  3. Signal flow for audio
  4. Mixer (external) functions
  5. The computer and basic operation
  6. Music production software functions
    1. Notes and rhythm to sequencing/tracking
    2. Orchestral color and patch (software) definition and selection
    3. Recording
    4. Playback
    5. The metronome
  7. Editing screens: the editing of pitch, rhythm and articulation through:
    1. Piano roll
    2. Event list
    3. Music notation
    4. Drum editor
    5. Quantization
  8. Virtual mixer: the 'live' instrumentation recreated
    1. Basic volume mix
    2. Pan
    3. Automation
  9. Working with audio files to archive the composition/arrangement
    1. Editing (cutting)
    2. Software patch and audio file combinations an musical arrangeing
  10. Music preparation
  11. Audio formats in recording
  12. CD/mp3 production
  13. Musical representation in audio demonstration

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Relevant professional periodicals in music production software/hardware. Online web sources

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Organize computer commands in software and hardware manipulation.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Music analysis and correlation to computer generation and realization
Music composition/arrangement in a variety of styles
Arranging music on paper prior to transfer to computer software and hardware: THE SKETCH

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture