MUSE 189: Music Production Software/Hardware II

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
Prerequisite: MUSE 188 or Audition.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This course is a continuation of the use of music production software and hardware in the computerized realization ('mock up') of a musical composition/arrangement. Included are advanced concepts in music affected by the process of sequencing, editing, mixing and effects. 36 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Produce an audio product that demonstrates greater attention to musical and production detail than exhibited in first semester projects.
  • Demonstrate greater proficiency in the use of music production software/hardware than shown in the first semester and its use in the realization of a composition/arrangement.
  • Create a 'finished' computerized rendering of a composition/arrangement.

Major Course Content

  1. Music creation using production software/hardware review
    1. Sequencing: notes and rhythm
    2. Editing: measures, notes rhythms, expressions
    3. Mixing: instrumental balance
    4. CD production: the mock up
  2. Advanced tracking techniques
  3. Advanced editing techniques
    1. attack, decay to create musical phrases with sustaining instruments
    2. velocity: musical articulation and dynamics
    3. volume: instrumental balance
    4. additional parameters for rhythmic adjustment and style
    5. drawing parameters in editing screens that affect a musical mock up
  4. Effects: musical enhancement
    1. Reverb
    2. Compression
    3. Additional effects
  5. Critical listening
    1. Musicality
    2. Blend/balance
    3. Overall product evaluation
  6. Synchronizing multiple softwares
  7. Recording acoustical instruments into the software
  8. Audio file production: the mock up
  9. 'First draft' project(s)
  10. Patch modification (non destructive)
  11. Preparation of Final Project
  12. Performance of Final Project

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Professional periodicals in music/audio media. Online web sources

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Categorization of software functions and their musical correlation.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Research into:
Music creation and production Musical multi-tracking with software Editing Effects (music and sound enhancement)

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture