MUS 230 : Music Production 1

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A study of the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills required to engage in music production through everyday technologies. An emphasis on production in the home/project studio environment, and for developing producers and songwriters. Topics include: microphone types, patterns and configurations; simple vocal and instrumental recording; synthesis; production techniques; and mixing using modern DAWs.

Course Overview

This course seeks to develop technological skills in students who have mastered the fundamentals of digital audio workstation (DAW) functionality. Students will be taught to compose, record, and produce music, using a variety of software applications. These techniques may be applied to instrumental and electronic composition, instrumental performance, live electronic performance, popular music production, sound recording, and sound design for video and film. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MUS 119 or 130 Restriction: MUS 219

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Music

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Utilise a digital audio workstation to record and edit musical performances. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  2. Use and apply multi-track technology to create musical arrangements. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  3. Manage digital audio files effectively (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of mono and stereo recording techniques, and how multi-tracking can be used as a compositional tool. (Capability 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 and 8.1)
  5. Demonstrate proficiency with audio software (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 7.1 and 8.1)
  6. Create music within a digital environment (Capability 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)
  7. Produce a digital master of your work (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Practical Assignment 1 30% Individual Coursework
Practical Assignment 2 30% Individual Coursework
In-Class Exercises 10% Individual Coursework
Mix Exercise 10% Individual Coursework
Written Test 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Practical Assignment 1
Practical Assignment 2
In-Class Exercises
Mix Exercise
Written Test

Assignments are to be submitted, according to the submission type specified on CANVAS, by the due date. In the event of illness or other circumstances that prevent completing an assignment, please contact the course coordinator with independent evidence as appropriate before the due date. Late assignments that do not have an approved extension will be penalized 10% for each day or part thereof. No assignment will be accepted after that assignment has been returned to students.

Teaching & Learning Methods

This course has three contact hours per week - one 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week as enrolled. Lectures cover knowledge, skills and background; and tutorials cover practical skills - as such, attendance at both is necessary.
Tutorials in this course begin in week 2. In addition sta oce hours will be posted on Canvas.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 24 hours of lectures, 11 tutorials, 72 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 42 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures/tutorials to complete components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings where possible. Other learning activities including tutorials/labs will not be available as recordings.

Attendance on campus is required for the test.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable/block delivery.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

All necessary reading materials, digital and online resources will be provided via a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

 

Other Information

Attendance: Given the practical nature of the course, students are expected to attend all lectures and tutorials, to conduct weekly reading, practical and listening tasks, to engage in exercises and discussion, and to complete all required coursework.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 27/10/2023 08:36 a.m.