DMA 439L MUSIC PRODUCTION LAB
FALL 2012
Instructor: Joshua Mckendry: Office: LCH A307: phone: 310 - 243 - 3853
Class Meets: TBA
Office hours: MON/WED: 1:00-2:00pm and by appointment.
Email: joshuamckendry@me.com
Prerequisite: DMA 430 & 431L
Course Objectives:
Practice in the production of studio recordings: equipment setup, miking, tracking,
editing, mastering, and mixing in stereo and 5.1.surround using current software and
digital and analog hardware. Students will have access to the recording studio for the
production of independent class projects.
THIS IS AN ACTIVITY CLASS IN WHICH STUDENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO
WORK IN THE STUDIO OUTSIDE OF SCHEDULED CLASS HOURS TO
COMPLETE CLASS PROJECTS.
Required Text
Behind the Glass Vol.II by Howard Massey
Recommended Texts:
The Complete Pro Tools Handbook by Jose “Chilitos” Valenzuela
The Complete Pro Tools Shortcuts by Jose “Chilitos” Valenzuela
The Musicians Guide to Pro Tools by John Keane(2nd Edition)
Producing in the Home Studio - Second Edition
Lab Projects
Electronic Music Production Project – each student team will produce a 3-4 minute
electronic music song using synthesizer software and hardware. All projects (artist and
song) must first be approved by the instructor before production begins.
Music Production Project – each student team will produce a 3-4 minute song in stereo
and 5.1 surround that has at least the following components: a live drum kit, bass guitar,
acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboard, lead vocal, and harmony vocal. All projects
(artist and song) must first be approved by the instructor before production begins.
Student Learning Outcomes - at the end of the course each student should demonstrate:
1) Ability to perform the role and duties of a producer in a studio recording environment.
2) Ability to deliver a fully produced musical product in a studio recording environment.
3) Advanced application of DAW tracking, mixing, and mastering a multi-track product
4) Proper editing techniques that apply to both past and current music production values
5) Proper mixing and mastering of a fully-produced product in stereo and 5.1 Surround.
Grading:
400 points total:
Electronic Music Project
Music Production Project
Attendance
Total
100 points
200 points
100 points (Absence = minus 10pts; Tardy = minus 5pts)
400 points
Grading Scale:
400 - 367 = A
366 - 360 = A359 - 352 = B+
351 - 325 = B
324 - 320 = B319 - 312 = C+
311 - 288 = C
287 - 280 = C279 - 272 = D+
271 - 240 = D
239 - below = F
Course Content Agenda:
Week 1: Critical Listening Lab
Identify different mixing techniques for student projects.
Week 2:
Editing Audio Assets (Part 1).
Data Management for Audio and Media Production (Part 1).
Collecting Assets for Media Delivery.
Week 3: 6/7/2011
Editing Audio Assets (Part 2).
(1) Class Session Edit
Week 4: GUEST SPEAKER
Week 5: Famous Producers and their body of work: Past and Present PART I
Listening and Analyzing the work of famous producers.
Week 6: Stereo Mixing Techniques
Exploring stereo mixing techniques for different genres.
Week 7: 5.1 Surround Mixing techniques
Exploring 5.1 mixing techniques for different genres.
Week 8: GUEST SPEAKER
Week 9: Stereo Mastering
Examine Stereo CD for errors and quality control.
Week 10: 5.1 Surround Mastering
Examine 5.1 DVD for errors and quality control.
Week 11: Digital Media Distribution
Creating a sound cloud account
Creating a CD/DVD cover
Week 12: Final Master
Uploading Finished masters to Music Servers
Week 13: Electronic Music Production (Part 1)
Using a DAW and software synths to create realistic Sounds and ambiances.
Confirguring DAWs
Week 14: Electronic Music Production (Part 2)
Confirguring DAWs Remix production.
Week 15:
Preparing projects for Final Presentations.
Week 16:
Preparing projects for Final Presentations.
FINALS WEEK: Final Project Presentations.
Disabilities
Students with disabilities are encouraged to consult the University Catalog for
information on Disabled Student Services (x2028). Any disabled student requiring
assistance with exams or other course work will be allowed to utilize these services.
Academic Integrity
This university uses a standard definition of academic dishonesty as articulated by Kibler,
Nuss, Paterson, and Pavela (1988):
Academic dishonesty usually refers to forms of cheating and plagiarism which result in students giving or
receiving unauthorized assistance in an academic exercise or receiving credit for work which is not their
own. The University has very specific policies concerning academic dishonesty, cheating, and plagiarism.
Please consult the section of the University Catalog titled “Academic Integrity” for official campus policy
on cheating and plagiarism.