TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY
Course Syllabus
MUSI 340/ COMM 334 – INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL RECORDING (3 sem. hr.)
Summer 2015
Instructor: Jef Gibbons ; c. 604-761-4453
jef@jefgibbons.com
Time: 7-10 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays
Location: Portable 2
Prerequisites: Music background recommended.
Schedule:
12 classes in the course: 7:00-10:00
10 scheduled labs per student (see note below)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to various aspects of the recording arts with emphasis on working within the digital (“virtual”)
studio environment with Cubase and other Virtual Instrument software.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Through lectures, demonstrations, lab assignments and projects, students will:
- learn about a traditional recording studio facility.
- gain a basic understanding of the most important recording techniques.
- learn the basics of computer components and how they facilitate the recording process.
- learn editing techniques in Cubase software as a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).
- gain a basic understanding of several of the most recent Virtual Instruments.
- gain a basic understanding of microphones, mixers and effects.
- gain a basic understanding of MIDI and the use of sequencing software.
- gain a basic understanding of the mastering process.
REQUIRED TEXT(S):
None
RECOMMENDED READING:
David Miles Huber and Robert E. Runstein, Modern Recording Techniques, 5th ed., Focal Press (2001) ISBN 0240-80456-2
COURSE OUTLINE:
Classes
There are 12 classes, consisting of topical lectures and demonstrations, quizzes and demonstrations of student
projects.
Labs
There are 10 scheduled labs. The lab time is for student work in the studio and involves both prescribed
assignments in specific studio techniques as well as individual project work. A lab assistant will be present to
help out with concepts covered in class.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Readings:
Weekly readings/ videos will amplify material covered in class. Supplemental handouts and website articles
will be provided on related topics.
Intro to Digital Recording
Lab Assignments:
Lab assignments will develop practical familiarity with techniques, software and equipment. Labs will be
graded based on effort shown at and in between labs. Students are expected to come in for a minimum of 10
extra hours during the semester. 1% will be docked for each unexcused lab missed.
Quizzes and Written Assignments:
There will be 4 short in-class quizzes on lectures and reading assignments. Please prepare to write a quiz every
second class starting on class 3 unless otherwise indicated by the teacher. In addition, written assignments will
be given for completion by the following class. Late assignments are not accepted.
Projects:
Project 1: short song with 5-7 different instrument tracks. Must have a modified MIDI drum loop
(showing variation in the loop) and 4 or more different Virtual Instrument devices. due class 6
Project 2: 3-5 minute song using the following: 1 “comped” vocal track, 2 other audio tracks, 4 or more
Virtual Instrument tracks, reverb, compression, automation, good microphone technique, thought-out
mixing choices, organized layout and good saving techniques– duration: roughly 3 minutes – due last
class
Final Test:
There will be an in-class test in the final class. All lecture and reading material will be covered. There is NO
final exam during the exam period.
DETERMINATION OF FINAL SEMESTER GRADE
Attendance
5
%
Lab Assignments
10
%
Quizzes
20
%
Assignments
10
%
Project 1
10
%
-Project 2
25
%
-Final Test
20
%
Final Evaluation
TOTAL
DETERMINATION OF FINAL SEMESTER GRADE:
A+
97-100
B+
83-87
C+
69-73
A
92-96
B
78-82
C
64-68
A88-91
B74-77
C60-63
100 %
D+
D
D-
56-59
53-55
50-52
F: up to 49
Late Assignments Policy
Late assignments will not be accepted.
University Policies:
Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism at TWU:
As Christian scholars pursuing higher education, academic integrity is a core value of the entire TWU community.
Students are invited into this scholarly culture and required to abide by the principles of sound academic scholarship
at TWU. This includes, but is not limited to, avoiding all forms of plagiarism and cheating in scholarly work. TWU
Intro to Digital Recording
has a strict policy on plagiarism (see academic calendar 2009-10). Learning what constitutes plagiarism and avoiding
it is the student's responsibility. An excellent resource describing plagiarism and how to avoid it has been prepared
by TWU Librarian William Badke and is freely available for download (PPT file) or used as flash (self running)
tutorials of varying lengths from:
http://acts.twu.ca/library/plagiarism.ppt
http://acts.twu.ca/library/Plagiarism.swf (14 minute flash tutorial) http://acts.twu.ca/library/Plagiarism_Short.swf
(8 minute flash tutorial)
Closure of University Due to Bad Weather:
In the event of deteriorating overnight conditions or in other emergency situations, every effort will be made to
contact the following radio
stations: CKNW (980 AM), CKBD (600 AM), CKSR (104.9 FM), MAX (850 AM), PRAISE (106.5 FM) and KARI
(550 AM) by 6:30 a.m. An announcement will also be placed on the university¹s switchboard and website. The first
announcement of a closure will cover up to 1PM only (morning classes).
Any other change will be announced by the same means before 11AM for afternoon classes, and another
announcement by 3PM for evening classes.
Scent-Free Guidelines
TWU is committed to a safe and healthy environment for faculty, staff, students and the larger community who
come to campus. We are asking for voluntary cooperation towards a scent reduced environment in allbuildings and
off campus locations occupied by faculty, staff, and students.
Further, we are encouraging avoidance or reduction of the use of scented products and to replace them with
unscented alternatives.
Intro to Digital Recording