Course

Music Technology for Live Bands

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Course code
MUSC 1175
Credits
1.50
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
13
Method(s) of instruction
Tutorial
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
Designed primarily for students in the Music Technology Diploma Program, this course provides an opportunity to learn about the communication, planning and technical skills required to support live bands in rehearsal and performance: safely setting up, running, troubleshooting and packing up equipment, preparing documentation of technical requirements and working with a live sound and backstage crew on a show.
Course content

1. Communication

  • Understanding the role and responsibilities of a technician
  • Establishing a time frame for setups, changeovers and tear downs
  • Delegating tasks where necessary
  • Communicating respectfully and professionally

2. Equipment

  • Creating an equipment list and updating it regularly 
  • Basic understanding of the Live Sound ecosystem (signal flow, equipment and troubleshooting techniques)

3. Planning

  • Creating an accurate stage plot for the band
  • Reporting any deviations from the master input list to the event technical team
  • Keeping a record of the band's setlist and runtime
  • Building a final tech rider for an event

4. Technical

  • Creating a dedicated scene on a digital console
  • Setting-up procedures for running an amplified rehearsal
  • Understanding the difference between a front of house mix and a monitor mix and how to support each
  • Running a recording session for a band using a digital console
  • Running playback and computer audio

 

 

 

Learning activities

In this course students engage in a variety of hands-on learning activities, including tutorials and practical training sessions with the instructor, alongside shadowing and assisting a technician in an assigned band.

Means of assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation must be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.

The following is an example evaluation scheme

Written assignments and reports 30%
Midterm practical exam 20%
Final project 30%
Professionalism* 20%
Total 100%

 

* Professionalism is assessed on consistent attendance, punctuality, taking responsibility for deadlines, constructive and considerate inter-personal communication and contribution to class discussion and group work.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Create documentation for their band;
  • Identify equipment required for an amplified band rehearsal;
  • Communicate effectively and respectfully;
  • Follow professional health and safety protocols;
  • Trace signal flow and troubleshoot technical problems;
  • Operate a digital console for rehearsal needs;
  • Create a working rehearsal mix at a healthy sound pressure level;
  • Set up, tear down and pack away in a timely manner.
Textbook materials

N/A

Requisites

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for MUSC 1175
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025