Music Technology for Live Bands
Curriculum guideline
- Tutorial: 2 hours/week
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.
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
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.
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.
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