Course

Audio Recording Techniques

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Course Code
MUSC 3180
Credits
4.00
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
26
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Typically Offered
Fall

Overview

Course Description
Through lecture/demonstrations and hands-on studio work, students will learn to record and mix audio in a project studio or live environment. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the underlying concepts and theory of digital audio recording, and the development of critical listening skills. Using both hardware and Digital Audio Workstation software, students will produce several recorded tracks.
Course Content
  1. Theoretical concepts, including formats, bit depth, Nyquist theory, Fourier Transforms, etc
  2. Audio interfaces: connectivity, sample rates, form factors
  3. A comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of “native” (computer based) recording versus dedicated hardware based approaches.
  4. Tracking, overdubbing
  5. Editing audio: creating new parts, fixing problems, composite tracks
  6. Mixing: inserts, busses, groups, automation.
  7. Software plug-ins including dynamics, distortion, reverb and other effects.
  8. Advanced stereo recording techniques, including M/S
  9. Use of portable equipment for location recording, including computer based and specialized hardware.
  10. An introduction to large studio procedures, including studio etiquette, pre-production, setup and record keeping.
Learning Activities

Lecture/demonstration. Students will work alongside the instructor, either in the large studio or Technology Lab. Students will be expected to complete regular assignments and projects outside of class time. These can be done in the lab, the studio, or at home.

Means of Assessment
Tests/Quizzes (minimum of 2) 30%
Midterm Project 30%
Final Project* 40%
  100%

*The final project constitutes one component of the graduation portfolio requirement.

Learning Outcomes

Through lecture/demonstrations, lab and studio work, students will expand upon the techniques learned in the Introduction To Audio Recording. Emphasis will be placed on a thorough understanding of audio concepts and theory, along with a more in-depth study of practical studio techniques.  Students will also develop critical listening skills as they apply to recording and mixing.  Students will work in a project studio environment and will be introduced to a large digital recording studio.

On successful completion of the course students will be able to work unassisted in a typical project studio or mobile studio. They will also be able to work as second engineers in a large digital recording studio. Students will be able to understand and apply the following:

  1. Digital audio theory
  2. Audio interfaces: theory and practice
  3. DAW and dedicated recording solutions.
  4. Advanced Multitrack recording techniques
  5. Advanced editing techniques
  6. Advanced mixing techniques
  7. Software effects
  8. Advanced stereo recording techniques
  9. Location recording techniques
  10. Large studio procedures and protocol
Textbook Materials

No texts or materials are required. All required hardware and software for the completion of assignments and projects is available in the lab (3220) or studio (3280). Students who wish to work outside the lab may want to purchase their own copies of the software used in class. A complete list of recommended software will be available at the first class session.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Music Technology Certificate program entrance or permission of instructor

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

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 3180
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU MUSI 3602 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU CA 3XX (4)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU MUSC 2XXX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) No credit
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) No credit
University of Northern BC (UNBC) No credit
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC MUS 306 (1.5)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025