drewschnurr.com

musi 81: e-mus studio

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Music 81a & Music 81b: Electronic Music Studio
ECCC Department of Music
Fall 2007
Tuesday 2:00-5:20PM
Instructor: Drew Schnurr

email: drew (at) ucla (dot) edu

This class addresses basic concepts pertaining to sound and audio production. Emphasis will be placed on learning practical techniques in order to produce digital audio. Topics will include the following: the physics of sound; how we hear; music production; the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation); recording tools and techniques; electronic sound synthesis; MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface); MIDI programming techniques; digital audio formats and standards.

Class meetings will involve both lecture and lab time. Lectures will introduce critical concepts. Labs will provide the opportunity to explore those concepts in a hands on learning environment.

Workload: This is a 2-unit class requiring three weekly class hours plus approximately three study hours per week.

You will be graded on the following terms:
• class participation
• homework assignments
• audio lab assignments
• 2 quizzes
• final digital audio project

Students will produce and submit one original digital audio recording project. The project will require conceptualization, MIDI programming, mixing, CD burning, and digital delivery of the project. The project will go through at least one round of classroom critique before final submission.

Required Class Materials:

Students are required to purchase and bring headphones to class.

3 headphone options:
• Sony MDR-7502 ($53)
• Sony MDR-7505 ($85)
• Sony MDR-7506 ($100)

Students are required upon request to bring blank CD-R media for data backup and audio CD burning.

Class Readings:
Class readings will be posted in electronic .pdf format at www.drewschnurr.com.

Class Policies:

By taking this class you signal your awareness and acceptance of the following rules:

1. Projects and assignments will not be accepted late for any reason barring verifiable catastrophe.
2. Cell phones must be turned off during class.

The El Camino College’s Board Policy 5138, Standards of Student Conduct applies to all portions of this course and will be enforced.

Grading is as follows:
Class/Lab Participation: 20%
Homework Assignments: 10%
Audio Lab Assignments: 20%
Quizzes: 20%
Final Project: 30%

90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
65-69% = D
below 65 = F

Plus and minuses are as follows: B+ means 87 through 89; A- means 90 through 93