Music Recording and Production Techniques introduces students to the theoretical and practical fundamentals of professional-level sound recording. Techniques of music recording and production differ according to musical intention and aesthetic direction and as such, provision is made for students to develop their individual music production skill sets within the course and project parameters.
Course content includes: essential theoretical concepts including the fundamentals of sound and recording; venues, acoustics and the practicalities of recording workplace[s]; recording and production equipment, to include hardware and software; microphone types, polar patterns and placement; mixing consoles; dynamics and time-based effects processing; audio recording, editing and mixing in Pro Tools; and, critical listening seminars. Additionally, students will discuss and debate current issues affecting music and recording, to include: listening levels, hearing and health; 'loudness' and dynamic range; and technology and use value.
Learning and teaching activities include lectures, tutorials, studio workshops, discussions, practical lab workshops and critical listening seminars.
Students are assessed on: a negotiated group recording project, to include the organisation of musicians, recordist(s), equipment and venue(s) in line with booking procedures; an individual recording project log book to include critical reflection; and, a multiple choice exam paper on the fundamentals of audio and music recording and production.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand and define key theoretical concepts and principles pertaining to audio and music recording and production;
- Explain the sonic characteristics of music using correct technical terminologies;
- Organise musicians, equipment and venue(s) for a music recording and production project to correct procedures;
- Execute a group recording project applying theoretical concepts and principles; and
- Plan, document and evaluate a group recording project in a detailed log book.
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
- written comments
- verbal comments
- feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.
Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | Course introduction & assessments | Tutorials: Bookings, OH&S, Operations |
2 | Signal Chains & Flow | Tutorials: Studio navigation & signal flow |
3 | The Science of Sound | Tutorials: Vocals |
4 | 'Quality In' | Tutorials: Pro Tools 1 |
5 | Microphones 1 | Tutorials: Pro Tools 2 |
6 | Microphones 2 | Tutorials: Drums |
7 | Digital Audio | Tutorials: Pro Tools 3 |
8 | Equalisation | Tutorials: Piano |
9 | Dynamics Processing | Tutorials: Guitars |
10 | Time-based Signal Processing | Tutorials: Mix & Processing |
11 | Mixing | Tutorials: Mix & Processing |
12 | Critical Listening | Tutorials: Exams |
Tutorial Registration
In Wattle select your tutorial group at your earliest convenience. First come best dressed.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Return of assessment | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assessment 1 - Group Recording Project | 50 % | 04/11/2022 | 25/11/2022 | 3, 4, 5 |
Assessment 2 - Log Book | 20 % | 04/11/2022 | 25/11/2022 | 1, 2, 5 |
Assessment 3 - Exam | 30 % | 28/10/2022 | 25/11/2021 | 1, 2 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:
- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.
Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 3, 4, 5
Assessment 1 - Group Recording Project
This assignment covers Learning Outcomes 3, 4 and 5.
In groups of 5, students will plan, execute then reflect upon a predefined, music recording project totaling 8 minutes in length. Up to 3 recordings may be submitted, as long as the accumulative total length amounts to 8 minutes.
The total number of recordings submitted should not exceed 3.
The total length of the recordings submitted must be no less than 7 minutes or exceed 9 minutes.
The project can take the form of:
- classical music duo, trio or ensemble recording(s)
- jazz recording(s)
- popular/ contemporary group recording(s)
- electronic music/ programmed piece of music to include recorded music/ foley/ samples/ sound effects
- sound recording/ soundtrack for film
- radio drama/ programme featuring recorded music
- speech recording featuring recorded music
Weighting: 50%
Deadline: Friday November 4th 2022
Upload to Wattle (only 1 group member per group)
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 5
Assessment 2 - Log Book
This assignment covers Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 5.
Students must individually document the group recording project process in a detailed log book. The log book must contain evidence of:
A full planning process: to include project intention, session bookings, dates, equipment used, musicians booked, venues
Execution: The processes followed in order to achieve the intended outcome: choice of microphones, placement, recording techniques, mix process, bounce down
Critical reflection: The results, what worked/ did not work, any unexpected results
Log Book word count: 750
Weighting: 20%
Deadline: Friday November 4th 2022
Upload to Wattle in .doc, .docx or .pdf file only
This is an individual assignment - 1 log book per individual student
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2
Assessment 3 - Exam
This assignment covers Learning Outcomes 1 and 2
Students will take a 1-hour exam on the fundamentals of sound and sound recording. The exam will feature questions pertaining to class and tutorial topics as well as set readings.
The exam takes a multiple choice/ short answer format.
Weighting: 30%
Deadline: Tuesday October 25th 2022
*** Exam to be taken in tutorial times on Tuesday October 25th 2022 ***
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.
The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.
The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.
Online Submission
You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.
Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Late Submission
Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:
- Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
- Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.
Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.
Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.
Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.
Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Research Interestssound recording, music technology, music production, popular music |
Dr Pat O'Grady
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Instructor
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Research Interests |
Dr Pat O'Grady
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