Computer Music Applications 1
MUS 161-001 Fall 2014 Aug 22, 2015 Dec 5, 2014 CRN: 54518
Description: This course encompasses using computer hardware, software and electronics to produce music. lt is designed to give music majors and students with a strong interest in music a basic understanding of the music production process. This includes the basic knowledge of audio/music production, the fundamentals of sound and microphones, digital and analog technology, MIDI and digital instruments, recording, and mixing.
Prerequisites: Basic Computer keyboarding and Some knowledge of Mac OSX operating system. Plus an interest in music or a musical background.
Class Location: B0907 Multimedia Graphics Lab Front Range Community College: Westminster Campus
Class Meets: Friday 1pm until 4pm | Office Hours: by appointment only | Instructor: Langdon Crawford |
Required Text: Introduction to Music Technology 2nd Edition by Dan Hosken
Recommended but not required sources and references:
Theory and History ( Library books)
Contemporary Technology and Ideas (web)
Required Materials: You will need your own set of headphones and an at least an 80Gig USB 2 portable hard drive for saving and transporting files.
The music department has music keyboards and audio production equipment that can be checked out. You will also be expected to have note-taking materials and to take notes during lectures.
Important Dates:
The final day you can drop this class with a refund is Sept. 2, 2014 and the final day you can drop this Class Without a grade penalty is Nov. 15, 2014 (no refund).
Class Objective:
The aim of this class is designed to give music students, as well as those with a strong interest in music and computer technology, a structured and basic knowledge of the various aspects of digital instruments, music recording and digital audio production. This includes a working knowledge of microphones, digital interfaces, recording devices and software, MIDI, digital synthesis, mixing, effects, equalization. At the conclusion of the class you should be able to use the computer to produce music as well as constructively discuss the creative work produced.
Nature of class meeting
Everyone brings a different background and experience to the class and you are expected to help each other by sharing your knowledge with others. The material covered in this class might vary somewhat from the following schedule. lt will be adjusted at times depending on conditions and where we are as a group in our collective experience.
Group critiques are meant to be learning experiences for all students. Students must be willing to give and accept constructive criticism as part of the creative process. lf there are special circumstances that need to be taken into consideration, please discuss that with me in private prior to any critique.
Grading Rubric:
Attendance: 32%
Participation & Labs: 32%
Projects: 38%
Bonus work: (upto) 10%NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED!
Project deadlines are absolute, except in extremely extraordinary circumstances (Hospitalization, death in the family, Earthquakes, etc)
MGD Labs:
The computers in the MGD lab room B0907 have all the software used in this Course. Open labs are a courtesy of MGD, not a student right, they are not paid for by student fees. Lab schedules will be posted in the hallway
in front of Room B0907 and on httn://frontranae.edu/mGd/Iabs/
Lab Rules:
Class Policies:
Important Concepts will be presented in each class to help you understand this complex subject. If for some reason you need to miss a Class, it is important that you “catch-up” on your own. I suggest you team up with a couple of class members who will help you it you need to miss a Class.
You are expected only to use audio assets deemed by the instructor as not being a copyright infraction.
No food or drink is allowed near the computers. There will be at least a ten minute break per hour of class.
Cell phones must be silenced! Texting during lecture time is discourteous to the class and the instructor. lf I think you are texting, it will hurt the class participation portion of your grade by 2 points each incident and I may ask you to leave the classroom for the remainder of the session.
Student rights, freedoms and responsibilities
Students should be aware of their rights, freedoms, and responsibilities as well as the student code of conduct as outlined in the academic catalog and at: http://web1.frontrange.edu/catalog/5995.htm
Plagiarism and Copyright Violations: Although in this class, the use of other’s material is allowed and expected from time to time (i.e. royalty-free licensed video, music and sound effects), there should be no plagiarism when producing final Work or presenting one’s own ideas. lf you have a question, talk to me for clarification as to what is allowed for educational use in a Multimedia classroom or refer to the Front Range catalog where it states:
The Humanities Department strives for academic excel/ence and encourages all students to achieve their best. Moreover, the department promotes academic honesty and does not tolerate cheating or plagiarism. Cheating is defined as the practice of fraud or trickery, to violate rules dishonesty and to act deceiving/y. Plagiarism is defined as presenting ideas or words of another as one’s own. As a college student it is your responsibility to fully understand the concepts of cheating and plagiarism. Instructors are always available to clarify for students the exact definition of cheating and plagiarism. Failure to understand these concepts does not excuse you from potential reprimand. According to Front Range Community College policy, consequences of cheating or plagiarism can result in an F on the assignment or exam, an F in the course, and/or dismissal from Front Range Community College.
In this class it means dismissal from the class and an automatic F.
Students with Special Needs:
Any student who requires accommodations because of a physical, learning, psychiatric, vision or hearing disability must contact the instructor and the Special Services office (303-404-5302) at the beginning of the semester. After the student has documented their disability with Special Services, please make an appointment with the instructor to discuss the accommodations.
Tutoring:
NOTE: A list of private (those that are not free) tutors will gladly be provided to those who do not qualify for free tutoring services, or who Wish to hire their own tutor.
How do I Qualify for Free Tutoring?
1. Meet the prerequisites for the course for which you are requesting assistance or have assessment scores indicating you should be in that class.
2. Be attending class regularly, including logging on, participating, and submitting assignments for online courses.
3. Be getting a C or below in the class for which you are requesting assistance.
4. Have attempted other resources for help, Re. Learning Development Center, Math Lab.
How do I Request a Tutor?
1. Download, complete and sign the Referral for Tutoring form.
2. Ask your instructor to sign this form. A tutor cannot be assigned without the instructor's signature.
3. Those on the Westminster Campus may leave these forms in the red folder outside room B1208. Students at other campuses may arrange, at the front desk, to have them faxed or sent via intercampus mail to Special Services .
4. You will be contacted by phone with several tutors‘ names and telephone numbers lf a message cannot be relayed via phone, then it is the student's responsibility to make other arrangements to get the information. For students at Boulder County campuses and the Brighton Center, the instructor will be contacted and given tutor names and phone numbers. Those students may then obtain the tutor list from their instructors. Call the numbers you have been given and discuss scheduling tutoring times. It times can't be worked out, cali the Tutoring Office.