Course descriptions
First Quarter
Digital Audio Workstations 100 (DAW100) 60 Hours
This course provides an overview of Avid’s Pro Tools software, which is used by the vast majority of the recording industry. Students will gain hands-on experience with Pro Tools and MIDI controllers.
Principles of Studio Design (PSD100) 9 Hours
This course provides an overview of basic studio design from construction concepts to understanding the behavior of sound waves within a room. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of room treatment and how it will contribute to the listening environment and monitoring accuracy.
Introduction to Logic (ILG100) 30 Hours
This course introduces students to another popular production software, Apple’s Logic Pro, through which students will gain hands-on experience working in the program with audio and MIDI.
Computer Systems and Software (CSS100) 9 Hours
This course provides an overview of basic computer components, terminology, specifications and maintenance on Macintosh computers. Students will gain an understanding of how to match specifications of media software to computers, troubleshoot problems within a computer system, as well as format and partition hard drives.
Music History and Theory (MHT100) 66 Hours
The first half of this course gives students a broad review of the history of music, explores different genres, time periods, technological and creative developments, and instruments. In addition, the class provides a guided interactive tour of the contemporary musical landscape and views current events in historical perspective, with special attention paid to questions of culture, taste, and value hierarchies. Discussion and evaluation of representative works and practices from avant-garde, mainstream, world, and popular spheres are covered to expose students to the various genres of music they could work with in studio and production sessions.
The second half of the course takes students through the world of written music with a clear, concise style that will help them with their music writing skills and interaction with other musicians. The course includes an introduction into how music is constructed, including scales, chords, pitch, harmonic content, and rhythm. This course also provides introductory practice in ear training and how to count different meters.
Audio Recording Techniques 100 (ART100) 60 Hours
The first half of the course is a combination of classroom lecture and hands-on practice, Audio Recording Techniques 100 is designed to provide a clear understanding of the essential basic concepts behind recording and audio production. This class covers the fundamental physics of sound and electricity, acoustics and acoustical room modifications and treatments, a high-level understanding of different speaker and microphone designs, signal amplification, gain structure and signal routing, a working overview of digital recording systems, and an introduction to computer operating systems. This course also covers the key concepts and skills needed to run a Pro Tools session and provides the foundation for the later ART200 Music and Post courses.
In the second half of the course, students will learn intermediate signal flow and routing concepts, and how to integrate Patchbays and multi-channel audio interfaces into the studio environment. An introduction into signal processing will focus on equalization, dynamics, reverb and delay processors, and plug-ins. A detailed discussion of various types of microphones will be included, as well as popular micing techniques for common studio instrumentation. Students will also learn about sends, returns, cues, and the concept and practice of overdubbing and punching as a segue into to the final project due for the class which is a full band recording to be completed in Studio B.
Studio Workshop 101 (SWS101) 6 Hours:
This course provides students with the direction they need to successfully complete their capstone projects, and gives them an opportunity to display the skills that they have acquired during the course of the program by planning and executing a complete production. Students are required to complete a variety of projects that demonstrate competencies in audio recording, post-production, live sound and video production. Projects are submitted for approval to the instructor and assistance is offered to students to make sure they are planning projects correctly. Classes meet semi-quarterly to review students’ progress in the planning and execution of their projects. The SWS101 class reviews progress appropriate to Quarter 1.
second Quarter
Mixing Audio 100 (MIX100) 46 Hours
The first portion of the class provides an overview of stereo mixing while utilizing Pro Tools. Includes an overview of mix environments, listening exercises, how to develop a mix workflow, definition of tools used within mixing, different types of processors, uses and controls of processors, automation, and delivery standards.
The second portion of the class further expands on dynamic and time based processor concepts. Learn controls of common plugins used in the industry. Observe a mix by a professional engineer (instructor) with Q & A time at the externship site.
Digital Video (DIV100) 108 Hours
This course provides an overview of the steps involved with digital video production. Student will learn the basics of Lighting, Sounds, Shooting, and editing in Adobe premier.
Songwriting and Composition (SNC100) 40 Hours
Songwriting and Composition will allow students to put theory and creativity into action while studying the form, structure and components of contemporary/popular Western music. This class will explore the art and process of music and lyric writing while each participant will work individually to compose and present an original song.
Sequencing and MIDI Fundamentals (SMF100) 30 Hours
This course teaches students the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) protocol, and covers the history and theory of MIDI and its implementation in music composition, recording, and arranging. Students will learn how to design and troubleshoot software-based MIDI systems, and will become familiar with MIDI hardware and musical instruments such as MIDI interfaces, keyboards, and controllers. This course re-visits
MIDI in Pro Tools and also introduces students to other popular MIDI production software programs such as Ableton Live. Students will gain hands-on experience working with audio and MIDI in Ableton Live.
Digital Audio Workstations 200 (DAW200) 30 Hours
This course will take the students through the AVID 201 course.
Studio Workshop 102 (SWS102) 6 Hours
This course provides students with the direction they need to successfully complete their capstone projects, and gives them an opportunity to display the skills that they have acquired during the course of the program by planning and executing a complete production. Students are required to complete a variety of projects that demonstrate competencies in audio recording, post-production, live sound and video production. Projects are submitted for approval to the instructor and assistance is offered to students to make sure they are planning projects correctly. Classes meet semi-quarterly to review students’ progress in the planning and execution of their projects. The SWS102 class reviews progress appropriate to Quarter 2.
third Quarter
Audio Recording Techniques for Music (ART200M) 48 Hours
This course takes a further and more in depth look at recording where ART100 left off. It will focus on large recording sessions in large rooms. There will be an in depth study on large format consoles with the SSL 4000E in particular. Further study on patchbays and outboard gear will be included. Studies on analog tape and calibration will be introduced.
Audio Recording Techniques for Post Production (ART200P) 48 Hours
Audio Recording Techniques for Post Production is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of modern recording and editing techniques used specifically in audio-for-video and film post-production. Students will learn the fundamentals of integrating video into their workstations, the concepts of designing, spotting and mixing sound to picture, and working with and delivering stereo stem mixes that sync to picture. They’ll also learn the fundamental principles of recording, looping, and editing dialog, create extensive sound design soundscapes, and record and edit Foley to picture.
Business of Music (BOM100) 30 Hours
This course explains many of the misunderstood aspects of the recording business, and covers topics from traditional record distribution to today’s independent record label model. Students will learn about music licensing, artist management, and the legalities of songwriting and publishing deals. In addition, students will explore distribution channels, promotion, merchandising, team building, and the importance of entrepreneurship.
Also covered are the fundamentals of studio operations, including accounting, client relations, and staff and equipment management. Strong emphasis is placed on scheduling, promotion and marketing, and interpersonal communication. This course explores how businesses manage, change, and formulate strategies for sustainable success and competitive advantage in the music and entertainment industries. Priority is placed on building skills in entrepreneurship, and strategic, lateral, and critical thinking through analysis of traditional and emerging business models.
Advanced Editing Techniques (AET200) 24 Hours
This class will also look into software that enables the user to “clean up” audio files and a further look into metering and how it relates to mixing. This includes software that focuses on tuning vocals and instruments, as well software that takes unwanted noise out of audio files.
Mixing 200 (MIX200) 30 Hours
This course gives an in depth look at the SSL 4000E in mix mode along with its computer and patch points. The class will also go into depth on the different types of mixing platforms used in mixing music. Students will be using the different studios to mix on three different platforms.
Production and Arranging (PNA100) 40 Hours
This course exposes students to production and arranging techniques used in various musical genres and gives them the opportunity to apply these techniques to their own musical projects. In addition to the role of producer, the course explores the roles of the record company, engineer, writer and performer. Students will gain an understanding of pre- production and the technical aspects related to music performance, as well as common production terms, an awareness of stylistic nuances, and appropriate sounds based on style. Students will be paired with an artist with whom they will apply all the learned techniques to produce a recording. For this project, students will be also required to implement workflow planning, budgeting, and project delivery.
Studio Workshop 103 (SWS103) 6 Hours
This course provides students with the direction they need to successfully complete their capstone projects, and gives them an opportunity to display the skills that they have acquired during the course of the program by planning and executing a complete production. Students are required to complete a variety of projects that demonstrate competencies in audio recording, post-production, live sound and video production. Projects are submitted for approval to the instructor and assistance is offered to students to make sure they are planning projects correctly. Classes meet semi-quarterly to review students’ progress in the planning and execution of their projects. The SWS103 class reviews progress appropriate to Quarter 3.
fourth Quarter
Digital Audio Workstations 210 (DAW210) 60 Hours
This course covers techniques for working with Pro Tools systems in a professional production environment. Concepts and skills learned in Pro Tools 101, 110, and 201 are reinforced with practical examples. This course prepares and gives the student the ability to take the Avid Pro Tools 210M and 210P operator certifications.
Digital Audio Workstations 300 (DAW300) 24 Hours
This course covers techniques for working with Pro Tools systems in a professional production environment. Concepts and skills learned in Pro Tools 101, 110, 201, and 210M/P are reinforced with practical examples. Students will learn more advanced Pro Tools techniques and tools that are used in the highest-level studios.
Career Planning and Development (CPD100) 30 Hours
In Career Planning and Development students are coached to assess their skills and interests as they relate to the labor market and opportunities in their chosen field. This course will also assist students in developing a resume and cover letter and help build the confidence and training they will need when interviewing for a job. In addition, this course will help students understand how to most effectively use social media as a tool for job hunting. Students will build a website to host their resume and samples of their work electronically.
Mastering and Advanced Mixing (MAM200) 42 Hours
This course provides an overview of the Mastering process of a production. Mixing for Surround focuses on music mixing techniques to demonstrate the practical application of mixing audio in surround sound.
Live Sound Reinforcement (LSR100) 36 Hours
This course is designed to introduce skills that are needed for a career in live sound. Students will obtain a basic knowledge of electricity and electronics. Students will learn setup and operation process of each piece of gear in a live sound system and how it differs from the studio.
Psychoacoustics (PSY100) 9 Hours
This course examines how we perceive the physical world of sound and how it can relate to audio production. Topics include a description of the auditory system, limitations of human hearing, principles of acoustics, loudness perception, sound localization, Gestalt principles, audio illusions, tinnitus, frisson, and speech and music perception. Numerous audio-visual demonstrations are used to reinforce the theoretical material presented.
Experimental Sound Practices (ESP100) 9 Hours
In this course students will explore key ideas and practices found within the field of experimental music. Topics include aleatoric music, granular synthesis, experimental instruments, musical interface prototyping, notable experimental artists, and innovative effects. The goal is to think outside of the box and to be prepared for anything in audio production and sound design.
Studio Workshop 104 (SWS104) 6 Hours
This course provides students with the direction they need to successfully complete their capstone projects, and gives them an opportunity to display the skills that they have acquired during the course of the program by planning and executing a complete production. Students are required to complete a variety of projects that demonstrate competencies in audio recording, post-production, live sound and video production. Projects are submitted for approval to the instructor and assistance is offered to students to make sure they are planning projects correctly. Classes meet semi-quarterly to review students’ progress in the planning and execution of their projects, and will include the student’s final portfolio presentation to the capstone committee. The SWS104 class reviews progress appropriate to Quarter 4.