Advanced Sound Applications

Curriculum guideline

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Course
MUSC 1271
Discontinued
No
Course code
MUSC 1271
Descriptive
Advanced Sound Applications
Department
Music
Faculty
Language, Literature and Performing Arts
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
Yes
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Contact hours

Lecture: 4 hours/week

Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities

In this course, students will participate in lectures and demonstrations, working alongside the instructor, 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.

Course description
Through lecture/demonstrations and lab work, students will explore advanced techniques in synthesis and audio. Emphasis will be placed on ways in which audio and synthesis are combined in contemporary music production, along with more experimental uses of this technology. Students will produce a final project combining audio and MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) techniques.
Course content
  1. Advanced audio editing, including time stretching, transpositions, loop points, etc.
  2. Advanced software instruments, including synthesizer, percussion and string modeling instruments
  3. Virtual orchestras: aesthetics and possibilities
  4. Controlling signal flow and creating ergonomic mix templates
  5. Hybrid synthesis and synthesizers
  6. Advanced MIDI editing including transform and sampler envelope vectors
  7. Advanced audio time- and pitch-editing to correct timing and intonation
  8. Side chaining and other advanced mixing paradigms
  9. Working with Indigenous communities and cultural knowledge
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Apply advanced audio editing and mixing techniques;
  2. Design and manipulate sounds using software instruments and synthesizers to meet specified briefs;
  3. Use advanced MIDI and audio editing tools to creatively transform or correct audio material;
  4. Create original compositions and productions using advanced techniques;
  5. Integrate virtual orchestras and genre-specific ensembles (e.g., rock, pop, electronica) into music projects;
  6. Recognize the scope of AI tools integrated into DAW (digital audio workstation) software;
  7. Explore culturally safe practices when seeking community guidance and permissions for collaboration. 
Means of assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. 

The following is an example evaluation scheme:

Tests/Quizzes (minimum of 2)   25%
Midterm Project 30%
Final Project 35%
Professionalism 10%
  100%

Professionalism is assessed on consistent attendance, punctuality, taking responsibility for deadlines, constructive and considerate inter-personal communication and contribution to class discussion and group work. 

Instructors may use a student's record of attendance and/or level of active participation as part of the student's graded performance. Expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.

This is a letter-graded course.

Textbook materials

No texts or materials are required. All required hardware and software for the completion of assignments and projects is available in the studio.

Prerequisites

MUSC 1171 

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Which prerequisite

MUSC 2171