Lecture/demonstration. Students will work alongside the instructor; either in the large studio or Technology Lab. Students will be expected to complete regular assignments and projects outside of class time. These will be done in the large studio.
1: Analyzing the Mix
Critical Listening and Mix Analysis
Intention and Concept
Making Adjustments
Adding EQ and Dynamics
2: Mixing Acoustic and Jazz Music
Song Analysis, Track Analysis, and Session Prep
Equalization (EQ), Balance and Panning
Signal Processing
Dynamics Processing
Automation, and the Finishing Touches
The Final Mix Delivery
3: Basic Mixing for Pop and Rock
Stylistic Analysis: Pop and Rock
Signal Processing in Pop/Rock Mixing
Song Analysis, Song Form, and Session Analysis
Mix Analysis: The Rhythm Section
Mix Analysis: The Vocals
Mix Analysis: The Guitars and Keyboards
4: Advanced Mixing for Pop and Rock
Tempo Maps
Beat Detective
Backing Vocal Treatment
Time Domain Processing
Delays
Bringing the Mix Together
Mix Automation
5: Mixing Electronica
Stylistic Analysis
Song Analysis and Song Form
Session Analysis and Track Assessment
Editing Loops
Creative Editing / Stutter Edits
Dynamics Processing in Electronic Music Making
Keyed Dynamics Processing Techniques
Parallel Compression and Mix Compression
Lo-Fi Effects: Adding "Dirt" and Distortion
6: Setting up a 5.1 surround sound mix room
Room design and setup
Selecting speakers and using delay
Room calibration with Pink Noise
Bass management options
7: Mixing for Surround Sound
Avoiding the ‘sweet spot’
Imaging and Panning
Use of Centre, Rear and LFE Channels
Creating Ambience
Distribution Formats
Downmixing
8: Mastering - Analysis
The Mastering Process, Revisited
Mastering Job Analysis, Part 1
Mastering and EQ
Limiting and Loudness
Mastering Job Analysis, Part 2
Bouncing Down the Audio
9: Mastering - Dynamics
Dynamic Control and the Dynamics Module
Using Imaging Plug-ins
Applying a Limiter in CD Mastering
Mastering Job Analysis
10: Mastering – Final Steps
Harmonic Exciters in Mastering
M/S Processing
Mastering in Electronic Music
The CD Assembly
Through lab and studio work, students will learn to understand and apply the following concepts:
1: Analyzing the mix
2: Mixing for Acoustic and Jazz music
3: Basic Mixing for Pop and Rock
4: Advanced Mixing for Pop and Rock
5: Mixing Electronica
6: Setting up a 5.1 surround sound mix room
7: Creating a 5.1 music and/or film mix
8: Mastering - Analysis
9: Mastering - Dynamics
10: Mastering – Final Steps
| Quizzes (minimum of 2) | 30% |
| Midterm project | 30% |
| Final project* | 40% |
| 100% |
No texts or materials are required. All required hardware and software for the completion of assignments and projects is available in the studio.
MUSC 2170 or permission of instructor.
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