Course

Introduction to Music Technology

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Course Code
MUSC 1182
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
20
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Typically Offered
Fall

Overview

Course Description
An introduction to the computer music experience. Through lecture/demonstrations and hands-on lab work students will learn the fundamental theories and techniques of contemporary music technology. Using industry standard Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software, students will learn the basics of digital music production, for composing and arranging in the project studio environment.

No prior experience with computers or music technology is assumed.
Course Content
  1. a brief history of technology in music
  2. introduction to audio recording principles
  3. setting up and troubleshooting a typical computer-based music system
  4. basic concepts of MIDI, sampling, and an introduction to synthesis
  5. introduction to music sequencing software (DAW)
  6. introduction to audio mixing techniques
  7. setting up a personal or school music technology studio or lab
  8. future directions in music technology
Learning Activities

The instructor will devote three hours per week to lecture/demonstration. One hour per week will be spent working on lab assignments under the supervision of the instructor. Students will be expected to complete regular assignments and projects outside of class time. These can be done in the lab or at home.

Means of Assessment
Exams and quizzes: 20%
Project work (minimum of two; may include but is not limited to MIDI remix, audio remix, electronic soundscapes): 60%
Written critiques of own and others' work: 20%
Total: 100%

No single evaluation will be worth more than 30%

Learning Outcomes

Through lecture/demonstrations and hands-on lab work, students will learn the basic theoretical and practical applications of music technology. Emphasis will be placed on the creative and artistic use of these tools. Due to the continually evolving nature of technology, students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts common to all music software and hardware, and the ability to transfer their knowledge and skills to new situations.

On successful completion of the course students will be able to work effectively with at least two industry standard DAWs, and to demonstrate:

  1. a knowledge of important developments in the history of music technology, along with an appreciation of current trends
  2. the ability to use relevant software for MIDI sequencing, audio recording, editing and mixing
  3. an understanding of basic concepts of MIDI, sound synthesis and sampling, and the ability to apply this knowledge in setting up and maintaining a personal or school-based studio or lab
  4. creative and inventive uses of the techniques learned in this 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 lab.  

Requisites

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for MUSC 1182
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU PSEL 1XX (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU CA 1XX (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) No credit
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU MUSC 1XXX (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU MUSI 340 (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) No credit
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV MUSC_V 119 (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) No credit
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC MUS 1XX (0.5)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) Credit determined after audition.

Course Offerings

Summer 2024

CRN
Days
Dates
Start Date
End Date
Instructor
Status
CRN
24538
Mon Wed
Start Date
-
End Date
Start Date
End Date
Instructor Last Name
Topp
Instructor First Name
Brian
Course Status
Full
Max
Enrolled
Remaining
Waitlist
Max Seats Count
26
Actual Seats Count
26
0
Actual Wait Count
0
Days
Building
Room
Time
Mon Wed
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N3220
Start Time
18:30
-
End Time
20:20