60A Producing in the Home Studio
From MusicTechWiki
Revision as of 13:02, 6 June 2022 by Marjoriegarce (talk | contribs) (→Beginner Home Studio Setup (Why Every Musician Needs One))
Revision as of 13:02, 6 June 2022 by Marjoriegarce (talk | contribs) (→Beginner Home Studio Setup (Why Every Musician Needs One))
Contents
Class Description
Design, set up and operation of an audio/video recording studio in a small environment. Space considerations, electrical requirements and acoustic treatment options. Computer requirements including processor speed, memory requirements, data storage devices and monitor selection/placement. MIDI keyboard types and compatibility, mixer selection and setup, cable selection and care, microphone design, and USB/firewire interface options. Software programs and compatibility issues. How to produce recordings from start to finish in a home studio.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this course you will be able to:
- Design an acoustic environment in an alternative space.
- Create a recording/production system using computer-based software and hardware.
- Integrate MIDI keyboards and sound modules into the production system.
- Integrate non-digital equipment such as microphones and transducers into a digital production system.
Course Outline
- Signal Path
- DAWs and Music Production
- Intro to Recording
- Mic Preamps
- Song Writing
- EQ and Frequency
- Mixing
- Music Production
- Collaboration
- Digital Distribution
- Final Project
- Extra Credit Independent Studies
Foothill Legacy Course Outline
- Basic principles of studio design and construction.
- Acoustic treatments.
- Voltage and wiring considerations.
- Audio hardware design and selection.
- Analog vs. digital mixers.
- Cables, microphones and peripheral accessories.
- USB and Firewire audio interfaces.
- MIDI keyboards and interfaces.
- Computer design and selection.
- Bus speed and track count.
- Cables, microphones and peripheral accessories
- USB and Firewire audio interfaces.
- Software selection and use.
- Audio based production software.
- MIDI based production software.
- Audio/video based production software.
Special Facilities and/or Equipment
A. When taught on campus:
- 30 Macintosh computers.
- 30 MIDI keyboards and MIDI interfaces.
- 30 Avid M-Box USB audio interfaces.
- 30 Pro Tools software installs.
- Video projector and screen.
B. When taught via Foothill Global Access:
- On-going access to computer with Email software and capabilities.
- Email address.
- Java-script enabled internet browsing software.
Methods of Evaluation
- Evaluated studio designs.
- Weekly quizzes and skills checks.
- Written evaluations of software and hardware combinations.
- Graded recording assignments in various formats.
- Midterm and Final Exams.
Method of Instruction
- Written assignments that analyze, compare and contrast different audio recording and editing techniques.
- Designing and assembling a multitrack recording for mastering.
- Producing audio projects that include edits to the basic tracks, as well as appropriate plug-ins, such as compression.
Lab Content
Lab content in online music technology courses includes:
- Lab assignments and experimentation with variances in areas such as formatting media bit rate, sample rate, and media size.
- Assignments in number of plug ins per insert track.
- Bus assignments for efficient recording operation.
- Mastering compression settings.
Required Reading, Writing and Outside of Class Assignments
- LinkedIn Learning
- Available free through public libraries
- Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software.
- No other equipment or software required.
- No required textbook.
- Read the specification sheet for an audio software program and provide a written interpretation in layman's language.
- Write a tutorial on setting up various aspects of a home studio, such as the MIDI keyboard wiring matrix.