CQUniversity Unit Profile
CART11009 Music Creation 3: Fundamental Recording and Performance
Music Creation 3: Fundamental Recording and Performance
All details in this unit profile for CART11009 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In this unit, you will explore the basic skills of recording, presenting and performing your music. By spending time in the recording and production studios, you will gain fundamental skills in recording audio, loops, and using software instruments. You will attend classes in production, instrumental skills, ensemble, movement and stagecraft. Over the term you will record a portfolio of two songs in consultation with a tutor. You will also perform in solo and ensemble settings.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2018

Cairns

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 15%
2. Portfolio
Weighting: 35%
3. Performance
Weighting: 30%
4. Performance
Weighting: 20%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Teaching staff

Feedback

Facilities

Recommendation

Moving the delivery of this unit to campus facilities.

Feedback from Teaching staff

Feedback

IT

Recommendation

Using a specialist facility.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Identify and explain music technology fundamentals associated with audio including signal flow, microphones, recording, mixing, production, mastering and audio concepts
  2. Describe music technology fundamentals associated with MIDI (musical instrument digital interface)
  3. Perform on a chosen instrument in a manner that displays practical and creative understanding and fluency in both solo and ensemble scenarios.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 15%
2 - Portfolio - 35%
3 - Performance - 30%
4 - Performance - 20%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 15%
2 - Portfolio - 35%
3 - Performance - 30%
4 - Performance - 20%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Pro Tools 101: An Introduction to Pro Tools 11

(2013)
Authors: Frank D. Cook
Cengage Learning
USA
ISBN: 9781285774862
Binding: Hardcover

Additional Textbook Information

This book presently is also available in an e-book (kindle) format. However, paper copies are still available at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Patty Preece Unit Coordinator
p.preece@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 - Introduction to Performance and Production Begin Date: 05 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Performance: Introduction to performance.

Production: Introduction to Digital Audio Workstations and fundamental audio concepts.

Chapter

Lesson 1: Getting to Know Pro Tools.   

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance: Open un-assessed performance(s)

Week 2 Begin Date: 12 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Performance: Performance anxiety

Production: Exploring the functionality of Pro Tools and fundamental audio concepts continued.

Chapter

Lesson 2: Getting Inside Pro Tools

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance: Open un-assessed performance(s) 

Week 3 Begin Date: 19 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Performance: Speaking to the audience

Production: Building Pro Tools Sessions and fundamental audio building blocks.

Chapter

Lesson 3: Creating Your First Session

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance: Open un-assessed performance(s) 

Production: Online Quiz 1


online quizzes Due: Week 3 Friday (23 Mar 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 4 Begin Date: 26 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Performance: The art of critique

Production: Recording audio in Pro Tools and introduction to the recording studio. 

Chapter

Lesson 4: Making Your First Audio Recording

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance: Open un-assessed performance(s) 

Week 5 Begin Date: 02 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Performance: Preparation 1

Production: Importing Media into Pro Tools and gain structures for digital studio recording.

Chapter

Lesson 5: Importing and Working with Media in a Session

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance: Open un-assessed performance(s)

Production: Recording Plan Due

Vacation Week Begin Date: 09 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 16 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Performance: Preparation 1

Production: Working with MIDI in Pro Tools and an introduction to studio microphone techniques.

Chapter

Lesson 6: Making Your First MIDI Recording

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance: Open un-assessed performance(s)

Production: Online Quiz 2

Week 7 Begin Date: 23 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Performance: Appearance

Production: Pro Tools basic editing functions and stereo microphone techniques.

Chapter

Lesson 7: Selecting and Navigating

Lesson 8: Basic Editing Techniques

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance: Open un-assessed performance(s)

Week 8 Begin Date: 30 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Performance: Interview and audition technique

Production: Working with software instruments in Pro Tools and recording vocals.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance: Solo Performance 1


Solo Performance Due: Week 8 Tuesday (1 May 2018) 2:00 pm AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 07 May 2018

Module/Topic

Performance: 'Jamming'

Production: Working with loops in Pro Tools and overdubbing.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance: Open un-assessed performance(s)

Production: Online Quiz 3.

Week 10 Begin Date: 14 May 2018

Module/Topic

Performance: No formal lecture

Production: Mixing techniques 1, mixing terminology, automation, levels and panning.

Chapter

Lesson 9: Basic Mixing Techniques

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance: Solo Performance 2 - Formal audition style performance (all students)


Week 11 Begin Date: 21 May 2018

Module/Topic

Performance: Performing and recording live

Production: Mixing techniques 2, dynamics processing, effects processing and metering.

Chapter

Lesson 10: Finishing Your Work

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance: Ensemble Performance 1


Ensemble Performance Due: Week 11 Tuesday (22 May 2018) 2:00 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 28 May 2018

Module/Topic

Performance: No formal lecture

Production: Preparing media for export and session backups.

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance: Assessed student ensemble performance 2 (all students)

Performance: Assessed student solo performance 3

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 04 Jun 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Production: Production portfolio due


Production Portfolio Due: Review/Exam Week Friday (8 June 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 11 Jun 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Rob Woodward will teaching the performance component of this unit.  Contact Rob via email: r.woodward@cqu.edu.au


Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
online quizzes

Task Description

Assessment one of CART11009 is comprised of a series of three onlines quizzes undertaken online in weeks three, six, nine and relate to the Production component of the Unit.

  • Questions may be multiple choice, short, or long answer, or any other. Marks are assigned based on the difficulty of the question and the format (For example, a long answer will be awarded more marks than a multiple choice).
  • Some questions will assess materials from the readings or the lectures (onlne or in-person). A time limit of thirty minutes will be assigned. Questions will be drawn completely from the production component of the unit.
  • The quiz will be open at 12.01am of the Thursday and close at 11.59pm on Friday of the assigned week. If the Friday is a public holiday, the quiz will be held Wednesday and Thursday.
  • Only one attempt will be permitted.
  • At the closing time, all open quizzes will be automatically submitted. The quiz will be closed and reopening will not be possible.
  • The quizzes will collectively contribute 15% of a student's mark.


Number of Quizzes

3


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Week 3 Friday (23 Mar 2018) 11:59 pm AEST

Online Quizzes open at 12.01am of the Thursday and close at 11.59pm on Friday of the assigned week. If the Friday is a public holiday, the quiz will be held Wednesday and Thursday. See Moodle for details.


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Friday (25 May 2018)

Marks will be given once moderation has been completed.


Weighting
15%

Assessment Criteria

Quiz 1 (Week 3) will cover material from Weeks 1-3 and is worth 5 marks

Quiz 2 (Week 6) will cover material from Weeks 4-6 and is worth 5 marks

Quiz 3 (Week 9) will cover material from Weeks 7-9 and is worth 5 marks


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify and explain music technology fundamentals associated with audio including signal flow, microphones, recording, mixing, production, mastering and audio concepts
  • Describe music technology fundamentals associated with MIDI (musical instrument digital interface)


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence

2 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Production Portfolio

Task Description

Students are required to create a production portfolio comprising two recordings plus a recording plan for both. 

RECORDING PLAN

The Recording Plan will detail your intention for the recoding process of both productions and should include a detailed equipment list, a production timeline, key stakeholders to be involved in the project and any OH&S considerations.  The Recording Plan, constitutes 5% of your mark and will be due on Friday in Week 5. 

RECORDING #1

A fully acoustic recording, using only microphones, physical instruments and vocals. e.g. duo type performance featuring one instrument and a vocal. The instrument can be anything provided it is recorded with a microphone and the performers are monitoring through headphones: acoustic guitar, electric guitar through an amplifier, upright or grand piano (not electric), or similar. Double-tracking the instrument and the addition of vocal harmonies is optional, but not a requirement. The assessment requires a minimum of two tracks (instrument and vocal). The recording should be mixed and 'bounced' according to submission guidelines (see Moodle for details).

RECORDING #2

A short recording using synthetic sources from Protools (no more than 3 minutes in length).

i) at least four software instrument tracks must be used;

ii) at least one of the tracks must be captured with a microphone with the performer wearing headphones (as per Recording #1).

The production should be mixed and 'bounced' according to submission guidelines (see Moodle for details).


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Friday (8 June 2018) 11:59 pm AEST

Recording Plan due Friday Week 5.


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Monday (11 June 2018)

Marks will be given once moderation has been completed.


Weighting
35%

Assessment Criteria

The Recording Plan must:

  • Meet academic writing standards
  • Be no more than 500 words in length
  • Use 12 pt Arial type font and 1.5 line spacing
  • Include the following content: detailed equipment list production timeline, key stakeholders and OH&S considerations.

Recordings comply with the requirements of the task:

Recording 1 must contain at least two instruments recorded by a microphone.

Recording 2 must contain at least four software instruments and one acoustically captured instrument.

Recordings should be free from extraneous noise and distortion.

Recordings should contain at least 1 dynamic and 1 time based effect.

Recordings should be saved and exported according to the submission guidelines.

Pro Tools Sessions should not contain any unused or missing audio files.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
You need to submit a Pro Tools sessions and a bounce for each recording. Compress these sessions into a zipped file prior to submission.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify and explain music technology fundamentals associated with audio including signal flow, microphones, recording, mixing, production, mastering and audio concepts
  • Describe music technology fundamentals associated with MIDI (musical instrument digital interface)


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Team Work
  • Cross Cultural Competence

3 Performance

Assessment Title
Solo Performance

Task Description

Perform an original or cover song of your choice on your chosen instrument on three separate occasions as per unit profile.

Students may use an accompaniment if required.

Each solo performance is worth 10%.


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Tuesday (1 May 2018) 2:00 pm AEST

Solo Performance times will be allocated at the start of term. See Moodle for details.


Return Date to Students

Review/Exam Week Friday (8 June 2018)

Feedback will be given once all ensemble performances are complete and moderation has occurred.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Performance musicality and technicality.

Presentation: Stagecraft, appearance and audience engagement

Peer Assessment 


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Submission Instructions
Students must attend allocated performance class.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform on a chosen instrument in a manner that displays practical and creative understanding and fluency in both solo and ensemble scenarios.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Team Work

4 Performance

Assessment Title
Ensemble Performance

Task Description

Perform on your chosen instrument in an ensemble setting on two separate occasions during class time.

Each ensemble performance is worth 10%.


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Tuesday (22 May 2018) 2:00 pm AEST

Ensemble Performances will occur in weeks 11 and 12. See Moodle for details.


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (15 June 2018)

Feedback will be given once all ensemble performances are complete and moderation has occurred.


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

Performance musicality and technicality.

Presentation: Stagecraft, appearance and audience engagement

Peer Assessment


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Submission Instructions
Students must attend allocated performance class.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform on a chosen instrument in a manner that displays practical and creative understanding and fluency in both solo and ensemble scenarios.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Team Work

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?