CQUniversity Unit Profile
CART11010 Studio Recording and Digital Audio
Studio Recording and Digital Audio
All details in this unit profile for CART11010 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

This unit explores two areas of musical performance: the possibilities and potential of collaborative performance, and the processes of studio recording. You will partner with other musicians to collaboratively create recordings and live performances. You will also expand your knowledge of recording in the studio and consider the process of mixing.

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

Prerequisite: CART11009 Music Production 1: Fundamental Recording and Performance

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 2 - 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. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 25%
2. Creative work
Weighting: 25%
3. Portfolio
Weighting: 40%
4. Reflective Practice Assignment
Weighting: 10%

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 Students/Staff

Feedback

Teaching resources

Recommendation

Identify a textbook to assist in the delivery of the songwriting portion of the unit.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Apply digital audio techniques in a manner that displays technical and creative understanding, fluency and reflective practice
  2. Perform on your chosen instrument in a manner that displays practical and creative understanding and fluency
  3. Operate multitrack recording equipment to produce a song to a defined standard.
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 - Performance - 30%
2 - Creative work - 40%
3 - Presentation - 30%

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 - Performance - 30%
2 - Creative work - 40%
3 - Presentation - 30%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Supplementary

The Music Producer's Handbook

Edition: 2nd (2016)
Authors: Bobby Owsinski
Hal Leonard Corporation
Milwaukee Milwaukee , WI , USA
ISBN: 0071422722
Binding: eBook

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Mac lab with Ableton Live software
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 Begin Date: 09 Jul 2018

Module/Topic

Production: Unit overview and critical listening session.

Planning a studio recording project.

Performance: Open performance.

Chapter

Chapter 3 - The Elements Of Music Production

Chapter 16: EDM, Pop, And Hip-Hop Production

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Jul 2018

Module/Topic

Production: Introduction to Ableton Live software and electronic music production (EMP).

Approaches to recording - creating guide tracks.

Performance: Open performance.

Chapter

Chapter 9 - Basic Tracks - Where The Magic Is Made

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Jul 2018

Module/Topic

Production: Rhythm and beats in EMP - part 1.

Approaches to recording - tracking live.

Performance: Group A - un-assessed performance

Chapter

Chapter 5 - It’s All In The Song

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Jul 2018

Module/Topic

Production: Rhythm and beats in EMP - part 2.

Approaches to recording - double tracking.

Performance: Group B - un-assessed performance

Chapter

Chapter 10 - Overdubs

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 06 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

Production: Keys and chords in EMP - part 1.

Approaches to recording - using punch recording and playlists.

Performance: Group C - un-assessed performance

Chapter

Chapter 6 - Music Mechanics

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 20 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

Production: Keys and chords in EMP - part 2.

Preparing your production for mixing in the box.

Performance: Open performance.

Chapter

Chapter 12 - Mixing - Where It’s Make Or Break

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

Production: Chord progressions in EMP - part 1.

Mixing in the box - applying EQ and other spectral based processing.

Performance: Group A - assessed performance 1.

Chapter

Chapter 13: Self-Production

Events and Submissions/Topic

Group A - Performance assessment 1

Week 8 Begin Date: 03 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

Production: Approaches to writing in EMP.

Mixing in the box - applying dynamics based processing.

Performance: Group B - assessed performance.

Chapter

Chapter 14 - Mixing: Where It’s Make Or Break

Events and Submissions/Topic

Group B - Performance Assessment 1

Week 9 Begin Date: 10 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

Production: Arrangement in EMP.

Mixing in the box - applying time based effects.

Performance: Group C - assessed performance 1

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Group C - Performance Assessment 1

Week 10 Begin Date: 17 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

Production: Vocal sampling techniques.

Mixing in the box - Applying genre specific mixing techniques.

Performance: Formal audition style performance.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance Assessment 2

Week 11 Begin Date: 24 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

Production: Applying genre specific production techniques in EMP.

Mixing in the box - Levels and metering.

Performance: Open performance.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 01 Oct 2018

Module/Topic

Production: Exporting and media preparation - Ableton Live

Exporting and media preparation - Pro Tools.

Performance: Assessed performance 3.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance Assessment 3.


Collaborative Performance Due: Week 12 Monday (1 Oct 2018) 12:00 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Oct 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Creative Work assessment due.

Reflective Practice assessment due.

P


Original Electronic Music Composition Due: Review/Exam Week Wednesday (10 Oct 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Reflective Report Due: Review/Exam Week Wednesday (10 Oct 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Oct 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Portfolio Assessment due.


Collaborative Portfolio Due: Exam Week Wednesday (17 Oct 2018) 11:55 pm AEST
Assessment Tasks

1 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Collaborative Performance

Task Description

This assessment item involves you rehearsing for and presenting a variety of practical performance based events through participation in a music ensemble. At each performance event you will be asked to present two new cover songs that you have chosen and worked on as group.

Each ensemble has one rehearsal session per week with an ensemble coach.

It is a requirement of this unit that students maintain high levels of attendance at rehearsals and performances. 


There will be three separate performances throughout the term.

Performance 1: Week 7 during class time

Performance 2: Week 10 during class time as a formal audition

Performance 3: Will be held in a public venue arranged by your tutor in week 12.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Monday (1 Oct 2018) 12:00 pm AEST

Performance 1 will occur during class in Week 7. Performance 2 will be a formal audition and will occur during class in week 10. The final performance assessment will be held in a public venue arranged by your tutor in week 12.


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (19 Oct 2018)

Marks will be given once moderation has been completed.


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

Musical Skills

  • Accuracy of intonation and quality of tone - 10%
  • Accuracy of balance and appropriate dynamic shaping - 5%
  • Accuracy of articulation and rhythm - 10%
  • Appropriateness of stylistic phrasing - 10%
  • Degree of musical interaction and quality of interpretation - 10%
  • Degree of memorization of lyrics, harmony, melody and arrangement - 5%

Professionalism

  • Degree of initiative in completing tasks in a variety of technical, creative and performance areas - 10%
  • Degree of focus, concentration and attention during rehearsals and performance - 10%
  • Ability to take direction and apply concepts in rehearsal and performance - 10%
  • Degree of preparedness and punctuality, including transcriptions/arrangements and individual practice - 10%

General

  • Ensemble rehearsal and performance attendance and participation - 10%


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform on your chosen instrument in a manner that displays practical and creative understanding and fluency


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

2 Creative work

Assessment Title
Original Electronic Music Composition

Task Description

Assessment Description: You are to submit an audio recording of an original composition. The composition will be no more than 4 minutes in length and contain electronically composed musical elements developed over the term. Your composition will demonstrate genre specific production techniques and may contain audio samples.

All sounds should be created, edited and mixed using Ableton Live software and be no more than 4 minutes in length.  Your final bounce will be a stereo mix of your signals with a peak level of no more than -6dBFS. 

You will be required to submit both a stereo bounce of your composition as well as your Ableton Live Project. Your project should not contain any missing media or unused tracks. 


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Wednesday (10 Oct 2018) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (19 Oct 2018)

Marks will be given once moderation has been completed.


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

Composition demonstrates genre specific production techniques (40%)

Composition meets submission requirements (20%)

Production is free from extraneous noise (10%)

Final bounce does not exceed -6dBFS (10%)

Presentation and project handling (20%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
You are to submit a zipped file containing the stereo mixes of your collaborative works. The Pro Tools sessions must be submitted separately according to the submission guidelines.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply digital audio techniques in a manner that displays technical and creative understanding, fluency, and reflective practice
  • Operate multitrack recording equipment to produce a song to a defined standard.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence

3 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Collaborative Portfolio

Task Description

You are to collaborate with your fellow students to record a song from your ensemble repertoire from assessment task 1. Students must work in small groups to record their song but must edit and mix the song individually.

The recording must:

· Be a full length song

· Include at least four instruments captured acoustically, Eg, Percussion, Bass, Guitar & Vocals

· Be free from extraneous noise and distortion

· Be topped and tailed

· Demonstrate genre specific production techniques

· Production should be mixed and bounced according to the submission guidelines in Moodle

· Submission will include a Pro Tools Session and a stereo ‘Bounce’ of your final mix


Assessment Due Date

Exam Week Wednesday (17 Oct 2018) 11:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (19 Oct 2018)

Marks will be given once moderation has been completed.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Criteria
Recordings

  • Recording demonstrates knowledge of appropriate microphone placement (35%)
  • Tracks are recorded at an appropriate level (20%)
  • Audio signal is clean on all tracks (15%)

Mixing

  • Balance is achieved throughout the recording (6%)
  • Equalisation is well-implemented and effective (6%)
  • Panning is well-implemented and effective (6%)
  • Compression is well-implemented and effective (6%)
  • Reverb is well-implemented and effective (6%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
You are to submit a zipped file containing the stereo mixes of your collaborative works. The Pro Tools sessions must be submitted separately according to the submission guidelines.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Operate multitrack recording equipment to produce a song to a defined standard.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence

4 Reflective Practice Assignment

Assessment Title
Reflective Report

Task Description

You are required to submit a reflective report describing the creative process behind your electronic music composition and reflecting upon any issues encountered. This report may be in the form of a weekly reflective journal and be no more than 800 words in length.


Your Reflective Report:
  • Must use 12 point Times New Roman font
  • Must use 1.5 spacing for the body of the assignment
  • May use sub-headings to organise your assignment clearly
  • Must adhere to the CQ University APA Style Guide.


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Wednesday (10 Oct 2018) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (19 Oct 2018)

Marks will be given once moderation has been completed.


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

25% Appropriate documentation of the project showing work completed on a week by week basis
25% Identification of specific challenges and analysis of methods used to meet these challenges
25% Demonstration of reflective and analytic thinking
25% Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and use of APA referencing


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

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?