Overview
In this unit, you will build upon Music Creation 2 and will continue to develop and refine your music theory and music production skills. You will focus on skills and techniques for creating compositions and arrangements for various contemporary popular music ensembles. You will continue to develop your music production skills with a focus on the art of mixing together with an exploration of various mixing workflows from a range of contemporary popular styles.
Details
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 - 2020
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).
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
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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 Student feedback
The songwriting components and music production components of this unit could be separated allowing a deeper level of engagement in specialised content.
Create a music production major that will allow students the opportunity to more specialise in either music or music production.
- Apply advanced song writing and arrangement processes in the creation of original music compositions
- Apply advanced recording techniques to the creation of original music compositions
- Apply advanced audio mixing techniques to contemporary popular music styles.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 30% | |||
| 2 - Portfolio - 30% | |||
| 3 - Portfolio - 40% | |||
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 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 11 - 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 | 11 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 30% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Portfolio - 30% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Portfolio - 40% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
Mixing Engineer's Handbook
- Edition: 2nd (2006)
- Authors: Bobby Owsinski
- Course Technology
- Boston Boston , MA , United States of America
- ISBN: 9781598632514
- Binding: eBook
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Creative Arts Studio Facility
- Pro Tools software
- Ableton Live software
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.
p.preece@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020Module/Topic
Production: Module 1 - Critical Listening.
Songwriting: Module 1 - Arranging for small ensemble.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020Module/Topic
Production: Module 1 - Critical Listening.
Songwriting: Module 1 - Arranging for small ensemble.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020Module/Topic
Production: Module 1 - Critical Listening.
Songwriting: Module 1 - Arranging for small ensemble.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2020Module/Topic
Production: Module 2 - Creating balance in a mix.
Songwriting: Module 2 - Voicing techniques, closed position.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020Module/Topic
Production: Module 2 - Creating balance in a mix.
Songwriting: Module 3 - Voicing techniques, spread voicings.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020Module/Topic
Production: Module 2 - Creating dynamic in a mix.
Songwriting: Module 4 - Advanced chords, diminished.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020Module/Topic
Production: Module 2 - Creating dynamic in a mix.
Songwriting: Module 4 - Advanced chords, diminished.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Lead Sheet
Friday
Lead Sheet Due: Week 7 Friday (1 May 2020) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2020Module/Topic
Production: Module 2 - Creating space in a mix.
Songwriting: Module 5 - Four part harmony writing.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2020Module/Topic
Production: Module 2 - Creating space in a mix.
Songwriting: Module 5 - Four part harmony writing.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2020Module/Topic
Production: Module 2 - Creating space in a mix.
Songwriting: Module 5 - Four part harmony writing.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2: Mixing portfolio due.
Friday
Mixing Portfolio Due: Week 10 Friday (22 May 2020) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2020Module/Topic
Production: Feedback session.
Songwriting: Module 5 - Four part harmony writing.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020Module/Topic
Production: Feedback session.
Songwriting: Module 5 - Four part harmony writing.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 3: Original Composition Portfolio due.
Wednesday
Original Composition Portfolio Due: Review/Exam Week Wednesday (10 June 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Portfolio
You are required to create an original 16 bar composition. This will constitute part of your end of term portfolio composition. The composition could be purely instrumental or include lyrics.
You must submit:
- A lead sheet for the song. This may be created on a music notation program (e.g. Sibelius) or by hand and scanned. This should be in pdf format.
-
Lead sheet should include chords, melody, time signature, key signature, tempo and feel indication, section markings, dynamics and lyrics (if applicable).
You will also submit a written analysis of the composition, utilising traditional analysis techniques such as functional harmonic analysis.
Week 7 Friday (1 May 2020) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 9 Friday (15 May 2020)
After they have been marked results will be uploaded to the Moodle gradebook.
Demonstrated use of melodic construction techniques (30%)
Effective use of harmony (30%)
Lead sheet presentation including time signature, key signature, tempo and feel indication, section markings and dynamics (30%)
Written analysis covering functional harmony and motivic development (10%)
- Apply advanced song writing and arrangement processes in the creation of original music compositions
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Portfolio
The mixing stage is a critical stage in the production process and requires both technical and creative skills. In this assessment, you will be required to submit a mixing portfolio of 2 songs. One song will be an acoustic production that you have recorded in a previous unit and the other song will be provided to you by your lecturer.
The songs may be mixed in either Pro Tools or Ableton Live. You will be required to use the tools available in the DAW to produce a balanced mix that is comparable to other songs in its genre. Processing will include but is not limited to:
- Level
- Pan
- EQ
- Compression
- Reverb
- Delay
- Deessing
Your mixes should be ready to send to mastering with the following levels:
- Peak = no more than -6dBFS
- RMS = -no more than -16dBFS
You will submit:
- A DAW session for each mix with the session in the final mix stage.
- A stereo bounce with no SRC or dithering.
Week 10 Friday (22 May 2020) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 12 Friday (5 June 2020)
After they have been marked results will be uploaded to the Moodle gradebook.
Level balance and pan implemented effectively (20%)
Spectral processing implemented effectively (20%)
Dynamic processing implemented effectively (20%)
Time based processing implemented effectively (20%)
Exports and session handling (20%)
- Apply advanced recording techniques to the creation of original music compositions
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
3 Portfolio
Over the term, you will continue to develop your skills in songwriting, arrangement and music production. In this assessment, you are required to create an original composition in a chosen genre. The composition will be a minimum of 32 bars in length and contain both music and lyrical elements developed over the term. The composition will be recorded in the studio and accompanied by a lead sheet. You will also submit a 500-800 word discussion on the arrangement of the composition.
The composition
The composition should be at least 32 bars in length and should include:
- A lead sheet for the song. This may be created on a music notation program (e.g. Sibelius) or by hand and scanned. This should be in pdf format.
-
Lead sheet should include chords, melody, time signature, key signature, tempo and feel indication, section markings, dynamics and lyrics (if applicable).
The recording
You are to submit an audio recording of an original composition. All sounds will be recorded, edited and mixed and demonstrate genre specific production techniques. You may work in small groups to record all instrumental parts of the song, but must edit and mix the song individually. You may also use software instruments and samples to create instrumental parts as required.
Recordings will be topped and tailed and free from extraneous noise. Your final bounce will be a stereo mix of your signals with an RMS level of no more than -14dBFS.
Portfolio submission components
- A lead sheet as a PDF
- A 500 - 800 word discussion of your arrangement as a Microsoft Word Document (.docx)
- A recording of the song in wav format (Stereo, 44.1kHZ 16 bit)
Review/Exam Week Wednesday (10 June 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (19 June 2020)
After they have been marked results will be uploaded to the Moodle gradebook.
Demonstrated use of melodic construction techniques (20%)
Effective use of harmony (20%)
Clear lead sheet, including chords, melody and rhythm section notation (20%)
Discussion is considered, reflective, and complete (15%)
Accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar; clarity of writing style (5%)
Meeting delivery requirements (presentation, word count, style guide) (5%)
Recording is free from extraneous noise and distortion (15%)
- Apply advanced audio mixing techniques to contemporary popular music styles.
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
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?
