Overview
This introductory unit, utilising industry preferred audio design tools, provides training in recording, mixing and mastering music. Students undertaking this unit will plan and undertake a small recording project that requires them to record live instruments and edit, mix and master audio. Students undertaking this unit via flexible delivery may be required to own some computer based recording equipment and software. Students interested in enrolling in the unit should contact the unit coordinator before enrolling.
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 2 - 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 evaluation data
The unit evaluations offered no suggestions for improvement.
Review all learning resources and assessment tasks with a view to improving the student experience.
- demonstrate an understanding of current recording technologies and equipment
- demonstrate an ability to design a detailed plan for recording a project
- demonstrate ability to record and manage a recording project from beginning to end.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 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 - 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 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Audio Interface (See Term-Specific Information)
- Pro Tools software (See Term-Specific Information)
- Various Microphones
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
d.reaston@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2020Module/Topic
Unit Overview - Fundamentals of Audio Recording
Equalisation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2020Module/Topic
Panning
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2020Module/Topic
Compression
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Reverb
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Recording: Fundamentals of Sound
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Microphone Types and Application
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Recording Vocals
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2020Module/Topic
Recording Drum Kit/Acoustic Percussion
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2020Module/Topic
Recording Guitar
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2020Module/Topic
Recording Bass/Keys/DI'ed instruments
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2020Module/Topic
Recording Horns/Woodwinds and Recording Acoustic Music Live
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2020Module/Topic
Conclusion
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recording Process Discussion Due: Review/Exam Week Wednesday (14 Oct 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
This unit is not a theoretical unit about audio recording - it is very practical. Because of this, you will need to have access to the following:
- Pro Tools software
- An audio interface
- Microphones for recording
- Preferably other musicians to help you record
Pro Tools is the standard DAW (digital audio workstation) for the music industry and learning how to use it is extremely beneficial. You'll be required to submit Pro Tools sessions as part of your assessments and therefore need to have access to a copy of Pro Tools software. If you don't have Pro Tools or know anyone who does, the following link will direct you AVID's website where you can purchase Pro Tools on a 3-monthly or yearly subscription at an educational price at either $24.99 USD for 3 months or $9.99 USD per month (on a yearly subscription): https://shop.avid.com/ccrz__ProductDetails?viewState=DetailView&sku=DYNA20002&isCSRFlow=true&portalUser=&store=shop&cclcl=en_AU&
No other DAWs are acceptable for this unit.
Because you will be recording, you also need to have some kind of audio interface that accepts 1/4" jacks and XLR cables (for recording lines and microphones).
Access to microphones is also crucial - you must be able to capture sound. During this unit you will learn about different types of microphones as well as microphone technique and placement. The better your microphones, the better your recordings will sound.
You will be required to record different instruments such as vocals, guitars, bass, drum kit, keyboards etc. You must have access to all of these instruments and people who can play them well enough to record. If you can record all of them well enough by yourself, you are more than welcome to do that as well.
1 Written Assessment
You will be completing five short music production exercises in Pro Tools using specified raw, unmixed audio tracks.
You will use your knowledge of Pro Tools to manipulate:
- Equalisation
- Panning
- Compression
- Reverb
- Balance
You will be required to take the raw audio tracks and apply your knowledge of these tools to vocal, guitar, bass, keys, and drum kit tracks.
In addition, you will also write 200 words per task discussing your application of each tool the tracks and the reasoning behind your mixing decisions.
Assessment submission and presentation
You must submit:
- 5 Pro Tools sessions (including Audio Files) (one for each task)
- 1,000 word essay as a Microsoft Word Document (.docx)
Your essay:
- Must use 12 point Times New Roman font
- Must use 1.5 spacing for the body of the assignment
- Include your name and student number.
- May use sub-headings to organise your assignment clearly
- Must adhere to the CQUniversity APA Style Guide.
Week 6 Monday (24 Aug 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 9 Monday (14 Sept 2020)
Vocal Task
- Application and effective use of equalisation (5%)
- Application and effective use of compression (5%)
- Application and effective use of reverb (5%)
- Application and effective use of panning (5%)
- Appropriate balance is achieved (5%)
Bass Task
- Application and effective use of equalisation (5%)
- Application and effective use of compression (5%)
Guitar Task
- Application and effective use of equalisation (5%)
- Application and effective use of compression (5%)
- Application and effective use of reverb (5%)
Keyboard Task
- Application and effective use of equalisation (5%)
- Application and effective use of compression (5%)
- Application and effective use of reverb (5%)
Drum Kit Task
- Application and effective use of equalisation (5%)
- Application and effective use of compression (5%)
- Application and effective use of panning (5%)
- Application and effective use of reverb (5%)
- Appropriate balance is achieved (5%)
Discussion
- Discussion is thoughtful and considered (7.5%)
- Discussion uses correct spelling, grammar and punctuation (2.5%)
*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
- demonstrate an understanding of current recording technologies and equipment
- demonstrate an ability to design a detailed plan for recording a project
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
2 Written Assessment
You are to record a 3-4 minute song. The song:
- Must have at least 4 different instruments
- Must include acoustic drum kit or percussion (no samples)
- Must include at least one vocal track
- Must have each instrument on separate tracks
You may record all parts separately to a click track or multi-track everything. However, if you decide to multi-track, every instrument must have it's own channel. A reasonable amount of 'bleed' is acceptable, but too much and it will hinder your ability to mix effectively.
You must submit:
- An .mp3 or .wav file of the final mastered project
-
The Pro Tools session for the song (including all the Audio Files)
Review/Exam Week Wednesday (14 Oct 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Assessment will be returned at the end of term
Recording
- 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%)
- demonstrate an understanding of current recording technologies and equipment
- demonstrate ability to record and manage a recording project from beginning to end.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
3 Written Assessment
Minimum 1000 words
In addition to the finished track in Assessment 2, you must submit a recording process overview discussing the recording process from start to finish.
You must include technical information such as:- Microphones used
- Microphone placement
- Effects used
- D.I.'s used
- Audio interface used
- Plugins used
In this document, you must embed photographs from your recording process giving clear indication of how each instrument was mic'ed and the thought process that went into the mic placement. Discuss any recording techniques that you attempted, but didn't have the desired effect.
You must also discuss the creative elements of the recording process including:
- Challenges you faced recording and mixing/mastering
- Why you chose certain microphones for certain instruments
- How you created balance and space in the mix
- How you used effects
Assessment submission and presentation
Your assessment must be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document (.docx) with photos embedded (do not submit photos separately), and:
- Must use 12 point Times New Roman font
- Must use 1.5 spacing for the body of the assignment
- Include your name and student number on each page as part of a header or footer.
- May use sub-headings to organise your assignment clearly
- Must adhere to the CQUniversity APA Style Guide.
Review/Exam Week Wednesday (14 Oct 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Assessment will be returned at the end of term
Technical Discussion
- Technical information is relevant and complete (30%)
- Clear photographs have been provided for each mic'ed instrument showing application of microphone placement (15%)
Creative Discussion
- Discussion is thoughtful and considered (30%)
General
- Accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar; clarity of writing style (20%)
- Meeting delivery requirements (presentation, word count, style guide) (5%)
*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
- demonstrate an understanding of current recording technologies and equipment
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- 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?
