Overview
In this unit, you will study the art of audio mixing and mastering, with a focus on the historical, technical and aesthetic aspects of the production process. You will apply concepts of mixing and mastering in the preparation of two production portfolios for digital distribution. You will explore and analyse current and historical industry trends in the distribution of popular music and how these have impacted the listening behaviour of consumers. You will also explore the mechanics of current distribution platforms and examine the copyright, licensing and financial implications of each including sync licensing, publishing and sample libraries.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite: Completion of 72 credit points in CG51. Students outside of CG51 may seek approval from the CG51 Head of Course to undertake 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 - 2024
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
Include more perspectives on the music industry from guest speakers.
The unit learning design will include a wider range of guest speakers to address music industry diversity.
- Apply audio mixing techniques in the production of a portfolio of audio works in contemporary popular music styles
- Apply audio mastering techniques in the production of a portfolio of audio works in contemporary popular music styles
- Analyse current and historical technological trends in the music industry and their impact upon music distribution.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 40% | |||
| 2 - Portfolio - 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 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Ableton Live software
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.
p.preece@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Mixing: Critical listening
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
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Mixing: Creating balance in a mix
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Mixing: Creating dynamic in a mix
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Mixing: Creating space in a mix
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Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Mixing feedback sessions
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Mastering: Mechanics of mastering - equalisation
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Mastering: Mechanics of mastering - compression
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Mastering: Mechanics of mastering – metering and limiting
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Mastering: Online mastering platforms
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
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Distribution: History of music distribution
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
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Distribution: Current distribution trends
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Distribution: Current distribution trends
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Portfolio
Part A
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 two songs. Both songs will be provided to you by your lecturer. The songs should be mixed in Ableton Live software. You will be required to use the tools available in Ableton Live 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 -3dBFS
RMS = -no more than -14dBFS
Part B
In addition to the technical aspects, you are required to submit a brief reflective summary (approximately 500 words) alongside your final mix. This reflective piece should address the following points:
- Creative Choices: Discuss the creative decisions made during the mixing process, including any unique approaches or artistic considerations.
- Challenges and Solutions: Reflect on challenges encountered and the strategies employed to overcome them. This could involve technical issues, artistic dilemmas, or any unexpected hurdles faced.
- Learning and Growth: Identify key lessons learned during the mixing project. Discuss how this experience has contributed to personal and professional growth in the field of audio production.
You will submit:
- An Ableton Live Project folder for each mix with the session in the final mix stage.
- A stereo bounce with no SRC or dithering.
- A 500 word reflective summary document
Vacation Week Friday (12 Apr 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 7 Friday (26 Apr 2024)
Part A
- 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 - 10%
Part B
- Critical Reflection - 7%
- Artistic Intent and Self-awareness - 3%
- Apply audio mixing techniques in the production of a portfolio of audio works in contemporary popular music styles
2 Portfolio
Part A
The mastering stage is the final stage in the production process and requires both technical and creative skills. In this assessment, you will be required to submit a mastering portfolio of two songs. The songs will be provided by your lecturer.
The songs can be mastered using Ableton Live software and other third-party plugins. You will be required to use the tools available in Ableton Live to produce a balanced, competitive master that is comparable to other songs in its genre. Processing will include but is not limited to:
- EQ
- Compression
- Limiting
- Reverb
Your master should be ready for digital distribution and observe the peak and RMS levels for that medium. These will be supplied to you by your lecturer.
Part B
Reflective Summary
In addition to the technical aspects, you are required to submit a brief reflective component (approximately 500 words) alongside your mastered track. This reflective piece should address the following points:
- Artistic Intent and Mastering Choices: Discuss the artistic intent behind the mastering choices made, considering the overall feel and impact on the listener.
- Challenges and Solutions: Reflect on any challenges encountered during the mastering process and the strategies employed to overcome them, demonstrating problem-solving skills.
- Learning and Growth: Identify key insights gained during the mastering project. Discuss how this experience has contributed to personal and professional growth in the field of audio production.
You will submit:
- A stereo bounce of your two songs in audio red book format (16 bit, 44.1kHz).
- A 500 word reflective summary
Week 9 Friday (10 May 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 11 Friday (24 May 2024)
- Spectral processing implemented effectively - 20%
- Dynamic processing implemented effectively - 40%
- Exports, labelling and session handling - 20%
- Fades implemented effectively - 10%
- Reflective summary - 10%
- Apply audio mastering techniques in the production of a portfolio of audio works in contemporary popular music styles
3 Written Assessment
The music industry has seen a great deal of change over the last century. It can be argued that these changes have been driven by technological advances in music media. In this assessment, you are to create, present, and record a podcast, where you will discuss the impact of the these changes on the distribution of, and access to music.
Your discussion will focus on the impact of two of the following media on the industry at their time of release:
- Vinyl
- CD
- Digital downloads or streaming
- Artificial Intelligence in music production
You will need to provide examples of how artists and labels have disrupted these distribution practices and contributed to new forms of music consumption.
The duration of the podcast will not exceed 15 minutes. This will task will involve:
- Researching and creating a script for the podcast. This script should be structured like a research essay, and include an introduction, body, conclusion, and a reference list. The script should be up to 1500 words in length.
- Recording the podcast script in Ableton Live
- Using editing and production skills in Ableton Live to create the podcast, ready for submission. You may use audio examples to support your argument. Any audio material must be included in your reference list.
You will submit:
- An audio recording of your podcast production - no more than 15 minutes
- Your podcast script as a Microsoft Word Document (.docx) which (1) must use 12 point Times New Roman font; (2) must use 1.5 spacing for the body of the assignment; (3) may use sub-headings to organise your assignment clearly; and (4) must adhere to the CQUniversity APA Style Guide.
Review/Exam Week Wednesday (5 June 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (14 June 2024)
General
- Appropriate structure of podcast - 20%
- Proper use and relevance of research - 15%
- Relevance of material - 20%
- Development of argument or theme - 15%
- Quality of podcast production - 15%
Script specific
- Referencing precision - 5%
- Accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar; clarity of writing style - 5%
- Meeting delivery requirements (presentation, word count*, style guide) - 5%
- Analyse current and historical technological trends in the music industry and their impact upon music distribution.
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?
