Overview
Through foundation studies in music and production, you will gain knowledge of how music is created, rehearsed, recorded and performed. You will specialise in genres such as jazz, rock, pop, rhythm and blues, country funk and soul. Using industry recognised software, you will gain experience with multi-track recording, editing and audio mixing. The study of practical and theoretical principles gives you the opportunity to establish various performance, technical and creative skills.
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 - 2026
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 Staff reflection
Update content to reflect emerging trends in AI in music.
Revise unit content to incorporate current developments in AI and its applications to music production and performance. Implement learning activities that engage students in exploring and critically reflecting on these trends to strengthen industry relevance and connection.
- Implement at a foundation level, a range of music and production techniques pertinent to your specialisation within various live or recorded music and production contexts
- Apply, at a foundation level, a range of technical and creative skills pertinent to your specialisation, specific to music and production within various live or recorded contexts
- Develop, to a foundation level, musical skills of stylistic authenticity pertinent to your specialisation within a range of live or recorded music and production contexts.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 35% | |||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 35% | |||
| 3 - Practical Assessment - 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 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 11 - 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
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Fundamental Audio Concepts 1
Unit and assessment overview
Introduction to digital audio workstations (DAW)
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Fundamental Audio Concepts 2
Digital Audio
Audio Editing
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Fundamental Audio Concepts 3
Harmonics and amplitude
Audio Editing 2
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Creative editing techniques
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Mixing Fundamentals
Creating balance in a mix
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Signal processing
EQ and dynamics
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Signal processing 2
Time based effects
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
Final mix and media preparation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to the recording studio
Recording plans
Recording in Live
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
Audio Building blocks
Microphones and placement
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recording plan due
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
Recording Workflows
Guide tracks, click tracks, live recording and overdubbing.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Project week - Recording feedback sessions
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please note: The 72-Hour grace period applies to assessment tasks 1, 2, and 3. If you need longer than 72 hours, you'll still need to use the normal Assessment Extension System process.
1 Practical Assessment
In this assessment, you will be required to perform a series of edit tasks. To complete this assessment, download the 'project brief' document from Moodle as well as the Ableton Live set. You will be required to use the edit functions of Ableton Live to create a cohesive edit including but not limited to:
- Copy
- Paste
- Cut
- Duplicate
- Fade
- Trim
Submission guidelines
You are to submit your Ableton Live Session.
- Do not consolidate any audio files - all edits made should be visible
- Ensure that only one .als file exists in your Ableton Live Project Folder
- Collect all and save your session using the following naming convention: Edit assessment_YourName
- Compress/zip the top-level Ableton Live Project folder
- The Ableton Live Project folder should contain one .als file as well as a Samples folder. Your Ableton Live session will not work if there is no Samples folder in your submission. Please check this carefully before you submit.
- Submit the Ableton Live Project folder following the submission guidelines on Moodle
AI Assessment Scale: Level 2
You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Week 5 Friday (10 Apr 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Friday (1 May 2026)
Adherence to the Brief – 20%
- Audio edits align with the task's specific requirements, including timing, structure, and creative intent outlined in the brief.
All necessary elements (e.g., transitions, fades, and clip arrangements) are included and executed as required.
Clarity and Precision of Edits – 20%
- Edits are clean, with no audible artefacts, glitches, or abrupt changes.
- Timing and synchronisation of clips are precise and contribute to the overall flow and polish of the project.
Consistency in Editing – 10%
- Editing style is consistent throughout the project, ensuring uniformity in timing, transitions, and sound quality.
- Edits reflect a cohesive approach, avoiding noticeable disparities in volume or tone between sections.
Transition Cohesion – 10%
- Transitions between clips or sections are seamless, enhancing the overall listening experience.
- Edits ensure smooth and logical connections between different elements of the project.
Smoothness of Fades – 10%
- Fades are applied effectively, avoiding abrupt or jarring cuts.
- Attention is given to both fade-in and fade-out transitions for natural results.
Appropriateness of Fade Duration – 10%
- Fade lengths are thoughtfully chosen to suit the audio context, whether subtle or more pronounced fades are required.
- Fades contribute to the desired emotional or aesthetic impact.
Creativity in Editing Techniques – 10%
- Demonstrates innovative or unique editing techniques that enhance the project’s artistic value.
- Creative approaches are used thoughtfully and appropriately, aligning with the brief's intent.
Session Management – 10%
- Ableton Live session is well-organised with properly named clips, tracks, and edits.
- Efficient use of tools like clip automation, grouping, and markers to streamline workflow.
- Implement at a foundation level, a range of music and production techniques pertinent to your specialisation within various live or recorded music and production contexts
2 Practical Assessment
As a musician, it is important to be able to capture and mix music, so that you can disseminate your work on a multitude of platforms (Soundcloud, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube).
In this assessment task, you will be asked to perform a basic sound mix on a pre-recorded song using Ableton Live software. In performing the mix, you will be asked to create a balanced mix using levels, pans, and signal processing. You should use the reference mix provided in the project to guide your decisions about the relative level of each instrument, their position in the stereo image and their sonic treatment.
You are required to:
- Create a relative balance of instruments in your mix (Level)
- Create an interesting stereo image (Pan)
- Control the dynamic of instruments where required (Compression)
- Add depth to your mix (Reverb, chorus and delay)
- Clean, shape or enhance the spectral content of the instruments (EQ)
Your final graded submission will be the delivery of the final music product.
AI Assessment Scale: Level 2
You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Submission guidelines
You are to submit your Ableton Live Session and an export of your final mix.
- Ensure that only one .als file exists in your Ableton Live Project Folder
- Collect all and save your session using the following naming convention: Mix assessment_YourName
- Compress/zip the top level Ableton Live Project folder
- The Ableton Live Project folder should contain one .als file as well as a Samples folder. Your Ableton Live session will not work if there is no Samples folder in your submission. Please check this carefully before you submit.
- Submit the Ableton Live Project folder and the following the submission guidelines on Moodle
- Export the final mix of your song with the following format: 44.1kHz, 16 bit.
- Upload the export of your song to the Moodle submission portal
Week 9 Friday (15 May 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11 Friday (29 May 2026)
Level Balance – 20%
- Tracks are well-balanced relative to each other, ensuring clarity of key elements such as vocals, instruments, and supporting layers.
- No individual track dominates unless intended for artistic purposes.
Tonal Balance – 20%
- Use of EQ ensures that frequency ranges are balanced, avoiding issues like muddiness, harshness, or excessive brightness.
- Tracks fit cohesively in the overall frequency spectrum without clashing or masking each other.
Stereo Imaging – 15%
- Effective use of panning to create a clear, wide, and immersive stereo field.
- Elements are placed thoughtfully within the stereo spectrum to enhance separation and depth.
Dynamic Range Management – 15%
- Compression and limiting are used appropriately to control dynamics while maintaining energy and avoiding over-compression.
- Mix demonstrates a good balance between dynamic impact and loudness.
Effective and Appropriate Use of Effects – 15%
- Effects such as reverb, delay, modulation, and creative effects are applied tastefully and enhance the mix without overpowering it.
- Effects contribute to the aesthetic and emotional impact of the mix.
Session Management – 10%
- Ableton Live session is well-organised with proper naming of tracks, groups, and effects chains.
- Use of markers, colours, and track layout ensures a clean and efficient workflow.
Adherence to Project Requirements – 5%
- Mix meets the specific requirements of the project, including any genre-specific or creative guidelines.
- Deliverables are exported in the correct format and submitted according to the instructions.
- Apply, at a foundation level, a range of technical and creative skills pertinent to your specialisation, specific to music and production within various live or recorded contexts
3 Practical Assessment
As a musician, it is important to be able to capture music at a high quality, so that you may share your ideas with collaborators and reflect upon your performance. This assessment will ask you to record and mix a piece of music. The artist you record may be someone from your cohort or someone outside the University. It is also possible to record yourself. You may seek assistance from your lecturer to identify a suitable artist for your project.
Pre-production and planning are essential steps in ensuring your recording project runs smoothly and meets all deadlines. As part of this assessment, you are required to write a brief recording plan for the song you intend to record as part of your recording assessment and is worth 10% of your final grade. Your recording plan should address the following:
- Outline the goals of the recording project
- Recording timeline
- Equipment requirements
- WHS considerations
The song should be at least 3 minutes in length and should contain at least 2 acoustic instruments; Eg Strings, Guitar, Bass, Vocals, Percussion, Keys. Alternatively, the song may contain two different parts using the same instrument.
Equipment you will need to complete this assessment includes:
- Ableton Live Software
- Audio interface
- Microphone
- Microphone lead
- Headphones
The recording should be mixed and 'bounced' according to the submission guidelines (see Moodle for details). Feedback is an essential part of the recording and mixing process. Your recording and mix will be shared with your cohort in each phase of the production process. You will participate in feedback sessions during class time to develop your work.
The following are your milestone draft submissions:
- Submit recording plan - week 10
- Draft recording due: week 12
AI Assessment Scale: Level 2
You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Assessment Requirements
Your final graded submission will be the delivery of the final music product. Your submission will include:
- A recording plan - due week 10 (submit via link in Moodle)
- A stereo bounce – ready for mastering. 32 bit 48kHz (submit via link in Moodle)
- An mp3 ‘listener’ for the artist. 320kbp/s (submit via the Moodle submission portal)
- An Ableton Live set at the final stage of the mix (submit via link in Moodle)
Submission Guidelines
- Ensure that only one .als file exists in your Ableton Live Project Folder
- Collect all and save your session using the following naming convention: Recording assessment_YourName
- Compress/zip the top level Ableton Live Project folder
- The Ableton Live Project folder should contain one .als file as well as a Samples folder. Your Ableton Live session will not work if there is no Samples folder in your submission. Please check this carefully before you submit.
- Submit the Ableton Live Project folder and the following the submission guidelines on Moodle
- Export the final mix of your song with the following format: 48kHz, 32 bit.
- Upload the export of your song to the Moodle submission portal
Week 12 Friday (5 June 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Vacation/Exam Week Friday (19 June 2026)
Task Compliance: Recordings meet the requirements of the task and are saved/exported according to submission guidelines – 10%
Recording Quality: Demonstrates technical control of the recording process, including microphone placement, gain staging, signal flow and management of the recording environment – 20%
Performance Quality: Performances demonstrate accurate timing, appropriate tuning and stylistically controlled, confident delivery – 15%
Creative Recording Decisions: Microphone selection, recording techniques and production approaches enhance the artistic intent of the project – 10%
Mixing Skills: Levels, panning, EQ, compression and effects are used effectively to produce a clear, balanced and stylistically appropriate mix – 20%
Session Management: Ableton Live sessions are clearly organised with appropriate naming, labelling and workflow structure – 10%
Recording Plan: Presents realistic and achievable recording goals, including strategies to achieve strong performance outcomes – 5%
Creativity and Cohesion: Demonstrates originality and integrates technical, creative and performance elements into a cohesive final outcome – 10%
- Develop, to a foundation level, musical skills of stylistic authenticity pertinent to your specialisation within a range of live or recorded music and production contexts.
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?
