Course Outline for Music Recording Technology 21
Audio Recording I

Effective: Fall 2022
SLO Rev: 05/19/2016
Catalog Description:

MURT 21 - Audio Recording I

3.00 Units

This is an introductory course that will provide the foundational skills to learn and function within the Pro Tools audio production environment. Pro Tools represents a new generation of digital audio workstations that uses the power of personal computers and digital signal processing to record multitrack digital audio directly to hard disk. The course covers fundamental fundamental concepts and techniques, including basic acoustics, signal flow, microphone principles and usage, studio equipment, signal processing, recording console functions, and multi-track recording procedures.
Prerequisite: MURT 20.
1005.00 - Commercial Music*
Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 2.00 36.00 72.00 108.00
Laboratory 1.00 72.00 0.00 72.00
Total 3.00 108.00 72.00 180.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. explain basic principles of acoustics and sound perception;
  2. summarize the process of analog to digital audio conversion;
  3. identify and implement the basic hardware components of a modest home recording studio;
  4. properly construct an audio signal chain through the components of an advanced recording studio console;
  5. identify, differentiate and assess the design and sonic characteristics of various microphones;
  6. develop and evaluate microphone technique strategies for various instrumental implementations;
  7. utilize proper digital audio file management techniques;
  8. create, arrange and produce recorded music projects utilizing Pro Tools hardware and software;
  9. demonstrate a conceptual and practical understanding of MIDI hardware, software, and sequencing;
  10. recognize and evaluate the unique sonic qualities and deficiencies of individual tracks in a multitrack recording session.
Course Content:
  1. Fundamentals of basic acoustics
    1. waveforms
    2. frequency
    3. amplitude
    4. harmonics
  2. Hardware
    1. Audio hardware
    2. Recording hardware
    3. Computer hardware
  3. Hard disk recording basics
    1. Understanding the Pro Tools file system and session documents
    2. Navigation and display basics
    3. Recording modes and techniques
  4. Editing features and techniques
    1. Destructive vs. non-destructive editing
    2. Playlists
  5. Importing audio files
  6. MIDI sequencing within the Pro Tools application
    1. Hardware synthesizers
    2. Software synthesizers and samplers
  7. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) effect
    1. Equalization (EQ)
    2. Delay
    3. Dynamic processing
  8. Final mixdown and playback, including use of dither
    1. Sends
    2. Inserts
    3. Mix buses
    4. Groups for music applications
    5. Master fader
    6. Bouncing the mix to target media file format
  9. Creative process
    1. Production, arrangement, and composition
    2. Critique and analysis
    3. Delivery modes
  10. Professional behaviors
    1. Dependability
    2. Time management
    3. Work ethic
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Demonstration/Exercise
  2. Lecture/Discussion
  3. Presentation of audio-visual materials
  4. Distance Education
  5. Guest speakers
  6. Listening assignments
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Read chapter on Microphone Design and be prepared to discuss
  2. Listen to, identify and discuss the sonic characteristics of a recording
  3. Demonstrate effective microphone placement
  4. Demonstrate proper audio signal flow configuration
  1. Class Participation
  2. Class Performance
  3. Lab Activities
  4. Homework
  5. Exams/Tests
  6. Final Examination
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Assess characteristics of various microphones and evaluate microphone technique strategies.
  2. Construct a multitrack session.
  3. Demonstrate an appropriate implementation of basic techniques of audio signal flow through analog and digital signal chains.
  4. Develop a critical ear for aspects of individual tracks in a recording session.
  5. Explain the basic principles of acoustics and sound, including analog to digital audio conversion.
  6. Identify basic hardware components of a modern home recording studio.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Miles David Huber and Robert Runstein (2013). Modern Recording Techniques (8th). Focal Press.
  • Portable digital media storage, such as a flash drive or external hard drive, not below 2 Gigabytes of memory
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Fundamentals of audio recording and the digital audio workstation. Basic acoustics, principles of analog and digital audio basics, studio set-up, microphone technique, basic mixing techniques and digital audio workstation fundamentals.
Prerequisite: MURT 20.