Course Outline for Music Recording Technology 22A
Electronic Music I

Effective: Fall 2024
SLO Rev:
Catalog Description:

MURT 22A - Electronic Music I

3.00 Units

This intermediate course cover the fundamentals of electronic music production and MIDI sequencing. Principles of synthesis, survey of electronic music instruments and their development, MIDI sequencing, drum machines, beat making, and multitrack electronic music production will be studied.
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. Analyze and describe processes and techniques used in working with a Digital Audio Workstation that is MIDI capable;
  2. describe the principles of digital sampling;
  3. properly wire MIDI instruments, computers, and digital interfaces;
  4. understating and application of synthesis in electronic music compositions;
  5. understand and implement the essential components of MIDI sequencing software;
  6. analyze the layers of a multitrack electronic music piece;
  7. compose intermediate-level works of electronic music in a variety of styles;
  8. demonstrate professional behaviors required in the music industry.
Course Content:
  1. The components of a Digital Audio/MIDI Workstation
    1. Multi-timbral synthesizers and tone generators
    2. Multi I/O Mixer
    3. Digital audio interface
    4. MIDI interface
    5. MIDI keyboard controller
    6. Computer
  2. Sampling
    1. History
    2. Techniques
    3. Application
  3. Wiring
    1. Instruments
    2. Computers
    3. Interfaces
  4. Computer music sequencing software
    1. Single-timbre recording utilizing a MIDI capable synthesizer
    2. Multi-timbral recording utilizing a MIDI capable synthesizer
    3. Sequencer editing techniques
    4. Track automation
    5. Step recording
    6. Software synthesizers
    7. Subtractive synthesis
    8. Use of the sampler
    9. MIDI inserts
  5. Vocabulary, terminology, and concepts of the MIDI specification
    1. Terms and definitions
    2. Multi-Byte MIDI messages
    3. System common messages
    4. System real-time messages
  6. Synthesis and digital signal processing for sound design
    1. Definitions
    2. History
    3. Application
  7. Creative process
    1. Production, arrangement, and composition
    2. Critique and analysis
    3. Delivery modes
  8. Professional behaviors
    1. Dependability
    2. Time management
    3. Work ethic
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Guest speakers
  2. Lecture/Discussion
  3. Laboratory
  4. Distance Education
  5. Laboratory exercises
  6. Lectures
  7. Hands-on Activities
  8. Class and group discussions
  9. Diagnostic Quizzes
  10. Listening assignments
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Read chapter on Quantization and be prepared to discuss
  2. Listen to, identify and discuss the sonic characteristics of a recording
  3. Demonstrate multi-channel mixing and panning
  4. Create a 60-second 4-track drum groove
  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. Analyze the layers of a multi-track electronic music piece.
  2. Properly wire MIDI instruments, computers, and digital interfaces.
  3. Recognize and operate basic electronic music instruments.
  4. Implement the essential components of MIDI sequencing software.
  5. Describe the principles of digital sampling.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Dennis DeSantis (2015). Making Music: 74 Creative Strategies for Electronic Music (1/e). Abelton https://cdn-resources.ableton.com/resources/uploads/makingmusic/MakingMusic_DennisDeSantis.pdf.
  1. Eric Kuehnl (2020). Audio Production Basics with Ableton Live (1). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
  2. Anna Lakatos (2023). The Music Producer's Creative Guide to Ableton Live 11 (1). Packt Publishing.
  1. Linkedin Learning online instructional videos, such as "Ableton LIVE Essential Training".
  • 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 electronic music production and MIDI sequencing.
Prerequisite: MURT 20.
Discipline:
Commercial Music, or Music*