Music Production and the Recording Arts

Course Description

This one semester course covers a broad range of topics including, but not limited to, the following:

• Live sound reinforcement: understanding and applying techniques used in live performances with many different
  components (i.e. mixers, microphones, speakers. effects) to achieve professional sound reinforcement results.
• Contemporary Music Theory: Tried and true techniques to create contemporary songs in many genres, classically structured
  pieces, film/television scores and more.
• Studio Recording reinforcement: understanding and applying techniques used in the studio environment to record, mix, and produce professional quality musical recordings.

This one semester course provides a fine arts/performing arts credit for students who have a passion for music and technology.

Grade Level(s): 10th-12th grade

Related Priority Standards (State &/or National): 

• Missouri Music Technology Standards
• National Association for Music Education (NAFME) Composition Theory and Music Technology Standards

Essential Questions

• What are the foundational components needed to create a functional performance amplification for a musical experience?
• How do you manipulate sound?
• How do you become a sound engineer?
• What are common songwriting techniques used in modern music?
• What basic music theory techniques do contemporary artists exhibit?
• How do you use multiple composition software?
• How do you compose a song?
• What are the foundational skills needed to record a song?
• How do I use multiple recording techniques to enhance my track?
• What kind of music producer are you?

Enduring Understandings/Big Ideas

• Fundamentals of live sound include a knowledge of sound reinforcement system basics (microphones, mixers, equalizers, amplifiers, speakers, cords, connectors).
• Sound is created and can be manipulated using multiple techniques (amplification, frequency, amplitude, wavelength, and resonance) live or recorded.
• Commonalities of songwriting techniques are used when composing modern music and are used by modern contemporary artists.
• Composition includes melodies, orchestration, and analysis.
• Multiple software and hardware systems can be used to compose (Noteflight, Audacity, Garage Band, A Cappella).
• The process of mastering a track consists of instrument choice, tempo, scale, key, and making adjustments to the quality of each component sound.
• Creating your individual sound is essential to intentional application of the nuances of production.

Course-Level Scope & Sequence (Units &/or Skills)

Unit 1: Live Sound Reinforcement and Production

How do you run and produce a live performance using P.A and music reinforcement systems and technology? 

Students will be able to:

• Identify and explain the use of essential components that are used in creating a functional performance amplification for
  creating a musical experience.
• Set up and control the essential components that are used in creating a functional performance amplification for creating a
  musical experience.
• Troubleshoot a sound system that is not functioning correctly based on study/lecture and knowledge of each component and
  its purpose.
• Explain in detail how sound is created and altered using amplification.
• Explain in detail how to manipulate sound using frequency, amplitude, wavelength and resonance.
• Explain in detail the sound spectrum and how to adjust live sound in a multitude of different environments using amplification and components.
• Explain in detail and demonstrate the essentials of what a well-produced amplified performance consists of.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of how a sound engineer is an artist in a performance environment.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of how to amplify the different instruments used in the most common of amplified performances, including but not limited to: amplifiers; keyboards;drums;vocals; small ensembles;large ensembles.

Unit 2: Music Composition, Contemporary Music Theory, and Song Writing Techniques

What contemporary music composition theories and songwriting techniques are used for the purposes of creating and recording
modern music in a variety of genres?

Students will be able to:

• Explain/demonstrate the basics of a contemporary composition based on commonalities of songwriting techniques used in
  modern music.
• Compare and contrast songs using common language of the basics in musical composition.
• Explain/demonstrate chord progressions theory using basic music theory techniques employed by modern contemporary
  artists.
• Compare and contrast contemporary melodic structure based on a variety of artists' and their compositions.
• Compare and contrast contemporary harmonic and song structures based on a variety of artists' and their compositions.
• Compare and contrast contemporary artists' individual " sounds" that make them unique and why.
• Demonstrate music production and have a working knowledge of composition software, including but not limited to: Noteflight; Audacity recording software; Garage Band; Sonicloud; A Cappelle app.
• Compose a song using learned skills.

Unit 3: Studio Recording Using Hardware & Software Manipulation and Techniques

How do you record, mix, edit and produce music in a studio environment using recording software and hardware?

Students will be able to:

• Demonstrate working knowledge of how to record using software.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of how to use a recording interface with a laptop to record different instruments in a live setting.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of using a mixer setting in recording software.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of setting microphone and line level settings using recording software.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of how to use a stand-alone analog mixer along with recording software.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of overdubbing techniques using recording software.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of equalization techniques to enhance a recording using recording software.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the use of panning techniques to open up the sound spectrum on any recorded composition.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of adding effects to a mix to enhance a recorded composition.
• Be able to explain and use the following effects (but not limited to) reverb; chorus; gating; compression; equalization; phasing; non-traditional effects.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of how to finalize a mix of a recorded composition.'
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of how to ping-pong and stack channels in a final mix to enhance the final musical
  product.
• Present to the class their final recorded project in a live setting.

Date Last Revised/Approved: 2021