Music and technology: recording techniques and audio production

A summary calendar of topics for each class session is at the bottom of this page.

Lectures: Two sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Course meetings are divided into two categories. Topic meetings combine lecture, demonstration, listening, and discussion to explore particular areas of focus. Workshop meetings enrich and extend topics through hands-on experimentation, live recording sessions, and presentation of student work.

This course has no prerequisites.

Regular access to the following complete text is required.

Eargle, J. The Microphone Book. 2nd ed. Focal Press, 2004. ISBN: 9780240519616.

Additional readings are comprised of various papers, articles, and book chapters. See the readings page for a complete list.

This subject requires all students to purchase (or have regular access to) a software digital audio workstation (DAW). The recommended DAW for Mac and Windows users is Ableton Live Intro, version 8 or better. The following DAWs may also be used, though only limited support and instruction will be provided: ProTools, Logic (Pro or Express), Cubase, Reaper, Digital Performer, Sonar, or FL Studio. You must consult with the instructor before using any other software.

All students are expected to have regular access to a computer (Windows, Macintosh, or GNU/Linux) with an internet connection, be able to listen to sounds on this computer (with or without headphones), and regularly check their MIT email account and the course website. Course announcements and comments on submitted work will always be distributed directly via email.

Lecture notes do not contain all necessary course information and are not a substitute for attending class and in-class content. The lecture notes may be made unavailable at any time.

In-class activites and recording workshops will use MOSS: a pair of rolling road cases containing all the equipment of a professional recording studio. See the Tools page for more details.

All reading assignments listed on the readings page are required. Reading assignments should be completed prior to the scheduled course meeting. Note the specified page numbers, as complete chapters or articles are not always assigned. Taking notes while reading is strongly recommended.

A Mix Graph is a qualitative analysis of a broadly distributed recording of music (a single track, song, movement, or piece). The main analysis is a grid or chart of numerical evaluations about the parameters (amplitude, pan, and frequency range) of each sound source.

A processing report requires processing a number of audio files with a specific selection of audio tools, including equalizers and dynamics processors.

A mix report includes a complete mix of one or more bundles of audio files, optimizing the presentation of the material in a stylistically suitable and creative manner. The submitted mix must include a short report.

The track sheet log is the collection of all track sheets for each in-class recording session, fully completed with all recording parameters.

All written assignments, unless otherwise indicated, must be submitted digitally via email attachment. Upon receipt by the instructor students will receive an email confirmation within twelve hours. If a student does not receive an email confirmation, it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor and/or re-send the assignment. All written assignments must be submitted as either text (.txt), Portable Document Format (.pdf), Rich Text (.rtf), or Word (.doc, .docx) files. Unless otherwise specified, all assignments not received by 11:59:59 PM, on the due date, will be considered late.

Digital media assignments must be submitted (if smaller than 10 MB) via email attachment or (if larger than 10 MB) via a digital delivery service. Upon receipt by the instructor students will receive an email confirmation within twelve hours. If a student does not receive email confirmation, it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor and/or re-send the assignment. Unless otherwise specified, all assignments not received by 11:59:59 PM, on the due date, will be considered late.

Late assignments will not be accepted, and will not receive a grade. If necessary, students are encouraged to submit incomplete assignments for partial credit rather than late assignments for no credit.

Attendance and participation, as integral parts of this course, are required. Excused absences include illness or emergencies communicated to the instructor before the absence. Beyond excused absences, students are permitted one unexcused absence without question or penalty. Beginning with the second unexcused absence, the final course grade will be reduced 3% with each absence. Always arrive to class on time. Frequent tardiness may negatively affect final course grade. If all or a portion of a class is missed, it is the student's responsibility to make-up any missed work. Unless other arrangements are made, assignment deadlines remain regardless of attendance.

Throughout the semester there will be occasional in-class quizzes. These quizzes will require short written responses. These quizzes will ask questions about material presented in lecture, readings, and listening assignments. If a quiz is missed, it is the student's responsibility to take the quiz at the beginning of the next (and only the next) class meeting. Quizzes cannot be taken more than one class meeting after the quiz was originally given. There will not be a final exam for this subject.

The final course grade will be determined from the following components:

Grading policies, the use of grade modifiers, and additional grades will be given in accordance with policies set forth in the MIT Course Bulletin, Academic Procedures and Institute Regulations. Grades are given on written assignments based on the following criteria. An F is given for incorrect, incomplete, and unsatisfactory work that demonstrates neither effort nor critical thought. A D is given for incomplete and unsatisfactory work that demonstrates some effort and minimal critical thought. A C is given for complete and satisfactory work with little or no creative or critical thought. A B is given for thorough, well-written, and well-presented work with some creative and critical thought. An A is given for substantial and creative original work and critical insight, executed without flaw.

Grades for written assignments will be reduced for poor writing and/or an unreasonable number of grammatical errors. Grades for class participation are based on the quality, relevance, creativity, and insight of aural questions, answers, and discussion points based on assignments, lectures, in-class demonstrations, or other student's work. As much as possible, participation grades follow the standards for written assignments as presented above.

Students are encouraged to discuss course content with other students taking the course. Each student must, however, produce their own original work. Students are expected to observe the highest levels of academic integrity. All cases of academic dishonesty will be taken very seriously. For more information on academic integrity, citing sources, and plagiarism see Academic Integrity at MIT.

Assignments may involve using digital media or intellectual property produced by others. Materials used in such situations, and provided by the instructor or obtained from the internet, must be either in the public domain or licensed specifically for shared use. Students are expected to follow all relevant copyright and intellectual property laws.

Plagiarism includes using the words, ideas, or creative works of another writer or commentator without acknowledgment. It does not matter where these words or ideas are found or if they are signed or anonymous. When using or referencing ideas that are not your own, a citation must be provided. It is the student's responsibility to understand what is plagiarism and how to cite sources. Parenthetical in-text MLA-style citations are acceptable. Footnotes are optional. In the case of unattributed and/or suspicious student work, software may be used to search the internet, literature archives, and current and past assignments for possibly-plagiarized material. Suspected cases of academic misconduct will be handled according to section 10.2 of MIT Policies and Procedures.

Unauthorized use and distribution of student-recorded or transcribed course lectures or materials, without written permission of the instructor, is prohibited.

Cell phones and similar distracting and noise-making devices must be silenced and put away during class. Text messaging, emailing, and other external communication is not permitted during class. Eating, drinking, or sleeping in class is not permitted.

Computer-based note-taking must be done quietly (keystrokes should be as silent as possible and built-in speakers should never emit sounds) and attention must be directed to the class. Use of a computer during class may be prohibited at any time.

Students are responsible for maintaining copies (digital or otherwise) of all in-progress and completed assignments.

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