Music and Technology: Recording Techniques and Audio Production

Readings and Assignments

Readings and Assignments Key

ED = Sound Editing Exercise
MX = Mixing Assignment
PA = Production Analysis
RD = Reading Assignment with brief written response
SR = Recording Session Report
WR = Written Assignment

SES #	TOPICS	Readings and Assignments Due
1	The art of sound recording	RD00: The Art of Sound Recording (PDF)
2	Physics of sound	WR1: Edison’s List (PDF) RD01: Physics of Sound (PDF)
3	Microphones	RD02: Microphones (PDF)
4	Perception of sound	PA1: In-Class Presentation (PDF) RD03: Perception of Sound (PDF)
5	Workshop: MOSS intro and mic handling	RD04: Interview with Silvia Massy Shivy (PDF)
6	Basic sound editing techniques	Quiz 1—no assignments due
7	Workshop: Cables, preamps, patchbays	RD05: Cables, Connections, and Patchbays (PDF)
8	Filters and EQs	ED1: Drum Loop (ZIP) (contains 1 .pdf file, 1 .txt file, and 29 .wav files) RD06: Filters & EQs (PDF)
9	Stereo recording techniques	RD07: Stereo Recording Techniques (PDF)
10	Dynamics and compression	ED2: Equalization (PDF) RD08: Dynamics & Compression (PDF)
11	Workshop: Stereo recording practice	RD09: Digital Audio (PDF)
12	Workshop: Headphone monitoring	ED3: Dynamic Range Processing (PDF)
13	Digital audio	Quiz 2—no assignments due
14	Mixing consoles	RD10: The Art of Mixing (PDF)
15	Student presentations: Recording session plans	SR1: Session Plan (Group Report & Presentation) (PDF) RD11: Sound Recording Techniques (PDF)
16	Mixing strategies	ED4: Preparing Stems (PDF)
17	Recording session 1 (classical piano solo)	RD12: Room Acoustics & Reverberation (PDF)
18	Room acoustics and reverberation	MX1: Mixdown of Stems (PDF)
19	Recording session 2 (R&B group)	RD13: Nature Builds No Telephones (PDF)
20	Recording session 3 (progressive metal group)	MX2: Mixdown with Reverb (PDF)
21	Review, preview	Quiz 3—no assignments due
22	Sound quality and critical listening	RD14: Sound Quality & Critical Listening (PDF)
23	Recording session 4 (classical piano trio)	WR2: Music Technology in 50 Years (PDF)
24	Recording session 5 (classical violin & piano duet)	PA2: Production Bloopers (PDF)
25	Mastering techniques	RD15: Rupert Neve (PDF)
26	Workshop: Command-line sound editing	SR2: Session Documentation (Group Report) (PDF)
27	Guest speaker: Al Kooper	No assignments due
28	Workshop: 5.1 surround sound	MX3: Session Mix and Master (PDF)