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Unit outline_

CMPN1014: Sound Recording Fundamentals

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Sydney

In this unit of study students will be introduced to a range of audio technologies and gain a basic proficiency in sound recording, editing and mixing. Students will experience working in the Conservatorium sound studios, and learn how to make good quality recordings with portable recording devices. This unit of study also examines microphone design, stereo microphone techniques and digital audio recording. Students will experience prac-based recording sessions to gain a comprehensive understanding of the recording technology on offer at the Sydney Conservatorium.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Composition and Music Technology
Credit points 3
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Joe Manton, joe.manton@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Joe Manton, joe.manton@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Online Quiz
Online quiz
40% Multiple weeks Less than 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration group assignment Stereo Recording
Practical assessment
60% Week 12 3000 words (recording counts for 2500)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Online quiz: Online quiz reviewing sound recording basic concepts in the form of multiple choice and short answers.
  • Stereo recording: In groups of three or four, students will be required to record an ensemble using the stereo microphone techniques explored in class. The recording must be made on a two channel portable recorder or a laptop system with a soundcard. Students will record an ensemble performance of their choice. The ensemble should consist of one or more musician/vocalist and be in a stereo setting (ie not a multitrack recording or overdub recording).

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for performance work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Comprehensive and outstanding technical control and musical integrity in relation to developmental expectations. Musical individuality consistently projected to create a persuasive personal representation of the work. Performance flair indicative of soloist standard. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry.

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent technical, musical and stylistic achievement. Consistently coherent and expressive performance. Some personal interpretation of the work suggesting soloist potential. 

Credit

65 - 74

Confident technique with evidence of solid musicality and some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicative of unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues. Projects potential for further development.

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Some inconsistencies in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense developing though some insecurity in this area.

Fail

0 - 49

Unsatisfactory technical achievement and/or unsatisfactory level of musical and artistic engagement. Limitations may be of such a scale and consistency as to call into question the student’s future direction in the programme.

The following assessment criteria are used for written work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.

Distinction

75 - 84

Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.

Credit

65 - 74

Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.

Pass

50 - 64

Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.

Fail

0 - 49

Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Lecture - Introduction to recording technology Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Tutorial - Introduction to recording technology Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Lecture - Stereo microphone techniques Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Tutorial - Stereo microphone techniques Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Lecture - Microphone design and techniques Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial - Microphone design and techniques Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Lecture - Basic acoustics – cables – digital audio; Quiz 1 Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial - Basic acoustics – cables – digital audio; Quiz 1 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Lecture - Sound editing and mixing Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial - Sound editing and mixing Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Lecture - Understanding frequencies and amplitude Online class (1 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6
Tutorial - Understanding frequencies and amplitude Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Lecture - Mixing desks, patch bays, studio set up; Quiz 2 Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial - Mixing desks, patch bays, studio set up; Quiz 2 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Lecture - Equalisation, compression and mixing Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial - Equalisation, compression and mixing Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Recording project; Quiz 3 Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Recording project –consultation during recording Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Recording project –consultation during recording Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Group listening - ASSIGNMENT DUE Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The following readings are suggested only but would be of benefit to any student wishing to investigate the content further:

- Modern Recording Techniques – David Miles Hubor

- Recording Secrets for the Small Studio – Mike Senior

- The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook – Bobby Owsinski

- Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio – Mike Senior

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. use equipment commonly found in the recording studio
  • LO2. demonstrate skills to effectively use microphones, and recording devices to record solo instruments and ensembles
  • LO3. develop organisational skills and learn to communicate effectively with the people involved in the recording process
  • LO4. edit and produce recordings using industry standard software
  • LO5. develop the capacity to think creatively about the recording process
  • LO6. demonstrate listening skills and discernment of apposite workflow and audio quality protocols.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Moving to a blended delivery of online lectures and face-to-face tutorials.

Please see canvas site for futher useful links.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.