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Unit of study_

MUSC2653: Introduction to Digital Music Techniques

2025 unit information

This unit is an introduction to the use of digital sound and music in creative and multimedia contexts. It is a practical course in which students are introduced to tools of sound creation and manipulation. Students will undertake creative projects as a means to learning. In addition, participants will be exposed to a number of approaches to electroacoustic music across the 20th and 21st centuries.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Analysis, History and Cultural Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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None

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

  • LO1. Learn fundamentals of sound, Learn and employ basic acoustic terminology and relate such terminology to real-world audio situations.
  • LO2. Record, document and edit a two-track studio-style recording using portable field recorders and industry-standard stereo editing software
  • LO3. Deliver such content via a variety of mediums, including online media platforms
  • LO4. Learn the fundamentals of sound and applying those to mixing an audio track. This includes techniques for hearing and practical techniques for achieving a good basic mix.
  • LO5. Document the process using online social media and other “social composing” contexts
  • LO6. Analyse the structure of a simple piece of electronic dance music and gain an understanding of the way such works may be created, including textural concepts and the possibilities in using such works as model for further composition
  • LO7. Use various essential Digital composing "intruments" and filters to create a work of electronic dance music based on a model
  • LO8. Learn to devise creative workflows which suit your personal creative style and which result in a healthy, productive creative approach to composing.
  • LO9. Establish the differences between 'real" audio and midi (musical instrument digital interface) information, including a basic introduction to synthesis
  • LO10. Disseminate material to a global audience via online services
  • LO11. Understand the development of a variety of electroacoustic music trends and patterns across the twentieth century across a wide variety of genres, as well as learn to research appropriately material
  • LO12. Use audio material efficiently with regard to contemporary copyright law.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Outline unavailable
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Remote

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.

Important enrolment information

Additional advice

An ability to read music at a basic level and an understanding of fundamental musical terminology is an advantage in this unit of study.