60A Producing in the Home Studio

Class Description

Design, set up and operation of an audio/video recording studio in a small environment. Space considerations, electrical requirements and acoustic treatment options. Computer requirements including processor speed, memory requirements, data storage devices and monitor selection/placement. MIDI keyboard types and compatibility, mixer selection and setup, cable selection and care, microphone design, and USB/firewire interface options. Software programs and compatibility issues. How to produce recordings from start to finish in a home studio.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• Design an acoustic environment in an alternative space.
• Create a recording/production system using computer-based software and hardware.
• Integrate MIDI keyboards and sound modules into the production system.
• Integrate non-digital equipment such as microphones and transducers into a digital production system.

Course Outline

• Basic principles of studio design and construction.
  • Acoustic treatments.
  • Voltage and wiring considerations.
• Audio hardware design and selection.
  • Analog vs. digital mixers.
  • Cables, microphones and peripheral accessories.
  • USB and Firewire audio interfaces.
  • MIDI keyboards and interfaces.
• Computer design and selection.
  • Bus speed and track count.
  • Cables, microphones and peripheral accessories
  • USB and Firewire audio interfaces.
• Software selection and use.
  • Audio based production software.
  • MIDI based production software.
  • Audio/video based production software.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

A. When taught on campus:

• 30 Macintosh computers.
• 30 MIDI keyboards and MIDI interfaces.
• 30 Avid M-Box USB audio interfaces.
• 30 Pro Tools software installs.
• Video projector and screen.

B. When taught via Foothill Global Access:

• On-going access to computer with Email software and capabilities.
• Email address.
• Java-script enabled internet browsing software.

Methods of Evaluation

• Evaluated studio designs.
• Weekly quizzes and skills checks.
• Written evaluations of software and hardware combinations.
• Graded recording assignments in various formats.
• Midterm and Final Exams.

Method of Instruction

• Written assignments that analyze, compare and contrast different audio recording and editing techniques.
• Designing and assembling a multitrack recording for mastering.
• Producing audio projects that include edits to the basic tracks, as well as appropriate plug-ins, such as compression.

Lab Content

Lab content in online music technology courses includes:

• Lab assignments and experimentation with variances in areas such as formatting media bit rate, sample rate, and media size.
• Assignments in number of plug ins per insert track.
• Bus assignments for efficient recording operation.
• Mastering compression settings.

Required Reading, Writing and Outside of Class Assignments

• LinkedIn Learning
  • Available free through public libraries
• Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software.
• No other equipment or software required.
• No required textbook.
• Read the specification sheet for an audio software program and provide a written interpretation in layman's language.
• Write a tutorial on setting up various aspects of a home studio, such as the MIDI keyboard wiring matrix.