Mission Statement:
The Music Production Department at Morton College embraces the college mission statement and seeks
to provide the educational tools necessary for students to pursue both vocational and avocational
opportunities in the music production and recording field. Graduates of the music production program
will have gained the skills necessary to compete in the work force as music recording engineers, music
producers, recording artists, live sound engineers, video editors, and entrepreneurs. Through our
assessment system we ensure that students will acquire the skills that are needed to be successful in the
music production field.
Learning Objectives:
Students shall be able to
Apply the basics of audio theory and musical acoustics to real world recording situations.
Proficiently operate and interpret specifications of audio recording and live sound equipment.
Produce audio recordings by using digital audio workstations (Avid Pro Tools, Cockos, Reaper, etc. ).
Run sound at live events.
Show proficiency in music production techniques for genres such as Classical, Jazz, Rock and Hip
Hop.
Demonstrate basic video recording and editing skills to facilitate additional opportunities in the
broader digital media field.
Read and perform music at an intermediate level.
Write and speak effectively about music.
The Student Shall be able to:
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Apply the basics of audio theory and musical
acoustics to real world recording situations.
I E
R E
Proficiently operate and interpret
specifications of audio recording and live
sound equipment.
I E E E R E
Produce audio recordings by using digital
audio workstations (Avid Pro Tools, Cockos,
Reaper, etc. ).
I E E E R E
Run sound at live events.
I E
Show proficiency in music production
techniques for genres such as Classical, Jazz,
Rock and Hip Hop.
I E E E R E
Demonstrate basic video recording and editing
skills to facilitate additional opportunities in
the broader digital media field.
I E
R
Read and perform music at an intermediate
level.
E
I E E R E E
Write and speak effectively about music.
I E E R E E
I= Introduced
E= Emphasized
R=Reinforced
New Courses Necessary for this Degree
MUS 180 Introduction to Media Production (3 credits): This lecture/demonstration course introduces
students to the language and theories common to all fields in which audio is used. Classes make use of a wide assortment of audio synthesis, processing and analysis tools to illustrate different topics and concepts. Topics include an introduction to sound and hearing, analog and digital audio signals, and audio systems theory. Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will be introduced to the basic theories of sound, acoustics, audio signals and audio systems. 2. Students will engage in solving audio measurement problems using the basic math and physics of
audio and acoustics.
3. Students will be able to use the vocabulary and understand basic concepts of the following topics: An introduction to the ear and hearing conservation, basic concepts of sound, sound propagation and measurement, microphones, loudspeakers, video cameras and lenses and fundamentals of analog and digital audio signals: character and measurement, amplifiers and the decibel, mixing consoles and audio signal processors.
MUS 181 Music Production I (3 credits): Course introduces students to basic theories and techniques of
recording, editing, and mixing. Instruction covers fundamentals of microphone usage, mixing console operation, and non-‐linear digital recording and editing. Course is taught in a classroom laboratory where lectures focus on the production of short-‐form audio works of voice, music, and sound effects to develop and improve engineering and production skills.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will be able to understand and demonstrate the fundamentals of audio signal and gain structure.
2. Students will be able to understand and demonstrate the fundamentals of computer based recording and editing.
3. Students will be able to understand and demonstrate the fundamentals of assembling and short-‐form audio works.
4. Students will produce one recorded spoken word project as a part of their final portfolio.
MUS 182 Music Production II (3 credits): This course provides students with a solid foundation in working
with digital audio workstations. Students gain experience with fundamental practices in digital audio production, including editing, signal processing, automation, mixing, and preparing audio deliverables. Students develop refined listening, evaluation, and judgment abilities. Students adopt techniques and
strategies for organizing and managing sessions, developing effective communication and presentation skills, and acquiring a sense of professionalism in the field.
1. Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency with the mixing, editing, and signal processing functions of a digital audio workstation (DAW), and the potential to adapt to alternative digital audio systems.
2. Students will be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of computer and DAW architecture and signal flow, as well as digital audio theory as it applies to production issues, including frequency response and dynamic range, digital signal processing, synchronization, bandwidth/speed/size limitations, and file format.
3. Students will be able to create and manage digital audio sessions to industry standards, using resources efficiently, preserving data integrity, and organizing and presenting sessions in a professional manner.
4. Students will demonstrate ear training and listening skills to identify, evaluate, and make decisions about technical aspects of recorded content.
5. Students will express themselves creatively through sound using the tools and techniques introduced in the classroom.
6. Students will utilize live sound equipment, including mixing boards and live sound microphones. 7. Students will complete a series of projects in a range of production contexts for their portfolio,
including interactive media, music, sound art, and film and video.
8. Students will produce one music recording that will be a part of their final portfolio.
MUS 280 Music Production for Media (3 credits): This course covers acquisition of audio for video and
automated dialogue replacement techniques (ADR). This course provides an overview of audio editing
with multiple types of non-‐linear software, and includes a discussion of balancing volume in video
production.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will be able to synchronize audio to video using automated dialogue replacement techniques.
2. Students will be able to create sound effects using foley techniques. 3. Students will be able to optimize lighting in preparation for filming. 4. Students will be able to film live event with dedicated audio. 5. Students will be able to perform basic color correction 6. Students will be able to publish media in an on-‐line context. 7. Students will be able to produce a basic radio program.
8. Students will produce one piece of on-‐line media for their final portfolio.
MUS 281 Live Sound Recording (3 credits): This course focuses on recording music both within a studio
and on location. This course compares and contrasts music recording techniques for popular music and
classical music and acoustics of different environments. The course also covers vintage audio
equipment.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will be able to properly choose and place microphones studio recording. 2. Students will be able to produce audio recordings for multiple types of events. 3. Students will be able to utilize click tracks in studio recordings.
4. Students will be able to create a monitoring mix for studio recording sessions. 5. Students will be able to operate and service vintage audio equipment.
6. Students will record and produce one live event for their final portfolio.
MUS 282 Music Production Internship (1-4 credits) The Audio Production Internship provides students
with the opportunity to gain real-life experience working in professional music production and technology situations.
1. Work in an approved professional media environment. 2. Complete weekly report sheet for the program head. 3. Record music in a professional media environment.
BUS 111 Introduction to Business (3 credits): Students learn the phases of American business: common
and special forms of business ownership, marketing (wholesaling, retailing, advertising, sales promotion, market research, international trade), manufacturing (physical facilities, procurement of materials, inventory and production control), business financing; personnel relationships, transportation, statistics, taxation, government and business. Recommended ENG 084 or permission of instructor. Lecture three hours per week. Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will be able to understand domestic and global economics
2. Students will be able to understand how American business competes in global markets.
3. Students will be able to understand the importance of ethical behavior and social responsibility. 4. Students will be able to understand small business and the challenge of starting a small business. 5. Students will be able to describe the basic elements of business management.
6. Students will be able to identify current production methods.
7. Students will be able to discuss methods and models of employee motivation.
8. Students will be able to discuss recruitment, selection, training and retaining good employees. 9. Students will be able to identify the basic elements of marketing and methods of identifying,
satisfying and keeping customers.
10. Students will be able to understand the basic elements of financial information and accounting. 11. Students will be able to use financial resources to operate a business.
12. Students will be able to discuss the importance of understanding investments and financing a business through various American financial institutions.
13. Students will be able to understand the importance of managing personal finances.
