Sound Recording and Production Minor

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This minor program equips students with the technical skills and artistic sensibilities needed to capture, manipulate, and enhance sound in various creative contexts. Students will gain hands-on experience with professional audio equipment and software, learning to record, edit, mix, and master audio for music, film/video, and live performance. Through critical listening and analysis, students will develop an appreciation for the aesthetics of sound and its impact on audience perception. The program also explores emerging technologies such as machine learning and AI that are shaping the future of sound production.

Admission Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.000.

Course Requirements

Music Core (15 credits)

MUS 104LEC - Introduction to Music Theory and Musicianship Credits: 3
MUS 213LEC - Music History Survey 1 Credits: 3 OR
MUS 214LEC - Music History Survey 2 Credits: 3
MUS 301LEC - Music Recording and Production Credits: 3
MUS 302LEC - Music Recording and Prduction II Credits: 3
MUS 499TUT - Independent Study Credits: 1-4

Two Electives (6-8 credits)

Students take 2 elective courses in Music from the following list:

MUS 311LEC - Women and Music Credits: 3
MUS 333LEC - Orpheus: The Meaning of Music Credits: 3
MUS 364LEC - World Music Credits: 3
MUS 365LEC - Rock Music Credits: 3
MUS 400SEM - Composition Seminar Credits: 4
MUS 407STU - Composition Credits: 4
MUS 408LEC - Special Topics in Music Credits: 3
MUS 413LAB - Break on Through Credits: 2-3
MUS 440SEM - Seminar in American Music Credits: 3
Music Ensemble (300-level) OR Applied Lessons (400-level)

Total Credits Required for Minor: 21

Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This chart should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Academic Requirements

Minimum GPA in major coursework of 3.0.

Learning Outcomes

Students will accurately set up and operate various microphones and recording equipment.
Students will record clean audio signals, minimizing noise and distortion and applying appropriate microphones for different sound sources and environments.
Students will learn to navigate and utilize essential features of professional digital audio workstation software.
Students will learn to edit and arrange audio recordings.
Students will develop basic mixing techniques, including volume balancing, panning, equalization, and using audio effects such as compression, reverb, and delay appropriately.
For Music Production, students will learn to compose and arrange multi-track music productions.
For Post-Production, students will learn to perform sound editing, foley recording, and dialogue cleanup for film/video.
For Live Sound, students will learn to mix live performances, manage feedback, and operate sound reinforcement systems.
Students will analyze and evaluate audio recordings for technical quality and artistic merit.
Students will develop critical listening skills to identify genre characteristics, production techniques, and approaches to arranging.
Students will understand emerging machine learning, Music Information Retrieval (MIR), and Artificial Intelligence tools that are applicable to the music production process.
Students will acquire strong foundations in music theory and music history.