MTEC 52B: MIXING & MASTERING II
Foothill College Course Outline of Record
| Heading | Value |
|---|---|
| Effective Term: | Summer 2021 |
| Units: | 4 |
| Hours: | 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter) |
| Advisory: | Not open to students with credit in MUS 81G. |
| Degree & Credit Status: | Degree-Applicable Credit Course |
| Foothill GE: | Non-GE |
| Transferable: | CSU |
| Grade Type: | Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass) |
| Repeatability: | Not Repeatable |
Description
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
A. Use mixing techniques unique to jazz, pop, rock or electronica genres.
B. Mix lead and backing vocals.
C. Automate mixes.
D. Apply stylistic analysis to mixes.
E. Use EQ and dynamics processing effectively.
F. Use reverb to add acoustic space.
G. Use tempo maps, groove templates, and Beat Detective.
Course Content
A. Critical listening and mix analysis.
1. Sonic vs. stylistic reference materials.
2. Assessing raw tracks.
3. Adding EQ and dynamics.
B. Mixing acoustic music.
1. Song analysis, track analysis and session preparation.
2. Balance and panning.
3. Signal processing.
4. Automation and stereo signal processing.
C. Mixing electronic music.
1. Mixing the rhythm section.
2. Balancing vocals.
3. Mixing guitars and keyboards.
D. Mixing and mastering skills.
1. Creating tempo maps.
2. Using Beat Detective.
3. Time domain processing.
4. Creative editing.
5. Parallel compression and mix compression.
Lab Content
A. How to reduce distortion
B. Optimize gain settings
C. Monitor system setup
D. Acoustical treatments of control room, etc.
E. Other items may include subjects such as choice of plug-ins and signal processing, and peak limiter techniques for final mastering compression settings
Special Facilities and/or Equipment
1. Classroom with Pro Tools HD TDM recording system and 16 channel 192 interface.
2. Digital control surface.
3. 10 condenser microphones with stands, clips and cables.
4. 10 dynamic microphones with stands, clips and cables.
5. All Avid distributed plug-ins.
6. Apple Macintosh G5 with at least 2Gb of RAM and 30 inch monitor.
7. Active near field monitors.
B. When taught via Foothill Global Access:
1. On-going access to computer with email software and capabilities.
2. Email address.
3. JavaScript enabled internet browsing software.
Method(s) of Evaluation
Pro Tools sessions that demonstrate a practical understanding of mix theory
Mastered audio files in various formats (WAV, MP3, MP4, etc.) that accurately to consumer listening environments
Tests on mixing and mastering theory
Method(s) of Instruction
Lecture presentations that demonstrate advanced mixing and mastering techniques with Pro Tools and other digital audio workstations
Classroom discussions that address the history and modern application of professional mixing and mastering techniques
Group presentations followed by in-class discussion and evaluation
Representative Text(s) and Other Materials
Oltheten, Wessel. Mixing with Impact: Learning to Make Musical Choices, 1st ed.. 2018.
Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments
A. Written critiques and analyses of audio production projects including albums, soundtracks, television, video games and internet multimedia.
B. Written summaries documenting technical and artistic elements for corresponding submitted assignments and audio projects.
C. Written proposals, session logs, learning outcomes and reflections supporting submitted musical works and final master recordings.