MTEC 55C: MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR GAMES
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 84C. |
| 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. Install and troubleshoot complex DAW systems including modern orchestral virtual instruments.
B. Compose, orchestrate, mix, and master music for games and interactive media.
C. Design sophisticated dynamic music playback systems using audio middleware.
Course Content
A. Study and analysis of music composition for games
1. The history of the orchestra
2. Composing and sequencing for strings
3. Composing and sequencing for brass
4. Composing and sequencing for woodwinds
5. Composing and sequencing for percussion
6. Mixing and mastering finished compositions
7. Creating stems from mixed compositions for optimal interactivity
8. Implementing stems using audio middleware
9. Playtesting game levels to assess effectiveness of music implementation
Lab Content
A. Lab content includes topics such as orchestration techniques, sequencing techniques, printing music notation, working with tempo, mixing and mastering, printing audio to stems, exporting file types, and implementation with audio middleware.
B. Other topics may include subjects such as digital audio workstation system configuration and optimization, virtual instrument selection, and plug-in processing considerations.
Special Facilities and/or Equipment
1. Classroom with 31 digital audio workstations and appropriate software.
2. 31 Apple Macintosh computers or equivalent running appropriate operating system.
3. Projection system for video and multimedia content.
4. Loudspeaker system to accurately reproduce audio examples.
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.
4. Digital audio workstation and appropriate software.
Method(s) of Evaluation
Written assignments that analyze music composition and orchestration techniques
Tests on composition, orchestration, sequencing, mixing, mastering, and implementation as presented in the course materials
Multiple projects delivering completed music compositions demonstrating understanding of class material and assignments
Method(s) of Instruction
Lecture presentations and classroom discussion of the techniques for composing music for games
In-class viewing of historically significant video games followed by instructor-guided interpretation and analysis
Presentations of major composition projects followed by in-class discussion and evaluation
Representative Text(s) and Other Materials
Adler, Samuel. The Study of Orchestration. 2016.
Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments
A. Written critiques and analysis of music composition projects including classical music, film soundtracks, video games and interactive media.
B. Written summaries documenting technical and artistic elements for corresponding submitted composition projects.
C. Hands-on exercises and guided tutorials to practice music composition and orchestration concepts and techniques.