This course introduces students to the fundamentals of mixing and audio production through lectures, workshops and creative participation.  Weekly assignments include the analysis, mixing and remixing the music of a wide variety of artists ranging from Radiohead, Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Linkin Park and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Queen, the Beatles, and Led Zeppelin.

The course also introduces the students to the industry-standard software Logic Pro X and makes regular use of the School of Music’s own cutting-edge music technology lab.  A strong emphasis on practical application, this course will equip students with the underpinning knowledge required for the progression into the world of professional sound recording and music production.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Complete professional quality mixes to an advanced level using Logic Pro X software.
2. Compose or remix simple 64 measure compositions.
3. Operate music software programs to a high degree for the purpose of advanced creative research.
4. Communicate their creative decisions and articulate them in relationship to the historical body of musical works.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to the DAW
2	Editing Audio
3	MIDI Basics and Editing MIDI Loops
4	MIDI Input
5	Mix Setup, Subgroups and Balancing
6	Orchestral Sample Libraries
7	Panning and Stereo Imaging
8	Reverb and Delay
9	Pro Tools
10	EQ and Compression
11	Video Lecture
12	Guest Speaker or Special Topic

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Midterm Creative Project	30 %	07/04/2023	23/04/2023	1,2,3
Final Creative Project	40 %	09/06/2023	30/06/2023	1,2,3
Final Exegesis	30 %	09/06/2023	30/06/2023	4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Midterm Creative Project

The students will compose three 32 measure songs or six 16 measure songs in any style using the audio files found in any of the uploaded folders in Wattle in the DAW of their choice. Students may also use any other audio files as well.

 

The Creative Project will be graded according to the following criteria:

·      Creativity

·      Use of DAW software

·      Proper use of audio editing, time stretching and pitch shifting

·      Professional quality of overall project

·      Students may also use software instruments

 

Students will be expected to upload two separate mp3’s of both songs in this format:

           First Name, Last Name Project 2 #1

           First Name, Last Name Project 2 #2

Screen shots for each of the pieces should be uploaded with the same name structure. Do not compress and upload zip files.

For students who have no access to a DAW the assessment criteria can be fulfilled by a written exegesis of 500-1000 words on the impact of technology on the history of an era or genre of music.

Assessment Task 2

Final Creative Project

The students will compose four 32 measure songs using the audio files found in the any of the folders posted in Wattle throughout the semester in the DAW of their choice.

 

 The Creative Project will be graded according to the following criteria:

• Creativity
• Use of a variety of compositional techniques studied throughout the semester including: audio editing, time stretching, pitch shifting, use of MIDI Instruments
• Use of audio effects including: EQ, Compression, Reverb and Delay
• Panning and stereo imaging
• Professional quality of the music and mix

Students will be expected to upload two separate mp3’s of both songs in this format:

           First Name, Last Name Project 2 #1

           First Name, Last Name Project 2 #2

Screen shots for each of the pieces should be uploaded with the same name structure. Do not compress and upload zip files.

For students who have no access to a DAW the assessment criteria can be fulfilled by a written exegesis of 500-1000 words on the impact of technology on the history of an era or genre of music.

Assessment Task 3

Final Exegesis

Details of task: Write a short analysis on the impact of a specific technology from the 20th or 21st centuries on one aspect of music performance, creation, distribution or consumption. Example topics might include digital instruments, recording, music production, sampling, music and multimedia, new models for distributing/selling music, new platforms for consuming music, composition, arrangement, scoring, genre, future technologies. Historical topics such as genres of music, eras of music or specific artists and bands are also acceptable topics for the Exegesis.

The exegesis will be graded on the following criteria:

• ideas
• organization and coherence
• support (citing sources)
• style/mechanics

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students