Course Syllabus

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Course Description

Introduction to creating music with computers, keyboards and audio digital audio using Pro Tools and other DAWs. (Digital Audio Workstations.) Basic principles using MIDI sequencing and audio software. Songwriting, musical composition, and the basic elements of music (pitch, rhythm, harmony, style and form) as they relate to contemporary music. All styles are included, and prior musical training is not required.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the basic components MIDI systems. (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
  2. Write original compositions using a midi/audio workstation
  3. Define and discuss the aesthetic qualities of music using contemporary media
  4. Create unique programming/sequencing that includes the linking of patterns into a musical composition, and the inclusion of audio files as an integral element

Hybrid Online TBA Activities

This course includes three (3) hybrid hours per week conducted via the Internet and not in the face-to-face class session on campus. Listed as TBA in the Foothill College Course Schedule, these hours can be done anywhere with an Internet connection. In order to fulfill the participation requirements for these hybrid hours, students are expected to complete various online activities each week which may include:

  • Instructor-facilitated Discussions
  • Private Messages
  • Live Chat or Instant Messaging
  • Lab Assignments, including student-created content
  • Web conferencing of lectures or discussions
  • Collaborative group work
  • Portfolio submissions with instructor feedback
  • Student peer-review postings
  • Quizzes with instructor feedback

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this class.

Textbooks and Online Subscriptions

Required Textbook

Note: The 3rd edition of this textbook has NOT yet been released. We recommend that students do not purchase the version 2 textbook at this time. For Spring 2020, we will provide electronic excerpts of the v2 text book.

An Introduction to Music Technology, 3rd Edition
Author: Dan Hosken
Kindle: $57.27
Publisher: Routledge; 3 edition (January 15, 2019)
ISBN-13: 978-1138056060
ISBN-10: 1138056065

Required Online Content

  1. Music Production: Techniques and Concepts
    • Author: Scott Jacoby
  2. Music Theory for Songwriters: The Fundamentals
    • Author: Julian Velard
  3. Learning Songwriting: Pro Tools
    • Author: David Franz
Requires LinkedIn Learning subscription
These videos are also available for free at Lynda.com
How to Get a FREE Lynda.com subscription

Website Accounts

Required

  1. Canvas
    • Foothill College Online Learning Management System
  2. LinkedIn Learning subscription
  3. MusicTechWiki Account
    • Wiki website designed to support MusicTech classes. Signup for free
    • Create-MTW-Account
    • Secret wiki-code CAPTCHA provided in Canvas
  4. Google Account
    • We use Google Docs, Spreadsheets and Calendars in our Music Tech classes
  5. PureMix
    • PureMix is an online Music Technology site
    • You will need at minimum a Free PureMix Account

Suggested Subscriptions

Communication Channels

Instructor Support

Bruce Tambling - Co-Director Music Technology
I respond to email sent to support@brucetambling.com within 2 business days, and often on the same day sent.
  1. On Campus Office Hours
    • None at this time
  2. Virtual Office Hours
  3. Canvas Messaging - please avoid using
    • These can be missed or lost
  4. Support Channel - Preferred
  5. Cell Phone
    • 408-313-9006
  6. Closed Facebook Group
  7. Canvas Announcements
    • Please be proactive and read recent announcements andall the archives
    • Don’t depend 100% on email notifications
  8. San Jose Recording Studio
    • 458A Reynolds Circle
    • San Jose, CA 95112
    • Studio Tours available by appointment

Additional Support

  1. Eric Kuehnl Co-Director Music Technology
    • kuehnleric@fhda.edu
  2. Canvas Support

Tech Support

The A-Team

  1. Al Ruffinelli - Music Tech Systems Admin
    • Al can help install software and troubleshoot hardware issues
    • ruffinellial@fhda.edu
    • 650-949-7055
    • Mon - Fri 10AM - 7PM
  2. Call Sweetwater
    • Great tech support for ALL issues!
    • (800) 222-4700
  3. Call Avid
    • Avid always resolves the issue 100%
    • 888-456-3444 or 978-275-2555

Craigs List

There are many people in the Craigs List Community that are happy to help you for FREE or a VERY reasonable price.

  1. Musicians
  2. Lessons and Tutoring
  3. Computer Services
  4. Creative Services

Computer Requirements

Although most of the online content in this class can be accessed with mobile devices, some of the content and apps require a desktop or laptop computer.

Computer Hardware

  1. Every Music Technology student should have a personal computer!
    • A laptop is more versatile than a desktop computer
  2. Mac or Windows Operating System
  3. Get the fastest processor you can afford
  4. Get as much RAM as you can afford (at least 16GB - 32GB)
  5. Get the largest internal SSD (solid state drive) you can afford
  6. Refer to Avid Pro Tools System Requirements for additional information
    • This info from Avid on computer system requirements is helpful for all DAWs

External Storage

  1. External Drive
    • For audio and video media files
    • 500GB or 1TB SSD is fine
    • It's best to NOT store audio-video media files on your internal system drive

Web Browsers

  1. Any of the major browsers, preferably all three:
    • Google Chrome (recommended)
    • Firefox
    • Safari

Available Computer Labs

The Foothill College campus features two labs fully loaded with the latest version of Pro Tools and multimedia software applications. Online students are always welcome to join any of the face-to-face lectures or activities on the Foothill campus as your schedule permits.

Computer Software Requirements

Required Software

  1. For Avid Pro Tools Certification classes, Pro Tools software is required
  2. For all other Music Technology classes, student may choose any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
    • Including Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton Love, FL Studio, Cubase, Digital Performer, Reaper, GarageBand etc.
  3. Screen Capture Software
    • Students will be required to submit a screen capture video for some creative projects and technical assignments
    • For more info: How to Create Screencasts

Recommended Software

Pro Tools

In addition to your primary DAW, we recommend that all Music Technology Students learn Pro Tools. Even with the wide range of capable DAWs available, like Ableton, Logic, FL Studio etc., Pro Tools remains the industry standard DAW. Foothill College is an authorized Avid Pro Tools Certification Center offering the highest levels of Pro Tools Expert Certification for Music and Post. Bruce Tambling and Eric Kuehnl, Co-Directors Foothill Music Technology, are Avid Certified Pro Tools Expert Level Instructors.

Foothill College offers more Avid Pro Tools Certification classes than any other community college in the country and as a student you qualify for discounted subscription. Learning the basics of Pro Tools is not difficult and the signal path is similar to traditional mixing consoles which is good knowledge to have.

Pro Tools Options
  1. Use the computers in the IDEA Lab and KCI with Pro Tools installed
  2. Purchase subscription directly from Avid
    • Student DISCOUNT Price is $8.25/month
  3. Sweetwater.com is a great place to purchase Pro Tools, at student discount, because they offer free tech support that is better than Avid support
  4. Students who are declared Music Technology Majors may qualify for a free one year subscription to Pro Tools Ultimate

Suggested Equipment

Here are some key pieces of equipment for putting together a home studio.

  1. iLok
    • USB thumb drive required for plugin licenses
  2. Headphones
    • Very useful to have a good set of headphones
  3. Audio Interface
    • Better than sound card built into your computer.
  4. MIDI Keyboard Controller
  5. External Speakers
    • Sounds better than speakers built into your computer
  6. Microphone - Dynamic or Condenser
  7. Acoustical Panels

Grading Policies and Guidelines

Your grade will be determined by the total number of points acquired throughout the quarter. Assignments, Projects, Quizzes and Tests accumulate the number of points posted in the Canvas.

99% - 100% Total Points = A+
90% - 99% Total Points = A
80% - 89% Total Points = B
70% - 79% Total Points = C
60% - 69% Total Points = D
0% - 59% Total Points = F

Avoid Being Dropped

  1. The State of California requires that all students show some evidence of participating in class by the end of Week 2
    • The easiest way to do this is to simply sign the Census in Canvas
    • Students that do NOT show any participation in Canvas by the end of Week 2 will be DROPPED!
  2. In order to avoid being dropped for non-attendance there must be evidence of weekly attendance/participation by students in an academically related activity (e.g., discussion forum posting, online quiz, reflection, assignment, exam, email, office visit, telephone call, or electronic communication).

Assignment Deadlines

  1. We give you a 2 week grace period to submit your assignments past the Due Date
    • No late penalties or score reductions will be applied
  2. If you submit assignments more than 2 weeks past the due date, we will do our best to accommodate you
    • There is NO need to ask for extensions
    • There is no need to provide detailed excuses or explanations
    • We understand that things come up. Just do your BEST to submit what you can ASAP
  3. The absolute FINAL DEADLINE to submit ANY late assignments for this class is Monday morning after Finals Week at 8:00 AM

Effort and Improvement

Most of the assignments in these Music Tech classes are graded based on effort, time and energy invested and general progress over the quarter. We don't grade students down for creative, artistic or aesthetic criteria. Generally speaking, if you submit the assignment on time, you will receive full points.

Your Final Grade

Final Grade is determined by:

  1. Quizzes and Exams
  2. Assignments and Exercises
  3. Creative Projects
  4. Class Participation - For on campus classes this is 10% of your grade and requires weekly attendance.

Quiz and Exam Scores

You can re-take Quizzes and Exams as many times as you want. Your score will be based on your last attempt.

Class participation

There are a number of ways students can earn points for class participation.

  1. In class discussions, both face to face and online.
    • Weekly participation is 10% of grade for on campus face-to-face classes.
  2. Written reports and contributions, including comments and feedback to other students, are recorded in the class Canvas website.

Learn By Doing

You will be encouraged to research various concepts, techniques and workflows. Learning how to focus Google Searches with optimal keywords is an essential skill for all Music Tech students.

Workload and Grading Curve

We carefully review and calculate the time anticipated for students to complete for every Canvas Module item. Sometimes it's difficult to estimate exactly how much time is required for certain exercises and projects. If I miscalculated or underestimate the amount of work required for a given assignment, don't worry, we will adjust the due dates and/or deliverables. At the end of the quarter, final grades are always very fair and generous.

Extra Credit and Optional Assignments

This class includes a variety of Extra Credit and Optional Assignments allowing students to choose areas of interest and to make up for late work if needed.

Assignment Feedback and Grading Timelines

We make every effort to review and grade your assignments within one week after the due date. Please keep in mind many assignments must be manually reviewed and graded: one at a time. If students notice their assignment scores do not accurately reflect completed work, please contact us.

Add Codes

After the quarter starts, students will need an Add Code to add the class. We can usually provide these for you. Please ask us for an add code. The SOONER you do this the better chance you have to register. Additional information regarding late add procedures at Foothill College can be found here: How to Add a Class.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Wise Words of Advice

The digital media content creation industry is driven by strict deadlines. If you aspire to work professionally in the industry, or transfer to another school, we encourage you to get used to completing things on time. Your contributions to this class are a vital ingredient for all of us. The exchange of information, and sharing of the creative process, can only happen if you stay up to date with the assigned material. We are all incredibly busy this day and age, and we understand the balancing act to get everything done. The Music Technology Program wants to encourage and support your success in this class.

Spring 2020

  1. Friday, April 24 - Last day to ADD classes
  2. Sunday, April 26 - Last day to drop for a full refund
  3. Sunday, April 26 - Last day to drop with no record of grade
  4. Saturday-Monday, May 23-25 - Memorial Day Weekend (college closed)
  5. Monday-Friday, June 22-26 - Final exams
  6. Friday, June 26 - All assignments, projects, tests are due
  7. Monday, June 29 8:00 AM - Absolute DEADLINE to submit any LATE assignments
  8. Wednesday, July 1 - Grades submitted to Office of Admissions Records

Our Class Policies

Copyright and Intellectual Property

Your contributions to this class are a vital ingredient for all of us. The exchange of information, and sharing of the creative process, contributes to a rich learning experience that is often greater than any textbook could provide. Music Technology Classes involve the creation of digital media content. Students will retain full ownership and copyright of all their works. Copyright protection subsists from the time the work is created in fixed form. The copyright in the work of authorship immediately becomes the property of the author who created the work. Only the author, or those deriving their rights through the author, can rightfully claim copyright. In other words, once you've written it, you hold copyright.

Similar to a teaching hospital, student's submitted work, assignments and projects may be shared with other Music Tech students for educational purposes. Always in a password protected area, not available to the general public. Students will always receive appropriate credit and recognition. Your instructor may exhibit, discuss and analyze your work in class. The student is completely protected by copyright law and remains the sole owner, and copyright holder, of all material. If the student wants to prevent any public exhibition of material, please don't submit these works for class credit. Students should only submit works agreed to be publicly reviewed for educational purposes.

The instructor, Bruce Tambling, has been teaching music technology classes for many years and has never experienced any copyright infringement or unlawful exploitation of student's work. Quite the contrary, students benefit from the exposure of having their work presented as this can lead to the creation of industry contacts, job referrals, academic and professional recognition, and optimized search engine placement.

The work students create is their personal intellectual property. This intellectual property can become a very valuable portfolio. Many commercially released album projects, film sound tracks, record deals, and professional collaborations started out as humble assignments submitted for class credit.

Academic Honesty

You will be encouraged to examine and review examples of professional work. You will also be encouraged to exchange ideas and collaborate with fellow classmates. However, please avoid copying other people's work. If you submit copies of someone's work, you will receive zero credit and may be sent to the Office of Student Affairs for disciplinary actions.

Accommodations

Any student who feels they may need special accommodations based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. Foothill College has many support systems in place to help. We are committed to creating a course that is inclusive in its design that meets the needs of our diverse student body. If you encounter barriers, please let me know immediately so we can determine if there is a design adjustment that can be made. We are happy to consider creative solutions as long as they do not compromise the intent of the class or learning activity

Safety Awareness

Making Phone Calls in an Emergency

Should you need to call police in an emergency, call 9-1-1 from any “landline” campus phone. At Foothill, this includes office phones, classroom phones and pay phones. If you’re using your cell phone, we suggest that you call the Foothill Police Dispatch Center directly at (408) 924-8000. Unfortunately, calling 9-1-1 from your cell phone can result in reaching the CHP Dispatch Center in Vallejo. Program your cell phone with the direct number— (408) 924-8000. It’s also a good idea to program your cell phone with the phone number of your local police department.

On-Campus Police Department

Foothill College has an on-campus police department that is staffed with regular, sworn police officers who have been trained in police procedures and emergency response. The Foothill College Police Department is located on the ground floor of the Campus Center in Room 2103. If you must walk alone or in dark areas, use the on-campus safety escort service, which is operated by the Foothill Police Department, by calling (650) 949-7317.

Constant Work in Progress

This syllabus is a living document that we are constantly developing and improving. Refer to it often over the duration of this course. The field of Music Technology is rapidly evolving. New software and hardware is being released everyday. It's a very exciting time. Unlike other classes where the curriculum has been established for many years and assignments remain the same every quarter, the field of Music Technology is constantly changing. This keeps things interesting but sometimes creates chaos when updating equipment and software versions etc. In addition to being your instructor, I'm also an artist and student. We are constantly learning, researching, exploring and creating. The Foothill College recording studio is one of our "research laboratories." I also own one of the top recording studio facilities in Silicon Valley and subscribe to all of the premium music tech training websites and journals. So the curriculum in my classes is constantly evolving.

Diverse Range of Students

We acknowledge the diversity of the students in all of our Music Tech courses. Many of you join our classes ranging in age, with different backgrounds, experience levels and skill sets. In teaching so many diverse students, one of our challenges as professors is to provide a personalized experience for all of our students, so that you may get the most out of each course and walk away with skills and knowledge that you feel will benefit you for the future.

That being said, it is possible, given the diversity of all of your backgrounds, that at certain points, the courses may not be moving at a pace that you would like; whether that be too fast or too slow.

If you feel the course is moving too fast and you are falling behind, please send us a message as soon as possible so we can help you get caught up and point you in the right direction for resources and materials to help you.

If you feel the course is moving too slow, we would also like you to contact us ASAP and let us know. We have a TON of supplementary material including hundreds of articles, videos and exercises for you so that you can learn at your preferred pace and get the most out of each course.

We want to hear your feedback and strive to make each course as in-depth, detailed, and as personalized as possible. We want all of you to walk away from these courses feeling like you learned something valuable.

Welcome to Class!

We are all in this class because we are moved and inspired by the magnificent magic of music and sound. We are fascinated with Music Technology and the rapidly evolving tools and techniques used in the creative process. Learning the art and science of music production also requires focused work and self-discipline. You should plan on dedicating time each week to study and explore. Your instructors are here to help - so we can all learn and grow together.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due