ART 260 or consent of instructor

Course explores musical instrument digital interfaces and synthesizers. Content includes how technologies change way music is conceived, performed, produced, recorded, and published; midi synthesizers as musical instrument and sound source, as well as input/output device for computer; sequencing, algorithmic composition, extended performance application, creative possibilities of sound and picture, and temporal aspect of music to moving images.

A.    To identify the basic concepts and terms used in sound production and multimedia.
B.    To explain how sound productions are created.
C.    To explain the limitations of sound and multimedia.
D.    To design and produce sound on the computer.
E.    To create and render sound productions.
F.    To operate the hardware involved in sound production and implement hardware in multimedia.

Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton's Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:

• cheating,
• plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
• falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
• helping others to cheat,
• unauthorized changes on official documents,
• pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
• making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
• any other behavior that violates academic integrity.

There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton's policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.

A.    Basics
        1.    Analog
        2.    Waveform
        3.    Midi
B.    Hardware
        1.    Microphones
        2.    Multimedia speakers
        3.    Power Amplifiers
        4.    Synthesizers
        5.    Tape decks
        6.    Mixing consoles
        7.    Recording mediums
            a.  DAT
            b.  CD
            c.  Multitrack
        8.    SMPTE and synchronization methods
            a.  Internet clock synchronization
            b.  Midi synchronization
            c.  SMPTE time code
C.    Sound Utilities
        1.    Applets
        2.    Recording sound
        3.    Editing sound
        4.    Combining sounds
        5.    Sound quality
D.    Waveform editing
        1.    Noise
        2.    Reverse and flanging
        3.    Amplifying a sound wave
        4.    Key concepts and terms
E.    Sequencing
        1.    Recording midi
            a.    Laying down a bass track
            b.    Muting tracks
        2.    Editing
        3.    Mixing songs
F.    Sheet music
        1.    Loading and playing sheet music
        2.    Creating your own compositions
        3.    Transposing music to different keys
G.    Audio File Formats
H.    Sound and Multimedia
        1.    Background music
        2.    Midi data or digital audio
        3.    Editing sound
        4.    Cross platform issues
        5.    Space considerations
        6.    Testing and evaluation
I.    Music Fundamentals
        1.    Diatonic scale
        2.    Sharps and music notations
        3.    Musical keys
        4.    Notational terminology
            a.    Measures, clefs and staves
            b.    Beats and time signatures

This course will be presented using a combination of lectures, slide presentations and computer work in the lab.

Course may be taught as face-to-face, media-based, hybrid or online course.

A.    Attend and participate in all classes and labs.
B.    Attend critiques and quizzes as scheduled in the course calendar.
C.    Complete assigned exercises and print work.
D.    Final Exam.

A.    Flash drive or portable hard drive
B.    Blank CD-Rs

The final grade will be based upon the following elements and their weights:
A.      Quizzes         25%
B.      Critiques        25%
C.      Final Exam     25%
D.      Final Critique  25%

Multiple choice quizzes will be administered at the first three critiques.  Critiques offer the student the opportunity to show work in progress to the instructor and to the class and to obtain feedback on the work presented.  There will be four critiques including the final. 

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in the Learning Center. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.