Revised 08/2024

MUS 235 - Advanced Recording Techniques (3 CR.)

Course Description

Introduces advanced digital recording techniques that lead to mixdowns and digital masters for commercial CD duplication, other digital media and on-line distribution. Provides knowledge and skills in refined areas of digital multi track recording and mixdown techniques. Includes a study of the process which converts finished digital masters to compact disks and digital files suitable for retail release. Studies trouble shooting skills pertaining to digital audio workstations. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course is designed to introduce the student to advanced techniques in initial recording practices and advanced practices in final mixdown of multi-channel recordings. Through theoretical study, experimentation with a variety of recording techniques and directed lab activities, the student will acquire an in depth understanding of all steps in the process of creating a professional quality master product using advanced practices in dynamic range processing, multiple use of sub-mix routings, synchronization of signal processing events, and application to digital masters. 

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisite is MUS 140 - “Introduction to Recording Techniques” or division approval.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • understand the techniques used in multi-channel recording

  • apply advanced skills in microphone utilization as required in a professional studio

  • operate a multi-channel mixer with an active patch bay and sufficient outboard effects generators and dynamic range processors to accommodate numerous sub-mixes in a professional studio environment

  • demonstrate on above mentioned equipment an ability to provide proper patching, input/output selection, channel assignment, and monitoring functions without additional help

  • reduce multi-channel recordings to final stereo recordings possessing accurate timbre representation and multi-dimensional sound quality

  • make artistic use of output processing and noise reduction devices to improve the quality of a finished master

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Advanced multi-channel digital techniques including looping, punch ins, clean up of noisy audio and
  • related topics.
  • Relevant nomenclature and specifications
  • Advanced capabilities of the multi-channel mixing console
  • Advanced microphone selection and utilization in complicated studio settings
  • Advanced techniques in multi-channel mixing options
  • Advanced use of signal processing and noise reduction devices
  • Use of equalization, advanced time based simulation, compression and dynamic panning to create
  • multi-dimensional master copies
  • Practical application in live recording and mixdown sessions