Central Methodist University Department of Music
MU105, Fundamentals of Music Technology
2 credits
Fall 2020
Meeting Location and Times:
Classic Hall 200, Mon/Wed 10a-10:50a
Dr. David Witter
Classic Hall 202-C
660-651-9964, dwitter@centralmethodist.edu, office hours by appointment
Mission
Central Methodist University prepares students to make a difference in the world by emphasizing academic and professional excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility.
Description
A study of electronic instruments, staged sound, staged lighting, projection, recording technology, acoustics, notation and organizational software, and other technology as related to the music field. Many assignments will be completed with the use of notation and sequencing software.
Purposes
- To create an understanding of the practical application of technology in the music field
- To understand safety and care procedures in the use of musical equipment and technology
- To instill an awareness of the language and growth in the field of music technology
Outcomes
The successful student will:
- Be able to operate, program, and apply the technological components of the music field in a practical way
- Be able to express language and jargon relevant to cutting edge technology in the music field
- Understand safety features and applications of music technology and equipment
Assessment activities (student mastery of outcomes will be demonstrated through the following activities)
- Complete written reviews articulating the application of specific technologies
- Create small scale stage productions and recordings using existing on campus technology
- Participate in class discussion
Texts
Manzo, V. (2015). Foundations of music technology. New York: Oxford University Press.
Course Grades
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
0-59% F
Facemask Policy
Wearing a face mask is about protecting others, our Central Methodist Community and the communities we work in. The primary purpose of wearing a face mask is to reduce the probability of virus spreading from the wearer (who may not know they are spreading the virus) into the environment and to others. The secondary purpose of the face covering is to reduce the likelihood that large droplets containing virus that are spread by others may enter the nose and mouth of the wearer. The use of a face mask does not replace the continued need to maintain physical distances from others, at least 6 feet, but instead augments physical distancing and helps us further reduce the likelihood of virus transmission.
A face mask is a cloth, bandana, or other type of material that covers an individual’s mouth and nose. The CDC lists five criteria for “cloth face coverings,” which should:
- Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
- Be secured with ties or ear loops
- Include multiple layers of fabric
- Allow for breathing without restriction
- Be able to be cleaned or laundered and machine-dried without damage or change to shape.
The complete CMU Face Mask Policy is available at:
https://www.centralmethodist.edu/about/offices/human-resources/_docs/FaceCoveringPolicy.pdf
Absence Policy
Attendance may not be tied to grades in any way in Fall 2020. If there are extenuating circumstances that require your absence, please contact me within 24. We exempt you to be at required classes, bu we also all expect that you pay attention to your own health and your role in keeping your neighbors healthy as well.
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, dry cough, unusual tiredness, gastro-intestinal distress, change in sense of smell or taste. If you are experiencing symptoms, please attend class on Zoom. For a more thorough list of symptoms visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.
Class Cancellation
In the event of a class cancellation, I will notify you via email within 24 hours of the event.
Non-discrimination Policy
Central Methodist University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual preference, religion, sex, national origin, age, or federally defined disability. This includes but is not limited to recruitment and admission of students, educational programs, services, activities, financial aid, and scholarship programs. The University complies with all federal and state non-discrimination requirements.
The procedures, described in the university’s catalog, are intended to guide and assist faculty, staff, and students in complying with this policy and in determining reasonable accommodations to be made for the federally defined disability claimed. All materials and information regarding disabilities will be governed by the University’s normal policies regarding privacy.
Students Requiring Special Accommodations
Central Methodist University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual preference, religion, sex, national origin, age, or federally defined disability/state defined handicap ("disability"). This includes but is not limited to recruitment and admission of students, educational programs, services, activities, financial aid, and scholarship programs. The University complies with all federal and state non-discrimination requirements. The Center for Learning & Teaching at Central Methodist University is committed to ensuring nondiscrimination and equal access to all programs, service, and activities for qualified students with a disability. It is the responsibility of any student who wishes to claim a disability and seek an accommodation to file official documentation confirming the disability and a completed Disability Services Student Information Form with the Center of Learning and Teaching prior to seeking any accommodation based on the disability.
Grievance Policy
Central Methodist University has established a grievance policy and process designed to provide students and others with a process to resolve potential issues. This policy and process is established to provide persons with an avenue to file a written concern and to establish a process to track and implement changes as a result of said concern. For more detailed information, consult the CLAS catalog at: https://clas-catalog.centralmethodist.edu/info/University%20Policies.html#info13-grievance
If an issue cannot be solved through consultation with the faculty or division chair, students can report an incident/issue within 30 days of the event via the online web form https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?CentralMethodistUniv&layout_id=3
Health and Safety for Musicians
Musicians face a number of health and safety issues, particularly in applied lessons and ensembles. Hearing concerns, vocal health, and muscle injuries are a concern for faculty and students. Awareness and education are key to preventing harmful habits or injuries.
In addition to the information shared with you in lessons and rehearsals, there is material available to you regarding best practices for maintaining hearing, vocal, and muscular health. Helpful information is posted on the Fine Arts section of the CMU webpage.
http://www.centralmethodist.edu/student-life/services-and-resources/music-resources.php
Academic Conduct Policy
Your projects must represent your work and your ideas. Ideas incorporated into your work that are not your own must be properly documented.
Students are expected to follow the CMU Academic Conduct Policy as outlined on the CMU website. Any evidence of academic misconduct may have any or all of the following consequences:
- Grade of zero on the individual assignment.
- Grade of F in the class.
- Dismissal from the class.
- A notation of academic misconduct on your transcript.
The Dean of the University may take additional action, including probation, suspension, or expulsion from the college.
Academic Property
All work (original or copy) submitted by the student to satisfy the requirements of the course may be retained at the discretion of the instructor for non-profit and educational purposes. Such work is generally used for assessing the course and providing evidence of student accomplishment for review by accrediting agencies. Any student wishing to prohibit such use of their work may do so by notifying the instructor in writing.
Assignments
Build Your Own YouTube Page (20 points)
Start a YouTube account and build the profile to represent you professionally. Consider possible goals for your page: who are you marketing to, what types of videos will you post, what is your schtick? If possible, make sure that your username reflects your actual name so that you easily can be located via web searches.
Build Your Own Facebook Page (20 points)
Start your own professional Facebook page that represents your discipline in music. Think of this as your onramp for all forms of marketing in your professional endeavors. Consider your mission, audience, and skills. Keep the theme broad enough that this page could represent you for the long term and could be easily adapted to changes in profession.
Review a Gear Demo/Review a Gear Review (50 points)
Find a Gear Review or a Gear Demo on YouTube that is done well. Make sure that you are somewhat familiar with the piece that is being demoed or reviewed. Write a two paragraph breakdown of the highlights that are covered in the video, what the video host does well, and what the video host does not do well. Explain what you would keep the same and what you would change. This assignment should read like a critique. Use Times New Roman, single spaced, in a document that has your name, the date, the class name and the professor name at the top.
Post a Gear Review (100 points)
Choose a piece of equipment, musical instrument, or music software that you are very familiar with. Create a video that reviews this piece of equipment. Feel free to model, but not plagiarize other reviewers on YouTube. Video can be shot with your personal mobile device, and should be no less than three minutes long and no more than seven minutes long. Video editing is allowed but not required.
Post a Gear Demo (100 points)
All of the parameters of the Gear Review apply to this assignment except that the content should be a demo rather that a review. You may use the same piece of equipment or instrument if you would like, but you may not repeat yourself.
Post a News Segment (100 points)
Post a fantasy news segment related to something that interests you in music. There are no limits to topics, but suggestions would include upcoming music performances on campus, announcements or news for a chapel service, news or tour information about your favorite band or your band, etc. Video can be shot with your personal mobile device, and should be no less than three minutes long and no more than seven minutes long. Video editing is allowed but not required.
Write a Manual (200 points)
Choose a piece of equipment, musical instrument, or piece of software that you are very familiar with and write a simple two page manual that explains the fundamental components of how to operate the item. Consider the goal of your manual. This should not be a list of highly technical information or scientific explanations, but rather a simple description of how to operate and what the results are from the item that you have chosen. Diagrams are allowed, but should be submitted as appendices and do not count toward the two page goal.
Operate an Assigned Piece of Equipment (200 points)
Using class discussions, the textbook, the manual, and any other resources you can attain, demonstrate that you can operate an assigned piece of equipment or software at a time designated by the professor. This assignment may manifest in a scheduled meeting time, rehearsal time, or performance time for a university ensemble.
Reading (100 points)
Assigned Reading. May stem from textbook or supplemental materials. In class quizzes may occur after reading assignments have been due. These quizzes may be planned, or take form as a pop quiz. Content will be germane to vocabulary or major concepts related to the reading.
Final (100 points)
Evaluations based on all reading, class discussions, and assignments. Content will be cumulative.
Class Discussion/Participation (100 points)
A weekly or bi-weekly evaluation of your engagement in class.
Grade Weight
Discussion/Participation 10%
Quizzes 30%
Projects 40%
Final 20%
Class Calendar
(Schedule and assignments subject to change at Professor’s discretion.)
|
Date
|
Topic
|
Due
|
|
August 19
|
Introduction
|
|
|
August 24
|
Properties of Sound
|
Reading—Chapter 1
|
|
August 26
|
“…”
|
Build Your Own YouTube Page
|
|
August 31
|
“…”
|
Review a Demo
|
|
September 2
|
“…”
|
|
|
September 7
|
Labor Day
|
No Classes
|
|
September 9
|
Audio
|
Reading—Chapter 2
|
|
September 14
|
“…”
|
|
|
September 16
|
“…”
|
Build Your Own Facebook Page
|
|
September 21
|
“…”
|
Ch. 2 Quiz
|
|
September 23
|
Acoustics
|
Reading—Chapter 8
|
|
September 28
|
“…”
|
|
|
September 30
|
“…”
|
Post a Gear Demo
|
|
October 5
|
“…”
|
|
|
October 7
|
Effects
|
Ch. 9 Quiz
|
|
October 12
|
“…”
|
Reading—Chapter 9
|
|
October 14
|
“…”
|
|
|
October 19
|
“…”
|
|
|
October 21
|
Audio Editing Software
|
Ch. 9 Quiz, Reading—Chapter 3
|
|
October 26
|
“…”
|
|
|
October 28
|
“…”
|
|
|
November 2
|
“…”
|
Post a News Segment
|
|
November 4
|
Synthesis
|
Reading—Chapter 4
|
|
November 9
|
“…”
|
|
|
November 11
|
“…”
|
Write a Manual
|
|
November 16
|
“…”
|
|
|
November 23
|
Thanksgiving Recess
|
No Classes
|
|
November 25
|
Thanksgiving Recess
|
No Classes
|
|
November 30
|
Music Notation Software
|
Reading—Chapter 6
|
|
December 2
|
“…”
|
|
|
December 7
|
“…”
|
Operate a Piece of Equipment
|
|
December 9
|
“…”
|
Final Examination
|
Zoom Links:
MONDAY:
David Witter is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Fundamentals of Music Technology
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Join Zoom Meeting
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Passcode: 484522
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Meeting ID: 960 1815 8464
Passcode: 484522
WEDNESDAY:
David Witter is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Fundamentals of Music Technology
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Join Zoom Meeting
https://centralmethodist.zoom.us/j/93944848498?pwd=L0lYUVRLZUYyTnBwTTZocGZKNzVSQT09
Meeting ID: 939 4484 8498
Passcode: 362003
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,93944848498#,,,,,,0#,,362003# US (New York)
+13017158592,,93944848498#,,,,,,0#,,362003# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 939 4484 8498
Passcode: 362003
Find your local number: https://centralmethodist.zoom.us/u/acTOm8fECm
Join by SIP
93944848498@zoomcrc.com
Join by H.323
162.255.37.11 (US West)
162.255.36.11 (US East)
115.114.131.7 (India Mumbai)
115.114.115.7 (India Hyderabad)
213.19.144.110 (Amsterdam Netherlands)
213.244.140.110 (Germany)
103.122.166.55 (Australia)
149.137.40.110 (Singapore)
64.211.144.160 (Brazil)
69.174.57.160 (Canada)
207.226.132.110 (Japan)
Meeting ID: 939 4484 8498
Passcode: 362003