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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
MUSID051.
Course Title (CB02)
Introduction to Electronic Music
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the use of keyboard controllers, hardware and software synthesizers and instruments, and sequencing and audio software to create music projects in a variety of styles. The course also includes basic studio techniques; an introduction to Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI); an introduction to basic historical developments in electronic music; and the creation of music/audio projects using basic electronic music hardware and software. Some prior music experience is recommended but not required.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable, addresses the recommendation that music majors acquire music technology skills, and prepares students who will transfer in music technology-related majors. The course fulfills requirements for the AA Music degree. It is an introductory level music technology course.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
3.0
Maximum Credit Units
3.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours2.04.0
Laboratory Hours3.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
36.0
Total
60.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
48.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D261. and ESL D265., or ESL D461. and ESL D465., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Laboratory discussion sessions and quizzes that evaluate the proceedings weekly laboratory exercises

Assignments

  1. Assigned reading from the text, software manuals, and contemporary sources on the Internet
  2. Activities
    1. Weekly/bi-weekly projects using synthesizer, drum machine, and music software.
    2. Original musical project using sound resources and and sequencing software.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Discuss, compare, examine, and evaluate electronic music ideas and works though individual and group participation in class discussions and lab sessions.
  2. Demonstrate understanding and use of basic software and hardware operation techniques including sequencing, sampling, recording, and editing by successful completion of sequenced weekly lab projects.
  3. Recognize, explain, analyze, define basic concepts, terminology, configuration and operation of equipment and software, MIDI, and basic electronic music history on quizzes, a midterm, and a final exam.
  4. Demonstrate the practical application of skills and techniques related to electronic music hardware and software through successful completion of a final studio project.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • Lab and classroom facilities including keyboard controllers or synthesizers, drum machines, mixer, amplifier and speakers, instructor computer with classroom projection equipment, sequencing and related software, MIDI interface

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
*Nahmani, David. "Apple Pro Training Series: Logic Pro X 10.4: Professional Music Production," 1st edition, Peachpit Press, 2014.
*Hoskin, Dan. "An Introduction to Music Technology," 2nd edition, Routledge, 2014.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Braun, Hans-Joachim, ed., "Music and Technology in the Twentieth Century", Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002.
Francastel, Pierre. "Art and Technology in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries", Zone Books, 2000.
Friedman, Matt. "The Vintage Synth Explorer", (http://www.vintagesynth.org/).
Glinsky, Albert. "Theremin: Ether Music and Espionage", University of Illinois Press, 2000.
Kettlewell, Ben. "Electronic Music Pioneers", Artistpro, 2001.
Lee, Iara, Peter Shapiro, and Simon Reynolds. "Modulations: A History of Electronic Music: Throbbing Words on Sound", Distributed Art Publishers, 2000.
Pinch, Trevor and Frank Trocco. "Analog Days: The Invention and Impact of the Moog Synthesizer", Harvard University Pres, 2002.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Operate basic keyboard controllers and synthesizers, drum machines, and basic mixers.
  • Use and understand introductory-level audio, synthesis, music software, and MIDI terminology.
  • Create musical projects in a variety of styles using keyboard controllers and synthesizers, mixers, hardware/software drum machines, basic mixers, and entry-level music sequencing software tools.
  • Design, implement, and troubleshoot basic audio and studio equipment and software configurations.
  • Recognize and describe basic historical developments in electronic music.

CSLOs

  • The successful student will operate basic keyboard synthesizers, drum machines, simple mixers, and entry-level music software.

  • The successful student will create musical projects in a variety of styles using synthesizers, drum machines, and MIDI sequencing software.

Outline

  1. Operate basic keyboard controllers and synthesizers, drum machines, and basic mixers.
    1. Keyboard synthesizers
      1. Keyboard controllers
      2. Continuous controllers
      3. Keyboard modes
      4. Voice selection
      5. Multi-timbral and polyphonic synthesizers
      6. Pitch bend and modulation controllers
    2. Drum machines
      1. Drum machine sound resources
      2. Basic playback features
      3. Pattern programming
      4. Quantization and editing
      5. Song programming
      6. Uses of drum machines
    3. Mixing
      1. Basic functions of mixers
      2. Audio mixers in the signal path
      3. Basic mixer controls and operation
  2. Use and understand introductory-level audio, synthesis, music software, and MIDI terminology.
    1. Sound generation methods
      1. Sampling
      2. Synthesis
      3. Hybrid systems
    2. Introduction to computer techniques for music
      1. Launching applications
      2. Naming and saving files, use of folders and multiple volumes
      3. Copying, pasting, and cutting data
      4. Back-up and file management techniques and strategies
    3. Types of electronic music applications
      1. Sequencing
      2. Audio recording and sampling
      3. Software synthesis
      4. Music notation
  3. Create musical projects in a variety of styles using keyboard controllers and synthesizers, mixers, hardware/software drum machines, basic mixers, and entry-level music sequencing software tools.
    1. Types of sequencing
      1. Hardware sequencers
      2. Software sequencers
    2. Sequence recording and playback
      1. Instrument tracks
      2. Drum tracks
      3. Controller tracks
      4. Replace, overdub, and punch modes
      5. Real time, step, and manual entry recording methods
      6. Audio tracks
    3. Basic editing techniques
      1. Graphic editing
      2. Quantizing
      3. List (alpha-numeric) editing
      4. Transposition
      5. Moving data between tracks and sequences
      6. Copying and aliasing objects
    4. MIDI controllers
      1. Volume and pan
      2. Other controller types
      3. Graphic and list displays of controller data
    5. Organizing musical structure
      1. Linking subsequences
      2. Editing subsequences
      3. Musical applications of subsequences
      4. Aliases and repeating musical regions
    6. Software mixers
      1. Software mixers as controllers vs. hardware mixers as processors
      2. Controlling volume and panning
      3. Mixer automation
      4. Inserting effects
    7. Exporting and importing data and audio files
  4. Design, implement, and troubleshoot basic audio and studio equipment and software configurations.
    1. MIDI terminology
    2. Interconnecting electronic music devices
      1. Interconnecting synthesizers/devices
      2. Connecting devices to a computer
      3. Serial port, USB, and built-in MIDI interfaces
    3. Message data types
      1. Channel messages
      2. Continuous controllers
      3. Common messages
    4. Audio signal chain
      1. Instruments
      2. Mixers
      3. Amplifiers
      4. Speakers
    5. Survey applications of equipment and software
      1. Live performance
      2. Studio applications
    6. Troubleshoot basic electronic music studio equipment and software.
  5. Recognize and describe basic historical developments in electronic music.
    1. Overview of selected electronic music styles, examples of which might include
      1. Pre-World War II instruments and precursors
      2. Musique concrete, electronic music, tape music
      3. "Switched-on" music
      4. Popular music
      5. Contemporary trends
    2. Overview of technical developments
      1. Early instruments
      2. Tape recording
      3. Modular synthesizers
      4. Digital synthesis, recording, and sequencing
      5. Sampling
      6. Virtualization of hardware

Lab Topics

  1. Basic sequence: recording, editing, saving, click track
  2. Combining keyboard, rhythm, and audio loop tracks
  3. Assembling rhythm parts on multiple tracks
  4. Re-using musical regions via loop, copy, and alias
  5. Automation including volume, panning, and other parameters
  6. Use of audio and MIDI effects
  7. Basic editing of software instruments
  8. Beat matching and synchronizing multiple audio sources
  9. Integrating techniques into a final musical project
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