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Course Syllabus

MUSC 4160 Advanced Mixing and Mastering

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Music
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 1; Lab: 1
  • Repeatable: Yes.
  • Prerequisites: MUSC 3352 Audio Fundamentals II
  • Semesters Offered: Spring
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2023
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2028
  • End Semester: Fall 2028
  • Optimum Class Size: 10
  • Maximum Class Size: 15

Course Description

This course is an advanced study of the science and art of both mixing and mastering audio; covering mixing for different regions and genres as well as the history and current trends and practices of both mixing and mastering.

Justification

Mixing and Mastering are topics that are covered in multiple of the Audio Fundamentals and Audio Production courses, but an advanced study of the complex blend of science and art that goes into both mixing and mastering is necessary to become a skilled mixing or mastering engineer.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Be knowledgeable of the history and techniques of mixing and mastering.
  2. Be knowledgeable of advanced EQ, Dynamics Processing, Time-Based Effects, and Reverb techniques.
  3. Be able to mix songs of different styles and genres.
  4. Be familiar with various mixing techniques.
  5. Be familiar with various mastering techniques.
  6. Be able to do mastering for a single as well as a collection of songs.
  7. Be knowledgeable of advanced concepts such as dither, special processing, and summing.

Course Content

This course takes a deep dive into all of the specific aspects and areas of mixing and mastering. It covers the history, common practices and tried and true techniques. The topics covered apply and can be used in various musical styles, genres, and regional traditions. The projects are variable in order to cater to all backgrounds and musical tastes of students, but additional projects may be presented to push students out of their comfort zones and into new and exotic styles and genres.• History of Mixing• Advanced EQ Techniques• Advanced Dynamics Techniques• Advanced Time-Based Effects Techniques• Advanced Reverb Techniques• Advanced Mixing Techniques• Submixes, Stems and Stacking• History of Mastering• Science vs Art• Summing and Gain Staging• Spatial Processing• Mastering a Single• Mastering an LP/Album• Advanced Mastering Techniques• Dither