Independent Study
The Cohen Recording Studio also offers independent study with our Head Engineer that will focus on areas of particular interest to the student. This makes a good option if you already have moderate knowledge of recording or cannot make the in-season courses. Please use the contact page to contact Matt Wilson about this opportunity.
Independent Study
The Cohen Recording Studio also offers independent study with our Head Engineer that will focus on areas of particular interest to the student. This makes a good option if you already have moderate knowledge of recording or cannot make the in-season courses. Please use the contact page to contact Matt Wilson about this opportunity.
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COHEN RECORDING STUDIO:
SPECIAL MUSIC PRODUCTION INTENSIVE

Have you ever wanted to learn how to record your own music? 2008 will mark the second offering of a Pop/Rock Music Production course in the newly completed state-of-the-art Cohen Recording Studio. The course is designed to provide maximum hands-on experience and involve students in the creative aspects of pop music composition and recording.

Students will work in small teams to conceive, perform and record pop/rock songs. They will be coached by sound engineers Matt Wilson and Brandon Battles in song-writing skills, MIDI sequencing, sampling, digital sound recording practices and basic digital editing. By the end of the course, student teams will have completed the composition, recording and mixing of their own pop music song. Each participant will receive a copy of their finished CD product. The courses will be taught in the Cohen Recording Studio on the lower level of Smith Library.

The course will be taught through use of the programs Apple Garage Band and Logic Pro. By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of how to use standard audio software with an emphasis on Apple Garage Band, a Digital Audio Workstation program that comes standard with any new Mac as a component of iLife.

The outline of the course is as follows:

Monday/Tuesday: Composition/Analysis/Sequencing
Students will learn to map out the structure, work with drum loops and sequencing software to create basic rhythm patterns and conceive of a basic harmonic and melodic scaffold. This will be done with the help of sophisticated sequencing software which makes it possible, through sampling and synthesis, to listen to the composition while composing it. Analysis of pre-existing pop songs will be used as a learning tool.

Wednesday: Rerecording/Overdub
Students will learn to lay main and background vocal tracks over the existing musical structure. The vocals will be edited, tuned and correctly time-aligned to fit the existing beat.

Thursday: Mixing
Student teams will learn to mix the previously recorded material. Common aesthetic viewpoints in multi-track mixing are discussed and demonstrated. Students will learn to use various signal processing devices and plug-ins to creatively manipulate recorded sound.

Friday Pt.1: Mastering
Students will learn how to provide a last finish for their product through mastering. Common mastering techniques are discussed and compared with previous project goals. The result of this project is a finished product that documents the achievement of the student in this course.

Friday Pt.2: Final Discussion and Presentations
The class will discuss and present their final products to a small audience. Participants will receive a copy of their finished CD product.

These courses will be offered during Weeks 3 and 6. Daily schedule is 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Watch for the Special Studies catalogue to sign up for this wonderful opportunity. Enroll soon as spaces are extremely limited.

The Cohen Recording Studio also offers independent study with our Head Engineer that will focus on areas of particular interest to the student. This makes a good option if you already have moderate knowledge of recording or cannot make the in-season courses. Please use the contact page to contact Matt Wilson about this opportunity.
Independent Study