About the Program
The Recording Arts program provides students with fundamental to advanced knowledge and understanding of audio recording techniques and applications. Students learn audio recording methods and how to operate the equipment used in a professional recording studio, as well as computer based composition and mixing. Courses include theory, performance, digital music production, and hands-on experience including recording, overdubbing, mixing and mastering.
The program prepares students for a host of careers within and beyond the recording studio, including but not limited to Assistant Engineer, Assistant Mix Engineer, Studio Booking Technician, Audio/Visual Technician, Studio Owner, Information Technology Specialist and Customer Service Representative, Video Game Audio Engineer, and TV and Film Audio Engineer.
Program Requirements
For current program requirements -> 2023-2024Program Code: 33222.00AS
Type: Career
General Education: Butte Local
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Apply modern music composition techniques in digital audio workstations.
Implement modern mixing techniques in digital audio.
Identify signal flow in the recording chain.
Identify the different types of microphones and the proper use of each type in recording situations.
Demonstrate competency in computer recording processes in a studio recording.
Demonstrate applied skills in gain staging in analog and digital recordings.
Demonstrate proper etiquitte and interpersonal skills while working on group projects.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
An introduction to the notation and primary elements of tonal music. Incorporates the following concepts: staff notation in treble and bass clefs, rhythm and meter; basic properties of sound; intervals; diatonic scales and triads; and diatonic chords. Development of skills in handwritten notation is expected. (C-ID MUS 110).
Unit(s): 2.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
8.50 hours Lecture
/ 76.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is an introduction to digital music production beginning with computer system operation and file management techniques. Students will apply practical concepts of modern music composition like programming drums, recording midi instruments, arranging and mixing, as well as post-production techniques including compression, equalization, reverb and other audio post effects.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
25.50 hours Lecture
/ 76.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of studio recording techniques. Topics will include the history of recording technology, the fundamentals of sound, signal flow, microphone techniques, Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), recording techniques, mixing consoles and typical studio gear. Students will gain hands-on experience with industry standard studio equipment in a professional quality recording studio.
Prerequisite(s): MUS 51
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
/ 102.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 119.00
This course covers computer music production. The use of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) in composition and post-production are covered with hands-on project based learning, theory and demonstrations. Students will compose original music using software instruments and MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface). Students will also study and complete audio post-production projects such as mixing a professional song, creating a radio commercial and creating a podcast.
Prerequisite(s): MUS 51 and MUS 52
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
/ 153.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 170.00
This is a hands-on, project-based course in which students will apply learned methods and skills to Lab practice sessions and studio recording sessions. Students will set up and record using microphone technique, signal flow, gain staging and DAW recording, to create professional quality recordings. Students will learn proper microphone technique and post-production mixing techniques. The course will also cover how to copyright and publish music.
Prerequisite(s): MUS 54
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
/ 153.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 170.00
This is a project-based course in which students will learn and apply advanced methods and skills to studio recording sessions and song production. The course includes concepts and techniques for advanced microphone technique and signal flow. Students will schedule, organize and produce recording sessions with musical artists and bands, and complete student recordings using advanced mixing techniques on analog consoles and Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). Additional concepts will include studio etiquette, copyright, publishing and distribution of songs and albums.
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
This course incorporates and develops concepts including complete cadential formulae, phrase structure analysis, chord function theory, and four-part voice-leading principles through guided composition analysis and practice. Rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic materials will be applied and developed through ear training, sight singing, analysis, and dictation. Additionally, students will discuss, analyze, and apply theoretical and musicianship topics across historical musical styles, aesthetics, and cultures. Activities in class may include performing exercises on piano and sight-singing rhythmic and melodic exercises. (C-ID MUS 120/MUS 125).
Unit(s): 1.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
8.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 34.00
This course consists of individualized study of the appropriate techniques and repertoire for the guitar. The focus of the course is on fundamentals: reading music, posture, hand position, fingering, rhythm, chord structure and progressions, and performance. Emphasis is on the progressive development of skills needed for solo performance. Achievement is evaluated through a juried performance. This course is primarily intended for music majors. Students are selected by audition. (C-ID MUS 160).
Unit(s): 1.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
8.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 34.00
This course consists of individualized study of the appropriate techniques and repertoire for voice. The focus of the course is on fundamentals: reading music, posture, rhythm, breath control, and performance. Emphasis is on the progressive development of skills needed for solo performance. Achievement is evaluated through a juried performance. This course is primarily intended for music majors. Students are selected by audition. (C-ID MUS 160).
Unit(s): 1.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
8.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 34.00
This course is an introduction to beginning keyboard skills, including notation. It includes basic technique, major and minor five finger patterns, major scales, sight reading and basic chord progressions, as they are encountered in beginning piano music. (C-ID MUS 170).
Prerequisite(s): MUS 20
Unit(s): 1.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
8.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 34.00
This course consists of individualized study of the appropriate techniques and repertoire for the guitar at an intermediate level. The focus of the course remains on fundamentals: reading music, posture, hand position, fingering, rhythm, chord structure and progressions, and performance. Emphasis is on the progressive development of skills needed for solo performance. Achievement is evaluated through a juried performance. This course is primarily intended for music majors. (C-ID MUS 160).
Prerequisite(s): MUS 30
Unit(s): 1.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
8.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 34.00
This course consists of individualized study of the appropriate techniques and repertoire for voice at an intermediate level. The focus of the course is on fundamentals: reading music, posture, breath control, repertoire and performance. Emphasis is on the progressive development of skills needed for solo performance. Achievement is evaluated through a juried performance. This course is primarily intended for music majors. (C-ID MUS 160).
Prerequisite(s): MUS 40
Unit(s): 1.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
8.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 34.00
In this course students refine and further develop beginning keyboard skills. This includes piano technique, major scales and arpeggios, sight-reading, chord progressions and harmonization and transposition skills, as encountered in upper-beginning/early intermediate piano music. (C-ID MUS 171).
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Contacts
Daniel Donnelly, Chair
(530) 895-2880
Department Office: ARTS 224
(530) 895-2404
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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