Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Audio Recording 2 Syllabus

MUSC 4323-01

Course: MUSC 4323-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 32639

Course Description

This course is an in-depth study of the digital audio recording studio and its operations as it relates to the artistic, technical and business elements of the music industry. It is designed to build on concepts learned in MUSC 3323, and to help prepare students to work as studio technicians and engineers. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

Required Text(s): The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook 5th edition by Bobby Owsinski. Bobby Owsinski Media Group.

Required Materials(s): A large USB memory stick or an external hard drive.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: know how to record live instruments as well as create their own music projects. By the end of the semester, students will also:

  • Create a portfolio containing 2-3 complete, multi-track recordings.
  • Learn how to create musical examples in a specific genre.
  • Learn to apply balance, panorama, frequency, dimension and dynamic elements.
  • Work with elastic audio to change pitch and tighten performances.
  • Discover and apply the different types of writing and editing automation.
  • Use advanced mixing techniques to group tracks and create sub-mixes.

Course Requirements

Reading Assignments: Each chapter in the Mixing Engineers Handbook has a reading assignment that will help students become familiar with the information in that chapter. Because test questions are derived directly from these assignments and the PT knowledge checks, it is important that students keep up on them and make sure to study them before a test. Each assignment is worth points that will be factored into your final grade.

Mixing Assignments: These assignments are an opportunity for students to apply the principles they’ve been learning about from the Mixing Engineer’s Handbook to a mix. Each week, students will be assigned a new song to mix. They will download the files and import them into a DAW to work on them. Time will be given in class to get these assignments started.

AI Project: Because AI is the latest technology in music production, students will be given assignments where they become familiar with this technology and use it to create music.

Mid Term/Final Projects: The midterm and final projects will allow students to use Pro Tools in a creative way. Each project has specific guidelines that will be given to the students later in the semester.

Tests: Students will be tested on material from the Recording Engineers Handbook. Questions for these tests will be derived from the Reading assignments. There will also be a mid-term and final test..

Plagiarism of any kind will result in the grade of an F for the entire course.

Graded Course Activities and Letter Grade Assignment
AssignmentsPointsPercentage Breakdown
Tests757.5%
Midterm Test10010%
Midterm Project10010%
Reading Assignments15015%
Assignments20020%
Mixing Assignments10010%
Final Test12512.5%
Final Project15015%
Total1,000100%
Letter GradePercentage
A94% - 100%
A-90% - 94%
B+94% - 87%
B87% - 84%
B-84% - 80%
C+80% - 77%
C77% - 74%
C-74% - 70%
D+70% - 67%
D67% - 64%
D-64% - 61%
F61% - 0%

Course Outline

Week by Week Class Schedule: (subject to change)
MonthDateScheduleTests & Assignments
August28Syllabus/Equipment Tour/Mixing Warmup
September2No Class – Labor Day
September9Mix Day
September16Mix Day
September23Mix Day
September30AI Day
October2
October7Midterm Review
October9Midterm Test
October14No Class – Fall Break
October21AI Day
October28Mix Day
November4Mix Day
November11Mix Day
November18Melodyne/Autotune Day
November20Final Recording Projects
November25THANKSGIVING BREAK
November27THANKSGIVING BREAK
December2Final Recording Projects
December4Final ReviewFinal Project Due
December9Final Exam 3:00 – 4:50Final Test

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work will only be accepted for half credit.

Attendance Policy

Students should attend every class. If they're not able to attend, they should communicate with the instructor in advance. 

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

Additional Course Information

Credit hours

3 Credit Hours

Method(s) of Instruction

In Class Lectures, Discussions, Reading and projects.

Prerequisite(s)

MUSC 3323 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Registration Restriction(s)

Music Technology majors only

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.