Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Fundamentals of Mixing (Online)

MUSC 6304-A70

Course: MUSC 6304-A70
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 33787

Course Description

An exploration of the technical and creative techniques required to create broadcast-ready music mixes.

Required Texts

  • Access to a computer running Windows 7 Pro or above (PC) or OS 10.7 or above (Mac)
  • Access to AVID Pro Tools Studio (version 2024 or newer). If you are already an expert in another DAW and want to use it, please contact the instructor within the first few days of the term.
  • Access to a basic external audio interface (USB, Firewire or Thunderbolt) for monitoring work done in Protools
  • Access to Google Drive file sharing service

To be successful in an online course, students need minimal digital literacy skills. Students should be able to use "a variety of computer applications to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills" SUU Essential Learning Outcomes Definitions.

Recommended texts and reference materials necessary to complete the assignments are found in links within Canvas.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate a wide understanding of signal processing used in Mixing music. (SUU ELO • Intellectual and Practical Skills • Digital Literacy)
  • Apply a broad knowledge in the use of equalization, compression, and time based effects. (SUU ELO • Intellectual and Practical Skills • Digital Literacy)
  • Demonstrate a professional level of organization with files and mix sessions. (SUU ELO • Intellectual and Practical Skills • Problem Solving)
  • Create Audio Mixes for commercial and archival release that show mastery in the field. (SUU ELO • Integrative Learning)
  • Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the various techniques used by professional studio mix engineers. (SUU ELO • Intellectual and Practical Skills • Communication)

Course Requirements

Assessment is based on the following:

  • Mixing Skills Projects: Assigned during the semester in Pro Tools, focusing on techniques used to obtain an industry-standard, professional-sounding mix.
  • Ear Training Assignments: Various ear training tests to improve listening skills.
  • Mixer's Roundtable: Replaces discussion boards; a place to share mixes and talk shop.
  • Final Project
Grading Scale
GradeRange
A100% to 94.0%
A-< 94.0% to 90.0%
B+< 90.0% to 87.0%
B< 87.0% to 84.0%
B-< 84.0% to 80.0%
C+< 80.0% to 77.0%
C< 77.0% to 74.0%
C-< 74.0% to 70.0%
D+< 70.0% to 67.0%
D< 67.0% to 64.0%
D-< 64.0% to 61.0%
F< 61.0% to 0.0%

Course Outline

Module 1 – Introduction & Listening Foundations

  • The role of the mix engineer in modern music production

  • Historical evolution of mixing from analog to digital

  • Critical listening skills & the psychoacoustics of perception

  • Assignment: Create a written analysis of a reference track using a critical listening framework

Module 2 – Gain Staging & Session Organization

  • Understanding headroom and signal flow

  • Track labeling, grouping, and color-coding

  • File management for collaborative and remote work

  • Practical Lab: Organize a multitrack session for mixing

Module 3 – Balance & Panning

  • Static mix creation before processing

  • Stereo field fundamentals and depth perception

  • Mono compatibility

  • Mix Lab: Create a static balance mix with panning only

Module 4 – Equalization (EQ) Fundamentals

  • Frequency ranges & their musical significance

  • Types of EQ: parametric, graphic, dynamic

  • Subtractive vs. additive EQ

  • Mix Lab: EQ correction for clarity and separation

Module 5 – Dynamics Control: Compression & Beyond

  • Compressor parameters & their sonic effects

  • Parallel compression, multiband compression, transient shaping

  • Creative use of dynamics processing

  • Mix Lab: Apply compression to control and enhance mix elements

Module 6 – Space & Depth: Reverb & Delay

  • Types of reverbs & their applications

  • Delay as a rhythmic and spatial tool

  • Creating depth layers in a mix

  • Mix Lab: Design spatial environments for different genres



Module 7 – Final Mix Project

  • Students mix a full-length song from provided multitracks or original material
     

  • Instructor feedback



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

Late Work

Late work will not be accepted, and missing scores will negatively impact your grade for the course. Late assignments are not accepted.

Response Time & Feedback

Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to the instructor, a response will be provided in the specified amount of time. Feedback is an important part of learning; please look for feedback on your assignments within the specified timeframe.

  • Respond to student messages within 2 business days.
  • Provide grades and feedback within 7 days from the due date.

If you contact the instructor, you may expect a response within one business day. Assignments will be graded and feedback provided within 5 business days from the assignment's due date.

Attendance Policy

This course is taught asynchronously, and no regularly scheduled course meetings are held. You are responsible to do your reading, discussions, assignments, and quizzes during the time indicated in each module. Late assignments are not accepted.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

Prerequisites and Registration Restrictions

Campus Resources and Services

SUU has several resources and services available to support you during your time here. Please review the list of SUU Campus Resources and Services and the Student Handbook. For more information on Canvas and other technologies, and their statements on accessibility and privacy, please review our Vendor Resources page.

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.