Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Techniques in Mixing (Online)

MUSC 6313-B70

Course: MUSC 6313-B70
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 32747

Course Description

Building on concepts learned in MUSC 6333 - Audio Recording II, this course provides students with experience in mixing recorded audio, remedying issues in recordings, and creating professional quality mixes. Topics covered include signal flow in templates, mixing in a DAW console, automation, effects, and metering. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

  • Arturia EFX Collection 2 (Instructor will email you your code)
  • Access to a computer running Windows 7 Pro or above (PC) or OS 10.7 or above (Mac)
  • Access to AVID Pro Tools (audio recording – version 10 or newer)
  • Access to a basic external audio interface (USB, Firewire or Thunderbolt) for monitoring work done in Protools
  • Access to Google Drive file sharing service
  • Recommended texts and reference materials necessary to complete the assignments are found in links within Canvas

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • 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

These will be assigned during the semester. These projects will take place in Pro Tools and focus on the various techniques used in obtaining an industry standard professional sounding mix.

Ear Training Assignments

There will be various Ear training tests for you to improve your listening skills

Mixer's Roundtable

This will take the place of Discussion Boards and will be a place for you all to share your mixes and talk shop.

Final Project

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

Grade Range

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

Students will work on a single mix throughout the term focusing on advanced techniques to improve audio quality and provide a final product that meets professional standards in the industry.

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

Instructor's Response Time & Feedback

Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to me, I will respond in the specified amount of time. Feedback is an important part of learning please look for feedback on your assignments that I provided in the specified amount of time.

It is my goal to:

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

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

If you contact me, 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. Late assignments are not accepted.

Attendance Policy

Attendance Policy: This course is taught asynchronously, and no regularly schedule 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

Digital Literacy Expectations

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 (http://suu.edu/academics/provost/pdf/elo-definitions.pdf) ]

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.