Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Electronic Sequencing (Online)

MUSC 6343-B70

Course: MUSC 6343-B70
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 32753

Course Description

A brief study of the history and development of electronic music, synthesis, sampling and MIDI (Musical Instrumental Digital Interface) and the use of sequencing in a Digital Audio Workstation to score for pictures. Students do not need to consider themselves composers to succeed in this course.

Concepts to be studied include sampling, synchronizing audio and picture, creation of sounds using a variety of synthesis methods, MIDI Sequencing and use of a DAW as a production tool, file types and proper deliverables, and use of software sound editing tools.

Required Texts

  • Access to broadband Internet connection
  • Access to a computer running Windows 7 or above (PC) or OS 10.7 or above (Mac)
  • The virtual instrument Native Instruments Kontakt FULL VERSION (not the "Kontakt Player")
  • Access to Analog Dreams (comes with the full version of Kontakt)
  • Access to a DAW that can work with video (academic versions are available)
  • Access to an audio interface (USB, Firewire or Thunderbolt) and microphone (dynamic or condenser)
  • Access to a MIDI keyboard with computer connections (USB preferred; Firewire and MIDI connections acceptable)
  • Access to a file-sharing platform such as Dropbox or Google Drive

Learning Outcomes

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

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of synthesis and the methods and devices used to create the differing types (SUU ELO - Intellectual and Practical Skills - Information Literacy)
  • Digitally sample sound, edit samples and create sampled loops (SUU ELO - Intellectual and Practical Skills - Digital Literacy)
  • Use MIDI as a production and pre-production tool (SUU ELO - Intellectual and Practical Skills - Digital Literacy)
  • Demonstrate an understanding of complete project deliverables (SUU ELO - Intellectual and Practical Skills - Digital Literacy)
  • Sync music compositions to video (SUU ELO - Integrative Learning)

Course Requirements

Assessment Mapping
Course Assessments | Course Outcomes
Assignment 1.1 The Square Wave | Outcomes 1, 4
Assignment 1.2 Famous Synths | Outcome 1
Assignment 1.3 Getting the Software Ready to Go | Outcome 4
Assignment 1.4 Exploring ADSR and Filters | Outcomes 1, 4
Assignment 2.1 Create Sounds Using Additive and Subtractive Synthesis | Outcomes 1, 4
Assignment 3.1 Create a Loop with Audio Files | Outcome 2
Assignment 4.1 Install Your Sampler | Outcome 2
Assignment 4.2 Create Your Own Sustaining Single-Sample Patch | Outcome 2, 4
Assignment 4.3 Prepping and Creating Sampled Instruments | Outcomes 2, 4
Assignment 4.4 Looping Methods in Action | Outcomes 2, 4
Assignment 6.1 Temp Track | Outcomes 4, 5
Assignment 7.1 Score Titan Lander Video | Outcomes 4, 5
Discussion 1.1 Acoustics in Action | Outcome 1
Discussion 2.1 Trends in Synthesis | Outcome 1
Discussion 3.1 Why Use a Higher Sample Rate? | Outcome 2
Discussion 4.1 How has Sampling Changed Music | Outcome 2
Discussion 5.1 The Future of Midi | Outcome 3
Discussion 6.1 Hear Anything You Like? | Outcome 5
Quiz 1 and 2 (week 1) | Outcome 1
Quiz Week 2 | Outcome 1
Quiz Week 3 | Outcomes 1, 2
Quiz Week 4 | Outcome 2
Quiz Week 5 | Outcome 3
Final Project | Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Course Outline

Assignments
  • 1.1 - The Square Wave - Students will watch a video and explain in their own words what a square wave is.
  • 1.2 - Famous Synths - Students will write a very short (1 page) paper on one of the most famous synths.
  • 1.3 - Students will install software needed for future modules.
  • 1.4 - Students will explore ADSR and Filters using NI’s Massive.
  • 2.1 - Students will create sounds in Massive.
  • 3.1 - Students will create a loop.
  • 4.1 - Students will install their software sampler of choice.
  • 4.2 - Students will create a sustaining sample.
  • 4.3 - Students will prep and create a sampled instrument.
  • 4.4 - Students will change the tempo of a loop using a method of their choice.
  • 6.1 - Students will create a temp track to a video clip.
  • 7.1 - Students will sequence and score a video clip.
Discussions
  • 1.1 - Why it might be important to understand an instrument’s frequency range.
  • 2.1 - How we might use synthesis in our day-to-day profession.
  • 3.1 - Pros and cons of using higher sample rates.
  • 4.1 - How sampling has influenced music and the way we work.
  • 5.1 - How MIDI is changing.
  • 6.1 - Favorite film music.
Quizzes
  • Week 1 Quiz 1 - On Acoustics
  • Week 1 Quiz 2 - On the Fundamentals of Synthesis
  • Week 2 Quiz - On the types of synthesis
  • Week 3 Quiz - On digital audio
  • Week 4 Quiz - On Sampling
  • Week 5 Quiz - On MIDI basics
Final Project

You will be required to provide a score to a video clip. This will be a newly created sequence incorporating sounds, samples and loops that you have created. This does not have to be an original composition and you will not be graded on your creative composing abilities. Requirements will be outlined in the final module.

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

Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. Feedback is an important part of learning; please look for feedback on your assignments in the specified amount of time.
  • Respond to student messages within two business days
  • Provide grades and feedback within seven business days from the due date
No late work is accepted except in very rare and emergency circumstances. If this is the case, communication must be attempted prior to an assignment due date. No late assignments will be accepted one week past its due date in any circumstance without a prior arrangement being made. 

Attendance Policy

Class meets online (asynchronously). Students should take the attendance quiz in Canvas upon logging into the course shell.

Technology and Student Support

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

IT and Canvas Support
SUU Campus Resources

Grading Scale

Grade | Range
A | 100% 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%

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.