Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Audio Recording I (Online)

MUSC 6323-B70

Course: MUSC 6323-B70
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: MUSC
CRN: 20681

Course Description

A survey of the technical characteristics and performance of each component of audio recording and the recording studio. Topics include studio electronics and signal flow, computer-based digital recording and editing, recording console operations, microphone usage and placement, signal processing, and the role of the audio engineer. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

Required Text(s):

Pro Tools 101 – Pro Tools Fundamentals 2022 Current Edition (Version 2022.6) It's probably easiest to buy this as an E-book directly from the Avid. Published by Avid Learning Series. This book can be found on the Avid website and is currently priced at $44.99.
https://shop.avid.com/ccrz__ProductDetails?cclcl=en_US&rdp=1687559114058&sku=AR-AW-PTF-00&viewState=DetailView

The Recording Engineer’s Handbook Current Edition (5th edition) by Bobby Owsinski. Published by Cengage Learning Inc. Currently priced at $44.99
Buying a used older edition of the book will put you out of sync with the lesson material and the version of Pro Tools that you will be using, so please be sure to buy the latest version.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

Learning how to use the Pro Tools software program to create, record and edit music. Students will also learn how to record live instruments as well as create their own music projects.

Students are also expected to gain proficiency at:

  • Understanding how MIDI is used to compose music.
  • Learning how to edit sound files.
  • Recording audio files in a Pro Tools session.
  • Identify the most used microphone types.
  • The placement of microphones during recording.
  • Recording session setup.
  • How to program drum beats and loops.

Course Requirements

Reading Assignments

Each chapter in the Recording Engineers Handbook has a reading assignment that will help students become familiar with the information in that chapter. Additionally, each lesson in the Pro Tools 101 book has a list of Review/Discussion Questions that students need to answer as they read the lesson. Because test questions are derived directly from these assignments, 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.

Assignments

Each chapter in the Pro Tools 101 book has an exercise assignment that will help students become familiar with the information in that chapter. These exercises build upon each other from chapter to chapter, so it is important that students stay caught up. Additional assignments will be added to each module to help students learn different aspects of audio production.

(Optional) Zoom Discussion Forums

These forums will be an opportunity for us to connect together as a class and go over general Q&A about the course content. There will be 1 - 2 of them scheduled throughout the semester. Attendance is optional and a link will be posted afterwards for anyone who was not able to come.

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 take a test that covers material from both the Pro Tools 101 book and the Recording Engineers Handbook. Questions for these tests will be derived from the Reading assignments and Review/Discussion Questions from each book. These tests will be timed, so it is best that students study the material in advance. There will also be a mid-term and final test. The final test will include the Pro Tools 101 certification exam.

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

Graded Course Activities and Letter Grade Assignment
AssignmentsPointsPercentage
Tests10010%
Midterm Test10010%
Midterm Project10010%
Reading Assignments15015%
Assignments15015%
Final Test20020%
Final Project20020%
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
Module 1: Syllabus Turning In Assignments
  • Lesson 1: Getting Started Exercise 1
  • Lesson 2: Getting To Know Pro Tools Exercise 2
  • Chapter 1: How Microphones Work Reading Assignments: 1, 2, 3
  • Recording Project 1
  • All assignments and tests for week 1 are due by Sunday, 11:59 PM
Module 2:
  • Lesson 3: Basic Audio Track Techniques Exercise 3
  • Lesson 4: Editing Fundamentals Exercise 4
  • Chapter 2: Common Microphones Reading Assignments 4, 5, 6
  • Test 1(lessons 1-4, chps 1-2)
  • Recording Project 2
  • All assignments and tests for week 2 are due by Sunday, 11:59 PM
Module 3:
  • Lesson 5: Recording Audio Exercise 5
  • Lesson 6: MIDI Exercise 6
  • Chapter 3: Basic Recording Equipment Reading Assignment 7, 8, 9
  • Test 2 (lessons 5-6, chp 3)
  • Compression on Vocal
  • All assignments and tests for week 3 are due by Sunday, 11:59 PM
Module 4:
  • Midterm Project
  • Midterm Test
  • Midterm Review
  • Midterm Project Due
  • All assignments and tests for week 4 are due by Sunday, 11:59 PM
Module 5:
  • Lesson 7: Taking Your Workflow To The Next Level Exercise 7
  • Lesson 8: Getting Started With Mixing Exercise 8
  • Chapter 5: Microphone Placement Fund Reading Assignments 10, 11, 12
  • MIDI Composition
  • All assignments and tests for week 5 are due by Sunday, 11:59 PM
Module 6:
  • Lesson 9: Using Effects Exercise 9
  • Lesson 10: Automation and Mixdown Exercise 10
  • Chapter 6: Basic Stereo Technique Reading Assignments 13, 14, 15
  • Test 3(lessons 7-10, chps 5-6)
  • Drums EQ/Compression
  • All assignments and tests for week 6 are due by Sunday, 11:59 PM
Module 7:
  • Chapter 9: Miking Individual Instruments Reading Assignment 16
  • Final Project Preparation Final Project Due
  • Final Test (lessons 1-10, chps 1 – 6 and 9)
  • All assignments and tests for week 7 are due by Sunday, 11:59 PM

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

Late work will be accepted for partial credit.

Attendance Policy

Students attend class by participating online in Canvas. 

Required Materials

Required Material(s) and Equipment
  • Access to a broadband Internet service
  • Access to a computer running Windows 7 or above (PC) or OS 10.7 or above (Mac)
  • Access to AVID Pro Tools (audio recording) program. Version 2022.6 or later is strongly preferred. Academic versions are available.
  • Access to a USB MIDI controller keyboard or other MIDI controller
  • Access to audio interface with two xlr phantom powered mic inputs (USB, Firewire or Thunderbolt)
  • Two matched microphones (small diaphragm condenser)
  • One Dynamic microphone – Shure SM 57
  • One large diaphragm condenser microphone
  • 2 Microphone stands and 1 Pop - blocker, purchased or constructed
  • Access to your student Google Drive

Method(s) of Instruction

Credit Hours

3 Credit Hours

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.