Course Syllabus

DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC 

1321 OLD MAIN 

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY 

(313) 577-1795  FAX (313) 577-5420 

 

COURSE SYLLABUS 

MUA 2500 

Introduction to Music Technology 

Fall 21 

 

Instructor: Leith Campbell 

 

Course Time/Days:  Wednesday 5:30-8:00 

 

Course Location:  Synchronous Online/ Splashtop into 2359 Old Main 

 

Instructor's Office Location:  Wherever Zoom Can Reach

 

Instructor's Phone & Email Address: (810)-300-4582 an1430@wayne.edu 

 

Instructor's Office Hours:  By Appt. 

 

Learning Outcomes:  Music Technology has become an intrinsic part of all forms of music making, from composition to creation to recording to distribution.  A basic understanding of the underlying technology is essential for any pathway you may choose to follow in music.  This course will strive to give a broad survey of the various means technology can aid us in the creation and dissemination of music.  Topics will include the basic theories of Digital Audio, recording, sequencing, signal processing, and digital notation. Upon completion of the course you will be able to: 

• Record and edit live audio in a digital audio workstation. 
• Manipulate audio using various signal processing techniques. 

• Sequence original music using MIDI notation in a digital audio workstation. 
• Create a score in a digital notation program. 
• Do basic synchronization of audio with video. 
• Be able to describe the basic signal flow of audio from the sound source, through the technology and back out of the speakers. 

 

Course Materials:   

• A full computer (not a tablet) with a working sound card and webcam.
• High Speed Internet Access
• Access to cloud storage, either the WSU provided OneDrive or an external service.  Note that as we progress in the class, the file sizes will become quite large; plan accordingly. 
• Headphones with a ¼" jack, or a 1/8” to ¼" adaptor.  I highly recommend investing in a higher quality set of ‘over the ear’ headphones which will provide a far better representation of the audible frequency range than earbuds. (Covid Adjustment: This requirement is optional though HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  Normally we are sharing a small room so headphones are required, but you can do without if you have sufficiently quality computer speakers--Not the built in speaker!)  
• There is no assigned text.  All class material will be presented in lecture and you will be given a copy of the lecture notes.  This is the material that will appear on any exams or quizzes. 

 

Prerequisites:  None 

 

Grading:  

• Homework (4) 15% 
• Class Participation 10% 
• Projects (3) 45% 

• Midterm Exam 15% 
• Final Project 15% 
• A = 90%+ B = 80-89% C=70-79% D=60-69% F<=59% 

 

 

 

 

Class Participation: You level of involvement in the class is, as stated above, 10% of your grade. 

 

Incompletes:  Incompletes are reserved for extraordinary circumstances such as personal emergencies that can be documented. An incomplete may be granted when, in the judgment of the instructor, a student can successfully complete the work of the course without attending regular class sessions.  Incompletes that are not converted to a letter grade within one year will automatically revert to an F (failing grade). 

 

Withdrawing from Class:  In the first two weeks of the term, students can drop this class and receive 100% tuition and course fee cancellation. After the end of the second week there is no tuition or fee cancellation. Students who wish to withdraw from the class must initiate a withdrawal request on Pipeline. You will receive a transcript notation of WP (passing), WF (failing), or WN (no graded work) at the time of withdrawal. No withdrawals can be initiated after the end of the tenth week. Students enrolled in the 10th week and beyond will receive a grade. Students who stop attending class but do not request a withdrawal will receive an automatic F (failing grade). Because withdrawing from courses may have negative academic and financial consequences, students considering course withdrawal should make sure they fully understand all the consequences before taking this step. More information on this can be found at:  

http://reg.wayne.edu/pdf-policies/students.pdf 

 

Make-up Work and Extra Credit:  Late work will be accepted until midnight of the due date with a 10% grade reduction.  No work will be accepted after that, and the Canvas link will be closed. 

 

Grade Appeals:  The college policy for appealing a final grade can be found at: 

http://www.cfpca.wayne.edu/current-students.php#Grade_Appeal 

 

Policy Statements 

 

Attendance: 

• Attendance will be online through the Canvas Zoom Link
• I expect you at every class, on time.  (Covid Adjustment: In class means signed on into the Zoom meeting with your camera on. I will grant excused absences on a case by case basis due to extenuating circumstances.  I reserve the right to require documents or other evidence for an excusal.)   
• Attendance affects your final grade. 
• If you miss more than two classes without a proper excuse, your participation grade will be 0%.  

• Tardiness is disruptive and disrespectful to your peers. For every tardy to class beyond your third, I reserve the right to drop your final grade by 5%. 
• If you miss the first two classes of the semester, you may be dropped from the class. 
• This class only meets once a week. If you miss more than four classes, excused or unexcused, you will not be able to pass this class. 
• You are responsible for all material covered in the class regardless of your attendance. 

 

Canvas:  All readings and assignments will be on Canvas. 

 

Cell Phones: Cell Phone use is not allowed during lecture or discussion.  This will have direct effect on your class participation grade.   

  

Health and Safety Standards: The Department of Music provides a Health and Wellness resource page for the student body, which addresses issues related to hearing, vocal, and musculoskeletal health There you will find information related to health and safety standards, hazards and procedures inherent in practice, performance, teaching and listening.  The information includes on-campus and off-campus resources. The student Health and Wellness page may be found at the following link:  http://music.wayne.edu/studenthealthandwellness.php 

Covid 19 Information and Policies: As this is a completely online semester of this class, no further directives are necessary for Covid protections.  If you do need to come to school to complete classwork, all of the School of Music and University directives apply.  These can be found at:

http://music.wayne.edu/about/covid.php

https://wayne.edu/coronavirus

Recent Addendum from CFPCA:

Making your return

We all have a role to play in the health and safety of our campus community. Following are some general guidelines that will help you protect yourself and your fellow Warriors. Remember: All students must abide by the Student Code of Conduct, which has been updated to include a section on COVID-19 mitigation compliance.

Before coming to campus  

A safe return begins before you come to Midtown. Follow these guidelines before heading out the door to ensure you know where to go and how to navigate this new campus experience.  

• Review your classes: Know which classes you are taking remotely and which classes are on campus. Check your syllabi for important safety guidelines from your instructors.
• Complete the training modules: The online Warrior Safe training provides an overview of COVID-19 and a guide to staying safe on campus.   
• Fill out the Campus Daily Screener: Beginning two days (48 hours) before your return, fill out the Campus Daily Screener — available on the Wayne State website and on the Wayne State mobile app — each day before coming to campus. This includes all course-related experiences, including clinical or field experiences that might be conducted in another site.   
• If you are cleared to be on campus, you will receive a QR code that you may be asked to produce.  
• If you are not cleared to be on campus, you will be contacted by the Campus Health Center staff for further screening. You may then be cleared, or you may be referred for testing. 
• If you have symptoms or have been exposed, stay home: If you experience symptoms of COVID-19 (new cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, chills, loss of taste or smell) or have been exposed to someone confirmed to have the virus, you must stay home. For those who experience symptoms of COVID-19, the Campus Health Center will arrange testing for you. 
• Know before you go: Before you leave, visit the parking website to know which lots and structures are open, and the status of campus shuttles. 

Staying safe on campus 

We've enacted new cleaning and safety measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have also created new guidelines to help you play a role in contributing to the health and safety of our campus community. 

• Face coverings: Until a vaccine is available, the most effective way to protect yourself and others is to be 100% consistent in wearing a face covering at all times in public spaces. Students will receive a Warrior swag bag that includes a Wayne State face covering, a great way to show your Warrior pride while keeping safe, or you may bring your own. Information on proper use of face coverings is available at the CDC's website.
• Social distance: Follow guidelines posted in hallways, elevators, parking structures, restrooms, and at entryways and exits to maintain social distance. Leave six feet of physical distance between yourself and others wherever possible.
• Hand-washing: Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds several times throughout the day. Hand-sanitizer dispensers have also been installed in every building. 
• Bring your OneCard: Please have your OneCard with you when you come to campus to assist with verification and building access as needed. If you need a replacement or new card, visit the OneCard website.
• Classroom safety: Furniture in classrooms has been arranged to facilitate social distancing; please do not re-arrange the furniture. Comply with all posted guidelines in campus buildings, classrooms, laboratories and common areas.
• Use of shareables: Refrain from sharing textbooks, papers, pens, study materials, or unpackaged food or beverages with fellow students. 

 

 

Student Disability Services: If you have a documented disability that requires accommodations, you will need to register with Student Disability Services for coordination of your academic accommodations. The Student Disability Services (SDS) office is located in the Adamany Undergraduate Library. The SDS telephone number is 313-577-1851 or 313-202-4216 (Videophone for deaf/hearing impaired students). Student Disability Services' mission is to assist the university in creating an accessible community where students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to fully participate in their educational experience at Wayne State University. Once you have your accommodations in place, l will be glad to meet with you privately during my office hours or at another agreed upon time to discuss your needs. 

 

Please be aware that a delay in getting SDS accommodation letters for the current semester may hinder the availability or facilitation of those accommodations in a timely manner. Therefore, it is in your best interest to get your accommodation letter as early in the semester as possible. 

 

Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty:  Academic misbehavior means any activity that tends to compromise the academic integrity of the institution or subvert the education process. All forms of academic misbehavior are prohibited at Wayne State University, as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct: 

 

http://doso.wayne.edu/codeofconduct.pdf 

 

Students who commit or assist in committing dishonest acts are subject to downgrading (to a failing grade for the test, paper, or other course-related activity in question, or for the entire course) and/or additional sanctions as described in the Student Code of Conduct. 

 

Religious Observances:  Because of the extraordinary variety of religious affiliations of the University student body and staff, the Academic Calendar makes no provisions for religious holidays. However, it is University policy to respect the faith and religious obligations of the individual. Students with classes or examinations that conflict with their religious observances are expected to notify their instructors well in advance so that mutually agreeable alternatives may be worked out. 

 

Other Policies:   

• Splashtop Blackout Times:  There are other classes that will also be using the computers through Splashtop during their class times.  At these times you can not access the classroom computers.  You may be able to access other terminals in the School of Music, but this is not guaranteed.  Please plan accordingly.

 

 

 

 Course Outline: (subject to change) 

 

• Week 1, 9/1: Introduction to Hardware/Software, Syllabus, What is digital
• Homework 1 

• Week 2, 9/8: Musical Instrument Digital Interface, The Digital Audio Workstation, Sequencing and Editing 
• Project 1) The Loop Project 

• Week 3, 9/15: Transducer Day, Recording Basics
• Homework 2

• Week 4, 9/22: Discussion of Reading, Advanced Logic Techniques

• Week 5, 9/29: Mixers and Cables, Music Notation Software, MuseScore 
• Project 1) Due 
• Project 2) Notation Project Assigned 

• Week 6, 10/6: Digital Signal Processing 
  • Homework 3

• Week 7, 10/13: Discuss Homework 3, Digital Signal Processing,  Midterm review 
  • Project 2) Due

• Week 8, 10/20: Midterm Exam  
  • Administered Online through Respondus Lockdown Browser.
  • Requires Web Cam 
• Week 9, 10/27: Synchronization: Introduction to Audio/Visual, iMovie and Logic
  • Project 3
• Week 10, 11/3: Sound Spatialization, Recording Foley, work in class on project 
• Week 11, 11/10: Introduction To Audio Synthesis 
• Week 12, 11/17: Audio Synthesis 2
  • Project 3 Due
  • Final Project Assigned
• Week 13, 11/24 Open Topics, work on Final Project

• Week 14, 12/1 Open Topics, work on Final Project
• Week 15, 12/8 FINALS DUE NO EXTENSIONS