Course Description
Learning to listen critically to classical music recordings allows recording engineers to formulate educated opinions and make good decisions when capturing new recordings. Topics include musical balance, sound quality, stereo imaging, depth of image, signal processing, artifacts, acoustic signatures, and other qualities.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be required to write an additional paper in which the student will research and document the recording approaches of a well-known recording engineer or recording company.
Athena Title
Critical Listening
Undergraduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Graduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Undergraduate Pre or Corequisite
MUSI 1100 or MUSI 3550
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, while listening to a recording, students will be able to: * Differentiate between composition, performance, and recording quality * Identify and differentiate between different recording techniques * Critique recording approaches and make recommendations regarding how recordings might be improved * Express and defend their opinions with regard to what constitutes an excellent recording vs. a poor recording
Topical Outline
Recording Quality How to Achieve Musical Balance Monophonic vs. Stereophonic Stereo Imaging Signal Processing vs. Microphone Placement and Natural Acoustics Artifacts in Recordings Comparisons: Historical vs. Modern Recordings, Differing Recordings of the Same Compositions, Differing Recordings of the Same Performers Analysis of Orchestral, Opera, Choral, Chamber, and Solo Recordings
Syllabus
Public CV