Advanced Music Production Program

ABL110 Ableton Live

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

Explores the unique traits of Ableton Live and its non-linear approach to music production. Projects and lessons include how to create, open, and save projects, use hot keys, import, edit, and warp audio, work with MIDI clips, understand the session view and the arrangement view windows, manipulate software instrument tracks and synths, route dynamic and time-based effects, quantize, and employ the groove pool. Advanced Ableton Live production techniques, including clip envelopes, Max4Live, arrangement tools, and utilize Ableton’s automation, mixing and mastering tools.

MTH111 Music Theory I

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

Introduction to the basic concepts of music theory and its applications in songwriting and music creation. Topics include Time signatures, rhythms, major scale formulas, intervals, chords and their function, harmonic analysis and melodic function in music theory.

EAR111 Ear Training I

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

Functional and philosophical ear training. Investigates basic ear training techniques to help students understand what they are hearing both technically and critically. Practical exercises unlock nuances in the ear-mind connection, empowering students to better understand what they hear and to apply this knowledge towards the development of better music. Engaged weekly in-class transcriptions exercises help solidify this connection through active repetition each week.

SYN111 Synthesis I

1 Credit Hour / 11 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

A step-by-step approach to understanding the basics of subtractive synthesis and its components. Course work includes an exploration of waveforms, oscillators, filters, Low Frequency Oscillators (LFO), modulation, envelopes, and waveform parameters.

STT111 Studio Techniques I

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

An exploration of the principles of digital recording and the best practices of professional music production. Presentations and exercises include microphone selection and placement, signal processing, recording, mixing, and editing. Includes an introduction to Pro Tools as a recording platform.

GTH111 Groove Theory I

1 Credit Hour /22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

The first level of this interactive course engages students in learning rhythmic concepts, counting meter, subdivisions, and basic grooves through hand percussion instruction. A core component of each student’s foundation in musical knowledge and ability, this course covers fundamentals of playing hand percussion instruments, playing in time, and a study of the evolution of groove through the centuries spanning afro-cuban roots and it’s evolution into contemporary drum and percussion grooves.

KTL111 Keyboard Techniques Lab I

1 Credit Hour / 30 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

Introduction to the basic concepts of the playing the piano keyboard. Topics include motor skills, major and minor scales, chords, inversions, and playing 2-handed.

MNT111 Studio Mentor I

2 Credit Hours / 10 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

A weekly in-studio mentoring session with a professional producer. Mentors provide guidance in the production of the student’s original music and monitor the student’s progress in other courses, providing assistance and tutoring where needed. The Studio Mentor courses provide a constant source of support to help ensure academic success.

MTH122 Music Theory II

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Music Theory I

A continuation of the concepts of music theory and its applications in music creation. Topics include basslines & slash chords, transcription, cadences, voicing and extensions, introduction to modes, borrowed chords, and secondary chords.

EAR122 Ear Training II

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Ear Training I

Expands on the technical and critical ear training techniques. Practical exercises in identifying frequencies added or removed from noise, frequency ranges and how content works within these ranges, pitch and tuning. Coursework includes solfege with major intervals and minor intervals.

SYN122 Synthesis II

1 Credit Hour / 11 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Synthesis I

Intermediate synthesis concepts. Topics include Frequency Modulation (FM), physical modeling, sampling, wavetables, history of synthesizers and subtractive/additive sound design. Coursework surveys contemporary professional software synthesizers Serum, Massive, FM8, Sylenth, Nerve, Addictive Drums, and various Kontakt libraries.

HST120 Music History

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

A survey of the history of popular music through the ages. This course utilizes rich multimedia accompaniment to regular class discussion to highlight the lineage of influence which spawns current popular music today. Discussing prehistoric music, through church and classical, gospel, motown, rock, grunge and electronic; this course exposes students to music cal and technological concepts and innovations that led to the existence of contemporary music as we know it.

STT122 Studio Techniques II

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Studio Techniques I

Introduction to the process of tracking and recording vocals, drums, and instruments. Included is a review of hardware and microphones along with microphone placement techniques. Topics include studio design and acoustic principles, and how they apply to the working and mixing environment. Course material is also hands-on in a recording studio working with studio musicians, recording and

putting into practice the topics learned on the theory side. Includes additional Pro Tools coursework which supplements material with practical recording techniques.

GTH122 Groove Theory II

1 Credit Hour /22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Groove Theory I

The second installment of this course continues to expose students to more complex groove patterns, polyrhythms, and ensemble playing experiences. Additionally, learned groove styles are applied to song production techniques in the DAW. Recording, extracting grooves, and manipulating audio all combine in project-based assignments throughout the class.

KTL122 Keyboard Techniques Lab II

1 Credit Hour / 30 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Keyboard Techniques Lab I

A continuation of weekly tasks aimed at improving the familiarity with the piano keyboard. Coursework topics include harmonic and non-harmonic tones including suspensions, anticipations, passing and neighboring tones, as well as expanding harmonic progressions into more complex and compelling extended musical passages. Lessons designed to utilize techniques for finger dexterity, hand placement, accuracy, and timing.

MNT122 Studio Mentor II

2 Credit Hours / 10 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level 1 Courses

A weekly in-studio mentoring session with a professional producer. Mentors provide guidance in the production of the student’s original music and monitor the student’s progress in other courses, providing assistance and tutoring where needed. The Studio Mentor courses provide a constant source of support to help ensure academic success.

MTH133 Music Theory III

1 Credit Hour / 11 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Music Theory II

This course is designed to give a greater understanding of melody, composition of melody and its relationship to harmony, as well as the basics of counterpoint. Students are given tools to use in creating different types of emotion, as well as transcribing and analyzing existing music.

CLB131 Collaboration Sessions

2 Credit Hours / 14 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: None

Intro course to collaboration with other writers and producers. Students are provided with objectives and guidelines to create music collaboratively in real-world writing and production sessions. They will learn to establish a workflow, delegate tasks, and deliver song projects on time.

EAR133 Ear Training III

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Ear Training II

Advanced technical and critical ear training techniques. Coursework involves identifying chord progressions in songs and frequencies in drum/synth/vocal tones, and relaying ideas more effectively. Coursework also involves transcribing audible sound to musical notation in the form of lead sheets.

SNG131 Songwriting I

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level 2 courses

Examines the core components that make up great songs. Songwriting is examined and demystified as both a career and a process. Instills a greater command of writing lyrics, melodies, and hooks, writing for vocalists, and the collaborative songwriting process. Coursework includes topics such as chord progressions, melody structure, and rhythmic shifts.

STT133 Studio Techniques III

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Studio Techniques II

Designed to help students refine their production techniques. Explores the world of recording physical instruments and how acoustic recordings can be integrated and/or resampled into all styles of music, creating diversity, depth, and a fresh approach to music production. Students will create unique, proprietary samples from recordings captured in recording sessions with musicians and manipulate the content recorded over the length of the course. Includes additional coursework with Pro Tools on multitrack live recording techniques and concepts.

GTH133 Groove Theory III

1 Credit Hour /22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Groove Theory II

The final level of this series has students continue to refine and develop rhythmic concepts into their productions but now opens up the power of Ableton Live for performance opportunities. Students will use Live’s extensive MIDI-mapping capabilities to set up and perform a compelling original performance piece for the final. Additional topics include clip envelopes, follow actions, and custom effect racks for live performance purposes.

KTL133 Keyboard Techniques Lab III

1 Credit Hour / 30 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Keyboard Techniques Lab II

Designed to expand upon the ideas presented in Keys Lab I & II, this course explores melodic and harmonic complexity, the use of rhythm in harmony and melody as well as the arranging of sections within songs to create full-length compositions. Coursework involves combining parallel scales, diatonic substitutions, modal interchange, harmonic rhythm and continuing techniques for finger dexterity, hand placement, accuracy, and timing.

TAM1310 THE ARTIST MINDSET

1 Credit Hour / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level 3 courses

Introduction to techniques used to tap into an artist’s creative potential and talent. Students learn how to overcome writer’s block and continue the flow of creativity throughout the process of developing their music. Discussions focus on critical analysis and overcoming fear, trusting their creative intuitions, developing exercises to maintain inspiration, and learning to apply discipline, dedication, and faith in the development of a unique artistic path

MNT133 Studio Mentor III

2 Credit Hours / 10 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level 2 courses

A weekly in-studio mentoring session with a professional producer. Mentors provide guidance in the production of the student’s original music and monitor the student’s progress in other courses, providing assistance and tutoring where needed. The Studio Mentor courses provide a constant source of support to help ensure academic success.

MTH144 Music Theory IV

2 Credit Hour / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Music Theory III

A continuation of the concepts of music theory and its applications in music creation. This course is designed to introduce students to a wide range of musical genres. Taking what was learned in Theory I, II, and III students will analyze and compose music in a variety of genres utilizing authentic techniques and concepts employed by those regions historically. Focuses will include chords/harmony, rhythm & groove, melody, transcription, chord & rhythmic notation, composition and collaboration.

WRL141 Writing Lab I

1 Credit Hour / 10 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level 3 courses

This lab will serve students with writing prompts weekly which they will then execute in real time. Exercises include lyric writing, chord progression writing, as well as melody, groove, bassline, and sound construction. Focus is applied to the benefits of regular practice and repetition.

CLB142 The Collaboration Project

2 Credit Hours / 14 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Collaboration Sessions

Capstone course focusing on how to work successfully in teams and overcome obstacles to produce a musical project. Students are provided with objectives and milestones to create a 3 song EP in a collaborative effort. Topics include song creation, writing sessions, sound design, branding, recording, mixing, and mastering.

SNG142 Songwriting II

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Songwriting I

Advanced lyric and songwriting concepts. Classwork focuses on writing vocal harmonies, reharmonizing existing melodies, developing hooks, rhythmic melodies, writing songs for others, demo recording of songwriting and fundamental principles of vocal arrangements.

BIZ141 Music Business I

1 Credit Hour / 11 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level 3 courses

Establishes a foundation of general business practices for music industry entrepreneurs. Coursework includes how to navigate the entertainment industry, protect their intellectual property, and function within the ever-evolving music industry.

STT144 Studio Techniques IV

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Studio Techniques III

Establishes a foundation of mixing and mastering concepts that creates mixes that are rich in dynamics and tonally balanced in space and depth. Coursework includes techniques in the use of sonic coloring tools, dynamic processors, real-time effects, imaging techniques and overall mix integrity. Includes additional Pro Tools coursework in mixing, gain staging and mastering.

KTL144 Keyboard Techniques Lab IV

1 Credit Hour / 30 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Keyboard Techniques Lab III

Designed around the concepts of playing familiar songs and comping essential chord progressions in a range of keys and tempos. Students learn to play a variety of songs by the end of the course, utilizing all of the concepts learned. Includes increased difficulty in practice techniques for finger dexterity, hand placement, accuracy, and timing.

MNT144 Studio Mentor IV

2 Credit Hours / 10 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level 3 courses

A weekly in-studio mentoring session with a professional producer. Mentors provide guidance in the production of the student’s original music and monitor the student’s progress in other courses, providing assistance and tutoring where needed. The Studio Mentor courses provide a constant source of support to help ensure academic success.

SNG213 Songwriting III

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Songwriting II

Expanding on previous concepts, students are exposed to advanced lyric writing, harmonic choices, unique song structures, timing & delivery, and other general songwriting concepts. Classwork focuses on in-depth analysis of classic and contemporary songs and utilization of the concepts learned within.

BIZ212 Music Business II

2 Credit Hour / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Music Business I

In-depth study of the core fundamentals of the music business. Coursework explores developing an artist’s brand and creating revenue streams. Establishes a solid understanding of publishing, licensing, Performing Rights Organizations, touring, and personal branding.

AMX210 Advanced Mixing

2 Credit Hours / 32 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Studio Techniques IV

Studies in utilizing reference mixes and recreation of mixes from reference tracks. Identifying techniques and tools used in a mix, and replicating what is heard in a mix. Topics include creating subgroups for mixing, advanced routing, client needs vs mix needs, revision points, console mixing, and analog summing. Includes additional course work with Pro Tools for advanced routing, mixing and functionality of Pro Tools as related to advanced concepts.

WRL212 Writing Lab II

1 Credit Hour / 10 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Writing Lab I

Designed to aid in the creative process by adding limitations to creating music. This Lab utilizes challenges such as time limits, sound selections, computer removal, key/time signatures, syllable count, topic categories, and more. Working within limitations and exploring creative workarounds within those constraints for writing music students discover new avenues for creating quickly, effectively, and more freely.

AVX210 Advanced Vocal Production

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level V courses

A meticulous discovery of techniques used in advanced vocal tuning, harmony creation, audio restoration, time alignment, artificial vocal creation, and mixing tools for advanced vocal processing. Heavy emphasis on repetition and use of real-world examples help students prepare for a major aspect of the regular process of creating great polished records.

APL210 Analog Performance Lab

1 Credit Hour / 20 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Keyboard Techniques Lab IV

Advanced concepts of playing, comping and improvising with increased complexity. Students will record performances with analog synthesizers in real time. Students will achieve success in greater difficulty practice of techniques in finger dexterity, hand placement, accuracy, and timing.

MNT215 Studio Mentor: Solo Album I

2 Credit Hours / 10 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level IV courses

A weekly in-studio mentoring session with a professional producer; mentors provide guidance in helping student with their own solo album project. Mentors will set milestones, craft unique assignments and aid in the development of a production schedule with the student to ensure progress and direction is moving forward.

SNC220 Sync & Licensing

1 Credit Hour / 11 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level V courses

Introduction into music for licensing in TV & film. Outlined with weekly assignments written as real-world simulated client briefs with fluctuating and increasingly tight deadlines, requirements, and deliveries. Focuses on music for ads, games, TV, movies, jingles, apps and other contemporary & digital media.

ASD220 Advanced Sound Design

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level V courses

Advanced sound design concepts and techniques extending beyond basic synthesis. This course includes resampling, sample rate down-conversions, unique recording techniques, use of advanced samplers, audio manipulation for sound design on films and games. Field recording and manipulation are also a heavy component in a course that aims to help students think outside the box about the sounds they choose to use in their productions.

MVM220 Music for Visual Media

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level V courses

A course in the creation of sound and music for visual media, students are exposed to techniques in spotting, post-production, sound placement with depth/image, original source audio creation for nonexistent sounds and creating sound palettes for various styles & feels. Includes an introduction to file formats and deliveries for various visual mediums and the tools used for those deliveries.

BIZ223 Music Business III

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Music Business II

Music media, promotion, and marketing. This course investigates the concepts and practices of online marketing, social media, publicity, radio promotion, visual media, and merchandising.

AMS220 Advanced Mastering Theory

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Advanced Mixing

Theory techniques in analog and digital mastering. Signal processing, M/S encoding/decoding, correction tools, control tools, enhancement tools, and finalization tools. Introduces file formats for mastering, medium management for different masters, batch processing, and overall mastering theory principles. Includes additional coursework with advanced mastering concepts.

AMS221 Advanced Mastering Practice

2 Credit Hours / 22 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Advanced Mixing

Practical techniques in analog and digital mastering within a mastering studio environment. Calibration of equipment, level management, signal flow of hardware, and specific hardware use. Introduces practical concepts for hands-on mastering practice with industry-standard mastering hardware. Digital use of mastering DAW Wavelab, digital mastering plugins, and advanced routing of signal throughout hardware mastering chains for a practical experience in the mastering domain.

VTL220 Vocal Tracking Lab

1 Credit Hour / 20 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level V courses

Advanced concepts of recording vocalists in challenging situations. Students will record performances with different styles of singers and songwriters. Students will achieve success in greater difficulty and practice accuracy, speed, consistency and timing of recording sessions.

MNT226 Studio Mentor: Solo Album II

2 Credit Hours / 10 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: Solo Album I

A continuation of the weekly in-studio mentoring session with a professional producer. Mentors provide guidance in helping students complete their solo album project as it nears completion. Individualized plans for each student outline a path for the release of the finished album by term end with included requirements for final submission. Includes an introduction to a release plan, artwork concepts, branding, copyrights and other fundamentals for release of music on a larger scale.

WRL223 Writing Lab III

1 Credit Hour / 10 Clock Hours

Prerequisites: All Los Angeles Level V courses

Designed to aid in the creative process by adding limitations to creating music. This Lab utilizes challenges such as time limits, sound selections, computer removal, key/time signatures, syllable count, topic categories, and more. Working within limitations and exploring creative workarounds within those constraints for writing music students discover new avenues for creating quickly, effectively, and more freely.