MUSP2001 Introduction to Music Technology (5 cr)

This course introduces the fundamentals of music technology within the framework of its historical and cultural context. Emphasis is placed on understanding how music technology serves as a tool in contemporary musicology research. Additionally, the course explores how the evolution of technology has significantly influenced practices in music production and consumption. Special topics covered in the course include music information research (MIR), the use of artificial intelligence in music creation, and music in gaming. Through hands-on experience with open-source or freely available digital audio workstation (DAW) software, students will develop technical skills in recording, analyzing, and editing music. 

Upon finishing the course, the student will:

• Grasp the fundamentals of sound propagation and audio-to-digital conversion.

• Possess the ability to read and interpret digital representations of sound, such as audio waveforms and spectrograms.

• Comprehend the basics of MIDI sequencing techniques.

• Demonstrate proficiency in recording, editing, and processing sound using standard digital audio workstation software.

• Know the history of music technology and understand its influence on contemporary music creation, consumption, and culture. 

Timing: 1st year. If course meetings take place outside of a computer lab, students may be asked to bring a lap top or mobile device to class for group exercises

Hosken, Dan. An Introduction to Music Technology. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Routledge, 2015.