Minor in Recording and Production for Musicians

This minor represents an opportunity for students enrolled in any non–music production and engineering major to develop and refine their skills in recording, mixing, and music production. The minor focuses on both technical and aesthetic considerations of multitrack recording, mixing, and music production with an emphasis on the digital audio workstation (DAW) and the project studio environment.

Given ongoing developments in technology and the music industry, it has become increasingly important for all musicians to become facile with the tools, techniques, and aesthetic sensibilities involved in both recording and production. The recording and production for musicians minor gives all students that opportunity.

Entrance Requirements

Students must take MTEC-111 Introduction to Music Technology before declaring this minor. Please follow the regular declaration of minor procedure as outlined in the Registration Guide. This minor is managed by the Music Production and Engineering Department

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of a minor in recording and production for musicians, students will:

  • critically evaluate audio program material, and make technical and aesthetic decisions based upon those observations;
  • gain knowledge and experience sufficient to effectively multitrack record, overdub, edit, and mix both live and electronically produced sources;
  • shepherd a creative project from idea inception to final delivery, with emphasis on aesthetic and emotional impact; and
  • understand digital audio systems, and develop an ability to apply appropriate tools to the creative task at hand.
Curriculum and Courses

Required Core Courses (two courses; 2 credits):

  • MP-114 Critical Listening for Musicians (1 credit)
  • MP-115 Production Analysis Lab for Musicians (1 credit)

Required Projects Courses (two courses; 4 credits—must be taken in sequence after MP-114 and MP-115):

  • MP-205 Recording and Mix Techniques for Musicians (2 credits)
  • MP-305 Record Production Projects 1 (2 credits)

Electives (two courses; 4 credits):

Choose at least one production elective.

  • MP-110 Intro to Music Production and Engineering (2 credits)
  • MP-231 Vocal Production and Mixing for Musicians (2 credits)
  • MTEC-213 Producing Music with Ableton Live (2 credits)
  • MTEC-323 Production and Business of Dance Music (2 credits)

Choose at least one engineering elective.

  • MP-113 Accelerated Pro Tools (2 credits)
  • MP-231 Vocal Production and Mixing for Musicians (2 credits; if not taken as a production elective)
  • MP-322 Sound Reinforcement Systems (2 credits)
  • MTEC-351 Microphone Theory and Applications (2 credits)
  • MTEC-308 Applications of Loudspeaker Design (2 credits)