Quick Facts
- Credits: 26
- Delivery: On Campus
Course Overview
The minor in music recording requires 26 credits in music history, music theory and aural skills, acoustics, and a sequence of music media production (MMP) courses. You will complete MUHI 105 Music and Popular Culture in America, MUST 101 Sight Singing and Ear Training, MUST 111 Music Theory, and MMP 125 Acoustics, giving you foundational knowledge of musical structure and sound. From there, you move through MMP 235 and 236 Recording Technology 1 and 2, MMP 330 Live Sound and Recording, and MMP 430 Music Production/Design Workshop, gaining practical experience with studio recording, live reinforcement, mixing, and production workflows. You will also choose 5 credits of electives from options such as Pro Tools courses, mixing and mastering, electronics and studio maintenance, industry survey, ensembles, and related music or technology courses so you can tailor the minor to your interests. This minor is not open to majors in Music Media Production.
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What You’ll Learn
Develop a working understanding of how sound behaves through coursework in acoustics, including frequency, amplitude, timbre, and room behavior. Learn the fundamentals of music theory, sight singing, and ear training so you can communicate effectively with musicians and make informed musical decisions in the studio and live settings. Build core recording skills in MMP 235 and 236, including microphone types and placement, console and DAW operation, signal flow, editing, and basic mixing techniques. Gain experience with live sound in MMP 330, covering system setup, gain structure, monitor mixes, troubleshooting, and capturing live performances. Advance your production skills in MMP 430 Music Production/Design Workshop, where you work on more complex projects that integrate recording, editing, mixing, and creative sound design. Customize your path with electives such as Pro Tools Fundamentals and Pro Tools Music Production, Introduction to Electronics and Studio Maintenance, Mixing and Mastering, music industry survey, ensembles, or independent/special topics work in music media production.
What Majors Pair with This Minor
Because it focuses on audio skills rather than a full music performance or media production major, the Music Recording minor pairs well with non music degree programs, especially for those in communications or media. It is especially valuable for students who anticipate working with audio in creative, technical, or communications oriented roles.
Common pairings include:
- Majors in Telecommunications, Media, Communication, or Journalism, for students interested in podcasting, broadcast audio, video post production, and multimedia storytelling.
- Computer Science, Information Systems, or related technology fields, for students drawn to audio programming, interactive media, game audio, or software development involving sound.
- Business, Marketing, or Entrepreneurship, for students interested in the music and audio industries, independent production, or managing recording related ventures.