Music Technology

• Description: Introduction to creating music with computers, keyboards, audio samples and beats using Pro Tools and other digital audio workstations. Basic principles and use of MIDI sequencing/audio software. Songwriting, musical composition, mixing, mastering and the basic elements of music (pitch, rhythm, harmony, style and form) as they relate to contemporary music. Basic music production using DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations). General computer literacy and media management. All styles are included, and prior musical training is not required.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 66A.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Introduction to fundamental concepts and techniques of mixing boards, amplifiers, microphones, signal processors and their application to both live and studio sound reinforcement. Basic introduction to computer based recording with Avid Pro Tools HD systems. Microphone placement, physics of sound as it relates to recording, sound reinforcement and studio setup techniques.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 80A.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Introduction to multitrack recording and production using Avid Pro Tools HD systems. Contemporary recording studio production techniques including microphone selection, placement, analog and digital signal paths, speaker monitors and studio acoustics. Techniques for recording drums, bass, piano, guitar, woodwinds, strings and vocals. Practical hands-on experience with professional recording artists and student collaborations.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 81 or 81A.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Mixing and mastering multitrack recordings using Pro Tools. EQ, compression, reverb, delays, tempo maps, harmonic distortion, multi-band compression. Comparison and contrast of various styles of mixing including jazz, classical, country, rock, hip-hop and electronica, etc. Example exercises featuring professional recordings and mixes. Understanding and applying mixing concepts such as balance, dimension, and monitoring. Deliver final mixes that translate accurately to various speaker systems and listening environments.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 81C.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Advanced mixing and mastering techniques with Pro Tools. EQ, compression, reverb, delays and tempo maps as applied to all styles of music including jazz, pop, rock, hip-hop, orchestral and electronica. Apply critical listening to mixes and enhance mixes with automation, audio plug-ins and external hardware equipment. Use multi-band compression and advancing audio processing in mastering. Study mixes of professional audio engineers and recording artists. Prepare to work in commercial production facilities and apply these techniques in a home studio. Learn professional collaboration workflows, file management and delivery to a wide range of formats including CD, DVD, MP3 and internet streaming. Although this course uses Pro Tools, the concepts and techniques can be applied to any digital audio workstation (Logic, Cubase, etc.) or any traditional analog mixing console.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 81G.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Introductory course in music theory as applied to audio production, music technology and songwriting. Study elements of music, including melody, rhythm, chords and musical forms. Understand traditional music notation as applied to MIDI sequencers, Pro Tools and other Digital Audio Workstations (DAWS). Edit drum and percussion notation to program beats, MIDI sequencer Event Lists, and digital sample libraries. Ear training exercises for audio engineers to make equalization and production decisions based on harmonic overtones, key signatures and chord progressions. Selected listening and analysis of famous composers and award-winning producers in a wide variety of styles. Study the Nashville number music notation shorthand system. Develop ability to quickly and effectively recognize chord changes and transpose to any key. Learn to read, write and conduct orchestral scores used in commercial recording studios. Apply traditional music theory concepts to modern digital audio editing software, such as Melodyne, Auto-Tune, Elastic Audio, and computer virtual instrument orchestration.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory:
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Recording, editing and mastering sound for games and interactive multimedia. Working with dialog, scripts, sound effects, foley, ambient backgrounds, loops, elastic audio, tempo matching, digital processing and plug-ins. Producing game music, layering, splicing, mixing cinematic audio. Deliver game audio formats to commercial players and end users. Hands-on experience with professional examples of game audio production soundtracks and workflows including Sony Computer Entertainment and Microsoft Game Studios. Part of Avid Pro Tools Certification training program.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 82F or 84A.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Designing and implementing sound effects for games and interactive media. Recording custom sound effects and working with commercial sound effects libraries. Advanced techniques for designing hard effects, foley sounds, and ambient backgrounds. Industry-standard workflows for sound effects implementation with audio middleware solutions. Hands-on experience with professional examples of game audio sound design on desktop, console, and mobile platforms.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 84B.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Composing, orchestrating, and implementing music for games and interactive multimedia. Fundamental composition and orchestration techniques for strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Mixing and mastering finished compositions for optimal interactivity. Industry-standard workflows for interactive music implementation with sophisticated audio middleware solutions. Hands-on experience with professional examples of game music on desktop, console, and mobile platforms.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 84C.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Creating, editing, and mixing audio for film and video. Understanding aesthetic qualities of sound effects and music as they relate to story. Recording original sound elements and using commercial sound libraries. Editing, layering, and processing sound elements to create complex sound effects. Synchronizing audio to video using a digital audio workstation. Basics of mixing and mastering finished soundtracks for digital distribution.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MDIA 81B, MUS 81B or VART 81B.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Record, mix, and produce surround music with digital audio workstations. Calibrating surround speaker systems, recording surround music in the studio and concert hall, multichannel mixing for music and post, processing source sound elements using surround reverbs and delays, mastering music and post sessions to industry specifications, and encoding mixes into popular surround formats. Analysis of historically significant surround sound music recordings and film soundtracks.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 81J.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Introduction to Pro Tools with Avid Certification training material. Basic audio editing tools and techniques, plug-ins and mixing in the Pro Tools environment. Build sessions that include multitrack recordings of live instruments, MIDI sequences, virtual instruments, audio loops and beats. Practical experience with examples from major label recording artists and feature films. Understanding menus, windows, preferences and system configurations for Pro Tools in home studios and professional facilities. Introduction to automation, dialog editing and audio post production for film and video. Required for Avid Pro Tools Certification.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 82A.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Pro Tools production concepts and techniques with Avid Certification training material. Recording, editing, routing audio and MIDI data. Managing Pro Tools sessions, using virtual instruments, plug-ins, loop recording, Elastic Audio, Beat Detective and music notation. Conform loops and beats to any tempo. Introduction to control surfaces, automation modes and signal path workflows. Practical applications with examples from professional recording artists including pop, rock, jazz and hip-hop. Create tempo maps, meter changes and transpose key signatures. Required for Avid Pro Tools Certification.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 82B.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Avid Pro Tools Certified training material covers concepts and skills needed to operate Pro Tools in a professional recording studio environment. Introduction to Pro Tools HD system configurations. Pro Tools HD features, including control surfaces, automation, advanced editing, mixing, hardware setup, and session management. Practical examples and experience with exercise files from professional music, film, and TV productions. Required course for Avid Pro Tools Operator Level Certification. Prepares for enrollment in Pro Tools 300 Expert Level Certification courses.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 82C.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Synchronizing Pro Tools for audio post production with film, video and multimedia. Recording and editing ADR (automated dialog replacement), music, sound effects and multichannel audio. Mixing stereo and surround sound formats synchronized to digital picture. Layback and export options for final delivery to broadcast industry formats including QuickTime and Avid media. Practical experience with examples from feature films, documentaries and TV commercials. Successful completion achieves Avid Pro Tools Operator Post Certification.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 82E.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Producing music with Ableton Live software. Compose, record, mix, improvise, produce and edit music. Study Ableton Live interface, edit audio, use plug-ins, MIDI sequencing and realtime mixing techniques. Compile live sets from audio clips, loops, samples in realtime and create songs in a variety of styles.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Not open to students with credit in MUS 66E.
• Repeatability: Not Repeatable.
• Hours: 3 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 72 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note:

• Description: Select group performing varied literature in contemporary styles, including pop, rock, hip-hop, metal, and jazz. Designed to develop the performing skills needed by musicians in a studio recording environment. Open by audition to all students. May be repeated up to six times.
• Prerequisite:
• Corequisite:
• Advisory: Advisory: Placement by audition based on the ability to play an instrument.
• Repeatability: RP6
• Hours: 1 hours lecture per week, 3 hours lab per week. 48 hours total per quarter.
• Foothill GE Area:English
• Transferability: CSU
• Transfer GE: Information regarding how this course is applied toward CSU GE/Breadth or IGETC certification is available at:
• Foothill Transfer GE Guide

Department Note: