Music Recording Technology Program (MRT)

Liberal arts based - Professionally oriented

There are lots of different types of recording programs around the country, so why consider LVC? We offer an effective curriculum that combines three primary areas of study: general education, music, and recording technology. What makes this work so well? Because in spite of your interest in becoming a recording engineer, you really don't know what you'll end up doing in 5, 10, even 20 years down the road. An investment in a broad-based education that is grounded in real-life will do more for you than other technically-oriented programs.

How do I get in?

Our program is a professional degree in music, so you must be a trained musician and successfully pass a performance and ear training audition. Your music teacher or private lessons instructor should know how to guide you to prepare for this. So, there are two components for acceptance: by the college and by the department of music.

What will I study?

The degree is a Bachelor of Music with emphasis in Music Recording Technology. In addition to a significant general education experience, you will primarily study traditional music courses which include theory, history, conducting, private lessons, and performance. On top of all this is a comprehensive range of courses in various aspects of recording and music technology. You'll learn the fundamentals of analog and digital audio recording systems with extensive hands-on experiences in our three major studios. Our two student professional organizations, focusing on music technology (AES) and business (MISA), provide lots of additional opportunities to learn about and participate in the industry. The Liberal Arts idea of learning is central to the recording program, resulting in a learning atmosphere providing not only professional skills, but also appreciation for all art and thought.

What courses are required?

Degree: Bachelor of Music: Emphasis in Music Recording Technology

Printable PDF: Complete degree requirements

Printable PDF: 4-year outline

Designed for music majors and minors and graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Music core course. 0 credits.
A study of the rudiments of music and their notation. Harmonization of melodies and basses with fundamental triads. Analysis. Music core course. Prerequisite: audition for admission or permission from instructor. 2 credits.
A study of diatonic tonal harmony, including all triads and seventh chords, nonharmonic material and elementary modulation. Music core course. Prerequisite: MSC 115 or permission of the instructor. 2 credits.
The singing and aural recognition of intervals, scales, triads and simple harmonic progressions. Music core course. Prerequisite: audition for admission or permission of the instructor. 2 credits.
A continuation of MSC 117, emphasizing clef readings, modality, modulation and more complicated rhythmic devices and harmonic patterns. Music core course. Prerequisite: MSC 117 or permission of the instructor. 2 credits.
A study of chromatic tonal harmony, including secondary dominants, augmented sixth chords, tertian extensions, altered chords and advanced modulation. Music core course. Prerequisite: MSC 116 or permission of the instructor. 2 credits.
A continuation of MSC 118, emphasizing chromatic materials and more complex modulations, chord types, rhythms and meters. Music core course. Prerequisite: MSC 118 or permission of the instructor. 2 credits.
A survey course in the history of Western music (in the context of world musics of various cultures), with emphasis on stylistic developments and illustrative musical examples, from early music through the Baroque era. Music core course. 3 credits.
A survey course in the history of Western music (in the context of world musics of various cultures), with emphasis on stylistic developments and illustrative musical examples, from the classical period to the present. Music core course. 3 credits.
Principles of conducting and baton technique. Students conduct ensembles derived from class personnel. Music core course. 2 credits.
A study through analysis and listening of simple and compound forms, variations, contrapuntal forms, rondo and sonata forms. Emphasis is placed primarily upon structural content. The course provides experience and skill in both aural and visual analysis. Music core course. Prerequisite: MSC 215 or permission of instructor. 2 credits.
Individual instruction - voice, piano, orchestral, and band instruments. 1 credit.
† indicates a required course

Core courses above, plus:

A review of precalculus mathematics including algebra and trigonometry. 3 credits. A student may not receive credit for this course after completing MAS 111, 161 or the equivalent.
A calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and applications. Prerequisite: placement testing or MAS 102. MAS 161 is a prerequisite for MAS 162. 3 credits per semester.
This course examines how the music business operates, delving into a wide range of issues and areas such as publishing, record labels, retail, distribution, agents and managers, and current issues in the industry. Writing Process. 3 credits.
An in-depth examination of publishing and recording contracts, music copyright law, and music licensing. Prerequisite: MBS 371 or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.
An introductory overview of the music industry, focusing on the field of recording engineering. 1 credit.
Fundamentals of the recording arts including basic audio signal and acoustics theory, recording consoles, microphone design and technique, and signal processing. Students work in on-campus studios to complete lab assignments and projects. Prerequisite: PHY 102 or permission. 3 credits.
Multitrack studio production techniques are developed through class discussion, demonstration, and project assignments. Theory and application of MIDI technology and its integration into music production is emphasized. Students use the studios for assignments and individual projects. Prerequisite: MRT 277. 3 credits.
This course immerses students into the European tradition of Tonmeister engineering methods. This approach emphasizes an awareness of acoustics, musical genres, and methods of on-location recording in order to effectively capture an acoustic performance in a concert hall. 1 credit.
An in-depth look at the history, use and development of electronic music. Emphasis in MIDI, sequencing, transcription, sound design, synthesis techniques, sampling and studio production integration. Prerequisite: MRT 278 or permission of instructor. 3 credits.
An in-depth examination of the principles and applications of digital audio in today's recording and interactive media industries. Topics discussed include: digital audio fundamentals, recording and reproduction systems theory, computer-based recording and editing, and audio for CD-ROM; and other new media applications. Prerequisite: MRT 278 or permission of instructor. 3 credits.
This 3rd course in the recording engineering sequence focuses on critical listening and mastering. Student engineers will develop a musical, artistic, and technical awareness of issues involved in mastering projects for commercial release. Prerequisite: MRT 278, MRT majors only. 3 credits.
Practical on-the-job experience provides studens insight, exposure, and experience in an area of interest within the music/interactive media industry. Prerequisites: MRT 382 and permission of the program director. 3 credits. The internship can be taken either in the last semester, in the summer between junior and senior years, or full- time in the last semester for 12 credits. A full- time internship, if all other course work is completed, allows students to relocate for the term.
Advanced issues of music production are discussed and practiced. These include musicality, client relations, engineering, budgets, etc. An individual emphasis is provided to help the student focus on these technical, artistic, organizational and personal aspects. The course centers around completion of a major project. Prerequisite: MRT 374 or permission of instructor. 2 credits.
An introduction to the fundamental concepts and laws of the various branches of physics including mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics and atomic and nuclear structure with laboratory work in each area. Emphasis and applications appropriate for music recording technology majors. 4 credits.
A continuation of the introduction to the fundamental concepts and laws of the various branches of physics including mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear structure with laboratory work in each area. Emphasis and applications appropriate for music recording technology majors. 4 credits.
The study of wave motion, analysis, and synthesis of waves and signals, physical characteristics of musical sounds, musical instruments, the acoustical properties of rooms and studio design principles. Prerequisite: PHY 102, 104 or 112 or permission. 3 credits.
The physics of electrons and electronic devices, including diodes, transistors, power supplies, amplifiers, oscillators, switching circuits, and integrated circuits, with laboratory work in each area. Prerequisite: PHY 102, 104 or 112, or permission. 4 credits.
A study of electronics as used in the audio and telecommunications industries. Various principles of signals including frequency, bandwidth, modulatin and transmission are discussed. Studio maintenance and repair techniques are emphasized. Laboratory work included. Prerequisite: PHY 212. 3 credits.
† indicates a required course