The Electronic Music Synthesizers and MIDI Program consists of two technical courses and the Career Development course, for a total of 45 meetings, varying in length from 2 to 4 hours (see class lists below). Lab activities are scheduled outside of class times. This program is approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission for Veterans’ Educational Benefits.

Vocational Objective
In this program, the student is familiarized with the history, control functions of and operational techniques involved with synthesizers, samplers, other MIDI-based controllers, and computer-based sequencers. Through classroom instruction, demonstration and hands-on experience, the student will learn to operate the devices used in most professional electronic music synthesis applications today.

The resulting skills will prepare the student for an entry-level position as a MIDI engineer: performing synthesizer/keyboard setup and programming for use in studio recording or live performance. Graduates who are (or work for) performing musicians will find their employment enhanced by the ability to integrate MIDI sequencing and synthesis into live performance. Graduates who are (or are training to be) recording engineers will be able to effectively integrate synthesizers and MIDI-based sequencing systems into the studio environment.

The student will be introduced to the Digital Audio Workstation; combining synthesizer programming, MIDI interconnection, sampling and synchronization for musical performance and recording. Training does not include extensive musical instruction.
 

Course #1: Electronic Music Synthesizers and MIDI Level I
Course #1 offers 74 hours of instruction consisting of 26 hours of classroom instruction, 44 hours of small-group studio instruction and 4 hours of lab activities. Classes are taught one day per week for 19 weeks or one evening per week for 19 weeks.

Course Content:

• Orientation/Physics of Sound (4 hrs. classroom instruction)
• Microphones (4 hrs. classroom instruction)
• Signal Processing Devices I (4 hrs. classroom instruction)
• Lab 1: Reverberation (2 hrs. individual lab activity)
• Lab 2: Microphones (2 hrs. individual lab activity)
• Signal Processing Devices II / Review (4 hrs. classroom instruction)
• Exam #1 (2 hrs. classroom instruction)
• Rudiments of Music Theory for Synthesists (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Introduction to Music Synthesis (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Modern Synthesis Programming and Operation (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Sequencer Operation and Programming I (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Sequencer Operation and Programming II (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Integrating Synthesizers and Sequencers / Review (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Exam #2 (2 hrs. classroom instruction)
• Introduction to MIDI (4 hrs. small group studio instruction)
• Programming Beats (4 hrs. small group studio instruction)
• Synchronization I (4 hrs. small group studio instruction)
• Sequencer Operation and Programming III (4 hrs. small group studio instruction)
• Course and Project Review (4 hrs. classroom instruction)
• Assigned Group MIDI Project (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Final Exam / Exam Review (2 hrs. classroom instruction)

 

Course Content:

• Introduction to Digital Audio (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Waveform Editing (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Playlist Editing (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Phrase Sampling (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Audio Effects (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Effects Settings and Automation/Review (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Exam #1 (2 hrs. classroom instruction)
• Hard Disc Recording (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Software Sampling (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• ReWire I (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• ReWire II (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Individual Virtual Instrument Operation/Review (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Exam #2 (2 hrs. classroom instruction)
• Synchronization II (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Synchronization Group Project (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Studio Practice Review/Synth Record and Mix/Critique (4 hrs. small-group studio instruction)
• Individual Project: Record (4 hrs. individual studio instruction)
• Individual Project: Mix (4 hrs. individual studio instruction)
• Exam #3 (2 hrs. classroom instruction)

Course #3: Personal and Career Skills
Course #3 offers 36 hours of training consisting of classroom instruction, discussions and class exercises. Classes are taught once per week for both day and evening sessions for 5 weeks, or on two consecutive Saturday afternoons to be announced at the beginning of the program.

Course Content:

• Introduction, Assessment: The First Step: Job Search Methods, Record Keeping, Problem Solving, Self Evaluation, Developing Your Personal Qualities, Attitude, Self Esteem, Establishing Career Goals, Network for Career Success, Developing Contacts (4 hrs. classroom instruction)
• Communication, Listening & Speaking Skills: The Information Interview, Resumé Preparation, Resumé Revision and Cover Letters, Speaking on the Telephone & the Job Application (4 hrs. classroom instruction)
• The Interview Process I: Dress for Success, Reinforcing Your Skills and Strengths (4 hrs. classroom instruction)
• The Interview Process II, Follow-up Strategies That Work, The First Year, Getting Promoted (4 hrs. classroom instruction)
• Review/Final Exam/Resumé Project Critique/Summary (4 hrs. classroom instruction)