Sound Technology - Certificate of Achievement

This program map only provides one possible pathway for degree and/or certificate obtainment and is for reference only. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor to develop your individualized Student Education Plan.

The sound technology certificate is intended to prepare students for careers in sound recording and sound reinforcement in live and studio performance situations, as well as in the film industry, television, radio and other areas where sound recording and electronic music play an increasingly vital role. The certificate program can also be a valuable preparation for enrolling in an advanced commercial music school.

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

recognize and define the basic terminology associated with acoustics.

recognize and define the basic terminology associated with sound recording and electronic music.

participate in sound recording and mix-down sessions.

produce and record works of electronic music.

Program Map

Requirement
GE General Education
E Elective

Fall Year 1

6 units
MUS 118
Intro to Electronic Music
An introduction to the various areas of electronic music, including the history of electronic music, sound synthesis techniques and the use of digital and analog synthesizers in a recording studio. Designed for both music majors and non-majors.
            An introduction to the equipment, terminology and procedures of sound engineering. Combines lectures and demonstrations with hands-on use of equipment. Students will have the opportunity to use professional sound recording and processing equipment in various recording and mix-down situations. This course is not open to students who are enrolled in or have received credit for Music 115.
                      OR
                      An introduction to the equipment, terminology and procedures of sound engineering. Combines lectures and demonstrations with hands-on use of equipment. Students will have the opportunity to use professional sound recording and processing equipment in various recording and mix-down situations. This course is not open to students who are enrolled in or have received credit for Film 120.
                                Core Elective - Sound Tech (Cert.)
                                An introduction to film and video production techniques including cinematography, sound, recording, and video editing. Students make a variety of short video projects that involve narrative story telling and documentary filmmaking techniques. No personal equipment required. It is recommended that students enroll in FILM 380 for additional lab time.
                                A general survey course tracing the roots and special idiosyncrasies of the American popular music tradition from medieval Europe and Africa to the commercial and non-commercial world of today.
                                A comprehensive course dealing with the fundamentals of traditional music theory and its applications in classical, commercial and global music. Course concepts include rhythm, meter, basic properties of sound, intervals, scales, modes, triads, seventh chords, 4-part voice leading, phrase structure, cadential formulas, figured-bass and non harmonic tones. These topics will be studied through guided composition and analysis as well as ear training, sight singing, aural analysis and dictation.
                                A continuation of Comprehensive Music Theory 1. In addition, through guided composition and analysis, the course will include: an introduction to two-part counterpoint; voice leading involving four-part chorale writing; diatonic harmony; and an introduction to secondary chords and modulation. These rhythmic, melodic and harmonic materials will be applied and developed through ear training, sight singing and dictation.
                                Provides the opportunity for the student to apply and refine the sound synthesis skills introduced in Music 118.
                                Designed for members of the Allan Hancock College Jazz Band, which will perform a variety of traditional and contemporary jazz works. The band will make several appearances during the semester.

                                An introductory study of the nature of electricity; the processes employed in the analysis and documentation of DC and AC electric circuits, and the use of basic electronics testing instruments. Topics include: current voltage, resistance, power, reactance, admittance, resonance, Ohm's law, series parallel and bridge resistive and reactive circuits, Kirchhoff's voltage and current laws, loading effects of meters and supplies, capacitators, inductors, filters, RC and RL time constants, applications of Kirchhoff laws to multiple source series-parallel circuits, complex numbers, and network theorems. This course is not open to students who are enrolled or have received credit for EL 118.  

                                Provides the student practical experience for the comprehension of DC and AC electrical concepts introduced in CNET/EL 118 (Fundamentals of Circuit Analysis) and also presents the proper use of electronic test instrumentation for the measurement of circuit parameters. The course is not open to students who are currently enrolled or received credit for EL 119.  

                                Spring Year 1

                                6 units
                                MUS 117
                                Electronic Music MIDI Recording
                                An introduction to the use of Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI). Includes working with synthesizers, sequencing and music notation in a MIDI-controlled environment. This course is intended for music majors and non-majors.
                                          Explores the digital audio software for recording music and computer-based multi-track sound recording for producing audio for video projects, as well as the use of digital signal processors for mixing and mastering recordings. This course is not open to students who have received credit for or who are currently enrolled in Music 116.
                                                    OR
                                                    Explores the digital audio software for recording music and computer-based multi-track sound recording for producing audio for video projects, as well as the use of digital signal processors for mixing and mastering recordings. This course is not open to students who have received credit for or who are currently enrolled in FILM 121.
                                                              Core Elective - Sound Tech (Cert.)
                                                              An introduction to film and video production techniques including cinematography, sound, recording, and video editing. Students make a variety of short video projects that involve narrative story telling and documentary filmmaking techniques. No personal equipment required. It is recommended that students enroll in FILM 380 for additional lab time.
                                                              A general survey course tracing the roots and special idiosyncrasies of the American popular music tradition from medieval Europe and Africa to the commercial and non-commercial world of today.
                                                              A comprehensive course dealing with the fundamentals of traditional music theory and its applications in classical, commercial and global music. Course concepts include rhythm, meter, basic properties of sound, intervals, scales, modes, triads, seventh chords, 4-part voice leading, phrase structure, cadential formulas, figured-bass and non harmonic tones. These topics will be studied through guided composition and analysis as well as ear training, sight singing, aural analysis and dictation.
                                                              A continuation of Comprehensive Music Theory 1. In addition, through guided composition and analysis, the course will include: an introduction to two-part counterpoint; voice leading involving four-part chorale writing; diatonic harmony; and an introduction to secondary chords and modulation. These rhythmic, melodic and harmonic materials will be applied and developed through ear training, sight singing and dictation.
                                                              Provides the opportunity for the student to apply and refine the sound synthesis skills introduced in Music 118.
                                                              Designed for members of the Allan Hancock College Jazz Band, which will perform a variety of traditional and contemporary jazz works. The band will make several appearances during the semester.

                                                              An introductory study of the nature of electricity; the processes employed in the analysis and documentation of DC and AC electric circuits, and the use of basic electronics testing instruments. Topics include: current voltage, resistance, power, reactance, admittance, resonance, Ohm's law, series parallel and bridge resistive and reactive circuits, Kirchhoff's voltage and current laws, loading effects of meters and supplies, capacitators, inductors, filters, RC and RL time constants, applications of Kirchhoff laws to multiple source series-parallel circuits, complex numbers, and network theorems. This course is not open to students who are enrolled or have received credit for EL 118.  

                                                              Provides the student practical experience for the comprehension of DC and AC electrical concepts introduced in CNET/EL 118 (Fundamentals of Circuit Analysis) and also presents the proper use of electronic test instrumentation for the measurement of circuit parameters. The course is not open to students who are currently enrolled or received credit for EL 119.  

                                                              Spring Year 2

                                                              Core Elective - Sound Tech (Cert.)
                                                              An introduction to film and video production techniques including cinematography, sound, recording, and video editing. Students make a variety of short video projects that involve narrative story telling and documentary filmmaking techniques. No personal equipment required. It is recommended that students enroll in FILM 380 for additional lab time.
                                                              A general survey course tracing the roots and special idiosyncrasies of the American popular music tradition from medieval Europe and Africa to the commercial and non-commercial world of today.
                                                              A comprehensive course dealing with the fundamentals of traditional music theory and its applications in classical, commercial and global music. Course concepts include rhythm, meter, basic properties of sound, intervals, scales, modes, triads, seventh chords, 4-part voice leading, phrase structure, cadential formulas, figured-bass and non harmonic tones. These topics will be studied through guided composition and analysis as well as ear training, sight singing, aural analysis and dictation.
                                                              A continuation of Comprehensive Music Theory 1. In addition, through guided composition and analysis, the course will include: an introduction to two-part counterpoint; voice leading involving four-part chorale writing; diatonic harmony; and an introduction to secondary chords and modulation. These rhythmic, melodic and harmonic materials will be applied and developed through ear training, sight singing and dictation.
                                                              Provides the opportunity for the student to apply and refine the sound synthesis skills introduced in Music 118.
                                                              Designed for members of the Allan Hancock College Jazz Band, which will perform a variety of traditional and contemporary jazz works. The band will make several appearances during the semester.

                                                              An introductory study of the nature of electricity; the processes employed in the analysis and documentation of DC and AC electric circuits, and the use of basic electronics testing instruments. Topics include: current voltage, resistance, power, reactance, admittance, resonance, Ohm's law, series parallel and bridge resistive and reactive circuits, Kirchhoff's voltage and current laws, loading effects of meters and supplies, capacitators, inductors, filters, RC and RL time constants, applications of Kirchhoff laws to multiple source series-parallel circuits, complex numbers, and network theorems. This course is not open to students who are enrolled or have received credit for EL 118.  

                                                              Provides the student practical experience for the comprehension of DC and AC electrical concepts introduced in CNET/EL 118 (Fundamentals of Circuit Analysis) and also presents the proper use of electronic test instrumentation for the measurement of circuit parameters. The course is not open to students who are currently enrolled or received credit for EL 119.