Program Requirements
The M.Mus. in Sound Recording; Non-Thesis program is a course-based, professional training program designed for musicians who wish to develop the skills required in the music recording and media industries. It is based on the German Tonmeister program and offers extensive, hands-on opportunities to record a broad spectrum of solo recitals, large opera, and symphonic repertoire with soloists and choirs, as well as complex jazz band and pop idioms.
Students are admitted to the M.Mus. in Sound Recording; Non-Thesis may be required to successfully complete one or more undergraduate course(s) before the beginning of the Master's program.
Required Courses (60 credits)
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MUSR 629D1 Technical Ear Training (2 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : This course will, through a sequence of specific auditory exercises, develop and improve students' aural sensitivity to small changes in sound quality. Students train to identify spectral variables in sound, develop stable reference of sound quality and learn about spectral characteristics of musical instruments.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Clemens-Seely, James (Fall)
1 hour tutorial, 2 hours laboratory.
Students must register for both MUSR 629D1 and MUSR 629D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 629D1 and MUSR 629D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MUMT 629D1/D2.
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MUSR 629D2 Technical Ear Training (2 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : See MUSR 629D1 for description.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Clemens-Seely, James (Winter)
Prerequisite: MUSR 629D1.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 629D1 and MUSR 629D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
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MUSR 631D1 Advanced Technical Ear Training (2 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : Identification and quantification of spatial parameters of sound image, nonlinear and transient distortion audibility, identification of coherent and incoherent noise, sound source identification in complex textures, sound enhancement and reconstruction. Instruction focused on acoustic and electroacoustic measurements is included throughout the year, as an exploration of the bridge between objective measure and subjective impressions of various acoustic spaces and electronic equipment.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Kelly, Jack (Fall)
1 hour tutorial, 2 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: MUMT 629.
Students must register for both MUSR 631D1 and MUSR 631D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 631D1 and MUSR 631D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MUMT 631D1/D2.
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MUSR 631D2 Advanced Technical Ear Training (2 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : See MUSR 631D1 for description.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Kelly, Jack (Winter)
Prerequisite: MUSR 631D1.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 631D1 and MUSR 631D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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MUSR 667 Digital Studio Technology (3 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : Technical and operational characteristics of different digital recording systems currently employed by the recording industry.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Clemens-Seely, James; Kelly, Jack (Winter)
3 hours lecture
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MUSR 668 Digital/Analog Audio Editing (3 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : Using analog and digital record/playback equipment, students learn, through practice, the art of replacing, patching, rebalancing, reconstructing, or generally speaking, improving recorded music through editing. Teaching will include cut and splice editing, disk-based editing, and editing by transfer and mixing.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: De Francisco, Martha; Clemens-Seely, James; Kelly, Jack (Fall)
1 hour tutorial, 3 hours studio time.
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MUSR 669D1 Topics: Classical Music Recording (1.5 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : Issues involving classical music recording. Topics may include: analysis of performance styles, acoustics of concert halls, production of music videos, seminars with recording producers, tonmeisters, classical music in multimedia, and others.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Epstein, Steven (Fall)
3 hours lecture
Students must register for both MUSR 669D1 and MUSR 669D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 669D1 and MUSR 669D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
MUSR 669D1 and MUSR 669D2 together are equivalent to MUSR 669.
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MUSR 669D2 Topics: Classical Music Recording (1.5 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : See MUSP 669D1 for description.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Epstein, Steven (Winter)
3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: MUSR 669D1.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 669D1 and MUSR 669D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
MUSR 669D1 and MUSR 669D2 together are equivalent to MUSR 669.
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MUSR 670D1 Recording Theory and Practice 1 (5 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : Theoretical and practice study of recording equipment, procedures and techniques. Recording sessions and live stereo recording, using the recording studio, concert hall and portable equipment for on-location recording. Also included will be an introduction to the areas of radio drama, broadcast recording and radio commercials.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: De Francisco, Martha; Woszczyk, Wieslaw (Fall)
3 hours seminar, 6 hours studio time.
Prerequisite: MUMT 300.
Students must register for both MUSR 670D1 and MUSR 670D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 670D1 and MUSR 670D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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MUSR 670D2 Recording Theory and Practice 1 (5 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : See MUSR 670D1 for description.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: De Francisco, Martha; Woszczyk, Wieslaw (Winter)
Prerequisite: MUSR 670D1.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 670D1 and MUSR 670D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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MUSR 671D1 Recording Theory and Practice 2 (5 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : Emphasis on multi-track recording theory and practice. The course will also concentrate on expanded multi-track procedures: signal processing, overdubbing, mixing, editing, and producing.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: King, Richard; Clemens-Seely, James (Fall)
3 hours seminar, 6 hours studio time.
Prerequisite: MUSR 670D1/D2 (formerly MUMT 670D1/D2).
Students must register for both MUSR 671D1 and MUSR 671D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 671D1 and MUSR 671D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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MUSR 671D2 Recording Theory and Practice 2 (5 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : See MUSR 671D1 for description.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Clemens-Seely, James; King, Richard (Winter)
Prerequisite: MUSR 671D1.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 671D1 and MUSR 671D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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MUSR 672D1 Analysis of Recordings (3 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : The analysis of recording engineering, production, performance, aesthetics and technical quality of selected recordings.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: De Francisco, Martha; Woszczyk, Wieslaw (Fall)
3 hours.
Students must register for both MUSR 672D1 and MUSR 672D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 672D1 and MUSR 672D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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MUSR 672D2 Analysis of Recordings (3 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : See MUSR 672D1 for description.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: De Francisco, Martha; Woszczyk, Wieslaw (Winter)
Prerequisite: MUSR 672D1.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 672D1 and MUSR 672D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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MUSR 677D1 Audio for Video Post-Production (3 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : Theoretical study includes historical analysis of sound for image, audio post-production process for film and video, aesthetic and technical considerations in sound design, time code and synchronization, and final mix formats. Practical skills include field recording, sound library management, sound design, dialog, effects and music editing, and final mix process.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Clemens-Seely, James; Mitchell, Geoffrey (Fall)
3 hours seminar, 4 hours studio time.
Students must register for both MUSR 677D1 and MUSR 677D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 677D1 and MUSR 677D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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MUSR 677D2 Audio for Video Post-Production (3 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : See MUSR 677D1 for description.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: King, Richard (Winter)
Prerequisite: MUSR 677D1.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSR 677D1 and MUSR 677D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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MUSR 678 Advanced Digital Editing and Post-Production (2 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : This course covers advanced concepts and techniques of audio post-production using digital workstations. Students practise the assembly of raw material into a complete final product through editing, signal processing, mixing, sound restoration and pre-mastering.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Clemens-Seely, James; Kelly, Jack (Winter)
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MUSR 691 Mastering and Restoration (3 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : Advanced practices in mastering and remastering of recorded music. Emphasis on digitizing and restoration (“clean-up") of ageing analog sources, print-through correction, and the assembling/mastering/finalizing of new recordings utilizing various techniques. Specific topics include archiving/preservation/metadata, analog tape transfer including alignment/azimuth and record bias, 78rpm disc transfers including stylus choice/speed correction and playback curve selection. Instruction is included in equalization and dynamic range control processes as they relate specifically to the mastering process.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: King, Richard (Fall)
3 hours.
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MUSR 692 Music Production Workshop (3 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : The Seminar aims at giving Music Performance and Sound Recording students the tools to becoming better recording artists, performers and recording engineers in today’s music scene. It will help them acquire skills and abilities as well as develop an informed judgement about recorded music performances and the recorded sound.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: De Francisco, Martha (Winter)
3 hours.
Restriction(s): This seminar is open to second year masters and doctoral Sound Recording students, master's and doctoral Performance and Graduate Artist Diploma students only.
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MUSR 695 Techniques of Immersive Sound (3 credits)
Overview
Sound Recording : Theory and practice of immersive sound. Exploration of advanced tools and techniques applied in three-dimensional recording and reproduction of music. Topics are chosen each year to reflect key areas of emerging knowledge and applications in 3D audio. Learning is based on application of interdisciplinary components from music, acoustics, signal processing, auditory perception, virtual reality, and multimedia.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Woszczyk, Wieslaw (Fall)
3 hours
Prerequisite: For Master's students: MUSR 670D1, MUSR 670D2 and MUSR 672D1, MUSR 672D2
