Media Scoring and Production (MSP)

MSP 1. Media Scoring and Production Forum. 1 Credit Hour.

This course provides a weekly forum for sharing information about issues, current developments, and other matters related to commercial music composition and production as a field of study and as a profession. The course is required for all undergraduate MSPD majors each semester.
Requisite: Frost School of Music and MSPD majors only.
Components: FOR.
Grading: CNC.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MSP 139. Recording Ensemble. 1 Credit Hour.

An ensemble of student-generated recording musical repertoire.
Requisite: Frost School of Music only.
Components: ENS.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MSP 200. Digital Audio and MIDI Production. 3 Credit Hours.

Weekly lab focused on Pro Tools proficiency and the intricacies of audio technology relating to a modern producer/film composer. Topics include Digital Audio definitions and uses, Pro Tools understanding, shortcuts, and proficiency, and MIDI.
Requisite: Frost School of Music only.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MSP 211. Introduction to Scoring. 3 Credit Hours.

Project-based lecture course designed to provide students the opportunity to compose and realize a varied array of music projects for media applications including music branding "logos" radio/television ID packages
Prerequisite: MSPD majors only AND MSP 200 OR departmental consent.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MSP 212. Video Game Scoring. 3 Credit Hours.

Project based seminar/workshop designed to provide students the opportunity to gain the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to produce a variety of musical works for use in video games. Students will also be instructed in the concepts and subtleties of using a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) specifically designed for video games.
Prerequisite: MSP 211.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MSP 221. Studio and Recording Techniques. 3 Credit Hours.

Project based seminar/workshop designed to provide students the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge to properly record acoustic audio into a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Particular emphasis will be placed on the proper use and implementation of microphones, microphone cables, direct boxes, microphone pre-amplifiers and consoles. In addition, students will be versed in the basics of acoustics, signal flow and basic mixing techniques within a DAW.
Prerequisite: MSPD major only AND MSP 200.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MSP 222. Critical Listening. 3 Credit Hours.

Project-based practicum course designed to provide students the opportunity to explore, discover and articulate the elements needed to successfully model and emulate music of any genre by examining popular music of selected decades. Particular emphasis is placed on critical listening, the understanding of signal flow and processing, and the skills required to properly apply each of these concepts in order to enhance the commercial viability of their final projects.
Prerequisite: MSP 221, OR MADE_BM with senior standing, OR departmental consent.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MSP 250. Essential Technologies for Musicians. 3 Credit Hours.

Basic MIDI and digital audio principles from set-up to final mix, recording of live Instruments using basic microphone techniques, MIDI sequencing, software synthesizers, basic editing, and audio looping.
Requisite: Frost School of Music only.
Components: DIL.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MSP 301. Virtual Orchestration. 3 Credit Hours.

Weekly lab focused on the creation of sample-based orchestral mock-ups. Particular emphasis is placed on technical considerations as they apply to MIDI programming, sample selection, and mixing.
Requisite: MADE_BM or MSPD_BM majors only AND MSP 200 or MSP 250.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MSP 302. Synthestration. 3 Credit Hours.

Weekly lab focused on Sound Design/synthesis as it applies to the modern producer. Topics include different synthesis techniques, different waves, modulation controls, signal flow as it applies to modular synthesis, hardware synths vs "softsynths," and FX processing common to synth instruments.
Requisite: MADE_BM or MSPD_BM majors only AND MSP 200 or MSP 250 or MED 250.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MSP 311. Media Scoring I: Foundations. 3 Credit Hours.

Seminar in the aesthetics and psychology of mood music, sound-film synchronization, timing techniques, and scoring procedures. Analysis and performance of student projects is included.
Prerequisite: MSP 211.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MSP 312. Media Scoring 2: Extensions. 3 Credit Hours.

Adaptation of previous semester's techniques to television scripts and performed music. Pre-recording, direct recording, and dubbing procedures are included as well as preparation and performance of complete film cues. Each student is required to conduct his/her project.
Prerequisite: MSP 311.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MSP 321. Audio Editing. 3 Credit Hours.

Project-based practicum course designed to provide students the opportunity to compose, record and reproduce a wide variety of music projects that combine the use of pre-existing as well as new musical elements. Particular emphasis is placed on technical considerations, aesthetic issues, and the commercial via- bility of the end product.
Prerequisite: MSPD major only AND MSP 221.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MSP 322. Mixing and Mastering. 3 Credit Hours.

Weekly lab focused on mixing and mastering music for commercial release. Topics include psychoacoustics, a variety of audio effects and their uses in a mix, how rooms and equipment affect your ability to listen critically, and loudness requirements for commercial releases. Students will be mixing 1 song a week, with increased level of difficulty as new subjects are introduced.
Prerequisite: MSPD major only AND MSP 221.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MSP 401. Senior Project. 1 Credit Hour.

This course is the capstone of the Media Scoring and Production major and Program. Students will will develop a portfolio of recordings of original songs. Students will also be required a public performance of their original songs.
Requisite: MSP majors AND senior standing.
Components: THI.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MSP 493. Special Projects in Media Media Scoring & Production. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced individual instruction pertaining to faculty member’s area expertise and student’s area of interest. This course includes a culminating project.
Requisite: Frost School of Music only.
Components: IND.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MSP 494. Special Topics in Media Scoring & Production. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced group/classroom instruction pertaining to faculty member’s expertise and students’ areas of interest.
Components: SEM.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MSP 593. Special Projects in Media Scoring & Production. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced individual instruction pertaining to faculty member’s area expertise and student’s area of interest. This course includes a culminating project.
Requisite: Frost School of Music only.
Components: IND.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

MSP 594. Special Topics in Media Scoring & Production. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced group/classroom instruction pertaining to faculty member’s expertise and students’ areas of interest.
Components: SEM.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MSP 631. Recording Engineering Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.

Students in MSP 631 will accomplish three primary goals: 1) understanding historical trends in the audio recording industry, particularly those involving key technological advances; 2) understanding and appreciating recent advances in sound recording technologies and methods; and 3) development of critical thinking, research, writing, and presentation skills.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MSP 694. Special Topics in Media Scoring & Production. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced group/classroom instruction pertaining to faculty member’s expertise and students’ areas of interest.
Components: SEM.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MSP 700. Digital Audio and MIDI Production. 3 Credit Hours.

Weekly lab focused on Pro Tools proficiency and the intricacies of audio technology relating to a modern producer/film composer. Topics include Digital Audio definitions and uses, Pro Tools understanding, shortcuts and proficiency, and MIDI.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MSP 701. Virtual Orchestration. 3 Credit Hours.

This project-based seminar/lab is designed to expose students to the basics of MIDI orchestration with particular emphasis on the creation of fully-realized mock-ups.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MSP 702. Synthestration. 3 Credit Hours.

Weekly lab focused on Sound Design/synthesis as it applies to the modern producer. Topics include different synthesis techniques, different waves, modulation controls, signal flow as it applies to modular synths, hardware synths vs “softsynths,” and FX processing common to synth instruments.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MSP 711. Media Scoring 1: Film Scoring Foundations. 3 Credit Hours.

Seminar in the aesthetics and psychology of mood music, sound-film synchronization, timing techniques, and scoring procedures. Analysis and performance of student projects is included.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MSP 712. Media Scoring 2: Film Scoring Extensions. 3 Credit Hours.

Adaptation of previous semester's techniques to television scripts and performed music. Pre-recording, direct recording, and dubbing procedures are included as well as preparation and performance of complete film cues. Each student is required to conduct his/her project.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MSP 713. Video Game Scoring. 3 Credit Hours.

Project based seminar/workshop designed to provide students the opportunity to gain the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to produce a variety of musical works for use in visual media.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MSP 721. Studio and Recording Techniques. 3 Credit Hours.

Recording studio production procedures. Topics include artist and material selection, session planning, and analysis of the producer's role.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MSP 722. Mixing and Mastering. 3 Credit Hours.

Project-based course designed to provide students with a clear understanding of most Audio effects used in Mixing and Music Production. Students are expected to complete one multitrack mix a week, and present to the class their work for critique and review. Additional emphasis is placed on psychoacoustics, room acoustics, and loudness.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MSP 723. Advanced Production Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.

Project-based course designed to provide the opportunity to record, produce, mix, and commercially release an EP. Students are expected to use their music production skills to produce a studio-quality commercial recording of a fellow student, including recording, sound design, and mixing. Additional emphasis will be placed on budget management, studio and musician booking, mastering in preparation for release, and extras including meta-data and artwork.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MSP 739. Recording Ensemble. 1 Credit Hour.

An ensemble of student-generated recording musical repertoire.
Requisite: Must be in the School of Graduate Music.
Components: ENS.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MSP 793. Special Projects in Media Scoring & Production. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced individual instruction pertaining to faculty member’s area of expertise and student’s area of interest. This course includes a culminating project.
Components: IND.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MSP 794. Special Topics in Media Scoring & Production. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced group/classroom instruction pertaining to faculty member’s expertise and students’ areas of interest.
Components: SEM.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MSP 805. Master's Media Scoring and Production Project. 1-3 Credit Hours.

In this course, students engage in professional practice experience, resulting in the actualization of a comprehensive final master’s project. The project showcases their advanced technical skills and creative proficiency in media scoring and music production, marking the culmination of their graduate studies in the program.
Requisite: MSPD_MM Or MWPD_MM Or MSPDO_MM.
Components: THI.
Grading: SUS.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MSP 820. Research in Residence. 1 Credit Hour.

Used to establish research in residence and maintain full-time enrollment after the student has completed all courses required for the degree.
Components: THI.
Grading: SUS.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.