Independent Music Production (IMP)

In this introduction course, students will gain a strong understanding of sound as it applies to the studio, including how and why components are connected the way they are. Students will also learn how to select the highest quality, most current audio components to design and build a high-end home based recording studio on a budget.

Sound and Recording 1 will provide students with a broad introduction to the theoretical, technical, creative and artistic principles of sound and recording. This combined theory and practical lab environment will introduce students to digital audio basics, hardware (Microphones, Protools Digi 002, and Yamaha 01V mixer), software (Protools, Nuendo, and Audio Plug-Ins) and computers (Macintosh and PC).

An introduction to the art and craft of lyrics and songwriting for the pop market, this course will explore through interactive writing and collective sessions writing and producing a variety of songs in a number of different styles all with a pop flair.

This brief introduction/refresher course presents music theory in a practical context that is relatively easy to grasp, even for musicians who are strictly self-taught or play by ear. This course will pay immediate dividends for both players and non-instrumentalists in their ability to write, arrange, hear and communicate musical ideas.

What does it mean to be an Independent Musician? Is an artist only Indie because they cant get a record deal? Or is being Indie a choice, an approach to doing art and business on ones own terms? These and other questions are raised and discussed in the context of learning about the various jobs and roles in the music business. The course also provides an overview of the various sources of income potentially available to the Independent musician, as well as an exploration of the practicalities and ethics of the new economy and digital distribution.

In this course the students will be taught how to write and submit a grant worthy of funding, including all requirements such as bios/one sheets, press kits, résumés and budgets. We will be using the FACTOR (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Recording) Demo recording grant as an example. Part of the focus will be on paying and expecting to be paid fair market value for the talents and services of musicians, producers and other industry professionals, to take the dream of being an artist and bring in the reality of doing this for a living.

This subject will build on the knowledge from the first Audio & Studio (IMP 101), breaking down the studio, component by component. This will give the students the understanding they will need to set up their own studios.

Multi-track recording in a digital environment will be the focus in this second level course. Applying the recording techniques gained from level one and applying them to the digital world. Students will also understand and practice good fundamental recording techniques.

Introduction to Midi will provide students with a broad introduction to the theoretical, technical, creative and artistic principles of Midi. This combined theory and practical lab environment will introduce students to Midi basics, (hardware controllers), software (Protools, Nuendo, Reason), and professional music sequencing techniques.

This advanced songwriting course aimed at helping students develop and refine a personal style, will push the students creative juices over the top. Much of the work from this class will be used in the studio classes, as the body of work to be produced for the IMP major project.

Curriculum under development.

Continuing with the concept of first Business course, this subject will look at the money side of the business and teach students the skills necessary to become their own booking agent.

An introduction to digital photography, this subject will allow students to showcase/improve their artistic and creative non-musical side. Utilizing photo editing software (Photoshop) and other computer based graphic programs; students will gain basic photographic and design skills necessary to produce a visually strong CD package.

In this subject, the student will learn the techniques for producing and mastering a CD including handling re-writes and other re-producing elements of their project. Utilizing audio software, students will learn a new appreciation for the details involved in the final production and mastering of a project.

The students will build on the previous two levels of Sound and Recording to gain more experience and understanding of a digital multi-track recording, both in the linear and non-linear world. Students will also start recording the music for their IMP major project (due in the final module).

This subject is designed as a tool to evaluate students mixes, recording techniques, editing procedures, song structure, musical dynamics and lyrics in collaboration with faculty in a one on one or small group relationship. This subject is aimed at helping students develop a critical ear regarding their own musical projects.

In this subject the student will learn the techniques necessary to set up and operate a basic live sound system in a small venue using a variety of hands on experience. Students will also learn how to communicate effectively and efficiently with larger venue sound technicians to achieve the optimum sonic results for their program.

This course provides an introduction to performance psychology, a new field of psychology which studies the factors that allow individuals, communities and societies to flourish. Most recently, performance psychology has included the study of the psychological skills and knowledge necessary to facilitate and develop peak performance guidelines in the performing arts domain. This course is designed to ensure students remain conscious of their overall mental and physical health and wellbeing throughout their musical careers.

Learning the basic principles and practices of self-marketing and self-promotion is critical for the success of the independent musician. This course will provide students with an overview of both traditional and digital marketing, and offer insights and strategies for using the available tools to market and promote their music and brand.

Small business principles and practices for musicians (The Mechanics), including bookkeeping, keeping records, taxes and key time management and organization skills.

An overview of the process of how to protect ones intellectual and artistic poetry, this course is a snapshot of the legal system and how it affects an independent musician.

Students will learn how to design and develop products and merchandising strategies, develop contacts and negotiate contracts for duplication and distribution and understand the basic supply and demand chain as it applied to the independent musician.

The focus of this subject is aimed at what is required for a high quality music demo for specific markets. Students will be actually mastering produced tracks for the IMP major project. They will also have tours of mastering houses and CD pressing plants, and have guest lectures from respected industries professionals.

This course will cover many aspects of performance, whether it is on stage, in interviews, or on video. Students will learn how to put their best foot forward when faced with important media and music professionals, as well as during performances through the further development of stage presence and banter.

In this class we focus on the business and art of co-writing, professional demo-ing and pitching to music publishers. Through designated writing partners, each student is ?cross pollinated? (in terms of genre) and directed to write outside of their habitual style, form and lyrical/phrasing structure. Collaborations can be performed in class or pre-recorded and played for the group. This process has consistently yielded some of the strongest and most original works of the program.

Building on the previous small business course and to some extent the previous two business modules, the students will fine-tune their business skills with a real world situation. Students will have to set up a showcase for the IMP major project CD, organize the paper side of the classes business, and make sure it is all paid for by obtaining fundraising or grants.

In this course the students will continue their one-on-one production/mentoring relationship with their Instructors, with the focus on finishing their mixes to the highest possible standard, and having them ready in time to meet mastering and production deadlines. The Major Project represents the culmination and convergence of the various concepts and tools taught in Studio and Recording, Artist Development, Songwriting, Collaboration and Business courses throughout the IMP program. Working in conjunction with IMP321 and IMP422, the end result is the completed production, release and promotion of a compilation playlist and live performance showcase.