Program Description
This program is designed for students wanting to complete a two-year AAS Degree in Recording Arts Technology and enter the workforce. Students explore music theory, history, sight-singing, music computer applications and audio. Students build digital literacy skills in audio recording, digital editing, audio production, audio post production, live sound engineering, and film, theater, and video sound production. This program develops the knowledge and skills for entry level career options in the music recording and entertainment industry including copyright, labels, publishing, licensing, distribution, marketing, finance, and legal settings.
Learn more about this program.
What You Will Learn
Upon completion of the program students will be able to:
1. Create high quality audio recordings and live production mixes, which demonstrate proper microphone selection and placement, plus signal flow and processing
2. Recognize the best practices of effective production in a range of genres of music in both MIDI and non-MIDI environments
3. Apply fundamental knowledge of digital recording electronics and operation of a minimum of two contemporary audio recording and processing Digital Audio Workspace (DAW) software such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and aesthetics of electronic music through practical application of basic digital audio theory, the processes of music synthesis and audio effects
5. Evaluate merits of recording outcomes through development of critical listening with an understanding of technical goals and aesthetic considerations appropriate for multiple genres
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the process of multi-media content delivery
7. Identify different audio career paths and the skills necessary to be successful in the varied career paths in the audio industry
8. Develop fundamental entrepreneurial skills, including an online presence and a basic promotional strategy adaptive to market demands
My Academic Plan: Full-Time
Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your degree. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree in 4 semesters (2 years). For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
First Semester
Semester Note: It is important to contact Music Faculty for advising, assessment, and placement. For MUS 1010 and MUS 1012, faculty recommend you take MUS 1000 as preparation if you have limited experience in music notation, and this will count as your music elective.
Students planning to transfer to the University of Colorado Denver's Bachelor of Science in Recording Arts, Non-Audition Emphasis, are advised to complete MUS 1031 Music Class I: Piano as their elective this semester.
You must complete 10 credits of Music Electives (MUS 1000 or higher) to earn the Recording Arts Technology AAS degree. These courses should be selected based on student preference, course availability, and career focus. Recommended categories and courses include:
- Private Instruction & Performance: Music Class I-IV, Ensemble I-IV, Private Instruction I-IV
- Production & Technology: Audio Post Production I & II, and Advanced Music Audio Production
- Music Theory & History: Music Theory III-IV, Music Appreciation, and Music History courses
Second Semester
Third Semester
| MUS 1067 | Music Business I | 3 |
| MUS 1023 | Survey of World Music: GT-AH1 | 3 |
| PHY 1105 | Conceptual Physics w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 4 |
| COM 2300 | Intercultural Communication: GT-SS3 | 3 |
| Any Music Course (MUS 1000 or higher) | Any Music Course (MUS 1000 or higher). Prefer: Private Instruction & Performance, Production & Technology, or Music Theory & History courses | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Semester Note: Students planning to transfer to the University of Colorado Denver's Bachelor of Science in Recording Arts, Non-Audition Emphasis, are advised to
complete MUS 1006 Songwriting as their elective this semester.
Fourth Semester
Semester Note: Students planning to transfer to the University of Colorado Denver's Bachelor of Science in Recording Arts, Non-Audition Emphasis, are advised to complete MUS 1068 Audio Post Production I as their elective this semester.
Upon completion of MUS 1061, MUS 1063, MUS 2065, and MUS 2084/MUS 2089, you should apply for the Foundations of Recording Arts Technology Certificate. The Foundations of Recording Arts Technology Certificate is ideal for elementary and secondary music teachers who would like to learn more about recording arts technology/sound engineering.
Upon completion of MUS 1010, MUS 1012, MUS 1061, MUS 1063, MUS 1067, MUS 1062, MUS 1064, MUS 2065, MUS 2084/MUS 2089 and 4 credits of electives from any MUS course, you should apply for the Recording Arts Technology Certificate.
You must complete 10 credits of Music Electives to earn the Recording Arts Technology AAS degree. These courses should be selected based on student preference, course availability, and career focus. Recommended categories and courses include:
- Private Instruction & Performance: Music Class I-IV, Ensemble I-IV, Private Instruction I-IV
- Production & Technology: Audio Post Production I & II, and Advanced Music Audio Production
- Music Theory & History: Music Theory III-IV, Music Appreciation, and Music History courses
My Academic Plan: Part-Time
Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree within 3-years. This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing 12 or more credits in a semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
Fall Semester 1
Semester Note: Faculty recommend you take MUS 1000 as preparation if you have limited experience in music notation. MUS 1000 will reduce the number of music electives required in this degree.
Spring Semester 2
| MUS 1010 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 1012 | Ear Training/Sight-Singing I Lab | 1 |
| Any Music Course (MUS 1000 or higher) | Any Music Course (MUS 1000 or higher). Prefer: Private Instruction & Performance, Production & Technology, or Music Theory & History courses | 1 |
| PHY 1105 | Conceptual Physics w/Lab: GT-SC1 | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Summer Semester 3
| PSY 1001 | General Psychology I: GT-SS3 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Fall Semester 4
Spring Semester 5
| MUS 1061 | Computer Music Applications I | 3 |
| MUS 1063 | Music Audio Production I | 3 |
| Any Music Course (MUS 1000 or higher) | Any Music Course (MUS 1000 or higher). Prefer: Private Instruction & Performance, Production & Technology, or Music Theory & History courses | 2 |
| Any Music Course (MUS 1000 or higher) | Any Music Course (MUS 1000 or higher). Prefer: Private Instruction & Performance, Production & Technology, or Music Theory & History courses | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Semester Note: You must complete 10 credits of Music Electives to earn the Recording Arts Technology AAS degree. These courses should be selected based on student preference, course availability, and career focus. Recommended categories and courses include:
- Private Instruction & Performance: Music Class I-IV, Ensemble I-IV, Private Instruction I-IV
- Production & Technology: Audio Post Production I & II, and Advanced Music Audio Production
- Music Theory & History: Music Theory III-IV, Music Appreciation, and Music History courses
Summer Semester 6
| COM 2300 | Intercultural Communication: GT-SS3 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Fall Semester 7
| MUS 1023 | Survey of World Music: GT-AH1 | 3 |
| MUS 1062 | Computer Music Applications II | 3 |
| MUS 1064 | Music Audio Production II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Spring Semester 8
Semester Note: Upon completion of MUS 1061, MUS 1063, MUS 2065, and MUS 2084/MUS 2089, you should apply for the Foundations of Recording Arts Technology Certificate . The Foundations of Recording Arts Technology Certificate is ideal for elementary and secondary music teachers who would like to learn more about recording arts technology/sound engineering.
Upon completion of MUS 1010, MUS 1012, MUS 1061, MUS 1063, MUS 1067, MUS 1062, MUS 1064, MUS 2065, MUS 2084/MUS 2089 and 4 credits from any MUS course, you should apply for the Recording Arts Technology Certificate.
You must complete 10 credits of Music Electives to earn the Recording Arts Technology AAS degree. These courses should be selected based on student preference, course availability, and career focus. Recommended categories and courses include:
- Private Instruction & Performance: Music Class I-IV, Ensemble I-IV, Private Instruction I-IV
- Production & Technology: Audio Post Production I & II, and Advanced Music Audio Production
- Music Theory & History: Music Theory III-IV, Music Appreciation, and Music History courses