Electro-Acoustic Music (MUSI30031)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2025

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Overview

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This subject covers basic studio use and, specifically, the analog recording of audio with microphones and the digital manipulation of that audio on computer.

Students will develop a critical awareness of sounds and how they may be combined, treated and sculpted in creative ways.

Topics covered include the historical development of electro-acoustic music and a study of relevant techniques including musique concrète, sound recording, digital processing and mixing.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the subject, students should be able to:

  • critically analyse isolated sounds and identify their features;
  • contextualise electro-acoustic works within the historical development of the genre;
  • demonstrate problem-solving skills in digital and analog studio configurations;
  • create a digital stereo work from original analog sources.

Generic skills

On completion of the subject, students should have:

  • the ability to analyse sound;
  • the ability to work in complex studio environments;
  • the ability to problem-solve using a logical framework.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Students must meet one of the following requisite options:

Option 1

Admission into the Composition major in the B-MUS Bachelor of Music

AND

Note: the following subject/s can also be taken concurrently (at the same time)

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MUSI20055 Composition 3
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
 12.5

OR

Option 2

Admission into or selection of one of the following:

  • Composition informal specialisation in the GD-MUS Graduate Diploma in Music
  • Composition informal specialisation in the BH-MUS Bachelor of Music (Degree with Honours)

OR

Option 3

Admission into or selection of one of the following:

  • D-MUSIC Diploma in Music
  • Practical Music informal specialisation in the GD-MUS Graduate Diploma in Music
  • Musicology informal specialisation in the GD-MUS Graduate Diploma in Music
  • Ethnomusicology informal specialisation in the GD-MUS Graduate Diploma in Music
  • Tailored Program informal specialisation in the GD-MUS Graduate Diploma in Music

AND

PERMISSION OF COORDINATOR: Non-Composition students are required to apply for permission to enrol in this subject. Students must submit proof of permission with an Enrolment Assistance form to Stop 1:

Link to Enrolment Assistance form

Follow the link below to locate the Electro-Acoustic Music application form for non-Composition students, which must be completed in tandem with the Enrolment Assistance form.

Link to application form

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

1-minute electro-acoustic study, demonstrating studio skills

  • 800 words (equivalent)
During the teaching period20%

15-minute class presentation

  • 800 words (equivalent)
During the teaching period20%

A 3 to 5-minute original electro-acoustic piece composition

  • 2400 words (equivalent)
During the assessment period60%
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of all scheduled classes.Throughout the teaching periodN/A
Hurdle requirement: Students must submit all elements of assessment to be eligible for a pass in this subject. For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, each submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. Submitting only part of an assessment (e.g. only the title page) or an assessment on an irrelevant topic will not meet this hurdle requirement.N/A

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

Not available in 2025

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Additional delivery details

Quota

This subject has an enrolment quota of 16 students, and places are limited. Places will be allocated until the quota is reached. Enrolment in this subject is not guaranteed.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 4 March 2025