Outline

Overview

This unit provides a practical overview of the sound recording process. Aspects of creative production are examined alongside project planning, management and the professional delivery of master recordings to professional standards. Students will gain insight into the recording process through practical recording projects taking advantage of the concert venues and studios and will integrate into the existing musical activities that occur at the Conservatorium

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Composition and Music Technology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Damian Barbeler, damian.barbeler@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Portfolio or journal	Recording portfolio Sound Portfolio and supporting documents	50%	STUVAC Due date: 03 Jun 2026 at 23:59	6-12 minutes duration	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Early Feedback Task - Rubric Engagement/participation rubric #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03	-	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Folio proposal Written assessment	10%	Week 03 Due date: 09 Mar 2026 at 23:59	10 page A4 "Pitch Deck": text an images	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Portfolio - 1st recording Submission Submit first portfolio recording	20%	Week 07 Due date: 13 Apr 2026 at 23:59	1-3 minutes duration	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	In Class Recording Diagnosis Group Assessment Analyse and mix a preset audio file	20%	Week 09 Due date: 29 Apr 2026 at 00:00	30mins	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

Early Feedback Task
Portfolio proposal: Students will create a portfolio of sound recordings ( minimum 5 sound items). The recordings must explore different production approaches/techniques and/or be different instrumental groupings or in different situations. Studentswill submit a proposal outlining the planned porfolio. The first item will be a choice of preset options using a Zoom recorder. Remaining items will be devised by the group.
Portfolio 1sst Track Submission: Students submit a first track form the portfolio for feedback.
In Class Group Audio File Diagnosis: Students Groups will be given a set file to listen to, reflect on the quality, suggest post-production iumprovements and techniques and make some first practical mixing changes to the file for submission
Recording Portfolio: The recordings will submit the final portfolio. The recorded items will be of a professional standard using post production and submitted as audio files accompanied by a written evaluation and discussion. The audio files must be comprehensively labelled with track titles, student group names, etc.. a link to the original raw recordings will accompany the portfolio. The folio must be accompanied by thorough documentation outlining the entire recording and production process and include documentation around planning and a reflection on how various processes went.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for performance work in this unit of study:

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Comprehensive and outstanding technical control and musical integrity in relation to developmental expectations. Musical individuality consistently projected to create a persuasive personal representation of the work. Performance flair indicative of soloist standard. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry.
Distinction	75 - 84	Excellent technical, musical and stylistic achievement. Consistently coherent and expressive performance. Some personal interpretation of the work suggesting soloist potential.
Credit	65 - 74	Confident technique with evidence of solid musicality and some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicative of unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues. Projects potential for further development.
Pass	50 - 64	Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Some inconsistencies in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense developing though some insecurity in this area.
Fail	0 - 49	Unsatisfactory technical achievement and/or unsatisfactory level of musical and artistic engagement. Limitations may be of such a scale and consistency as to call into question the student’s future direction in the programme.

The following assessment criteria are used for written work in this unit of study:

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.
Distinction	75 - 84	Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.
Credit	65 - 74	Evidence of broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of ability to problematise and think conceptually.
Pass	50 - 64	Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.
Fail	0 - 49	Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	"Capturing Emotion": course overview and rationale. Uni resources, assessments and course structure.Sound elements, workflows and modern contexts. Overview of sound today, where it is being used and by whom. Elements of communication in sound. Current technologies and workflows.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Sound Mapping Experiential Task	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Basic introduction to recording equipment: the Zoom Recorder. An example recording project.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Zoom Recorder Practice	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Sound Fundamentals: Simple physics and features of human perception of sound.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Group Portfolio Planning and Feedback	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Sound recording basics Part 1. Concepts and practice around recording with microphones: techniques and tactics. Recording in different situations.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Group Portfolio Planning and Feedback	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Recording specific sound sources Part 1: Voice indoors and outdoors. Other instrument examples.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Learning to plug in an audio interface into a computer and have it communicate with a Digital Audio Workstation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Recording specific sound sources Part 2: Voice indoors and outdoors. Other instrument examples.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Practical demonstration of a studio recording session.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Sound recording basics Part 2. Recording with microphones. Using a Digital Audio Workstation.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Practical demonstration of how to edit and do a rough mix of a studio recording session of acoustic instruments.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Sound Structures: Basic ways of structuring recorded sound for an audience. How this influences recording strategies.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Recording specific sound sources Part 1: Voice indoors and outdoors. Other instrument examples.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Working with recorded sound on the computer. Signal chain, maintaining quality, equipment, basic workflows.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Group Portfolio Planning and In Class Assessment	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Sound Production Part 1: mixing tips and techniques. Audio plugins.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Using Reverb practical examples	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Sound Production Part 2: EQ techniques	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Post-production / Mixing Feedback	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Sound Production Part 3: Final mixing and delivery.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Post-production / Mixing Feedback	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School, Program Leader, or relevant Unit of Study Coordinator. The Dean, Head of School, Program Leader or relevant Unit of Study Coordinator may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Develop a proficiency with equipment commonly found in the (home) recording studio environment
LO2. develop skills to effectively use microphones and recording devices to record solo instruments, ensembles, field recording etc
LO3. develop organisational skills and learn to communicate effectively with the people involved in the recording process such as musicians, conductors, managers, etc.
LO4. edit and produce recordings using industry standard software within the home, and professional studio environments
LO5. develop the capacity to think creatively about the recording process.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	National Standard of Competency for Architects - 1.3. Assessment of project budget and timeframe against project requirements and objectives. 2.1. Identification, analysis and integration of information relevant to siting of project.

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Updated to have 1 x secure assessment and portfolio has more scaffolding to encourage exploration of a wider range of recording techniques and contexts.

Additional information

Simple extensions:

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time such as an assignment, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a Simple Extension. Information here:

https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/simple-extensions.html

The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration:

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment or during the semester , you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements. Find that info here:

https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/special-consideration.html

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Study commitment:

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CMPN5006: Recording Portfolio

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links