Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC-1331 (Section: 1, CRN: 93509)
MIDI
LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Justin Gilbert
Email gilbertjd@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6547
Office Performing Arts Center - Room: 142
Office Hours

Location: Performing Arts Center Room 142

Hours: TR 3:30-5 pm 


Additional Contact Information
Course Information
Description Exploration of the history and evolution of Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) systems and applications. Includes the MIDI language and applications in the studio environment using software-based sequencing programs.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

The MIDI Manual: A Practical Guide to MIDI within Modern Music Production, 4th Edition, Routledge, 2020. ISBN: 978-0367549985


Additional Materials/Resources
  • An external SSD of 512GB or higher capacity


Corequisites/Prerequisites
  • MUSI-1181 Piano Class I
Learning Outcomes

Summarize the MIDI protocol; set up a MIDI controller-virtual instrument and/or external hardware instrument; utilize software-based sequencing programs.


Program Student Learning Outcomes

PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills – Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material
PSLO 1: Demonstrate basic proficiency in creating original music and audio that supports the visual narrative
PSLO 2: Demonstrate basic proficiency in short-form video production & editing, media delivery formats, and audiovisual workflow
PSLO 3: Recognize and observe professional best practices in the audiovisual field, including the various roles in film, audio engineering, and media
PSLO 4: Produce a final portfolio and resume suitable for entry-level employment in the audiovisual field


Lecture Topics Outline

1. Course Introduction, syllabus review

2. MIDI Basics: The MIDI 1.0 protocol, status bytes vs data bytes, serial data transmission, MIDI message types, running status

3. MIDI Systems: Standard MIDI cables, MIDI signal flow via in, out, & thru jacks, daisy chaining, & multi-port MIDI devices

4. Logic Pro Basics: The Logic Pro interface, transport controls, the tool menus, track types, channels strips, & regions

5. MIDI Performance Capture: MIDI input devices, keyboard controllers, the sustain pedal, drum pads, & recording MIDI regions

6. MIDI Editing & Processing: Region looping, duplication, region editing, quantization, transposition, MIDI transforms, MIDI FX

7. Step-Sequencing & the Piano Roll: The piano roll window, manual MIDI programming, pattern regions, & the step-sequencer

8. The Score Editor: Traditional music notation, clefs and staff styles, staff splits, note types, rests, tab notation, & the tab editor

9. MIDI Instruments: Synthesizers, sample instruments, velocity-based sample selection, track-stacks, patches, & layering

10. Audio-to-MIDI: The Flex Pitch feature, creating MIDI tracks from Flex Pitch data, & the “replace or double drum track” feature

11. Exporting MIDI & Audio: Exporting tracks & regions as MIDI files, exporting tracks & regions as audio files, & bouncing audio files

12. Hybrid MIDI Systems: MIDI USB interfaces & USB compatible MIDI controllers, external MIDI tracks, & hardware track presets


Major Assignments Schedule

Week 1 – None

Week 2 – Quiz 1

Week 3 – None

Week 4 – Quiz 2

Week 5 – Quiz 3

Week 6 – None

Week 7 – None

Week 8 – Project 1 Due

Week 9 None

Week 10 – None

Week 11 – Project 2 Due

Week 12 – None

Week 13 – Project 3 Due

Week 14 – None

Week 15 – None

Week 16 – Project 4 Due

Final Exam Date December 9, 2025 - 10:0 AM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade

Quizzes & Assignments30%

Weekly Class & Blackboard Participation – 30%

Projects – 40%

Course Policies
Instructor Policies

Use of AI on any assignment will not be allowed other than for grammar or spell checking.

Attendance Policy

Any student more than 15 minutes late will be considered absent. After one absence, all further unexcused absences will cause you to lose credit for the day as part of your weekly participation grade. If there are special circumstances related to your absence such as medical emergency, speak with me as soon as possible and your absence can be excused at instructor discretion.

Additional Information
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Commercial Music, Visual and Performing Arts
Chair:CASP
Email:CASP
Phone:(409) 983-4921