Belmont University

Instructor: Michael J. Janas

Contact: Office RCA-B / Phone: 242.5167 / email: janasm@mail.belmont.edu

Office Hours: By appointment only.

Course Credit: 3 Course Hours

Class Location: RCA Studio B, 1611 Roy Acuff Place, Nashville, TN 37203

Class Meeting Times: 3090.03 Tue-Thu 11a-12:15pm

3090.04 Tue-Thu 12:30pm-1:45pm

Class Lab Times: http://campus.belmont.edu/mb/studio/LabSchedule.html

RCA-B Website: http://campus.belmont.edu/rcastudiob/

Course Description: Prerequisites: MBU 1110, AET 1380 and permission of instructor. A detailed study of the technical characteristics and performance of each component of the recording studio. Topics include basic studio electronic signal flow, tape machine operations, dynamic processing, basic microphone use, studio acoustics, session procedures and the role of the assistant engineer. Emphasis is placed on developing audio perception skills for recording engineers.

Course Objective: To gain experience in setting-up a studio for a recording session; to gain an understanding of acoustic and electronic signal flow; and to become familiar with the various tools (microphones, consoles, machines, outboard gear, etc.); and to learn procedures that will help make recording sessions go smoothly, enjoyably, efficiently, and will result in quality recording.

GOALS OF THE MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS:

The following objectives will be applied toward course completion:

· To provide a personalized, career-oriented and practical education that emphasizes leadership, innovation, private enterprise, and entrepreneurship.

· To equip students with the tools to think critically, communicate effectively, accept responsibility, make successful decisions, and prosper in diverse work environments.

· To emphasize quality classroom instruction within the parameters of ethical Christian principles.

HONOR CODE: It is the responsibility of each student to abide by the Belmont University Honor Code:

“In affirmation of the Belmont University Statement of Values, I pledge that I will not give or receive aid during examinations; I will not give or receive false or impermissible aid in course work, in the preparation of reports, or in any other type of work that is to be used by the instructor as the basis of my grade; I will not engage in any form of academic fraud. Furthermore, I will uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and letter of this Honor Pledge.”

Accommodation of Disabilities: In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Belmont University will provide reasonable accommodation of all medically documented disabilities. If you have a disability and would like the university to provide reasonable accommodations of the disability during this course, please notify Tammye Tanksley, Director of Counseling & Developmental Support in the Office of the Dean of Students (460-6407) as soon as possible.

Class & Lab Materials:

Audio Engineering 1 Workbook (Red cover)

Audio in Media by Stanley R. Alten (6^th or 7^th Edition)

Make Mine Music by Bruce Swedien. MIA Press 2004.

Course Requirements:

Grade Scale: As per current Undergraduate Bulletin.

Attendance: Class and lab attendance policy follows the guidelines presented in the current Belmont University Catalog. Students may miss up to four class or lab periods throughout the semester without any grade reduction. After four absences, a student’s final grade will be reduced by 5%. After six misses, the student’s final grade will be reduced 10%. After eight absences, the student will be removed from the class roster and withdrawn from the class with a grade of F.

Academic Testing: There will be written and practical exams. Each will be comprehensive and inclusive of all class, workbook, and reading material covered up to that date. No makeup or late exams will be given. Students may only be excused from an exam with proper notification from the provost. In the case of excused, missed exams, the other exams percentages will be adjusted accordingly.

Written Assignments

Assistant Engineering Assignment: Analyze a song and create the following session documents, each on a different sheet. You will need to view the running time of the song during this assignment.

Song Chart: Chart the arrangement and chords for the entire song. Do not use guitar tablature. Each section of the song is to be labeled with the time at which it occurs.
Lyric Sheet. Using a word processor, format the song lyrics to match exactly what is on the recording. Provide boxes to the right of the lyric for marking takes and label each line with the time at which it occurs.

Song Analysis: Critically listen to the musical recordings listed below and describe the instrumentation, arrangement and production techniques used to make the recordings. Include recording format (if possible), any relevant anecdotes and production credits including artist, album (if applicable), label, song title, writer, publisher information, PRO, producer, engineers, musicians and vocalists, a song chart and a lyric sheet (as described above in the Assistant Engineering Assignment). The paper is a minimum of two (2) pages, plus the song chart and lyric sheet, and should be a clear and concise presentation. Citations must be in MLA format. This is a short research paper, not an editorial.

RCA Studio B Song Analysis: Select and analyze a song recorded at historic RCA Studio B between 1957-1977. Verify the selected song with the instructor to be accepted for credit. The lab book contains a partial list.
Historical Song Analysis: Select and analyze a popular song (charted song in pop, country, rock, or similar charts) recorded and released prior to 1980.

Recording Projects: You are required to complete two Recording Projects. These projects will give you practical, hands-on recording experience, and will require you to organize and coordinate sessions as well as record the music. Detailed requirements are listed further in the syllabus.

Assistant Sessions: In order to gain hands-on experience, you are required to serve as Assistant Engineer for recording sessions in the CMB and RCAB studios. Credit for assisting is given on an hourly basis; each hour will receive a credit of 5 points and will be logged via the CMB Studio Invoice database system. You must be properly booked on the session and sign the invoice at the end of the session in order to receive credit. If two (2) assistants serve one session, each assistant will receive 1/2 credit. As assistant you will be required to keep all session records including: track sheets, studio layout, signal processing, effects set-up, etc.

Labs: In order to gain experience with specific tasks, you are required to participate in lab sessions. These sessions are hands-on activities with small groups of students in each studio. Credit for lab participation is based on individual attendance and participation. Lab sessions times are posted on the CMB website: http://campus.belmont.edu/mb/studio/LabSchedule.html

Basis of Final Grade Evaluations:

ITEM DESCRIPTION	PERCENTILE CREDIT (% of 100 points)
1. Class Attendance & Participation	10 %
2. Written Test #1	05 %
3. Practical Exam (Mid-Term)	10 %
4. Written Test #2	05 %
5. Final Exam (Written 10% & Practical 10%)	20 %
6. Song Analysis & Assistant Engr Paper	10 % (Song Analysis @ 4% each, Asst @ 2%
7. Studio Project 1: 8-tracks	08 %
8. Studio Project 2: 16-tracks	12 %
7. Assisting Hours	10 %
9. Lab Participation	10 %

Fall 2006 Class Schedule

Month	Day	Class Topic	Readings/Assignments
August	24	Intro to Class, Tour, Assistant Engineering	Assistant Engineering Assignment Assigned. Readings: AiM 1-42; MMM 18-27; Lab Book – assistant engineering
	29	Microphones; Physics of Sound in Air	Readings: AiM Mics 43-78; MMM 174-190
	31	Microphones (cont) Recording Basics	Readings: MMM 30-35; 194-233; http://www.dpamicrophones.com, click the tab for “Application Guide” for placement ideas.
September	5	Microphones (cont), Stereo Mic Techniques	Assistant Engineering Assignment Due. Readings: MMM 38-43; http://www.dpamicrophones.com, click tab for “Microphone University” and select “Stereo Techniques”;
	7	Lines, Balanced v. Unbalanced, Physics of Electrical Signals, Levels	RCA Studio B Song Analysis Assigned. Lab Book; AiM 14-15
	12	Basics of Signal Flow, Patchbay Usage	Lab Book; AiM Consoles (79-100)
	14	Signal Flow – Aux systems	Lab Book; AiM Consoles (79-100)
	19	Exam I
	21	Decibels & level relationships	Lab Book; AiM 14-15
	26	Analog Tape Recording Theory	AiM: Analog Recording 101-112
	28	Analog Tape Recorders – Usage	Lab Book
October	3	Recording Techniques - Drums
	5	Recording Techniques – Guitars
	10	Exam II – Mid Term, Recording Signal Flow Practical	RCA Studio B Song Analysis Due. Recording Project 1 Due.
	12	Fall Break
	17	Recording Techniques – Piano/Organ/Keyboards	Historic Song Analysis Assigned.
	19	Recording Techniques - Vocals & Horns
	24	Dynamics	AiM 11-22; MMM 160-170
	26	Dynamics	AiM Dynamics (155 – 164)
	31	Equalization	MMM 144-156; AiM EQ 146-150
November	2	Equalization	Lab Book
	7	Delay & Reverb	AiM 150-155; Lab Book
	9	Exam III	Historic Song Analysis Due.
	14	Mixing Techniques	AiM 398-440; MMM 233-249
	16	Mixing Techniques
	21	Analog Tape Editing	AiM Analog Recorders 104-111
	23	Thanksgiving Break
	28	Digital Recording	AiM: Digital Recording 112-134
	30	Digital Editing	AiM DAWS 372-397 Recording Project 2 Due.
December	5	Final Review
	Section .03: FINAL EXAM: Monday, Dec. 11 @ 11am
	Section .04: FINAL EXAM: Friday, Dec. 8 @ 11am

AiM = Audio in Media, 7^th Edition. MMM = Make Mine Music

Audio 1 Studio Project Requirements

You are required to do two Recording Projects as part of AE1: an 8-Track Record & Mix Project and a 16-Track Record and Mix Project. These projects will give you practical, hands-on recording experience, and will require you to organize and coordinate sessions as well as record the music. If you have any questions after reading these requirements, please see your instructor.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

· PROVIDED BY STUDENT:

1. Blank CD-Rs with jewel cases (do not use CD-A discs)

2. 2 manila envelopes with clasp (or equivalent) to submit projects (it will contain your mix CDs & session documentation)

· PROVIDED BY RCA STUDIO B

1. Neato Labels for CD-Rs (create using the public access computer at RCA Studio B)

2. 2” analog tape

3. 1/4” analog tape

4. Session documentation forms (located in the black file cabinet in the Break Room)

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

· Engineers may not perform on their project sessions.

· Assistant Engineers may not perform on project sessions.