BELMONT UNIVERSITY

MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Title: Survey of Recording Technology

Course #: AET 1380

Credit Hrs: 1

Semester: Fall 2007

Class Location: Mulloy Studios – Massey Hall, B-25

Meeting Time(s): Section 2: MWF 9:00-9:50 AM

Section 3: MWF 11:00 – 11:50 AM

Final Exam: Section 2: 10 December 2007 @ 8:00 AM

Section 3: 6 December 2007 @ 11:00 AM

Instructor: Mr. Ken Landers Office: 34 Music Square E, # 216

Phone: 615.460.6174 Email: landersk@mail.belmont.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A study of the major areas of recording technology as related to the music industry.  The student receives an overview of analog and digital technology with attention to its innovations, history, and effect on the music industry.

Learning Outcomes: 

• To provide students with a basic knowledge of how the modern recording studio functions.
• Emphasis is placed on understanding and problem solving designed to optimize students' awareness of the real life demands of the professional recording business.

Performance Criteria:

• Identify major historical events throughout audio history and explain their significance. 
• Define, interpret, and apply a technical language for the development of effective communication skills within the music business industry. 
• Observe recording sessions and apply course concepts by composing reports using effective writing. 
• Assess the quality of audio and recording techniques developed by using critical listening skills.
• Demonstrate basic signal flow through creating a final mix of a recorded audio project.
• Synthesize course outcomes by creating 1) a final recording project or 2) a class presentation of a new idea, product, or concept.

Goals of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business:

· 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.”

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Attendance: As per the current Undergraduate Bulletin. If you miss more than 12 classes, you will be dropped from the class with a grade of WF. You will also lose points towards your attendance grade for missed classes. Reasonable tardies count as half a missed class.

2. Materials:

a. Textbook(s)

i. Audio In Media, 8^th Edition by Stanley Alten. Wadsworth.

ii. America on Record; A History of Recorded Sound, 2^nd Edition, Andre Millard, Cambridge Press. 

iii. Any other assigned readings via web, on-hold texts in library, or Blackboard.

b. Web Access. – Required. There will be information dispersed through Blackboard. Will also be useful for research.

c. CD-Rs and DVD-Rs will be used to turn in projects.

3. Projects and prepared assignments

a. Observations. Students will turn in 3 studio observations throughout the semester. The student will attend 3 student-run recording sessions, either in the campus studios, RCA Studio B, or Ocean Way-Nashville. Students will write a short report detailing what happened in the session, equipment used, and the observing student’s thoughts on the session. While attending sessions, students will be attentive and courteous. Due dates for the observations are detailed below.

b. Projects.

i. Lab Tutorial. Students will complete a lab tutorial using the studio equipment located in the classroom.

ii. Project-Presentation. Students will be given the option of doing a recording project, either utilizing your own equipment or the equipment in B25. The project will be turned in on CD-R and will be accompanied by an observation report detailing the processes used in the recording. Less musically inclined students can do a class presentation on a topic approved by the instructor. The presentation will be accompanied by a 3 page paper on the subject.

4. Basis of grade evaluation: Grading scale as per the current Undergraduate Bulletin.

A. Attendance/Participation 10%

B. Exams (Exams 1-3 = 40%; Final = 20%) 60%

C. Observations - Projects 30%

5. Class Highlight Dates:

Date	Class Topic
22 Aug	First Day of Class
3 Sept	Labor Day
17 Sept	Exam 1
1 Oct	Observation 1 Due
8 Oct	Midterm Exam
10 Oct	Lab Tutorial Due
29 Oct	Observation 2 Due
5 Nov	Exam 3
19 Nov	Observation 3 Due
21-23 Nov	Thanksgiving Break
28 Nov	Projects – Presentations Due
3 Dec	Last Day of Class

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 the Director of Counseling & Developmental Support in the Office of the Dean of Students (460-6407) as soon as possible.