AET 1380 – Survey of Recording Technology, Belmont University, Fall 2007

 

Instructor:              Mr. Dave Tough, Assistant Professor (Prof Tough), Office Hours by Appointment

Contact:                 Cell: 554-6693 / Office # 225 BMH / Website: www.davetough.com/E-Mail: toughd@mail.belmont.edu/

Credit:                    3 Hours / Center for Music Business (CEMB) B25                

Class Webpage:    http://campus.belmont.edu/mb/AET1380/

 

 

Educational Objectives of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music: 1) To provide a personalized career-oriented and practical educational program in Music Business administration emphasizing the four themes of leadership, innovation, private enterprise, and entrepreneurship.  2) To equip students with the ability to communicate effectively, think critically, and make enlightened judgments about their environment. 3) To emphasize quality classroom instruction within the parameters of caring, Christian principles.

 

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:  1) To provide students with a basic knowledge of how the modern recording studio functions.  2) 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: 1) Identify major historical events throughout audio history and explain their significance.  2) Define, interpret, and apply a technical language for the development of effective communication skills within the music business industry.  3) Observe recording sessions and apply course concepts by composing reports using effective writing.  4) Assess the quality of audio and recording techniques developed by using critical listening skills. 5) Demonstrate basic signal flow through creating a final mix of a recorded audio project. 6) Synthesize course outcomes by creating 1) a final recording project or 2) a class presentation of a new idea, product, or concept.

 

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.

Course #          Section            Meeting Times/Location:                      FINAL EXAM TIME

10223               AET1380.04      MWF 1-1:50      REMS B25                    Friday Dec 7th, 2-5 pm

10224               AET1380.05      MWF 2-2:50      REMS B25                    Monday Dec 10th, 2-5 pm

 

Text & Materials:  Audio in Media, 7th Edition, Stanley R. Alten, Thomson, Wadsworth. 

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

A class notebook/binder and several blank CD-R’s for class projects will be needed. A calendar is also a good idea to keep up with the many class assignments, observations, tests, projects, etc.

 

Attendance: As per current Undergraduate Bulletin, attendance is taken each class starting on the 1st class. The catalog states that, “when the number of absences for any reason exceeds four times the number of scheduled class meetings per week, the student is involuntarily dropped from the course with a grade of ‘WF.’ Appeal is to the Provost.” This means if you miss more than 12 classes (for a MWF class), you are dropped.

 

Participation:  All students are expected to contribute to class discussions.  Specific class activities, topics, and readings are posted on the class website and on Blackboard. Additional handouts will be made available in class and extra handouts are located by the classroom door. 

Required Assignments: Reading and study of textbook chapter assignments as assigned in class. Class lectures are on powerpoint and can be printed out through Blackboard. Observation of three recording sessions at designated intervals with a detailed report will be necessary.   Students will be graded for group participation and attendance. Additionally, all students will complete a hands-on lab tutorial and prepare a collaborative presentation, or prepare a final recording project.

Testing:  There are both formal multiple choice tests and reading quizzes in this class. All test dates are noted in the class schedule and are announced. Reading quizzes are unannounced. No makeup tests or quizzes will be given.  Final exam will cover all the semester’s material.  Test dates maybe subject to change except final exam.  No electronic devices of any kind are to be used during exams.

 

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

As members of the Belmont community, students, faculty, staff, and administrators are all responsible for ensuring that their experiences will be free of behaviors, which compromise value.  In order to uphold academic integrity, the University has adopted an Honor System.  Students and faculty will work together to establish the optimal conditions for honorable academic work.  Following is the Student Honor Pledge that guides academic behavior:

 

“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 Evaluation:                                                             Total Points           % of grade 

4 Scantron Tests (100 points ea)                                               =   400 Points                           40%

3 Studio Observations (50 points ea)                                          =   150 Points               15%

2 Reading Pop Quizzes (25 points ea)                            =    50 Points                5%

Project 1 - Lab Tutorial                                                   =   50 Points                            5%

Project 2 – CD/Observation or Presentation/Paper           =    70 Points                7%

Attendance (3 Points for class attended)                        =    50 Points                  5%

Participation (for group projects)                                                =   50 points                   5%

Final Exam                                                                    =   180 Points               18%

                                                                 GRAND TOTAL = 1,000 Points                     100%

Grading Scale:

Grading scale as per the current Undergraduate Bulletin located at:

http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2006jun/apolicy/ap_as.html

 

A   = 970-1000        B+ = 870-928          C+ = 770-799          D+ = 670-699               F = BELOW 600                                               

A   = 930-969          B  =  830-869         C  = 730-769            D   = 630-669

A-  = 900-929          B- =  800-829         C- = 700-729            D-  = 600-629                                         

 

Extra Credit: An opportunity to earn extra credit in the total amount of 4% added to your cumulative grade average is given twice during the semester.

 

Key Dates

 

Activity

 

Aug 22– Wed

First day of class

 

Aug 29 – Wed

Tinfoil assignment due (participation grade)

 

Sept 3 – Mon

Labor Day Holiday – No class

 

Sept 5 – Wed

America on Record Group Summary 1 due (participation grade)

 

Sept 17 – Mon

America on Record Group Summary 2 due (participation grade)

 

Oct 1 - Mon

TEST #1 & Observation # 1 due

 

Oct 15 - Mon

Project #1: Lab Tutorial due

 

Oct 22 - Fri

TEST #2 & Observation # 2 due/Extra Credit #1 due

 

Nov 2 - Fri

America on Record Group Summary 3 due (participation grade)

 

Nov 12 - Mon

TEST #3 & Observation # 3 due

 

Dec 3 - Mon

TEST #4 (take home test) due

 

Dec 5 – Wed

Dead day

 

FINALS

Project #2 Due, Extra Credit #2 due

 

(See finals schedule on pp 1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other items

 

*I strongly encourage no internet surfing in class, those who surf for personal reasons usually do not do as good in the class, simply because they are not taking the material in.

 

*Remember to fill out a course evaluation on BIC at the end of the semester so I can improve this course.

 

*Keep all your AET/music business course materials (including AET 1380 notes/handouts) so you can use them to study for your senior exit exam when you are graduating.