Curb College Syllabus Templet

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.”

Materials:

Audio Engineering 1 Workbook (15^th or 16^th Edition; Red cover)’ aka “LAB”

Audio in Media by Stanley R. Alten (7^th Edition); aka “AIM”

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

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 After eight total absences, the student will be removed from the class roster and withdrawn from the class with a grade of F. Absences are excused at the discretion of the instructor.

Assignments and Participation

· Song Analysis (Assignment must be typed)

1. Critically listen to a nationally released musical recording of your choice. Describe the instrumentation, arrangement and production techniques used to make the recordings. Include any relevant anecdotes. Sources must be cited. This is a short research paper, not an editorial.

2. Create a Lyric/Arrangement Chart for the song.

3. Prepare a Credits Sheet listing the production credits including artist, album (if applicable), label, song title, song writer, publisher information, PRO, producer (s), engineers, musicians and vocalists.

4. Submit a CD of the song in addition to the documents listed above.

· Labs: In order to gain experience with specific tasks you are required to participate in labs. Labs are hands-on activities with small groups of students in the studio. Credit for lab participation is based on individual attendance and participation.

· Studio Recording Projects: Students are required to participate as a Co-Engineer on four (4) Studio Recording Projects: Mix Project 1, Record Project 1, Record Project 2, Mix Project 2. Information on the projects will be distributed during the semester.

· Assistant Engineer Sessions: In order to gain hands-on experience you are required to serve as Assistant Engineer (as described in the Studio Recording Project Requirements) on at least five recording sessions in the CMB and/or RCA Studio B, with a minimum of twenty (20) hours of assisting. Credit for assisting is given on an hourly basis. Each assistant hour will receive a credit of 5 points. Credit hours 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. You must also submit a session journal for each session you assist.

· Tests: Online quizzes, 1 practical mid-term exam, 1 final exam (includes written and practical exams). See class schedule for dates.

· Grading scale as per the current Undergraduate Bulletin.

Basis of Final Grade:

ITEM DESCRIPTION	PERCENTILE CREDIT (% of 100 points)
Song Analysis	5%
Class Attendance & Participation	10%
Lab Attendance & Participation	10%
Online Quizzes	10%
Practical Exam 1 & 2	10%
Studio Recording Projects	35%
Assistant Engineer Sessions	10%
Written Final Exam	10%

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.

Date	Class Topic	Readings	Lab	Assignments
8/23	RCAB Orientation: Studio Policies, Lab Schedule, Student Info; Studio History	LAB: Introduction 1-5, 5.1-5.3
8/28	Hearing; Physics of Sound	AIM: Ch 1, 2	RCAB Session setup	8/27 3p&4p labs TBA
8/30	Studio Signal Flow: Basic Electrical Concepts, balanced and unbalanced circuits, polarity, the decibel, audio cable and connectors	AIM: 72-74, 90-93, 100 LAB: 19-26, 35-37	RCAB Session setup
9/4	Console Signal Flow: split console, inline console API 2098 signal flow (split console) The Patchbay	AIM: 79-93, 100 LAB: 17-18, 38	NO LABS	RCAB Website: API BlockDiagram
9/6	Session Procedures: Planning, Recording, Mixing, Assisting, session documentation; Multitrack Recorder Operations	AIM: 110-112, 424 “Recordkeeping”, 433-436 LAB: 9-15.8	NO LABS	Song Analysis Assigned
9/11	Room Acoustics, Loudspeakers and Monitoring	AIM: Ch 3, 9 LAB: 135	Mix Lab 1
9/13	Mic Operating Principles & Specifications; Distant Micing, Close Micing, Stereo Mic	AIM: Ch. 4; 279-280, 308-311, 320-321 LAB; 71-87	Mix Lab 1	Due: Song Analysis
9/18	Mic Techniques for voice and acoustic stringed instruments; mono and stereo	AIM: 302-304, 287-291, 320-321	Mic Lab 1: Voc, Agt, Pno	9/19: Begin Mix Project 1
9/20	Mic Techniques for acoustic keyboard instruments; mono & stereo	AIM: 291-294, 320-321	Mic Lab 1: Voc, Agt, Pno
9/25	Mic Techniques for amplified instruments; mono & stereo	AIM: 298-302, 320-321	Mic Lab 2: Amps & B3
9/27	Mic Techniques for drums; mono and stereo	AIM: 280-287, 320-321	Mic Lab 2: Amps & B3	Due: Mix Project 1 Begin: Record Project 1
10/2	Setup and Mic Techniques for ensembles	AIM: 304-311, 320-321	Mic Lab 3: Drums
10/4	Practical Exam 1: Signal Flow - Tracking		Mic Lab 3: Drums
10/9